

1897] Bæveren i Norge, dens Udbredelse og Levemaade. 125* 



Comme reia I Value. In felling trees the Beaver undoubtedly 

 does some clamage, but in the present Beaver districts, the red-pine 

 is the most important species of tree, and the injury caused may, 

 therefore, be regarded as bemg, on the whole, of no great signi- 

 hcance. 



It is, therefore, seldom persecuted, and Beaver which are killed 

 or found dead, are not made use of to their full extent. Norwegian 

 Beaver Skin is, at present, very rarely in the market. The Beaver- 

 gall is of little value 1 ). 



Our Beaver is, possibly, of some value as specimens for Museums. 



Chase of the Beaver. On account of its great watchfulness, 

 the Beaver is difficult of approach, and it soon notices every device 

 formed for its capture. It is most easily got at by waiting for it 

 by the lodge at night, during the time it works at it. 



At Trysil^ at the head of the Østerdal valley, towards the close 

 of last century, in addition to the ordinary methods of hunting, 

 leistering with a spear was employed (Described by Smith, 1784; 

 see p. 87). 



Game Laws. The first decree for the protection of the Beaver 

 is to be found in the Game Laws of 1845, previous to which year 

 it was not protected. 



Under these Laws it was provided that the Beaver should be 

 preserved until the end of 1855, and after that period only be 

 killed by the proprietor of the estate on which it was found. 



From 1856, the chase of the Beaver was again opened, and 

 the proprietor could kill it without any restriction as to time or 

 number. 



First in the Game Laws of 22nd June 1863, was a fixed close- 

 time prescribed. According to these Laws the Beaver might there- 

 after only be killed from the beginning of August to the end of 

 October, and, during that period, only by the owner of the ground, 

 who might kill one specimen on each of his registered estates. 



Exceptions to the above mentioned Laws might be made by 

 the King, who could give his permission to the killing of several 

 Beaver when the property was exceptionally large, or permit every 

 proprietor to slay all the Beaver that might be found on an island 



T ) In the Pharmocopoea Norvegica it is enjoined that the Beaver-gall shall 

 he „Castoreum canadense". 



