98 BRITISH . return to their old residences, in autumn, to provide the store of wood necessary for winter. The beaver is cleanly in its habits, always leaving its apartments to evacuate its dung or urine in the water, or, in winter, on the ice. They are easily tamed—become fond of human society—are readily taught to eat animal food—always retain their cleanly habits— and are fond of being caressed. They bring forth from two to five at a birth. The flesh of the beaver is considered very delicious, both by the fur traders and the Indians. The value of the fur is well known; it forms an important and principal article of commercial profit to the Hudson's Bay Company . The colour of the beaver is a very dark glossy brown; accidental, but very rare, differences occur. Some travellers mention that the white beaver is a distinct species ; but Mr Hearne believes that there is but one kind of beaver, and, during twenty years' residence at Hudson's Bay, he never saw but one white beaver skin ; and the beautiful glossy black beaver skins are also merely accidental variations. Those who hunt beavers in winter, must, to suc¬ ceed, be well acquainted with their manner of life. When any injury is offered to their houses, they retreat, under water, to their holes in the banks. The Indians often find it necessary to stake the river across, to prevent them from crossing; after which, they endeavour to discover their vaults, or holes, which requires much patience, and is effected by striking the ice along the banks with an ice chisel