not recollect to have seen more than six during almost three years'
residence among the Northern Indians. Mr. Pennant observes in his Arctic
Zoology,[146] that they always have two at a time; one brought forth
alive and the other still-born;[CE] but I never saw an instance of this
kind, though in different parts of the country I have seen them killed
in all stages of pregnancy. The flesh of the porcupine is very
delicious, and so much esteemed by the Indians, that they think it the
greatest luxury that their country affords. The quills are in great
request among the women; who make them into a variety of ornaments, such
as shot-bags, belts, garters, bracelets, _&c._ Their mode of copulation
is singular, for their {382} quills will not permit them to perform that
office in the usual mode, like other quadrupeds. To remedy this
inconvenience, they sometimes lie on their sides, and meet in that
manner; but the usual mode is for the male to lie on his back, and the
female to walk over him, (beginning at his head,) till the parts of
generation come in contact. They are the most forlorn animal I know; for
in those parts of Hudson's Bay where they are most numerous, it is not
common to see more than one in a place. They are so remarkably slow and
stupid, that our Indians going with packets from Fort to Fort often see
them in the trees, but not having occasion for them at that time, leave
them till their return; and should their absence be a week or ten days,
they are sure to find them within a mile of the place where they had
seen them before.
[Sidenote: Foxes of various Colours.]
FOXES[147] of various colours are not scarce in those parts; but the
natives living such a wandering life, seldom kill many. It is rather
strange that no other species of Fox, except the white, are found at any
distance from the woods on the barren ground; for so long as the trade
has been established with the Esquimaux to the North of Churchill, I do
not recollect that Foxes of any other colour than white were ever
received from them.
[Sidenote: Varying Hares.]
The VARYING HARES[148] are numerous to the North of Churchill River, and
extend as far as latitude 72°, probably farther. They delight most in
rocky and stony {383} places, near the borders of woods; though many of
them brave the coldest Winters on entire barren ground. In Summer they
are nearly the colour of our English wild rabbit; but in Winter assume a
most delicate white all over, except the tips of the ears, which are
black. They are, when full grown and in good condition, very large, many
of them weighing fourteen or fifteen pounds; and if not too old, are
good eating. In Winter they feed on long rye-grass and the tops of dwarf
willows, but in Summer eat berries, and different sorts of small
herbage. They are frequently killed on the South-side of Churchill
River, and several have been known to breed near the settlement at that
place. They must multiply very fast, for when we evacuated Prince of
Wales's Fort in one thousand seven hundred and eighty-two, it was rare
to see one of them within twenty or thirty miles of that place; but at
our return, in one thousand seven hundred and eighty-three, we found
them in such numbers, that it was common for one man to kill two or
three in a day within half a mile of the new settlement. But partly,
perhaps, from so many being killed, and partly from the survivors being
so frequently disturbed, they have shifted their situation, and are at
present as scarce near the settlement as ever. The Northern Indians
pursue a singular method in shooting those Hares; finding by long
experience that these animals will not bear a direct approach, when the
Indians see a hare sitting, they walk round it in circles, always
drawing nearer at every revolution, till by degrees they get within
gun-shot. The {384} middle of the day, if it be clear weather, is the
best time to kill them in this manner; for before and after noon, the
Sun's altitude being so small, makes a man's shadow so long on the snow,
as to frighten the Hare before he can approach near enough to kill it.
The same may be said of deer when on open plains, who are frequently
more frightened at the long shadow than at the man himself.
[Sidenote: The American Hare.]
The AMERICAN HARES,[149] or, as they are called in Hudson's Bay,
RABBITS, are not plentiful in the Eastern parts of the Northern Indian
country, not even in those parts that are situated among the woods; but
to the Westward, bordering on the Southern Indian country, they are in
some places pretty numerous, though by no means equal to what has been
reported of them at York Fort, and some other settlements in the Bay.
The furr of those animals, when killed in the best part of the season,
was for many years entirely neglected by the furriers; for some time
past the Company have ordered as many of their skins to be sent home as
can be procured; they are but of small value.
The flesh of those Hares is generally more esteemed than that of the
former. They are in season all the Winter; and though they generally
feed on the brush of pine and fir during that season, yet many of the
Northern Indians eat the contents of the stomach. They are seldom sought
after in Summer, as in that season they are not esteemed {385} good
eating; but as the Fall advances they are, by feeding on berries, _&c._
most excellent. In Spring they shed their Winter coat, and during the
Summer are nearly the colour of the English wild rabbit, but as the
Winter advances they become nearly white. In thick weather they are
easily shot with the gun; but the most usual method of killing them is
by snares, set nearly in the manner described by Dragge in the First
Volume of his North West Passage.
[Sidenote: The Common Squirrel.]
The COMMON SQUIRRELS[150] are plentiful in the woody parts of this
country, and are caught by the natives in considerable numbers with
snares, while the boys kill many of them with blunt-headed arrows. The
method of snaring them is rather curious, though very simple, as it
consists of nothing more than setting a number of snares all round the
body of the tree in which they are seen, and arranging them in such a
manner that it is scarcely possible for the squirrels to descend without
being entangled in one of them. This is generally the amusement of the
boys. Though small, and seldom fat, yet they are good eating.
The beauty and delicacy of this animal induced me to attempt taming and
domesticating some of them, but without success; for though several of
them were so familiar as to take any thing out of my hand, and sit on
the table where I was writing, and play with the pens, _&c._ yet they
never would bear to be handled, and were very mischievous; gnawing the
chair-bottoms, window-curtains, sashes, _&c._ to pieces. They are an
article of trade in the {386} Company's standard, but the greatest part
of their skins, being killed in Summer, are of very little value.
[Sidenote: The Ground Squirrel.]
The GROUND SQUIRRELS[151] are never found in the woody parts of North
America, but are very plentiful on the barren ground, to the North of
Churchill River, as far as the latitude 71°, and probably much farther.
In size they are equal to the American Grey Squirrel, though more
beautiful in colour. They generally burrow among the rocks and under
great stones, but sometimes on the sides of sandy ridges; and are so
provident in laying up a Winter's stock during the Summer, that they are
seldom seen on the surface of the snow in Winter. They generally feed on
the tufts of grass, the tender tops of dwarf willows, _&c._ and are for
the most part exceedingly fat, and good eating. They are easily tamed,
and soon grow fond; by degrees they will bear handling as well as a cat;
are exceeding cleanly, very playful, and by no means so restless and
impatient of confinement as the Common Squirrel.
[Sidenote: Mice of various kinds.]
MICE are in great plenty and variety in all parts of Hudson's Bay; the
marshes being inhabited by one species, and the dry ridges by another.
The Shrew Mouse[152] is frequently found in Beaver houses during Winter,
where they not only find a warm habitation, but also pick up a
comfortable livelihood from the scraps left by the Beaver. Most of the
other species build or make nests of dry grass, {387} of such a size and
thickness, that when covered with snow, they must be sufficiently warm.
They all feed on grass in general, but will also eat animal food when
they can get it. The Hair-tailed Mouse[153] is the largest in the
Northern parts of the Bay, being little inferior in size to a common
rat. They always burrow under stones, on dry ridges; are very
inoffensive, and so easily tamed, that if taken when full-grown, some of
them will in a day or two be perfectly reconciled, and are so fond of
being handled, that they will creep about your neck, or into your bosom.
In Summer they are grey, and in Winter change to white, but are by no
means so beautiful as a white ermine. At that season they are infested
with multitudes of small lice, not a sixth part so large as the mites in
a cheese; in fact, they are so small, that at first sight they only
appear like reddish-brown dust, but on closer examination are all
perceived in motion. In one large and beautiful animal of this kind,
caught in the depth of Winter, I found those little vermin so numerous
about it, that almost every hair was covered with them as thick as ropes
with onions, and when they approached near the ends of the hair they may
be said to change the mouse from white to a faint brown. At that time I
had an excellent microscope, and endeavoured to examine them, and to
ascertain their form, but the weather was so exceedingly cold, that the
glasses became damp with the moisture of my breath before I could get a
single sight. The hind-feet of these Mice are exactly like those of a
Bear, and the {388} fore-feet are armed with a horny substance, (that I
never saw in any other species of the Mouse,) which is wonderfully
adapted for scraping away the ground where they wish to take up their
abode. They are plentiful on some of the stony ridges near Churchill
Factory, but never approach the house, or any of the out-offices. From
appearances they are very local, and seldom stray far from their
habitations even in Summer, and in Winter they are seldom seen on the
surface of the snow; a great proof of their being provident in Summer to
lay by a stock for that season.
_Pinnated Quadrupeds._
With respect to the Pinnated Quadrupeds with finlike feet, there are but
few species in Hudson's Bay. The Walrus, or Sea-Horse, and Seals, are
the only ones that I know.
[Sidenote: The Walrus.]
The WALRUS[154] are numerous about Merry and Jones's Islands, but more
so on a small island called Sea-Horse Island, that lies in the fair way
going to Whale Cove. In July one thousand seven hundred and sixty-seven,
when on my voyage to the North of Churchill River, in passing Sea-Horse
Island, we saw such numbers of those animals lying on the shore, that
when some swivel guns loaded with ball were fired among them, the whole
beach seemed to be in motion. The greatest part of them plunged into the
water, and many of them swam round {389} the vessel within musket-shot.
Every one on board exerted their skill in killing them, but it was
attended with so little success, that the few which were killed sunk to
the bottom, and those which were mortally wounded made off out of our
reach.
With what propriety those animals are called Horses, I cannot see; for
there is not the least resemblance in any one part. Their bodies, fins,
_&c._ are exactly like those of an enormous Seal, and the head is not
very unlike that animal, except that the nose is much broader, to give
room for the two large tusks that project from the upper jaw. Those
tusks, and their red sparkling eyes, make them have a very fierce and
formidable appearance.
They are generally found in considerable numbers, which indicate their
love of society; and their affection for each other is very apparent, as
they always flock round those that are wounded, and when they sink,
accompany them to the bottom, but soon rise to the surface, and make a
hideous roaring, and of all amphibious animals, they are at times the
least sensible of danger from man that I know.
They often attack small boats merely through wantonness, and not only
put the people in great confusion, but subject them to great danger; for
they always aim at staving the boat with their tusks, or endeavour to
get in, but are never known to hurt the people. In the year one thousand
seven hundred and sixty-six some of the sloop's {390} crew, who annually
sail to the North to trade with the Esquimaux, were attacked by a great
number of those animals; and notwithstanding their utmost endeavours to
keep them off, one more daring than the rest, though a small one, got in
over the stern, and after sitting and looking at the people some time,
he again plunged into the water to his companions. At that instant
another, of an enormous size, was getting in over the bow; and every
other means proving ineffectual to prevent such an unwelcome visit, the
bowman took up a gun, loaded with goose-shot, put the muzzle into the
Horse's mouth, and shot him dead; he immediately sunk, and was followed
by all his companions. The people then made the best of their way to the
vessel, and just arrived before the Sea-Horses were ready to make their
second attack, which in all probability might have been worse than the
first, as they seemed much enraged at the loss of their companion.
Those animals are of various sizes, according to age and other
circumstances; some are not larger than an old Seal but there are those
among them that are not less than two ton weight.
The skin and teeth are the most valuable parts to the natives; for the
fat is hard and grisly, and the flesh coarse, black, and tough.
Those animals are seldom found on the continent which borders on
Hudson's Bay, or far up, in bays, rivers, or inlets, but usually
frequent small islands, and sea-girt {391} shoals, at some distance from
the main land; but as those places are frozen over for many miles during
Winter, it is natural to think they keep at the edge of the water among
the driving ice during that season. They are supposed to feed chiefly on
marine plants, and perhaps on shell-fish, for their excrement is
exceedingly offensive.
[Sidenote: Seals.]
SEALS of various sizes and colours are common in most parts of Hudson's
Bay, but most numerous to the North. Some of those animals are
beautifully speckled, black and white;[155] others are of a dirty grey.
The former are generally small, but some of the latter arrive at an
amazing size, and their skins are of great use to the Esquimaux; as it
is of them they cover their canoes, make all their boot-legs and shoes,
besides many other parts of their clothing. The Seal-skins are also of
great use to those people as a substitute for casks, to preserve oil,
_&c._ for Winter use; they are also blown full of wind and dried, and
then used as buoys on the whale-fishery. The flesh and fat of the Seal
is also more esteemed by the Esquimaux than those of any other marine
animal, salmon not excepted.
[Sidenote: Sea Unicorn.]
Besides these, the SEA-UNICORN[156] is known to frequent Hudson's Bay
and Straits, but I never saw one of them. Their horns are frequently
purchased from our friendly Esquimaux, who probably get them in the way
of barter from those tribes that reside more to the North; but I {392}
never could be informed by the natives whether their skins are like
those of the Whale, or hairy like those of the Seal; I suppose the
former.
* * * * *
_Species of Fish._
The Fish that inhabit the salt water of Hudson's Bay are but few:--the
Black Whale, White Whale, Salmon, and a small fish called Kepling, are
the only species of sea-fish in those parts.[CF]
[Sidenote: Black Whale.]
The BLACK WHALE[157] is sometimes found as far South as Churchill River,
and I was present at the killing of three there; but this was in the
course of twenty years. To the Northward, particularly near Marble
Island, they are more plentiful; but notwithstanding the Company carried
on a fishery in that quarter, from the year one thousand seven hundred
and sixty-five till one thousand seven hundred and seventy-two, they
were so far from making it answer their expectations, that they sunk
upwards of twenty thousand pounds; which is the less to be wondered at,
when we consider the great inconveniencies and expences {393} they
laboured under in such an undertaking. For as it was impossible to
prosecute it from England, all the people employed on that service were
obliged to reside at their settlement all the year at extravagant wages,
exclusive of their maintenance. The harpooners had no less than fifty
pounds _per annum_ standing wages, and none of the crew less than from
fifteen to twenty-five pounds; which, together with the Captains'
salaries, wear and tear of their vessels, and other contingent expences,
made it appear on calculation, that if there were a certainty of loading
the vessels every year, the Company could not clear themselves. On the
contrary, during the seven years they persevered in that undertaking,
only four Black Whales were taken near Marble Island; and, except one,
they were so small, that they would not have been deemed payable fish in
the Greenland service.[CG] But the Hudson's Bay Company, with a
liberality that does honour to them, though perfectly acquainted with
the rules observed in the Greenland service, gave the same premium for a
sucking fish, as for one of the greatest magnitude.
[Sidenote: White Whale.]
WHITE WHALES[158] are very plentiful in those parts, particularly from
Chesterfield's Inlet to York Fort, or Hay's {394} River, on the West
side of the Bay; and from Cape Smith to Slude River on the East side. On
the West coast they are generally found in the greatest numbers at the
mouths of the principal rivers; such as Seal River, Churchill, Port
Nelson, and Hay's Rivers. But the East side of the Bay not being so well
known, Whale River is the only part they are known to frequent in very
considerable numbers. Some years ago the Company had a settlement at
this river, called Richmond Fort; but all their endeavours to establish
a profitable fishery here proved ineffectual, and the few Indians who
resorted to it with furrs proving very inadequate to the expences, the
Company determined to evacuate it. Accordingly, after keeping up this
settlement for upward of twelve years, and sinking many thousands of
pounds, they ordered it to be burnt, for the more easily getting the
spikes and other iron-work. This was in the year one thousand seven
hundred and fifty-eight.
At the old established Factories on the West side of the Bay, the
Company have been more successful in the White Whale fishery,
particularly at Churchill, where such of the Company's servants as
cannot be employed during that season to more benefit for the Company,
are sent on that duty, and in some successful years they send home from
eight to thirteen tons of fine oil. To encourage a spirit of industry
among those employed on this service, the Company allows a gratuity, not
only to the harpooners, but to every man that sails in the boats; and
this {395} gratuity is so ample as to inspire them with emulation, as
they well know that the more they kill, the greater will be their
emolument.
[Sidenote: Salmon.]
SALMON[159] are in some seasons very numerous on the North West side of
Hudson's Bay, particularly at Knapp's Bay and Whale Cove. At the latter
I once found them so plentiful, that had we been provided with a
sufficient number of nets, casks, and salt, we might soon have loaded
the vessel with them. But this is seldom the case, for in some years
they are so scarce, that it is with difficulty a few meals of them can
be procured during our stay at those harbours. They are in some years so
plentiful near Churchill River, that I have known upward of two hundred
fine fish taken out of four small nets in one tide within a quarter of a
mile of the Fort; but in other years they are so scarce, that barely
that number have been taken in upward of twenty nets during the whole
season, which generally begins the latter end of June, and ends about
the middle or latter end of August.
[Sidenote: Kepling.]
Beside the fish already mentioned, I know of no other that inhabits the
salt water except the KEPLING,[160] which is a small fish about the size
of a smelt, but most excellent eating. In some years they resort to the
shores near Churchill River in such multitudes to spawn, and such
numbers of them are left dry among the rocks, as at times to be {396}
quite offensive. In other seasons they are so scarce, that hardly a meal
can be procured.
The same remark may be made on almost every species of game, which
constitutes the greatest part of the fare of the people residing in
those parts. For instance, in some years, hundreds of deer may easily be
killed within a mile of York Fort; and in others, there is not one to be
seen within twenty or thirty miles. One day thousands and tens of
thousands of geese are seen, but the next they all raise flight, and go
to the North to breed. Salmon, as I have lately observed, is so
plentiful in some years at Churchill River, that it might be procured in
any quantity; at others, so scarce as to be thought a great delicacy.
In fact, after twenty years residence in this country, I am persuaded
that whoever relies much on the produce of the different seasons, will
frequently be deceived, and occasionally expose himself and men to great
want.
To remedy this evil, it is most prudent for those in command to avail
themselves of plentiful seasons, and cure a sufficient quantity of the
least perishable food, particularly geese.
* * * * *
_Shell Fish._
[Sidenote: Shell Fish.]
SHELL FISH of a variety of kinds are also found in some parts of
Hudson's Bay. Muscles[161] in particular are in great abundance on the
rocky shores near Churchill River, and what is vulgarly called the
Periwinkle are very plentiful {397} on the rocks which dry at low-water.
Small Crabs[162] and Starfish[163] are frequently thrown on the shore by
the surf in heavy gales of wind; and the empty shells of Wilks, small
Scallops, Cockles, and many other kinds, are to be found on the beaches
in great plenty. The same may be said of the interior parts of the
country, where the banks of the lakes and rivers abound with empty
shells of various kinds; but the fish themselves have never been
discovered by the natives.
_Frogs, Grubs, and other Insects._
[Sidenote: Frogs.]
[Sidenote: Spiders and Grubs.]
FROGS[164] of various colours are numerous in those parts as far North
as the latitude 61°. They always frequent the margins of lakes, ponds,
rivers, and swamps: and as the Winter approaches, they burrow under the
moss, at a considerable distance from the water, where they remain in a
frozen state till the Spring. I have frequently seen them dug up with
the moss, (when pitching tents in Winter,) frozen as hard as ice; in
which state the legs are as easily broken off as a pipe-stem, without
giving the least sensation to the animal; but by wrapping them up in
warm skins, and exposing them to a slow fire, they soon recover life,
and the mutilated animal gains its usual activity; but if they are
permitted to freeze again, they are past all recovery, and are never
more known to come to life. The same may be said of the various species
of {398} Spiders, and all the Grub kind, which are very numerous in
those parts. I have seen thousands of them dug up with the moss, when we
were pitching our tents in the Winter; all of which were invariably
enclosed in a thick web, which Nature teaches them to spin on those
occasions; yet they were apparently all frozen as hard as ice. The
Spiders, if let fall from any height on a hard substance, would rebound
like a grey pea; and all the Grub kind are so hard frozen as to be as
easily broken as a piece of ice of the same size; yet when exposed to a
slow heat, even in the depth of Winter, they will soon come to life, and
in a short time recover their usual motions.
* * * * *
_Birds._