92 
GRE¥ SQUIRREL. 
a whole winter, where there were millions in the 
preceding year. In their journeys from one part 
of the country to another when it becomes neces- 
sary to pass a lake or river, (which is frequently the 
case in Lapland,) they lay hold of a piece of pine 
or birch bark, which they draw to the edge of the 
water, mount upon it, and abandon themselves to 
the waves. They erect their tails, to catch the 
wind; but, if it blows too strong, or the waves 
rise high, the pilot and the vessel are both over- 
turned. This kind of wreck, which often consists 
of three or four thousand sail, generally enriches 
some Laplanders, who fmd the dead bodies on the 
shore ; arid, if these have not lain too long on the 
sand, they prepare the furs for sale. But when the 
winds are favourable, the adventurers make a 
happy voyage, and arrive in safety at their destined 
port. 
The grey squirrels arc also natives of North 
America ; where they do much mischief in the 
plantations, but particularly among the maize ; 
for they climb up the stalks, tear the ears in 
pieces, and eat only the loose and sweet kernel* 
which lies quite in the inside. They sometimes 
come by hundreds upon a maize-held, and thus 
destroy the w hole crop of a fanner in one night. 
In Maryland, therefore, some years ago, every 
person was compelled to procure and exhibit an- 
nually four fresh squirrels; the heads of which, 
to prevent deceit, were given to the surveyor. In 
other provinces, every one w ; ho killed a squirrel 
received from the public treasury two-pcnce, on de- 
livering up its bead. Pennsylvania alone paid, 
from January, 1749, to January, 1750, no less a 
sum than eight thousand pounds, currency, in re- 
wards for the destruction of these animals ; con- 
sequently in that year,, as many as six hundred and 
forty thousand must have been killed. 
