File is loosely organized into two sections: Nova Scotia beaver and Norway beaver. Both sections contain correspondence to and from government officials, biologists, academics, and industry consultants regarding research for and publication of Alexander Leighton's study on beaver mental characteristics. The Norway section also contains excerpts from Norwegian newspapers. There is also a set of handwritten notes titled "Outline for study of the Beaver: D. Cross & A.H. Leighton."
Fonds contains records that span Hayes' career as a zoology professor. It consists of research data, laboratory experiments and other teaching material, correspondence, and publications. The research data has a wide geographic scope, but was primarily gathered in Nova Scotia.
Subseries contains records relating to courses that were offered at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College between 1937-2004. Series are arranged into lecture notes, examinations, and course outlines.
