124 R- Collett. [No. 1 



they approached a boat, is also mentioned by old authors. In 

 •some parts the Beaver-gall is worn from the garter as a specific 

 for worms. 



The Tail of the Beaver (the use of which is mentioned on p. 

 62); is even still spoken of as being employed as a trowel, and in 

 the 16th century was regarded as a clelicacy of food. 



The teeth of the Beaver are, up to the present time, worn as 

 amulets in Finmarken, partly for ornament, partly as a protection 

 from sickness, and were offer ed to the gods at the place of sacrifice, 

 and buried in the graves of the heathen Laps. 



In Captivity. Smith in 1784, gives an account of tame Bea- 

 ver in Trysil. 1 ) Two young individuals, which were given full 

 liberty, became quite tame, and allowed themselves to be handled 

 like puppies. They passed their time, partly in a neighbouring 

 river, partly in the rooms. They were fed on bread, milk and 

 cooked viands, slept during the day, and occupiecl themselves 

 throughout the night in forming the furniture and other things in 

 the room into a sort of lodge. 



Are the Beaver decreasing or increasing in Numbers? 

 From the commencement or mi d die of last century, the Beaver 

 began gradually to decrease in numbers, and at the beginning of 

 the present century it had disappeared from most parts of the 

 land, except in Nedenæs, Nordland and Finmarken. 



In the middle of the present century, it was almost exclusively 

 oonfined to the first named district, and was fast becoming extinct 

 even there. The Game Laws of 1845, checked the decrease and 

 it cannot be doubtecl but that of late years it is on the increase, 

 while its range has become extencled through constant migration. 



Many are lost by accident, but, of late years, fewer have been 

 shot, or wilfully destroyed, than one might have expected, they being, 

 as a rule, regarded with indifference by the inhabitants. 



In 1880, Mr. Cocks estimated the number af Beaver at about 

 60. 2 ) In 1883, I estimated it at about 100, and it may be regarded 

 as probable that, since that time, the number has been maintainecl, 

 or possibly somewhat increased. 



x ) Topog-r. Jouvn. f. Norge, Part 21. (Printed 1797). 

 2 ) The Zoologist, 1880. 



