46 An Hyîorical Journal of 



Beavers tliofe extraordinary Qualities which fo much diHinguiHi 

 thofe of Canada, 'Tis a great Pity, Madam, that none of thefe 

 wonderful Creatures were found in the Tyber, or in the Territo- 

 ries of Parnajpis, what line Things would the Greek. Sind Roman 

 Poets have faid on this'Subjeél. 



Jt appears that the Savages of Canada did not difturb them 

 |rreatly till our Arrival in their Country. The Skins of the 

 Beavers were not the mofl ufed by thefe People for Garments, 

 and the Flefh of Bears, Elks, and other wild Creatures was 

 more approved by them. They hunted them, neverthelefs, and 

 this Chace had its Seafon, and its peculiar Ceremonies ; but 

 when they hunted only for what was merely neceifary for a pre- 

 fent Supply, they made no great Ravages ; and indeed when we 

 came to Canada^ we found a prodigious Number of thefe am- 

 phibious Creatures in the Country. 



There is no Difficulty in hunting the Beaver, for this Animal ' 



^ ^ 7 . J has not in any Degree the Strength to defend 

 Bea er himfelf, nor the Skill to Ihun the Attacks of 



carver, -^-^ Enemy, which it difcovers in providing 



for itfelf Lodging and Provifions. It is during Winter they 

 make War agâinfl him in Form. ; that is to Jay, from the Begin- 

 ning of November XiW April, Then it has, like all other Ani- 

 mals, more Fur, and the Skin is thinner; this hunting is per- 

 formed four different Ways, with Nets, with the Gun, the 

 Trench, and the Trap ; the firft is generally joined to the 

 third, and they feldom make Ufe of the fécond, becaufe the 

 Eyes of this little Animal are fo piercing, and his Ears are fo 

 quick, that it is difficult to approach near enough to fhoot him, 

 before he gets into the ater, which he never goes far from 

 during this Seafon, and into which he immediately plunges. 

 They would lofe him alfo if he were v/ounded before he gets 

 into the Water, becaufe he never comes up again if he dies of 

 his Wound ; it is therefore the Trench or the Trap that are ge- 

 nerally ufed. 



Though the Beavers have made their Provifion for the Win- 

 ter, they flill continue to make fome Excurfions into the Woods 

 to find fome frefher and tenderer Food, and this Daintinefs cofts 

 many their Lives. The Savages fet up Traps in their Way, 

 made almoft like a Figure of 4, and for a Bait they put little 

 Pieces of foft Food newly cut ; as foon as the Beaver touches it, 

 a great Log falls upon him and breaks his Back, and the Hun- 

 ter coming up m.akes an End of him without any Trouble. 

 The Trench requires more Caution, and they proceed in this 

 Manner : When the Ice is but half a Foot thick, they cut an 

 Opening with ari Ax, the Beavers come here to breathe more 

 frceîv 5 the Hunters wait for them^, and perceive them coming 



• . " ' at 



