MAMMALIA... 113 
Indian women and children, and were so fond of their company, that when the 
Indians were absent for any considerable time, the Beaver discovered great signs 
of uneasiness; and on their return, shewed equal marks of pleasure by fondling 
on them, crawling into their laps, lying on their backs, sitting erect like a 
squirrel, and behaving like children who see their parents but seldom. In general, 
during the winter, they lived on the same food as the women did, and were 
remarkably fond of rice and plum-pudding : they would eat partridges and fresh 
venison very freely, but I never tried them with fish, though I have heard they 
will at times prey on them. In fact there are few graminivorous animals that may 
not be brought to be carnivorous.” : 
Castor FIBER, var. B, nigra. Black Beaver. 
Castor fort noir. Sacarp THEODAT, Canada, p. 767. 
Castor fiber. var.B. Castor noir. Desmarest, Mamm. p. 278. 
Beaver, entirely black, but not differing in any other respect from those of the 
ordinary dark brown colour, are of occasional occurrence. I saw one or two 
which were kept as curiosities. Hearne, in speaking of this variety, says, “ Black 
Beaver, and that of a beautiful gloss, are not uncommon; perhaps they are more 
plentiful at Churchill than at any other Factory in the Bay; but itis rare to get 
more than twelve or fifteen of their skins in the course of one year’s trade.” 
