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THB 
 
 CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
LONDON : 
 IMUMKI) liY SAMUEL DEMLEY; 
 
 Bangor House, Soe Lane. 
 
./^- 
 
 / 
 
 ,^^* 
 
 / 
 
 THE 
 
 CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 A SERIES OF CONVERSATKJN!? 
 
 i)N THE 
 
 NATURAL HISTORY OF LOWER CANADA. 
 
 IIV 
 
 p. H. GOSSE. 
 
 ton. MLM. OF THE SAT. HIST. SOC. OK MONTREAL, A V U OF IIIE 
 LIT. AND HIST. SOC. OF OUKIIEC. 
 
 '■ •> '--■'-■. ,■ .-^,V■. 
 
 
 " Every kingdom, every province, should have its own monojiraplicr." 
 
 Gilbert Wiiitf. 
 
 II.I.ISTR ATED IIV FORTY- FCIIR EN(.RAVIN(;!>. 
 
 LONDON: 
 JOHN VAN VOORST, 1, PATERNOSTER ROW. 
 
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TO 
 
 THOMAS BELL, ESQ. F.K.S. F.L.S. &c. 
 
 I'KOFKSSOK OF Z.).)I..)<;v I.v KIMi's C.r.LECiK, LONDON, 
 
 THIS LITTLK VOLU.ME, 
 
 -SS A SAr.VLI TOKEN OF ESTEEM FOR HI> VIHTIES, 
 
 AM) OF AD.MIKATION OF Ills TALENTS, 
 
 In AFFECTIONATEI.V INS( KIHEI), 
 
 UV UIs (iKATKFIJ. REI,ATI\E, 
 
 TUfi ArTiion. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 Canada having hocomc, of late, a very prominent and 
 engrossing object of attention, it is hoped that it may not be 
 altogether uninteresting to the public, to consider it in a 
 new point of view. It is here presented in a light on which 
 there can be no clashing of opinion, no discordancy of senti- 
 ment : the smiling face of Nature, the harmony and beauty 
 of the works of God, may be tu^ed to by men of all parties 
 as a refreshing relief from the stem conflict of political war- 
 fare. During a residence of some years in the Lower Pro- 
 vince, the Author has felt it to be no common privilege to be 
 able to solace himself by these simple but enchanting studies 
 amidst the fatigues of labour, and the sto„.y polities and' 
 martial alarms of the times ; and even now, the recollection 
 of those pleasant scenes sheds forth a lustre which gilds the 
 
Vlll 
 
 I'UKFACK. 
 
 edge of many a dark cloud. He does not expect by written 
 words to be able to conmiunicate tbe vividness of those 
 impressions which are produced by actual observation ; it 
 will suffice, if an additional source of innocent gratification 
 be pointed out, or an additional testimony borne to the 
 wisdom and goodness of our beneficent Creator. 
 
 The plan of the Work consists of a series of conversations 
 on the subject of natural history, supposed to pass l»etween 
 a father and son, during successive walks, taken at the 
 various seasons of the year : so that it may lie considered 
 as in some degree a kind of Canadian "Naturalist's Calen- 
 dar." As the form of dialogue has of late become somewhat 
 " out of fashion," the Author feels it to be due to the public 
 to explain the reasons which induced him to throw the Work 
 into such a shape. He thought that by taking the reader, 
 as it were, and transporting him into the midst of the very 
 scenes and objects represented, a life and a vigour might lie 
 preserved, which would be wanting in a formal narrative. 
 And many little trifles might be thus touched, which could 
 be noticed in no other form, but which, nevertheless, all 
 help to make up a true picture. Thus, too, we may ramble 
 from one suV)ject to another (as the humming-bird way- 
 wardly shoots from flower to flower), often by a transition 
 more abrupt than could be permitted in a systematic dis- 
 course. If these transitions in any case appear to be too 
 
 \ 
 
 5: 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 IX 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
 abrupt, the reader is at liberty to suppose the lapse of what 
 interval he pleases between the fonrner and latter subjects ; 
 or the notice of any passing occurrence, which has changed 
 the current of conversation. Of course, the subject is very 
 far from being exhausted : the Author has confined his re- 
 marks, with very few exceptions, to those phenomena which 
 have passed under his personal observation : and every one 
 acquainted with out-of-door natural history, knows that each 
 recurring season presents to the admiring observer facts that 
 were Ijefore hidden and unknown. 
 
 A word respecting the character of the Work. The Author 
 is fully aware how very limited is his acquaintance with this 
 boundless science ; having lived in the far-off wilds of the 
 west, where systems, books, and museums are almost un- 
 known, he has been compelled to draw water from Nature's 
 own well, and his knowledge of her is almost confined to 
 her appearance in the forest and the field. With the sys- 
 tems, w^iich men of enlarged minds have, with patient 
 perseverance and studious research, arranged, — the most 
 laborious, but not the least useful part of the science, — 
 he has had little opportunity of making himself familiar. 
 It may be asked, •' why, then, mider these disadvantages, 
 has he written at all ? " Not to instruct the learned, at 
 whose feet he is w'illing to sit as a learner ; but partly 
 to set forth the praise of the great and glorious God, who 
 
X PREFACE. 
 
 made all these things, and partly because, having himself 
 tasted the calm delights flowing from an observation of 
 His works, he would fain make known to others the 
 source of the same sweet and soothing pleasures. 
 
 Of the illustrations, three are from the pencil of Mr. 
 Dickes ; the remainder are from original drawings by the 
 Author, transferred to the wood partly by himself, and 
 partly by Mr. James de Carl Sowerby. 
 
 It merely remains to add, that the village of Compton, 
 in tlie immediate neighbourhood of which these observa- 
 tions were made, is situated on the river Coatacook, a 
 tributary of the St. Francis, in the county of Sherbrooke, 
 in what are called the Eastern Townships of Lower Canada ; 
 very near the angle formed by a line drawn south from 
 Quebec, and one drawn east from IVIontreal. It is thir- 
 teen miles distant from the town of Sherbrooke, and 
 about twenty from the border of the State of Vermont. 
 
 London^ Jan, 1()40. 
 
m. 
 
 ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 Vignette— View of the Author's Farm at Compton 
 Spruce (I'iints Nijini) .... 
 Young Hemlock (Piniis Cunudcuiis) 
 
 Old Hemlock 
 
 Balsam (Pinu>i Buhumca) . 
 ^y\n^vt CciXnv (Ttnija Occidndalis) 
 
 Elm (T/wKs J»4f/7V«/^«^ in a clearing 
 Elm in the forest .... 
 
 A Hair of the Deer, magnified 
 Crystals of Snow 
 
 ^l^kWoM (Cdiiis Xuhilua) 
 Canadian Lynx rA'/«(:'«w<^A.««j,; 
 Moose (Cerviis Akcs) .... 
 
 Singular Elm 
 
 Woodchuck Cvlrftow//,s.1/o«fl.(j 
 
 Spotted Fanwing CJmA////;« Ctw«///»i ) 
 
 Copper-spot Carab (Cnlomma CuUdmn) 
 
 Velh.w I).,g-tooth \'iolet ( Enjthroninm AmerkammJ 
 
 Scarlet Tanager ( Tui/m/i-a litihra) . 
 
 White Death-flower r7'/77//«»j /Vf//^w; 
 
 Breeches Flower (Con/daH, CncnUuriu) 
 
 Homed Owl ( Slrir Viniiniamt ) 
 
 Red Squirrel (Schinis If/oh,wiNs) . . . _ 
 
 Tiger Swnllowtiiil Butterfly ( Pupil io Turn,,,) 
 
 Title 
 
 Pagk }{ 
 
 •» 
 
 .') 
 
 Ill 
 
 . 13 
 
 14 
 
 I .-) 
 
 ■2:\ 
 
 . 27 
 
 37 
 
 . 41 
 
 ,■■)(.' 
 
 . 101 
 
 I-21 
 
 . 1 ^-l 
 
 l-J.'} 
 
 . 124 
 
 i;}4 
 . 1 <;o 
 
 ifii 
 . 17<; 
 
 17H 
 
 . i»a 
 
Xll 
 
 ILLUSTRATION'S. 
 
 Imago and Pupa-skin of Cotnomyia Pallida .... 
 
 Barred Owl (iitrii' Ncbulom) 
 
 Maple (Acer Saccharimun ) in a clearing .... 
 
 Maple in the forest 
 
 Larva, Pupa, and Imago of the Banded Puqile Buttoi-fly (Liimidtis 
 
 Arthemis) ..... 
 Baltimore Fritillary ( Melitaa Phaeton) 
 Giant Waterfly ( Ptcronarcys Piyalis) 
 Pearly-eye Butterfly (Ifipparcliia Andromacha) 
 Pink Arches Moth ( Thyatim ScriptaJ 
 Skunk (Mephitis Americana) 
 Royal Tiger-moth (Arctia Viryo) . 
 Archippus Butterfly ( Danais Archijyptis ) 
 Canadian Pearl-fly (Chauliodcs Pectinicornis) 
 Deer-mouse (Gerhillus Canadensis) 
 Touch-me-not ( Impatiens iioli-ta»(/erc) 
 Indian Hen (Ardea Minor) 
 Thorax and Abdomen of a Hymenopterous Pupa 
 
 Gold-belted Ilawkmoth (jEf/eria ?) . 
 
 Needle Ichneumon (Pclecinus Polycerator) 
 Pitcher-plant ( Sarracenia Purpurea) 
 Larva of Saturnia Polyphemus 
 
 I'AGE 
 
 199 
 204 
 21.5 
 216 
 
 220 
 227 
 232 
 246 
 249 
 2.-J4 
 260 
 262 
 263 
 267 
 274 
 27.5 
 277 
 279 
 290 
 301 
 309 
 
imenitis 
 
 PAGE 
 
 1.Q9 
 204 
 215 
 216 
 
 220 
 
 . 22 r 
 
 232 
 
 246 
 
 249 
 
 2.54 
 
 260 
 
 262 
 
 263 
 
 267 
 
 274 
 
 27.5 
 
 277 
 
 279 
 
 290 
 
 301 
 
 309 
 
 THE 
 
 CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 I. 
 
 JANUARY 1st. 
 
 ' •■ • I o. 
 
 ERRATA. 
 
 ''''" /xi'' 1^ S' ^'' : "^r "''^''' -"' " ^--Ho.- 
 
 ''J >' n n'-^"'' «*'king,» read "striki,,." 
 -12, me ll,y«,. .. basis," read -bases" *^' 
 
 ^ ••;" ?'/"'■ " Buprsotis," read '' Buprestis " 
 
 -3«. ine 12, omit the word "have" 
 
 -«.., line 'A, for " Andeoote," read'- ^necdot. - 
 
 
 lb A&W ( I vj 
 
 V r- 
 
 of undei-standing has been spent in'fingland, your personal 
 ao,uan„a,,ce with „ur natural history ,n„st of'noces':- l 
 .gh and hunted. I n,ean your out-of-door rosearche 
 wh,eh have been confined to the desultory observati n 
 you have made during the few months that have lap ed 
 su>ce your amval in this country. An attentive eye ft is 
 me, cannot fa 1 to acquire information, ever new imong 
 he countless objects of creation, at all times, and under 1 
 Circumstances ; but the more 
 
 iuUy to avail ourselves of 
 
 our 
 
 / 
 
 II 
 
Xll 
 
 ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 t ', 
 
 Im.igo and Piipa-skin of Cotnomyia Pallida .... 
 
 Barred Owl (Stria' Nebulosa) ....... 
 
 Maple (Aver Sacchurinum ) in a clearing .... 
 
 Maple in the forest . . 
 
 Larva, Pupa, and Imago of the Banded Purple Buttei*fly (Limcnitis 
 Arthcmis) ........ 
 
 Baltimore Fritillary (JMelitcea Phaeton) 
 
 Giant Watei-fly ( Ptcrotiarei/s liei/alis) ..... 
 
 Pearly-eye Butterfly ( IlijyiKirchia Andromucha) . . . . 
 
 Pink Arches Moth ( Thi/utira Svripta) ..... 
 
 Skunk (Mephitis Americana) ....... 
 
 Royal Tiger-moth (Arctia Virgo) ...... 
 
 •— ""t^fpflv f Dunais Archippus) . . . . . 
 
 rA(;E 
 1.09 
 204 
 21.5 
 216 
 
 220 
 227 
 232 
 246 
 249 
 254 
 260 
 262 
 263 
 
 f 
 
PAGE 
 
 109 
 •204 
 21.5 
 21G 
 
 THE 
 
 220 
 227 
 232 
 24G 
 24.0 
 254 
 260 
 262 
 263 
 
 CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 I. 
 
 JANUARY 1st. 
 
 Pleasures of Natural History. — Plan of investiixation. — Aerial Spiculio. 
 — Expansive power of Frost in Trees. — Opacity of Snow — Blue Tint. 
 — Iliiiry Woodpecker — Food, Manners, Services. — Other Sj)ecies of 
 J'ieiia — their Conformation. — Black-timbered Land. — White Pine. — 
 Spruce. — Hairy Lichen. — Hemlock. — Balsam — Its height. — Tamarack. 
 — Strobiles. — White Cedar — Bails. — Variety in Forms of Trees — In- 
 stiinccs : Hock ^laple — Beech — Bass wood — Kim — Ash — Butternut — 
 Birch — Cherry — Poi)lar — Balm of (.iilead. — Variety in all created 
 Objects. 
 
 Father. — My son, you have begun to taste the dellglits 
 of the study of Nature, and have found it a pleasant and 
 a flowery path to pursue ; but as your time since the age 
 of understanding has been spent in England, your personal 
 acquaintance with our natural history must of necessity be 
 slight and limited. I mean your out-of-door researches ; 
 which have Ijcen confined to the desultory observations 
 you have made during the few months that have elapsed 
 since your arrival in this country. An attentive eye, it is 
 true, cannot fail to acquire information, ever new, among 
 the countless objects of creation, at all times, and under all 
 circumstances ; but the more fully to avail ourselves of our 
 
 B 
 
2 
 
 THE CAXADIAX XATURALIST. 
 
 opportunities, I would propose to you a more regular and 
 definite course of investigation. Let us from time to time, 
 as circumstances permit, make excursions in forest or in 
 field, to watch the progress of Nature through the changing 
 seasons, to mark the half-hidden, half-apparent phenomena 
 that occur, and to trace the guiding and sustaining hand of 
 God, who " ruleth over all." 
 
 Charles. — Few things would give me greater pleasure. 
 I have often felt the want of a con)panion in my walks, who, 
 by his superior judgment, information, and experience, might 
 remove my doubts, gratify my curiosity, and direct my at- 
 tention to those subjects which are instructive as well as 
 amusing ; for I anticipate both instruction and amusement 
 from our in(iuiries, and enter into your proposal with de- 
 
 ligltt. 
 
 F. — Let us then begin with the year : it is not so cold as 
 
 to be unpleasant, and a few miles' walk will promote health. 
 ^^^e will go down to the North bridge, if you please, then 
 after tracing the hard-frozen river until we reach Spafibrd's 
 bridge, we will return by the village road. 
 
 C. — I have never followed the Coatacook up as far as 
 that, and I should like it much : the morning is delightfully 
 fine, and the air feels quite exhilarating. I notice that the 
 air is full of minute dancing atoms, like the motes of sum- 
 mer ; but these sparkle and flash in the sun, and reflect the 
 tiny beams that fall on them, with a radiance unknown to 
 
 the motes of dust. 
 
 F. — It is a common phenomenon on all bright cold days 
 
 in winter. I conceive them to be either small particles of 
 frozen moisture floating in the air, or, more probably, minute 
 fragments of the fine powdery snow, which have been taken 
 up by the wind, and continue to float by their lightness. 
 They give a brilliancy to the air, which it would not other- 
 wise possess. 
 
 fS, i 
 
JAXUARY, 
 
 3 
 
 gular and 
 e to time, 
 •est or in 
 I changing 
 henoniena 
 ig hand of 
 
 ' pleasure. 
 ilks, who, 
 ice, might 
 ct my at- 
 s well as 
 misement 
 ^vith de- 
 
 so cold as 
 ite health, 
 ase, then 
 Spafford's 
 
 as far as 
 ightfully 
 that the 
 of sum- 
 flect the 
 nown to 
 
 )ld davs 
 hides of 
 minute 
 In taken 
 bhtness. 
 other- 
 
 
 
 n 
 
 ■'. 
 
 ('. — ^^'hat loud noise is that in the forest ? It sounds 
 like the report of a large gun. I heard it too, while you 
 were speaking. 
 
 F. — It was the expansion of a tree. Old trees, when cut 
 down, are often found to have the heart-wood so separated 
 from the sap-wood, as to fall apart when a log is split 
 through the centre ; and we find that the crevice or intemie- 
 diate space has been occupied l>y a film of ice. This explains 
 those loud reports which we heard just now, and which so 
 often occur in the forest in frosty weather. Some water has 
 lodged in the tree — perhaps in some maggot's or wood- 
 pecker's hole, — which, freezing, rends the wood by its irresist- 
 ible force of expansion ; into the rent so formed, the water 
 percolates as soon as a thaw comes, and freezing again, ex- 
 tends the crevice downwards, each rent attended with these 
 sudden and startling sounds. Sometimes we may observe a 
 long crack in the trunk of a tree, extending through the sap- 
 wood and bark ; and often an old Itough is found to be nearly 
 torn from the trunk ; both of which, I suppose, are caused 
 by the same occurrence, the freezing of water. 
 
 C. — How dazzling the snow is in the sunshine ! ^^'lly 
 is it opatjue and white, instead of being transjiarent and co- 
 lourless as ice ? Is there any difference in the formation of 
 the two ? 
 
 F. — I believe not. The reason of the opacity and white- 
 ness of snow is, that it is composed of very minute films of 
 ice, which in falling rest in every possible angle, and reflect 
 the light in every possible direction : if you take a single 
 crysta' of snow, you will see that it is perfectly transparent ; 
 and if all the particles rested on each other in the same plane, 
 
 the whole mass would be transparent as a sunilar mass of 
 
 u 2 
 
THE CANADIAN' NATURALIST. 
 
 ice. But here is another phenomenon, no less curious : if 
 you make a hole obliquely in a heap of snow, so that the 
 light shall not shine directly into it, you will see that the 
 light which is transmitted through the snow is of a brilliant 
 blue colour, varying in depth of tint, according to the thick- 
 ness of the mass. 
 
 C. — I perceive it is so. "What is the cause of it ? 
 
 F. — The cause I cannot with certainty make known. 
 That blue is the natural colour of the purest water is proved 
 by two facts ; the first of which is however very little known 
 to landsmen ; namely, that the sea, when out of soundings, 
 is of a bright deep blue, (although a tumbler-full taken up 
 is as clear as pure spring- water,) the green tint of the sea 
 near shore, being caused by the nearness of the bottom. 
 The other fact is, that the blueness of the sky, distant 
 mountains, ike. depends on the particles of water held in 
 vapour in the atmosphere ; the tint of these objects being 
 deepened in intensity by an increase of moisture in the air. 
 I have thought that possibly the phenomenon we have just 
 noticed, may be but another exemplification of the same law; 
 the medium through which the light is transmitted being 
 l)ut water frozen ; and that the continual breaking of the 
 rays of light through such a multitude of particles may have 
 the same eifect as the loss of light in passing through a large 
 mass of water. But this is only a conjecture. 
 
 C — There is a woodpecker in the act of boring that de- 
 cayed tree ; he makes the hollow Woods echo with his loud 
 and rapid taps. By his grey back, scarlet poll, and spotted 
 wings, I know him to be the Hairy Woodpecker fPicus 
 JlIIoHiis). What can he find in that old tree ? 
 
 /•'. — The grubs of some insects. Many species of beetles. 
 
JANUARY. 
 
 irious : if 
 that the 
 that tlie 
 , brilliant 
 he thick- 
 
 t? 
 
 known, 
 is proved 
 le known 
 lundings, 
 taken up 
 * the sea 
 
 bottom. 
 
 distant 
 
 held in 
 ?ts being 
 
 the air. 
 ave just 
 me law ; 
 being 
 
 of the 
 ly have 
 
 a large 
 
 lat de- 
 is loud 
 potted 
 'PIcns 
 
 eetles, 
 
 ; 
 
 i 
 
 % 
 
 i 
 
 such as B>fjnrsf/,o, Ekifcr, and Ceramhi/x ; — the S i rexes ; 
 some of the larger Tijnda', &c., inhabit the wood of trees in 
 the larva state ; and pupae of moths, with many perfect 
 insects, are often concealed beneath the bark. 
 
 C. — He appears to have some success: for see how he 
 renews his exertions : how he scales off the pieces of bark, 
 and makes the rotten wood fly about. Ha I there he goes, 
 with his harsh laughing cry ; he has alighted on yonder 
 dead spruce. He appears to prefer dead trees for his re- 
 searches. 
 
 F. — Yes ; he knows that insects are not to be found in 
 sound healthy trees, and they are all that he seeks. His 
 instinct, however, discovers the incipient decay long before 
 it is manifest to our senses, and eagerly probes for the hidden 
 author of the mischief. 
 
 C. — Some of the old apple-trees in the orchard have their 
 trunks almost covered with holes ; in as regular rows as they 
 could have been drilled by a carpenter. 
 
 F, — Perhaps, at every one of those holes, the useful 
 woodpecker dragged forth a grub ; so rendering an essential 
 service by keeping down the race of these destructive insects ; 
 not l»y assisting the tree, for I suppose its doom is sealed 
 before the bird attacks it. 
 
 C. — How many of the woodpeckers are indigenous ? 
 
 F. — It is probable that nearly all the American species 
 are found in Canada. The Gold-winged (P. Anratns), the 
 Red-headed ( P. Erf/tli)-ocej)haliis) , the Hairy (P. VillosusJ^ 
 are abundant, and I have seen the noble Plicated (P. Pile- 
 atus), with his high pointed scarlet cap, and the Downy 
 (P. Pxhescens), the smallest of all the woodpeckers. Wil- 
 son speaks of P. Pari us and P. Carolhius, also, as inhabit- 
 ing Canada. I have likewise seen the Northern three-toed 
 Woodpecker (P. Tri<lac1f/b(s), so very common in New- 
 foundland, known by its bright yellow crown. There are, 
 
 .0 
 
6 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 perliaps, no birds more admirably calculated to prove design 
 and intelligence in their formation than the woodpeckers ; 
 whether we consider their large feet for grasping the inequa- 
 lities of the bark, the rigid, sharp-pointed tail to support the 
 body against the tree, the wedge-shaped beak, almost as 
 strong and sharp as steel, the barbed tongue for bringing 
 out the worm from the hole when bored, or the curious me- 
 chanism for lengthening the longue, l)y carrying its bone, the 
 OS //f/oi(h's, round the back of the skull to the nostril, so that 
 it shall be sufficient to probe to the inmost recesses of the 
 holes, and bring the insidious inhabitant to thu light of day. 
 All manifest infinite wisdom and skill. 
 
 h 
 
 (', — The land here on both sides is " Idack-timbered." 
 "What a sombre and even gloomy appearance such a forest 
 has, when compared with the hard-woods. 
 
 F. — That is partly owing to the black-wood or ever- 
 green trees being in thick foliage, while the hard-wood or 
 deciduous trees are leafless and open to the light ; but it is so 
 in a degree even in summer, and arises from the fact, that 
 the foliage is opaque, or at least not so pellucid as the deci- 
 duous leaves ; besides, that the timber on such land is usually 
 much more close and dense. 
 
 r. — The evergreens appear in winter of a much brighter 
 hue than in summer. 
 
 F. — That is merely a deception : the hue is the same, 
 a dark green ; which shows to advantage contrasted with 
 the brown twigs and grey trunks of winter ; but in summer, 
 when compared with the rich and massive green of the beech 
 or maple, seems almost black. In spring, the tops of the 
 evergreens assume a more verdant appearance, as the young 
 leaf-buds then open ; but amidst the greater change \\hich is 
 
 H 
 
JANUARY. 
 
 'e design 
 [peckers ; 
 ! inequa- 
 '>port the 
 Imost as 
 
 bringing 
 ous nie- 
 >one, the 
 , so that 
 3 of the 
 
 of clay. 
 
 ibered." 
 a forest 
 
 r ever- 
 vood or 
 it is so 
 t, that 
 e deci- 
 isually 
 
 'ighter 
 
 same, 
 with 
 inner, 
 beech 
 f the 
 •oung 
 ch is 
 
 ■I 
 ■n 
 
 then taking place in all the trees of the wood, the alteration 
 in these is scarcely observable. 
 
 C. — Will you mention the principal of om* resinous ever- 
 gi'eens !* 
 
 F. — The white Vine (P inns Strohif>), usually called 
 l)y way of eminence, Pine; the Hemlock (P. C<nia<lensisJ, 
 the Spruce (P. Xi(/ra, and P. AUm), the Balsam or Fir 
 (P. Balmmea), and the Tamarack (P. PcndnlaJ. There 
 are others, but little known except to botanists. Of these 
 the pine is the most valuable, as from the ease and smooth- 
 ness with which it is worked, added to its large and straight 
 growth, it is in great request for sawing into boards. 
 
 C. — There is not much pine growing in our neighbour- 
 hood ; but I have seen some very large logs drawn out to 
 Smith's mill. INIoore told me the other day that he was 
 then going in for a pine-log six feet in diameter : he had 
 three yoke of oxen attached to his sled. 
 
 /'. — That must have been one of unusual size. 
 
 C. — The pine makes a prettier appearance than the 
 other species ; the diverging fascicles of leaves give it more 
 the appearance of a deciduous tree, by making the surface 
 more irregular: and it is not so conical as the others. 
 
 F. — Tastes differ : you do not then admire the conical 
 fomi of the evergreens ? 
 
 C Perhaps a prejudice against the whole genus, on 
 
 account of the general barrenness of the land where they 
 grow, has prevented my seeing the beauty which they really 
 possess ; though a tall and slender balsam is certainly a 
 very beautiful object. The inspired prophet considers the 
 fir an emljlem of beauty ; " instead of the thorn shall come 
 up the fir tree ;" — but of course it is not the same species 
 as ours. 
 
 F. — The spruce is the most valuable after the pine, for 
 
8 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST 
 
 i i 
 r 'i 
 
 v'liich it is in some degree a substitute, though spruce boards 
 do not possess the good qualities 
 of pine in the same degree. It 
 is nuich used in building. The 
 hemlock, as you are aware, is a 
 majestic tree, though of very 
 little use; and as it grows on 
 the poorest and most ssvampy 
 land, it is generally regarded as 
 an incumbrance, not worth the 
 labour of felling. Yet it is some- 
 times sawn into board and plank; 
 the former, though rough-grain- 
 ed, answers for under-covering 
 of roofs, and for fencing ; and the 
 latter, from its solidity, is well 
 enough adapted for the flooring 
 of barns. But as many good- 
 looking trees prove unsound at 
 heart, it is not much sought for, 
 and is often burnt on the land 
 when cut down, after having 
 been first stripped of its bark, 
 which is bought at a good price 
 by the tanners. 
 
 C What is that yellow hair-like substance, which de- 
 pends in long ragged masses from the hemlock and other 
 trees, but most abundantly from the spruce ? 
 
 F. — A friend of mine gave it the name of "Absalom's 
 Hair." It is a Lichen, but I do not know its name. It 
 chiefly entwines about the upper branches of the tree, to 
 which I should suppose it is very prejudicial, as those trees 
 which are covered with it seem almost in a dying state. It 
 
 SPRITE, 
 
 .v3 
 
JANUARY. U 
 
 vosoml)les the TiUands'ui U.^neoidos of the Southern States, 
 but only in mipL-arunce: it is probably an Vsnca. 
 
 C. — IL»w different is the ai^pearance of a young hem- 
 lock from that of an old one ! the former has a feathery and 
 graceful lightness, bending to the f»lighttst breeze ; but when 
 old it has become sturdy, the bark rougli and deeply fur- 
 rowed, full of gnark'd . lags, aii'l broken linil»s, the top 
 generally blighted and dead, and the foliage idnjost deprived 
 of that pencilled grace which gave such a charm to its 
 youthful days. 
 
 VOLNU HEMI.OCK. 
 
 OLn HEMIOCK. 
 
 /'iiiuf C'aii'iilcusis, 
 
 ]i o 
 
11 Hi 
 
 If 1 
 
 10 
 
 THE CANADIAN' NATURALIST. 
 
 If ■ 
 
 
 F. — Like nobler creatures, it often 
 survives its beauty. The fir or balsam 
 is the most elegant of the pine family : 
 it usually grows very straight ; the 
 branches project all at the same angle, 
 and grow to a length which dinu'nishes 
 with great regularity as they approach 
 the top ; giving to the tree the form 
 of a slender but very regular cone. 
 The foliage is dense, and of a greener 
 tint than that of the others, which 
 gives it additional beauty, and the 
 bark is very smooth and fair. Its 
 surface is covered with bladders full 
 of a fluid resin, which hardens by long 
 exposure : this is the Canada Balsam 
 of the apothecaries, and gives tlie spe- 
 cific name. 
 
 C. — Does the fir grow to a great 
 height ? 
 
 /'. — Not perhaps to the gigantic 
 altitude of the hemlock or pine, but it 
 is by no means a dwarf. It is quite 
 a common thing, on looking from an 
 elevation, to see the dark, conical, spear-like tops of the 
 firs rising here and there, above the general mass of foliage. 
 A circumstance recently led me to inquire into this. I had 
 read in a work of scientific authority, that " the Balsam 
 (Abies Balsamca) rarely grows above the height of forty 
 feet :" this remark struck me at once as incorrect, as I had 
 often seen them much higher. To satisfy myself, I went 
 into the woods, and felled almost the first 'I saw, one of by 
 no means extraordinary stature, and found the height, by 
 
 Piiius liiilstiiiifii. 
 
 1 
 I 
 
JANUARY. 
 
 11 
 
 3 
 
 '-•y 
 
 careful measurement, seventy-six and a half feet : it was in 
 full and vigorous growth, bearing no marks of age : the dia- 
 meter at the base was about eighteen inches. Mr. Bill in- 
 forms me that he has taken two mill-logs of fourteen feet 
 each, fit for sawing, from the butt of a balsam, leaving of 
 course a good length of "top." This must have been a large 
 tree, as the part -which would be suitable for boards, could 
 not probably have been more than one-third of the whole, 
 which would make the height eighty-four feet. 
 
 C. — The wood of the fir is not often used for sawing, I 
 believe. 
 
 F. — No : it does not make good board : the timber, 
 however, is valuable for staves of casks and buckets, and is 
 likewise made into sap-troughs for the sugary. These are 
 very simply manufactured : a log of balsam, two feet long, 
 is split through the centre, the middle of eacli half is then 
 hollowed out with the axe, and two troughs are finished. 
 The larch or tamarack, thougii I mentioned it among tiie 
 evergreens, from its belonging to the same family, is really 
 deciduous ; losing its leaves in October, and resuming 
 them in May. Its wood is very little used ; some- 
 times, however, it is hewn for building, or applied to other 
 more trivial purposes : it is close-grained and hard, when 
 seasoned. 
 
 C. — We do not use any of these woods for fuel. 
 
 F. — AVhen green they bum, notwithstanding their resi- 
 nous nature, with difficulty ; and even when dry, they con- 
 sume so quickly, and so continually throw out lighted frag- 
 ments, " Jiankrrs," as they are called, that they are confined 
 to our close stoves. You are aware that the sceils are pro- 
 duced in strobiles, or cones, with imbricated woody scales, 
 which are very closely pressed together, to protect the seeds, 
 one of which is beneath each scale. The strobiles open in 
 
 I 
 1 
 
11 i>>{ 
 
 12 
 
 li ; 
 
 I 
 
 ■'I! I 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATITKAL.ST. 
 
 and a half W; but fnnn/ ""'""' about an inch 
 
 the axe, „. of tres of th "'™'"'"-" that these were 
 of thei.. scales i„ fl „ ^ ^ ;:'-' «f '> "ad been stripped 
 that were still perfect,' it w'int 1 1' ''"" "'* ™"- 
 ™-e standing loosely ou alrLh ! '^^ "'^ ^''"-' "hich 
 ««■ on the slightest to h »d ?'" '" '"^ «^-. --e 
 -nd the top of the faUen' t^fe wa's TT/" "™^ '-' 
 those which had been shaken offi ^ '"•""■" "'^th 
 
 C- — I have observed in all trees of th,- c •, 
 cones are congregated at the ex n « ' ^'™ ^' """ ""•' 
 "7 ^o» 'nentioned all the restrtre:"."™' " '"^ "^ 
 — 'iNo; there i« nna ^c • , 
 
 importance, wbieh I hav-e o„"T.'" '™' """ "' "" "'"'^ 
 -hich belongs, notwitl'tandr •?■"""" '^''"' ^^^'' 
 the pines, to a differen ge 1 "'i; T":' """"»- '» 
 of botanists. The leaves a sma 'I " '^'"''' *"*«'"'« 
 or lapped over each other thbmlr 7"""'' ""^"^•''ted 
 pendent; the bark fibrous and !'?""''='' ""'' "'"ally 
 -hich it is split, but ZnTlT-tf: '?"' "" f-'''>'-'h 
 "'corruptibility, it is ;„ i''""'' S-'eat durability, ahnost 
 compose those ^nsightW ,^7""' '^'^ "'^ .'aila that 
 eye of one accustomed to the vfrda,7'' 7 ,f "'^'™ '» '"^ 
 ■■o-.of England. Cedar rlils .t'v Z "'™"« ""^^S^ 
 vtcssitude of weather for a man's I?;^f- '"P"'''' '» every 
 ■ng any syn,pto„, „f dec yT ex eM r ""''"" '"*™"'-'^ 
 hark. It chiefly grow, i„ ' ! 7 *'Pa''ation of tlie 
 
 -^er then, alifti p Lt :^^'"' T' T '"""^- ^ '» 
 valuable addition to a crnadhL T""/"'""'!' '^ a 
 "'ready getting scarce, andto Iv')' "■'"' "' "''>' a-'e 
 mfested for the future P'on^enee seems to be ma- 
 
JANUARY. 
 
 13 
 
 felled the 
 top, great 
 it an inch 
 liese were 
 stripped 
 :he cones 
 es, which 
 :is, came 
 any feet 
 ^vn with 
 
 tliat the 
 he tree. 
 
 10 little 
 Cedar, 
 ance to 
 Icatalia 
 •ricated 
 isually 
 ywith 
 ihnost 
 that 
 the 
 edge- 
 Jvery 
 ifest- 
 the 
 : to 
 IS a 
 are 
 nia- 
 
 ■7.^.^' 
 ^^^- -^ 
 
 WIIITK ( KDAK. 
 
 Tliiijn ()cfii/fiit((lis, 
 
 C — How great a variety is displayed in the tbnn, or 
 manner of growth, of the different trees. 
 
 /''. — So much, that even when divested of their leaves, 
 it is quite easy to name any tree, Ijy a view of the trunk 
 and limbs alone. The Rock Maple (Acer Smrliafhiiini), 
 sends up a straight trunk, disfigured with hard and gnarled 
 protuberances, shooting out its branches nearly at right 
 angles, which are bent and contorted in every possible di- 
 
14 
 
 THE CAXADFAN NATURALIST. 
 
 hj 
 
 rection. The Beech (Far/KH Femiffinea), has a straight 
 trunk, but it is remarkably smooth, of a bluish-grey, with 
 white and dark patches : its branches are longer and 
 straighter, and the twigs come to a finer point, than those 
 of the maple. The Basswood (Tilia Glabra), is much 
 like the maple, but the tiimk is usually rounder, and more 
 pillar-like, and though fissured like it, \ et the fissures are 
 more regular, and it is free from those knobs which cha- 
 racterize the sugar-maple. The Elm (Ubnus Americana), 
 growing in the open clearing, with a full supply of light 
 
 
 ti: 
 
 I 
 
 V\ M 
 
 &mMm 
 
 Ei.M ( LlniHs Amcrii'iina) i\ A ( i.RAnrN(i. 
 
 : f 
 
 i 
 

 1 
 
 
 
 a straiglit 
 
 % 
 
 ?rey, witli 
 
 : 
 
 "ger and 
 
 
 lan those 
 
 
 is much 
 
 
 and more 
 
 
 sures are 
 
 i 
 
 lich cha- 
 
 ;■ 
 
 'ricanaj, 
 
 V 
 
 of liglit 
 
 
 JANUARY. 
 
 15 
 
 and air, divides near the bottom, into several leading 
 branches, which continue to grow upward to a great length, 
 dividing and subdividing into many smaller ramifications! 
 Avhich pursue the same upward direction, gi-adually spread- 
 ing outwards, which gives the tree a broad and some- 
 what flattened top, while all the other trees are conical 
 ur ruuneled. In the forest, the elm is the most lofty of 
 
 Er.M (Hni'is Amrrinu/,,) i\ riiK 1011 kst. 
 
I' 
 
 •■ •* 
 
 16 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 J, 
 
 
 1 
 
 trees, with a remarkably straiglit round trunk, deeply fur- 
 rowed, and almost white, without a branch till the top, 
 which is small for the height and size of the tree, and much 
 contorted. 
 
 C — In the clearing, the elm is marked by having the 
 trunk and limbs covered with branches of little ragged twigs, 
 as if clothed with tufts of hair. 
 
 F. — The White and Brown Ash (Fraxinus Acumi- 
 nata and F. Sambnci/olia), growing in the clearing, are 
 graceful trees ; tlie branches diverge from the central stem, 
 with a double curve, like the branches of a chandelier, di- 
 minishing in length with great regularity as they proceed 
 upward. The twigs are thick, and do not taper to a point, 
 but end abruptly, the terminal buds being large. In the 
 forest the size of the twigs is the chief difference between 
 the large ashes and elms, the twigs of the latter Ijeing very 
 fine ; the brown ash, however, is more liiiljle to be crooked, 
 and the bark is more smooth and scaly : the white rarely 
 grows so large, its trunk is not so light coloured, and its fur- 
 rows not perpendicular, but somewhat lozenge- shaped. The 
 Butternut (Jai/lans Cluerea), can with difficulty be dis- 
 tinguished from the white ash without close examination 
 of the Ijuds : it is, however, a more spreading tree, the 
 lower limbs Ijeing longer. The Birch (Betnla Vapyracea) is 
 easily known by its l)ark, which, when young, has a satiny 
 glossiness, that is always retained on the limbs : when old 
 the bark becomes ragged, and peels off in thin paper-like 
 rolls, many of which, half-separated, are always to be seen 
 on an old l)irch. The bark of the Cherry (Prunns Vir()(- 
 niana), has somewhat of the same peeling property, but in 
 a much less degree ; it is not so silky nor so flexible, and 
 is more of a scaly nature : it generally has a purplish tinge. 
 The Poplar (Pajmlns Trermdoides), is remarkable for the 
 
JANUARY. 
 
 17 
 
 deeply fur- 
 
 11 the top, 
 
 and much 
 
 laving the 
 fged twigs, 
 
 s Acumi- 
 iring, are 
 ^ral stem, 
 delier, di- 
 y proceed 
 
 a point. 
 
 In the 
 between 
 eing very- 
 crooked, 
 :e rarely 
 i its fur- 
 d. The 
 be dis- 
 nination 
 ree, the 
 aceaj is 
 
 1 satiny 
 len old 
 3er-like 
 ->e seen 
 
 Virgi- 
 )jut in 
 le, and 
 
 tinge, 
 or the 
 
 
 '1 
 
 colour of its bark ; a smooth greenish white, which comes 
 off on being touched^ as if it were whitewashed. The 
 Balm of Gilead (Populns li<dmmiferaj, has a similar ap- 
 pearance, l)ut the trunk is furrowed, and the terminal buds 
 are much larger. 
 
 C. — In fact, every species of tree seems to have an 
 individuality stamped on it, which, amidst all its accidental 
 contortions, is sufficient to distinguish it from others. The 
 variety is indeed remarka])le. 
 
 F. — It is not, however, confined to trees ; it pervades 
 all the works of God. Indeed, I doubt if there were ever 
 two objects created, of whatever kind, lietween which there 
 was not some difference, if our senses were acute enough to 
 appreciate it. It is a fact worthy to be noted, that even 
 where the materials and component parts are uniform, the 
 same variety exists. Who has not observed this, in the 
 " human face divine ? " Though the same features, and 
 maintaining the same relative position, exist in all, yet 
 what two countenances were ever so much alike as not 
 to be at once distinguished on familiar acquaintance ? 
 This fact gives me an exalted conception of the Divine 
 wisdom, of the inexhaustible resources of the mind of 
 God. " How unsearchable are his judgments, and his 
 ways past finding out I " This amazing diversity in all the 
 realms of Nature of which we have any cognizance, has in- 
 duced me to think, that if, as is most reasonable to con- 
 clude, other worlds are peopled by intellectual beings, they 
 probably possess fomis, senses, and powers, of which we have 
 not the slightest conception. We find the plants and animals 
 of England differmg from those of France ; still more from 
 those of Africa or Asia: in America or New Holland we 
 find an almost total change of form. A far greater differ- 
 ence is found between the organic remains of this globe 
 
: :. 
 
 IS 
 
 I 
 
 !i! i. 
 
 THE CAXADIAM XATLRALIST. 
 
 prior to the Adamic creation, and the inhabitants of the 
 present state.* Where are now the mastodons, the mega- 
 theriums, the saurian giants of those days ? But surely if 
 we make so vast a leap as from one world to another, the 
 very fomis of terrestrial things would be obliterated, and a 
 corresponding difference appear, which nothing but infinite 
 Wisdom could devise. 
 
 This we may never know till we become denizens of that 
 changeless state to which time and space are nothing ; when 
 we shall know as we are known. — But we have completed 
 our circumambulation, and are just at home. 
 
 * It is scarcely nocessjiry to remark, that tliere is nothing in the Word 
 of God, which opposes the commonly received opinion, that this world had 
 an existence in a habitahle state, previous to the chaos which prevailed at 
 the connnencement of the Sacred narrative. 
 
IJ) 
 
 nts of the 
 the mega- 
 : surely if 
 lother, the 
 ed, and a 
 ut infinite 
 
 ns of that 
 ig : when 
 completed 
 
 I the Word 
 > world had 
 prevailed at 
 
 
 IT. 
 
 FEBRUARY 1st. 
 
 silver Thaw. — IJrilliance of the ^leteor — its fragility. — Youthful Pros- 
 pects. — Love of Nature. — Cause of tlie Pheuouienon. — Virginian Deer. 
 — Rackets. — Hair of the Deer. — Black-capped Titmouse — its Food — 
 Song, — Anecdote. — Flakes of Snow — their beauty, variety, and regu- 
 larity — difficulty of viewing and delineating thcni. — Peifectioii of the 
 Divine Work. — Frosted Windows. — Uses of Snow. — Notes of the 
 Winter of 1 »37-8. 
 
 Father. — A rain has fallen during the night, which has 
 touched the face of Nature with a magician's wand. Come, 
 and I will show you such a scene of splendour, as you will 
 not see every day. Observe the woods : every little twig 
 of every tree, every bush, every blade of grass, is enshrined 
 in crystal : here is a whole forest of sparkling, transparent 
 glass, even to the minute needle-like leaves of the pines and 
 firs. What are the candle-light lustres and chandeliers of 
 the ball-room, compared with this ? Now the sun shines 
 out ; see, what a glitter of light ! how the beams, broken as 
 it were, into ten thousand fragments, sparkle and dance as 
 they are reflected from the trees. 
 
 Charles. — It is very beautiful. It reminds me of some 
 of the fairy scenes in the Arabian Nights. 
 
 F. — Yes ; it is a scene of brilliance ; but beautiful as it 
 is, it is no less fragile : a slight touch from a rude hand is 
 sufficient to destroy it : on my striking the trunk of this 
 tree, see ! the air is filled with a descending shower of the 
 glittering fragments, and the potent spell is broken at once ; 
 
I I 
 
 20 
 
 THE CAXADIAX NATURALIST. 
 
 
 ;;• 
 
 i\ ' 
 
 the splendour has vanislied ; the crystal pageant lias re- 
 turned to its old sober appearance, and is now nothing more 
 than a brown leafless tree. What a figure of youthful hopes 
 and prospects ! when we first enter into life how buoyant 
 are our feelings, how flattering our expectations ! everything 
 promises enjoyment : life seems to be but another word for 
 joy : every object appears clothed with crystal, and tinged 
 with the colour of the rose. But years pass on, — 
 
 " Time, the churl, he hockons, 
 And we must away, away I" 
 
 — the rush of years shivers the crystal tree ; years of toil, 
 struggles for the means of existence, blighted hopes, inter- 
 course with a cold world, destroy the illusion, and rob life 
 of its poetry and romance. 
 
 " There was a time, when meadow, prove, and stream, 
 
 Tiie cartli, and every connnon siglit. 
 To me did seem 
 
 Appareird in celestial light, 
 The glory and the freshness of a dream. — 
 It is not now as it hath ])ecn of yore ; 
 
 Turn wheresoe'er I may, 
 
 By night or day, 
 The things which I have seen, I now can see no more." 
 
 Yet to a well-constituted mind, a mind whose peace is 
 made with God, this life is not without many unalloyed 
 pleasures : though the freshness of early days is passed away, 
 other joys, of a more sober character, it is true, are still of- 
 fered to our grasp. Among these, not the least is the power 
 of seeing God in his works, " the habit of wishing to discover 
 the good and the beautiful in all that meet and surround 
 us ;" even in the minutest and humblest objects of creation. 
 This taste I have long cultivated in myself, and I would 
 wish to awaken it in you, that you may still have sources of 
 
FEBIirARY. 
 
 n 
 
 ? 
 
 pleasure, wide and deep, after the rapture of youth i« f It 
 only ill memory. 
 
 C. — Dear father, I already love the study of natural 
 history ; I scarcely know a greater delight than to bury 
 myself in the woods, and watch the habits of the birds and 
 insects, or inquire into the hidden causes of the phenomena 
 which present themselves to my observation. Wliat is the 
 cause of the brilliant appearance we are now observing ? Is 
 it common ? 
 
 F. — I have not often observed it here, but in Newfound- 
 land it is by no means rare, where it is known by the name 
 of " silver thaw." It is caused by rain descending when 
 the stratum of air nearest the earth is below the temperature 
 of 32^ and consequently freezing the instant it touches any 
 object : the ice accumulates with every drop, until a thick 
 transparent coating is formed. I was once exposed to a 
 shower of this kind ; the rain fell fast on my coat, and I 
 wondered that the drops did not soak into the cloth ; on 
 feeling them with my finger, I found, to my surprise, that 
 they were hard frozen, and that my clothes were covered 
 with little glassy buttons of ice. It would then change to a 
 hail shower, then rain again, and so on ; hail, and freezing 
 rain alternating at intervals of a minute or two, for about 
 half-an-hour, when it terminated in a heavy snow-storm. I 
 infer from these circumstances, that there is a close resem- 
 blance between the phenomenon we now observe, and hail ; 
 that the silver thaw would be hail if the freezing drops had 
 a few yards farther to fall. 
 
 C. — Is not this a favourable time for hunting the deer ? 
 
 F. — Yes : the freezing rain has covered the snow with 
 a slight crust, which is not sufficient to sustain the weight 
 of the deer, but on which a man on snow-shoes can travel 
 
22 
 
 THE CANADIAN* NATLUALIST. 
 
 $. 
 
 I I 
 
 ^ ; 
 
 with considerable rapidity. Vou have seen snow-shoes or 
 rackets ? 
 
 (J. — Richardson showed ine a pair : he is an experienced 
 hunter, and is provided with all such things. They are 
 made of a piece of white-ash, or other tough wood, lient and 
 secured in an oval form, and a network of interlaced thongs 
 of deer-skin is stretched across, on which the foot rests, and 
 two straps of leather fasten it on. I tried them on, but 
 I could not walk with them, the rims struck my ankles at 
 every step. 
 
 F. — Like most other things, they require practice to be 
 of much service. The deer seem to be aware of tlieir inferi- 
 ority on these occasions, for I have been told that sometimes 
 they will not attempt to run, nor make the slightest effort 
 to escape, until the hunters come up, and pass the knife 
 across their throats. 
 
 C. — Is not our common deer the Cervits Virginuuuis of 
 naturalists ? 
 
 F. — Yes : we have only the Virginian deer and the 
 Moose (C. Aires), that I am aware of; though the Caribou, 
 or Reindeer (C. Turandus), is, I believe, found north of 
 the St. Lawrence. This last is common in Newfoundland. 
 The Moose is the Elk of Europe ; but the " Elk " of the 
 Americans is a much smaller species, though still a very tine 
 animal; it is the Wapiti (C Wapiti), which is confined to 
 the Western States. There is a remarkable peculiarity 
 which is said to belong to that curious animal, the Prong- 
 horned Antelope of the Rocky Mountains ( Ant Hope Furci- 
 fer), which I have observed in our common deer. (C. Fin/.) 
 It is the singular form and texture of the hair. In winter 
 the hair is very tubular, like a bird's quill, and so inelastic 
 as to crumple on the slightest pressure ; when bent, it crushes 
 into a sharp angle, in which shape it remains : it is ex- 
 
 :1 
 
 
FKIJULAUV. 
 
 US 
 
 w-slioes (.»r 
 
 xperienced 
 They are 
 
 1, bent and 
 
 ;ed thongs 
 rests, and 
 
 n on, hut 
 ankles at 
 
 ■tice to be 
 lieir inferi- 
 sometimes 
 itest effort 
 the knife 
 
 itiamts ot" 
 
 r and the 
 
 ? Caribou, 
 
 north of 
 
 bundland. 
 
 " of the 
 
 very tine 
 
 nfined to 
 
 ecuharity 
 
 le Prong- 
 
 ^e Furci- 
 
 :\nn,.j 
 
 n winter 
 
 inelastic 
 
 crushes 
 
 t is ex- 
 
 ceedingly soft an-1 lirittle; its 
 colour is mostly white, tinged 
 with red, but some of it is 
 dark brown just at the tip : 
 the root of every hair is more 
 slender than the other part, 
 the transition V»eing al>rupt ; 
 and this part Iouks exactly like 
 the baiTel of a quill in minia- 
 ture : the extremity is gene- 
 rally waved. I believe this 
 confjrmatiin is peculiar to 
 this northern climate, and to 
 winter, even here ; in sum- 
 mer, the hair resembles that 
 of other animals. Its coat 
 is then of an uniform reddish 
 brown, but in winter its co- 
 lour is a greyish russet, not 
 easily to be described. The 
 venison is very juicy, and of 
 delicious flavour ; but to an 
 American palate, a piece of 
 fat pork has far greater 
 charms. 
 
 A IIAIFl f)F TlIK DKKR M Ar.NIl lED. 
 
 C — Here is our constant merry little friend, the lilack- 
 capped Titmouse ( Panis Atricainllns). Tlie coldest wea- 
 ther he seems to regard with indifference : though the mer- 
 cury a day or two ago stood more than 30"^ below zero, yet 
 enveloped in his waim feathery coat, he has weathered it all. 
 
ini 
 
 u 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 
 •ii' 
 
 P !! 
 
 and is now tumltlinfr and twisting around the branches^ and 
 chirping as gleefully as if it were " the glorious summer 
 time." 
 
 F. — It is emphatically a winter bird ; or at least it is 
 then more seen : during the whole year we may find it, if 
 we go into the dark and sombre recesses of the cedar swamps, 
 but as Avinter approaches, it comes out to the edges of the 
 woods and road-sides. What the cause of this visit to the 
 clearings may be, I know not ; I should think it Avould be 
 more protected from the inclemenc}'' of the winter's storms 
 in the woods, and it does not appear that food is its object, 
 as this seems to be confined to the trees ; on which, indeed, it 
 always seeks it, for I do not remember ever having seen a 
 Titmouse on the ground. 
 
 C. — Its food, I suppose, consists of the numberless mi- 
 nute insects which are concealed during winter in the crevices 
 of the bark, and among the twigs of the trees, with seeds of 
 evergreens occasionally, though from its bill it is evidently 
 insectivorous. 
 
 F. — We may fonn some idea of its success by examining 
 carefully some old tree. Let us look among the curled and 
 ragfted bark of this old birch. Here are two Icloxnnnoniilfe 
 to begin with ; three minute Cliri/somi'Iina, an Elater, two 
 species of CarabHn, a pupa of a small moth, three or four 
 flies, and several spiders. No bad meal for a little bird ; 
 and as he is a most restless little fellow, all day long engaged 
 in the search, with the twofold advantage of instinct and 
 experience, no doubt he fares well. 
 
 C, — Its song, without being very musical, is cheerful; 
 and there is considerable variety in the two or three notes 
 which compose it. 
 
 F. — In spring, it is fond of a chirp which nnich resem- 
 bles the words " sweet weather." I recollect a rather 
 laughable incident connected with this note. In Newfound- 
 
 4 
 I 
 
FEURUARV 
 
 0-, 
 
 ;hes, and 
 summer 
 
 }ast it is 
 ind it, if 
 swamps, 
 Tes of the 
 it to the 
 would be 
 's storms 
 ts object, 
 indeed, it 
 ig seen a 
 
 srless mi- 
 e crevices 
 I seeds of 
 evidently 
 
 samining 
 u'led and 
 
 monitlfB 
 iter, two 
 or four 
 
 le bird ; 
 
 engaged 
 inct and 
 
 ?heerful ; 
 
 fee notes 
 
 1 rescm- 
 X rather 
 w found- 
 
 land, in the latter part of JNlay, after the sealing voyage is 
 closed, among other preparations for the cod-fishery, the 
 crews are sent into the woods to cut rinds. A rind is 
 tlie Avhole bark, for about five feet in length, of a young 
 fir, or spruce, which, (an incision all round at each end, and 
 a longitudinal division, having been made,) is at that season 
 easily stripped off: when pressed fiat, they are used a?« a 
 covering fi>r piles offish in wet weather. A crew were thus 
 engaged one bright morning, after a light fall of snow ; the 
 heat of the sun made the snow run in a continual dripping 
 from the trees ; and the little tomtits were hopping round 
 them, saying " sweet weather," in a tone that seemed to 
 indicate the highest enjoyment. One poor fellow, of a s(.»me- 
 wliat testy disposition, annoyed by the dripping, and almost 
 blinded by the perspiration running into his eyes, took it into 
 his head that the bird was taunthig him with the peculiar 
 appropriateness of the weather to liis occupation ; or perhaps 
 was vexed that the bird should sliow so nuich enjoyment at 
 what was to liim so uncomfortable. However, he ju'esently 
 flew into a violent passion, flung his little hatchet at tlie 
 tomtit, and pursued him in a rage from tree to tree, crying 
 " Sweet weather I is it I I'll tell ye what sort o' weather 
 'tis ; " and so on, till fairly exhausted with his silly exer- 
 tions, he returned somewhat crest-fallen, to his jeering ((nn- 
 rades, leaving the bird to enjoy its own opinion res[»ectiiig 
 the weather, or any other sultject of its meditati(tns. 
 
 C. — A [larticularly amiable disposition, wliicli could tliid 
 sources of vexation in the bright sun of spring, and the smig 
 ffan innocent bird! But perhajts there was some excuse. 
 
 /''. — The clouds are gathering to windward, and fi'nui 
 their blackness I fear a snow-storm: we had better return 
 homeward. 
 
 r. — A few scattered flakes are already failiiig. 
 
 ■/■'. — It is a good opportunity to direct your attention tu 
 
 c 
 
■'t;i!' 
 
 I** 
 
 If 
 
 i i 
 
 UCy 
 
 THE CAKADIAX N'ATU K AT.IST. 
 
 the very groat beauty wiiioli is shown in the forms of flakes 
 of snow : a beauty and regularity tliat is as Uttle seen or sus- 
 }>ected by people in general, as if it had no existence. Take 
 tliis pocket magnifier, and examine with it some of those on 
 vour sleeve. 
 
 C. — They are elegant and beautiful indeed : thin and 
 flat stars of transparent crystal, reseml)ling in beauty and 
 variety of shape the forms produced by the kaleidoscope. 
 Scarcely two are found agreeing in shape. 
 
 F. — Can you find no point in which they all agree ? 
 
 r. — On closer examination, I perceive that all have 
 exactly six rays or points, and no more. 
 
 F. — That circumstance reveals the secret of their regu- 
 larity: all crystallizing substances shoot out needles or points 
 at a certain definite angle ; which never varies in the same 
 suVistances, but has an almost infinite variety in different 
 substances. This is called the angle of crystallization : in 
 the freezing of water, this angle is one of sixty degrees, 
 exactly a sixth part of a circle : whatever part of a flake of 
 snow we examine, however complex it may be, we shall 
 always find the needle forming with the line from which it 
 shoots, an angle of 00"". We sometimes find fragments of 
 stars, but if there are two rays still attached, they l>ear this 
 unvarying relation to each other. 
 
 C. — It would be a pleasing amitsement to ol.tserve and 
 delineate the various forms of the flakes. 
 
 F. — It is attended with diificulty : only in the open air 
 can they ]»e examined ; for so frail is their nature, that the 
 slightest elevation of temperature above the freezing [^oint 
 instantly destroys them. Even out of doors, unless the wea- 
 ther 1)0 very cold, the close j>roximity to the eye to which 
 they must be brought for microscopic examination is sutfi- 
 cient to obliterate their form; and the open air, at a tempera- 
 ture far below freezing, during a snow-storm, is by no means 
 
 s 
 
 '! r 
 
 ..JL 
 
 ■',1 
 
 J 
 
KEBRr.XRV 
 
 27 
 
 of flakes 
 
 m or sus- 
 
 e. Take 
 
 those on 
 
 thin and 
 auty and 
 
 ndoscope. 
 
 :ree ? 
 all have 
 
 a favourahlc ?cenc fljr the occupation of drawing. I have, 
 however, copied a few crystals, which attracted my oliserva- 
 tion, and which I will show you. Captain Scoreslty, in his 
 
 len- regu- 
 
 M 
 
 or points 
 
 1 
 
 the same 
 
 9 
 
 different 
 
 1 
 
 at ion : in 
 
 1 
 
 degrees, 
 
 ( 
 
 I flake of 
 
 
 we shall 
 
 ■ 
 
 which it 
 
 
 ments of 
 
 x 
 J 
 
 liear this 
 
 
 }rve and 
 
 
 i 
 
 open air 
 
 ;■ f 
 
 that tlie 
 
 
 ig [loint 
 
 1 
 
 the wea- 
 
 i 
 
 (1 which 
 
 1 
 
 is sutii- 
 
 /f 
 
 empcra- 
 
 1 
 
 means 
 
 'i 
 
 
 t 
 
 1 IIVSTAI.S or SNOW. 
 
 very interesting work on the whale fishery, has, if I rec.ilkct 
 right, a considerahle number represented: hut it is many 
 years since I saw that work, and I have no opportunity of 
 referring to it. 
 
 r. — I am surprised that I never oltserved them befon-. 
 
 f'- — Several circumstances nuist comhhie to product' a 
 favouralilo occasion for viewing them : if there is any current 
 of mild air, through which they puss, they heccme soft and 
 
<*1" 
 
 
 i 
 
 28 
 
 THE CANADIAN' NATlRALr>T. 
 
 lit 
 
 
 I S! 
 
 ii '< 
 
 adhere to each other, making those shapeless masses \Yhich 
 we call large flakes, and wliich we justly consider a sign 
 that the snow will end in rain, as indicating a temperature 
 high enough to melt the falling snow. If the an* near the 
 earth is warmer than that above, the crystals melt as soon 
 as they are deposited : if there is any wind, the crystals are 
 blown about, and so beaten against each other as to Ije 
 broken into minute fragments, forming small snow, which 
 never falls except during wind. They must be received on 
 a dark substance to display them properly, and even at the 
 best, their minuteness, rarely exceeding an eighth of an inch 
 in diameter, is sufficient to cause them to be overlooked by 
 any eye, but one accustomed to pry into the minutiie of 
 creation. 
 
 C. — How brilliant is their polish, even when highly 
 magnified ; and how perfect and well-defined their outline ! 
 
 F. — Oh, yes ! the works of God alone will bear a close 
 examination. If we take the most delicate production of hu- 
 man workmanship, and subject its parts to the jiower of a 
 high magnifier, we shall see that however fair it appeared 
 as a whole, it was composed of ragged and shapeless parts, 
 and that its beauties were only produced by the defective 
 nature of our senses. Look at a fine miniature painting : 
 'it is made up of minute dots, which, when magnified, are 
 seen to be micouth blotches, coarse and without form. But 
 examine the Divine handiwork ; take a minute animal ; a 
 house-fly from the window ; its head appears little more 
 than an atom, yet it contains various organs of sensation as 
 elaliorate as ours : liring one of its eyes beneath a micro- 
 scope, — it is composed of a vast multitude of convex lenses, 
 hexagonal in shape, polished, and transparent, and each one 
 endowed with all the parts recpiisite for perfect and inde- 
 pendent vision. Nothing coarse or shapeless is there ; and 
 
 •1 
 
 1 
 
FEnilUARV 
 
 29 
 
 cs which 
 r a sign 
 iperature 
 near the 
 as soon 
 stals are 
 IS to Ije 
 ', which 
 eived on 
 n at tlie 
 'an inch 
 oked by 
 lUtilE of 
 
 I highly 
 iiitHne ! 
 ' a close 
 n of hu- 
 wer of a 
 ippeared 
 s parts, 
 efective 
 linting : 
 iod, are 
 But 
 mal ; a 
 more 
 ition as 
 micro- 
 lenses, 
 ich one 
 d inde- 
 ; and 
 
 it is so in every case : the most minute crystal or point on 
 your sleeve is of faultless regularity and beauty. 
 
 C — How are the crystals on windows formed ? those 
 which are called frosted flowers, and which are so often seen 
 in our bedrooms on cold mornings. 
 
 F. — By the shooting out of radiating needles in the man- 
 ner I have described ; but why these crystals take the fan- 
 tastic forms of leaves and flowers, instead of regular angles, 
 I cannot explain. Perhaps, if our instruments were of suffi- 
 cient power, we should find that the individual crystals do 
 shoot in the usual direction, but are so minute that we lose 
 them in the whole. As an apparent circle may be formed 
 of very short right lines. 
 
 C — When these leaf-like figures are large, they possess 
 consideral)le elegance, ^\'hy are they smaller in very cold 
 vreather ? 
 
 F. — Probably, because then the freezing or crystallization 
 begins at more points at once, each point being the centre 
 of its own radiation, and the needles meet each other at 
 shorter distances. But in milder weather, the surface not 
 being cooled so rapidly, the crystals have more time and 
 longer space to shoot in, and so make larger figures ; as there 
 are fewer centres of radiation. I have sometimes seen the 
 hoar frost stand up perpendicularly from the glass to the 
 height of half an inch, and nearly as thick as snow : but 
 this has been when the room has been much charged with 
 vapour, and the exterior air at a very low temperature. 
 
 r. — It is well we have gained the shelter of home : how 
 thickly and how fast the flakes of snow descend : they 
 coalesce, and arc become quite large. 
 
 /'. — And htjw noiselessly they descend : it bids fair to be 
 a heavy fall : probalily l»y the morning light a dense coat of 
 many inches will have covered the earth; yet not the slightest 
 
lf'r« 
 
 fl 
 
 "V 
 
 ^0 
 
 THE CxVNADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 i ¥ 
 
 I 
 
 
 |{ 
 
 sound will have given us warning of such an event. — It is 
 a pretty sight to take a candle to the window : the feeble 
 light can penetrate Imt a little way into the deep pitchy 
 darkness, but every foot of that blackness is thickly studded 
 with the white descending flakes^ which the light makes 
 prominent. 
 
 C. — I know that nothing is created in vain, or without 
 an end : but I should like to be informed, what are the uses 
 of the winter's snow. 
 
 F. — From the lightness of snow, it is a poor conductor 
 of caloric : that is, the matter of heat does not readily pass 
 through it, or into it from contiguous substances. 
 
 C. — 1 recollect reading of a woman who was lost in a 
 storm, and lay for several days buried up in an immense 
 snow-drift ; and who declared that she had not suffered from 
 cold, the snow having kept her warm like a blanket. 
 
 F. — Just such a purpose does the snow serve to tne 
 earth : the grand scene of Nature's operations during winter 
 is below the surface of the ground, where she is preparing 
 the germs and roots soon to shoot forth ; elaborating juices 
 imd consolidathig parts, previous to the active vegetation of 
 spring. But if the ground were left bare, in cold climates, 
 it would be hard frozen to a great depth, and the vegetative 
 life would be either destroyed or suspended ; and the spring 
 would be very far advanced before the earth could be thawed. 
 To prevent these ill effects, God has mercifully ordained that 
 a soft and warm covering shall be provided, the offspring of 
 that very cold which is to be guarded against, thus making 
 the evil work its own remedy. Among the subordinate uses, 
 may be reckoned the advantage of having good roads made 
 by it, for the conveying of produce to markets, drawing wood, 
 manure, &c. : a benefit by no means small, and one which 
 the farmer well knows how to appreciate. This was mani- 
 fest in the winter of 1837-38, a winter remarkable for the 
 
 j 
 
 /I 
 
 :i 
 
 I 
 
 1^ ^ 
 
FERRIAUV 
 
 01 
 
 
 extreme mildness of the greater portion of it. Here are some 
 notes I thouglit worth taking at the time. December had 
 been rather cold with a little snow, sufficient to facilitate 
 travelling. At the commencement of the year 1838, we 
 had mild weather, with little snow on the ground, but the 
 roads were still in excellent condition. From tiic third to 
 the eighth of January we had a thaw with heavy rains, wliich 
 took away all the snow: the state of nature exactly resembled 
 spring : sheep and cattle feeding in the fields, streams and 
 brooks Hooded, roads filled with deep mud, travelling per- 
 formed wholly on wheels or on horseback, instead of sleighs ; 
 and I read that in Upper Canada even some trees had burst 
 their leaf-buds. The roads continued bare, with some slight 
 frosts, until the nineteenth, when about four inches of snow^ 
 falling, a new life was put into every kind of business ; tlie 
 roads were thronged with sleds loaded with hay, grain, car- 
 casses of meat, and all otlier necessaries, which had been so 
 long prevented from travelling by the state of the roads, as 
 to cause great inconvenience, and in some cases even distress. 
 To the end of January, the weather continued mild, but the 
 whole of February was very severe, and this month, with 
 the latter part of December, was in fact all tnat wo could 
 really call winter ; for as early as the first of IMarch, the 
 snow l)egan rapidly to disappear from the roads and fields ; 
 by the tenth, the sap of the sugar maple was fiowing freely ; 
 the catkins of the poplars and willows opened al)0ut the 
 middle of the month ; the spring birds and insects a])peared, 
 and all things promised a very early season, which was, 
 however, much retarded by continued cold weather in April. 
 It was followed l>y an unusually wet and warm sunnner. 
 

 !• 
 
 32 
 
 El . r 1 
 
 J. A 
 
 III. 
 
 FEBRUARY 15th. 
 
 IMiissos of Snow on tlio Evergreens. — Font-marks of Field Mouse. — 
 S(|iiirrel. — AVolf. — Anecdotes. — De>icn])tion of liliick Wolf — l-Vro- 
 eity of (.'iirnivorous Animals. — I'nnia. — Lynx. — Otter. — Meaver. — 
 Musk-rat. — Fi|iiali/ation of ]>lessinj;s of Providence. — Tokens of ex- 
 treme Cold. — Sunset. — Northern Lights, 
 
 CiL\RLEs. — How clear and cloudless is the sky, and how 
 exliilarating is the atmosphere after last night's snow ! There 
 is not a hreath of air even to stir the hemlocks and spruces, 
 wliosc flat branches are clothed with a thick mantle of pure 
 unsullied snow. 
 
 Fathkh. — I much admire the soft-woods after a heavy 
 fall of snow : the form of the boughs causes it to appear like 
 hanging drapery, and the great contrast between the sombre 
 foliage and the l.»rilliant whiteness of the masses of snow, has 
 a fine eftect. 
 
 (\ — Here are some tiny tracks in the snow; little feet 
 nuisl have made these : their path is not more than half an 
 inch wide. 
 
 F. — They are probably made by the Field Mouse fAr- 
 vfco/o Pinnisi/Iranicus), though I have once seen the domes- 
 tic mouse in the snow at a considerable distance from a house. 
 But here our well-known nimble little friend, the Red Squirrel 
 ( Scixnis Ilta/i^oHins), has crossed the road: he makes a very 
 singular trail ; his two fore feet being so short, make their 
 marks close to each other, while the hind footsteps are quite 
 
FERUUARY. 
 
 rs 
 
 wi.le apart, and now and then there is a little sweep from 
 his brush of a tail. 
 
 C. — Oh! the rogue! see, ho has come direct from the 
 barn; I warrant with some grains of wheat in his mouth, 
 to be deposited in his hole beneath the gnarled root of some 
 tree. 
 
 F. — The squirrel is particularly assiduous in his atten- 
 tions to the barn as long as the wheat remains in it ; nor 
 does he altogether treat the oats with contempt. But if we 
 want tracks, let us seek the woods. We will go a little 
 
 way into the swamp. ^\^lat do you suppose are 
 
 these ^ 
 
 C — A fox's tracks. 
 
 F. — Oh, no ! they are much too large : a wolf has passed 
 here since last evening. 
 
 C Had we not Ijetter return ? I hardly like to he so 
 
 near him. 
 
 F. — You need not fear : he is before this time snugly 
 concealed in some hollow log, far in the gloomiest and densest 
 part of tlie swamp : he would not trust himself abroad by 
 davlifdit. 
 
 C. — Would he not attack a man, however, if he met 
 him abroad ? 
 
 F. — I think not, even under any circumstances, except 
 when so hemmed up as to render escape difficult, or made 
 desperate by hunger. 
 
 C. — I suppose they are dangerous when they do attack 
 a man. 
 
 F. — Yes : they are stronger than a dog of the same size, 
 and their mode of biting is very different from that of a dog : 
 instead of retaining his hold as a dog does, wdien he seizes 
 his enemy, the wolf bites by repeated snaps, given, however, 
 with great force. As illustrative of this habit, I may men- 
 tion a farmer in New Hampshire, not very far from this 
 

 ♦ 
 
 i 
 
 U 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 place, who was one night awakened by a noise in his hog- 
 pen ; on looking out he saw what he supposed to be a fox 
 on the low sloping roof of the sty. He immediately ran out 
 in his shirt, but found that the animal was a Grey Wolf, 
 which, instead of making off, fiercely attackeil him, rushing 
 down the roof towards him, and before the man had titne to 
 move back, the wolf had bitten his arm three times, with 
 these quick and repeated snaps, lacerating it from the elbow 
 to the wrist : then, however, he leaped from the roof to the 
 ground, and by so doing lost his advantage : for the man 
 succeeded in seizing him on each side of the neck, with his 
 hands, and held him firmly in that position till his wife, 
 whom he called out, came up with a large butcher's knife, 
 and cut the beast's throat. It was three months before the 
 man's arm was healed : every incision, it was said, piercing 
 to the bone. 
 
 C. — The woman must have had some courage, to cut the 
 animal's throat. — Is any bounty given for the de^;truction of 
 the wolf? 
 
 F. — Ten dollars are given in this province ; Init I believe 
 double that amount is paid in the state of New Hampshire, 
 where this encounter took place. The cdrs of the wolf are 
 considered in law as the representative of the animal : these 
 being burnt in the presence of any justice of the peace, the 
 bounty is claimed. 
 
 C. — Is there more than one species of wolf found in this 
 country i 
 
 F, — There are two, the YiXixck fCanis XahllxsJ, and 
 the Grey (Can is Lhjiks, var. Boreal In). The former is 
 considered the more ferocious and dangerous, but is rather 
 less common. Both kinds have within a few years become 
 alarmingly numerous, after having been for a consideralile 
 time almost unknown in the settlements. Last fall we used 
 to hear their dismal bowlings in the adjacent woods almost 
 
 I 
 
I'EnHI'AUV. 
 
 every evening; and many of the neighbours lost their shefj*, 
 when left in the held : sometimes I have known as munv as 
 ten sheep killed out of a flock in one night. 
 
 C. 
 
 What means are used for destrovinc them ? 
 
 F. — Sometimes, when considerahle havoc has been made 
 among the sheep, a general assemljly of the neigh) lourhood 
 is called, who proceed to the swamj) where the wolves are 
 supposed to harbour by day, armed with guns, pitchforks, 
 or clubs: they then separate, to surround the swamp, and 
 travel towards the centre, lessening the circle as they pro- 
 ceed. Whatever animals are in the swamp are of course 
 roused, and are generally killed. One of these hunts I 
 attended last fall, but we had not a sufficient number of men 
 to be close to each other: Ave put up a Black Wolf, but he 
 broke through the ring, and escaped, though shot at. But 
 the more ordinary methods of taking them are by tra])S or 
 poison, which are chiefly set in winter. A\'hen caught in a 
 trap, the wolf is generally so cowed as to allow a man to go 
 up to him and handle him like a dog ; though it is a dan- 
 gerous expc'riment. A very large grey wolf was poisoned a 
 few weeks ago ]>y J. Hughes ; I went to his house to see 
 it, but was disappointed, as he had sent it to Shcrlirooke, 
 He told me that it measured six feet in length, including the 
 tail, and that it stood aliout three feet high : though very 
 [•oor, it was as large round as a good-sized sheep : and 
 probal)ly would weigh about seventy pounds. The moile of 
 setting poison is this: the kernels or seeds of /?/^r ronu'ai 
 are grated or pounded, then mixed up with three or four 
 times their liulk of fat or grease, and honey — wolves are very 
 fond of the latter — and made into balls about as large as a 
 hen's egg. These are placed in the woods, covered with a 
 piece of flesh or tripe, and some offal is hung on a tree near 
 the spot to attract the wolves )«y its scent. Hughes says, 
 that a large space round the tree was beaten hard, by the 
 
GO 
 
 THE CANADIAN' KATrRALlST 
 
 
 
 i! 
 
 ifl 
 
 wolf's walking round, and leaping up, in endeavounng to 
 ivach tlie offal. He had not run above eight rods from the 
 ])oisoniiig iilace bef:)re he died. I was afterwards more suc- 
 cessful : hearing that Captain Sleeper had poisoned one, I 
 called to see it, and made a careful examination of it ; that 
 is, of the stuffed skin. It was a l>lack wolf: it had not 
 been opened at the belly, but the carcass had lieen drawn 
 out at the mouth, which of course had to be enlarged, so that 
 I could form little idea of the shape of the head, or size of 
 the mouth. The length of the animal was four feet fmm 
 the nose to the insertion of the tail ; the tail one foot eight 
 inches ; from the nose to the eye, four and a half inches ; 
 from the nose to the ear, ten inches ; distance between the 
 ears, three and a half inches ; (the ears had been cnit off for 
 the bounty, so that I could not ascertain their length ;) the 
 height at fore shoulder, two feet three inches : lengtli of fore 
 legs, one foot four inches ; girth of body, about two feet seven 
 inciics. The general colour of the body was brownish black, 
 somewhat mottled with darker ; the belly was much lighter, 
 V)ut a broad stripe of black, undefined at the edges, ran from 
 the breast down the middle of the belly : the })ack was 
 l)l'ickish, very slightly mottled with white, caused by the 
 intermixture of different hairs ; the body was covered with a 
 soft thick down, light grey at the root and brownish grey at 
 the end ; besides this fur there was likewise a longer hair, 
 which gave the colour of the animal ; this hair on the back 
 was white at the root, then black, then pure Avhite, then 
 black at the tip ; this gave a spt-ckled appearance to the 
 liack. The tail was large and bushy ; the hair long, loose, 
 and nearly Itlack : the throat and breast were nearly l»lack ; 
 the feet and legs black ; the hair on the front of the legs 
 close, shining, and bristly : the head was black, the ilice 
 covered with short close hair ; the nose pointed, small, and 
 black : the ears were said to be short, pointed, and upright. 
 Jt was a female^ and was with young at the time. 
 
 w 
 
 J 
 
 :1 
 
 I 
 
 P-. - , J Uv, 
 
FEBIILAIIV 
 
 37 
 
 '>^^^^-F. :-,..-. .- 
 
 
 1 
 
 liI.A< K UOI.F. 
 C'ltliis \iiltiliis. 
 
 (.'. — Have vou never seen a livinp; one ? 
 
 /•'. — S'Mtu after I had seen the skin I have just described, 
 I saw at Sherbrooke, in the possession of Mr. Robert Armour, 
 a full ^rown black wolf, which had been caught in a trap l>y 
 one of the fore feet, and had received by it a severe wound ; 
 this was then healing, by the animal's being in the habit of 
 c(M\tinually licking it. It was ke})! in a dark closet, fastened 
 by a chain round the neck, but quite unmuzzled. The wo- 
 man who showed it to me, on opening the closet, which stank 
 abominably, seized the chain, and dragged him, maugre his 
 eftorts to remain concealed, into daylight. While in the 
 room, he showed no sign of ferocity, except the wild fiery 
 glare of his eye, but extreme timidity, darting from side to 
 side, as far as his chain would allow him, huddling into a 
 corner, and when disturbed, rushing into another. He cmiM 
 
 •J 
 

 '*• 
 
 BOB 
 
 
 TFIE CANADIAN' NATURALIST. 
 
 not be made to stand on his feet, but when pulled out of 
 the corners, would lie down, shrinking together as much as 
 possible. The Avoman, a stout Irish girl, made no scruple 
 of going up to him and handling him, which he did not 
 attciupt to resent ; but when his chain was slackened, gladly 
 rushed back to his odoriferous closet. His tail was Inishy, 
 much like a fox's ; his nose very sharp ; and his ears short, 
 erect, pointed, and black : the general colour and appearance 
 were similar to those of Sleeper's. 
 
 C. — Does the wolf attain to a great age ? 
 
 F. — Wq have very limited means of arriving at any 
 satisfactory conclusion respecting the period of life of wild 
 animals, especially the Carnivora. As they live by violence 
 and rapine, and as the sup|»ly of their wants necessarily be- 
 comes more and more precarious as the vigour of youth de- 
 parts, it is probable they do not often nearly complete the 
 period of life allotted to their respective species. Some in- 
 stances, however, no doubt occur, in which the animal attains 
 the utmost verge of existence. A few years ago, some men 
 were going up Lee's Pond, a lake about six miles long, near 
 Stanstead, which was fro/en at the time, when they saw 
 before them a party of wolves crosshig the pond. One in 
 the centre appeared sick, and was surrounded liy the rest in 
 the manner of a body-guard. One of the men, who had a gun, 
 pursued them, when some of the wolves took to flight, leav- 
 ing others with the supposed sick one, which, however, 
 dropped olf one by one as the pursuit grew hotter, leaving at 
 last only two with it : the man then fired at one of these 
 two, but without killing it, and they both then fled. On 
 coming up to the remaining one, they found it was an old 
 she-wolf, completely blind, as was supposed from age alone, 
 as her teeth were almost worn down. After her last attend- 
 ants had left her, she attempted to continue her course, but 
 in a very uncertain manner, sometimes turning on her steps, 
 
 \-^ 
 
 i 
 
 I 
 
 J,'., 
 
 1 
 
 i 
 
I'EBllUAUY. 
 
 flO 
 
 a gun, 
 leav- 
 
 er going in a circle. The men put a rope round her, and 
 led her to the town. In the woods they found her den, 
 strewed with a vast number of deer's bones, fragments of 
 flesh. Sec. all around which, the snow, though three feet deep, 
 was trodden hard and smooth, and from the number of paths 
 h-ading to this spot, it appeared evident that this aged wolf 
 had fn- a long time been supplied with prey l>y the assiduous 
 attentions of others. 
 
 C. — This story raises the wolf in my estimation : I had 
 always had a very bad ojiinion of his moral character. 
 
 /•'. — All carnivorous animals are on a ]tar in this respect : 
 it is al.isurd to say that any animal is " fierce without pro- 
 vocation, and cruel without necessity ;" or that " it scarcely 
 finds time to appease its appetite, while intent upon satisfy- 
 ing the malignity of its nature." Their thirst for blood is 
 an irresistible instuict implanted in them ])y an alhvise 
 God, and the tiger or the wolf could no more exist without 
 slaughter, than the sheep without cropping the herbage. 
 That they often kill Avithout devouring the carcasses, is not 
 liv anv means the effect of a Itlind and aimless ferocity- l)ut 
 a proof that to their palates the blood is the most agreeable 
 part of their victim ; and of course it is ridiculous to expect 
 that they should manifest any moral scruples of indulging 
 their apjietite, whenever they have the power or oji[tortunity. 
 Some are more sluggish, or more timid, or less desirous of 
 l»lot)d than others, but surely no praise is due to them for 
 superior virtue. 
 
 . ('. — Is the wolf the most formidable of our beasts of 
 prey i 
 
 I\ — I suppose he may be esteemed such ; though there 
 is reason to believe that a nuieh nobler animal, the Couguar, 
 or I'uma, ha^, formerly at least, been seen in this province. 
 I have heard both Nathan and Amos Merrill speak of a 
 large cat, which was killed in the township of JJolton, about 
 
tmssm 
 
 10 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATI'Il AI.IsT. 
 
 1? > 
 
 i' 
 
 fifteen years ago, and which they call a Catamount, but 
 which from the description they give of it, I believe to have 
 bee;i no other than the Puma (Fells Concolor of Linnteus). 
 \ man was going into the woods with his axe, when he was 
 met by another man, who having just been alarmed by the 
 sight of the animal in question, advised him not to go on. 
 He however proceeded, and soon discovered the puma under 
 the root of a fallen tree: having cut a stout club for himself, 
 he threw his axe with his utmost force at the beast, Init 
 missed his aim, and it slowly walked away. The man re- 
 turned to the settlement, and having procured guns and 
 assistance, again proceeded to the woods, and found the animal 
 near the place where he had been before seen. They fired 
 and killed him, carried him home in triumph, and stuffed the 
 skin ; this trophy was preserved many years at the house of 
 Captain Co}>ps, in Georgeville, in whose hall, I am toM, it 
 presented to a stranger entering, a very startling object. Both 
 of the Merrills have seen it many times, Amos having resided 
 w ithin three miles of the house : they describe it as being 
 four or five feet in length, exclusive of the tail, which was 
 two and a half or three feet ; tliat it stood near three feet 
 high, was in all respects a cat, with a round flattened face, 
 large round paws, ^'c. ; the colour was a dull red, without 
 marks or spots. Supposing the dimensions given to be ex- 
 aggerated, through defective memory, there can l)e no doubt 
 that the animal in question was a puma, as there is no other 
 of the large cats to which the description will at all apply. 
 Both of them are well acquainted with the lynx, of which 
 they gave me a very correct general description, noticing 
 particularly the black ear tufts, and the blue colour. The 
 length of the tail too, as well as the hue, is a sufficient pruuf 
 that it was not the Canadian Lynx. The species may pos- 
 sibly even yet be found, though rarely, in our almost inter- 
 nunable forests. 
 
 W 
 
FEKRUARY. 
 
 41 
 
 \] 
 
 C. — I have seen a specimen oftlie Lynx fFelis Canaden- 
 i^is) in tlie museum of the Literary and Historical Society at 
 Qut-'bec : it is stoutly l»uilt, and lias a very fierce look, so 
 that I should think it a somewhat formidable adversary. 
 
 /•'. — I do not believe that it would face a man ; at least 
 I have never lieard of an instance: its attacks ajijiear to be 
 confined to birds, and the smaller i|uadru}teds, which it pur- 
 sues chiefly on trees: its colour is elegant, and its eye is said 
 to have peculiar brilliancy. I have never seen a living spe- 
 cimen, though they are numerous in the norlhern part of the 
 province, and are uiuch hunted iov their skins. 
 
 Tlie 
 
 fAN.vniAN I.\\N. 
 
 C. — Yonder is the river: what is that black thing swim- 
 miiig in tlmt small sjuice <»f open water:* 
 
 I' — It is the head uf an Otter (Liifrn CidhuI,',/^!.^) : he 
 
 5 
 
 1 
 
4,2 
 
 THE CANADIAX XATIRALIST. 
 
 :i 
 
 : 
 
 i 
 
 r\: 
 
 
 
 is fishing ; and by his diving he appears to be successful. 
 It is a curious fact, tluit tlie otter will not eat the hind part 
 of a fish, rejecting all but the head and shoulders. Tiiis is 
 the only brute animal that appears to enjoy play for its own 
 sake, merely for amusement, in adult age. Some years ago, 
 I was travelling on foot in Newfoundland, from St. Mary's 
 on the southern coast, to Trinity Bay. It was in the month 
 of January, and there was a considerable depth of snow on 
 the ground. The old furrier, who acied as my guide, showed 
 me many " otter slides." These were always on a steep 
 sloping bank of a pond or stream, where the water remained 
 unfrozen. They were as smootli and slippery as glass, 
 caused by the otters sliding on them in play, in the following 
 manner: — Several of these animals seek a suitable place, 
 and then each in succession, lying flat on his belly, at the 
 top of the bank, slides swiftly down over the snow, and 
 plunges into the water. The others follow, while he crawls 
 up the bank at some distance, and running round to the 
 sliding place, takes his turn again, to perform the same evo- 
 lution as before. The wetness running frum their bodies 
 freezes on the surface of the slide, and so the snow becomes 
 a smooth glitter of ice. This sport, I was assured, is fre- 
 quently continued with the utmost eagerness, and with every 
 demonstration of delight, for hours together. 
 
 C. — Is not the otter a flow-moving animal on land ? 
 the shortness of its legs seems to adapt it but poorly for 
 running. 
 
 F. — On the contrary, it is said to run with considerable 
 speed : but if I am rightly informed, it occasionally aids its 
 velocity in a very ridiculous manner. A neiglil»ouv, on whose 
 word I could rely, told me that he once saw an otter on a 
 pond in these townships, which he pursued. It was winter, 
 and the snow was about knee-deep, but had a slight crust. 
 The otter woidd run a few yards, then rearing himself up, and 
 
 
 1 
 
 ■I 
 
FKKRUARY 
 
 43 
 
 ^ 
 
 throwing his liind Iocs turward, would slide on his haunches 
 for about two feet ; then he would again run a few yards, 
 rear up, and slide as before. Notwithstanding the apparent 
 awkwardness of tliis manner of progression, he managed to 
 make way faster than his pursuer, who, observing this, and 
 perceiving whither he was tending, endeavoured to cut oft" 
 his retreat, by heading liim in his course ; but liefore he had 
 reached liini, the otter had gained his hole, and had disap- 
 peared within tlie pond. 
 
 C. — Is the otter of any value ? 
 
 F. — In some countries they are so far tamed as to be 
 used in catching fish ; but with us they are procured wholly 
 for the sake of their fur, which is much ]irized. The hair 
 is very smooth and shining, somewhat bristly, of a brownish 
 black ; but there is a sort of thick, soft down, which lies 
 next the skin, and is not seen ; it is of a greyish colour. 
 In taking off tlie pelt, the skin is not cut open at the belly, 
 but at *he head, and is drawn oft' the body inverted, as 
 we pull ofi' a stocking. A long board is then thrust into 
 the pelt, so as to make it quite flat, the fur l)eing in\\ards ; 
 this board is drawn out when the skin is dry. Otter fur 
 is examined liy thrusting the arm up the inside of the pelt ; 
 if, on withdrawing it, hairs stick to the sleeve of the coat, 
 the skin is not merchantable ; but if it is quite clean, the 
 fur is in prime condition. The price of an otter skin in 
 Newfoundland is usually about the same as that of a 
 beaver. 
 
 C. — The Beaver is, I believe, a Canadian animal. Can 
 you give me any information respecting it :' 
 
 1\ — None Ijut what I have gained from books, to which 
 you also have access. Though abundant in some parts of 
 Canada, I do not know that they are found within many 
 miles of this jilace. I have seen their houses in Newfound- 
 land ; l)ut have never had an opportunity of opening one. 
 
■t 
 
 hi 
 
 i 
 
 ^i'' 
 
 ii 
 
 I I 
 
 I 1, 
 J 
 
 
 .'111 
 
 44 
 
 THE ( AXADIAN XATTRALIST. 
 
 I once partook of the liiiul-quarters of tliis animal roasted, 
 whicli I thouglit more delicious tlian any meat I had ever 
 tasted. The tail is a particular delicacy ; it is almost 
 wholly composed of fat. Beaver skins are usually sold 
 by weiglit. 
 
 (\ — The Musk-rat ( Art) kola Zlbct/ncusJ is much like 
 the Ijcaver ; is it not ? 
 
 F. — So much that Linnaius, in one of his editions of 
 Systema Xaturte, placed it in the same genus. Its skin 
 has a very pleasant smell of musk, which it retains long 
 after deatli ; the fur is so much like that of the Ijeaver, 
 as scarcely to be distinguished from it. It may often be 
 seen in our rivers in sunnner, in the l)anks of which it 
 Iturrows. ^\''e perceive that the most valualde 
 
 furs are the productions of the colder climates : and this 
 is but one instance of the beneficence of God, in giving to 
 every haliituble country some compensation in itself for its 
 peculiar inconveniences. While we find no spot on earth 
 to be a paradise, a place of unmixed repose and pleasure, 
 no land is altogether cheerless and desolate ; and this dis- 
 triV)ution of gifts is made with a far more equal hand than 
 we at first suppose. Some countries Avhich are eminent 
 for fertility, for luxuriance of vegetation, or beauty of 
 scenery, are balanced by political restrictions, unheaithi- 
 ness, or the languor and inactivity caused l)y heat. Others 
 are cold and sterile, but have a pure and salul))ious air, 
 and are possessed by a free and industrious peoi>le. In 
 some, where the inhabitants have a lil)eral government, 
 and the comforts of a high state of civilization, the many 
 find a difficulty in obtaining an honest livelihood, and al- 
 most an impossibility of gaining independence: in others, 
 the loss of home-comforts, and the privations of the forest, 
 are rewarded by increasing wealth and a certain prospect 
 of competence. 
 
 i 
 
FKBRIAUY. 
 
 45 
 
 I 
 
 C — ^Ve liave wandered fur ; and slial] scarcely lie at 
 lionie lictlire niglitfall. The temperature of t'le air is tailing 
 rapidly, as indicated liy the crispness of the snow, wliich 
 ci'tutclii's beneath our feet. 
 
 F. — Yes; we shall have a cold night: wc niu^it walk- 
 fast to keep a rapid circulation, or we shall run the risk nf 
 having our noses or cheeks frozen. 
 
 C. — My eyelashes freeze together, for an instant, wiu-n 
 I wink, already: and your whiskers are as white, witi» 
 your frozen breath, as if they were silvered with age. The 
 severe cold makes the cheeks tingle, as if tlie pnints dt" 
 needles were running into them. It is pleasant to think 
 that we have a comfortable home, and a cheerful tire to 
 look forward to. 
 
 F. — The sun has set : we are apt to associate a glowing 
 sunset with sunmier, and warm weather; but here is one 
 which is not often surpassed. 01>serve how rich the crim- 
 son near the horizon ; in what liold relief the shaggy hem- 
 locks of yonder mountain stand out against the tiery sky ; 
 mark, too, the beautiful gradation of colour as it apitroaches 
 the zenith ! the glowing, furnace-like red becomes orange , 
 then changes to bright tlame-colour, dee}) yellow, pale straw- 
 yellow, diluting till at length every warm tinge is lost in 
 the cool and soft blue of the general sky — the yellow lost 
 in the blue without the least hue of greenness where they 
 
 unite. 
 
 C — The black hills, and dark masses of clovid make the 
 
 clear sky seem more rich and lirilliant by their contrast. 
 
 F. — The most lirilliant sunsets 1 have ever seen were at 
 
 sea, in June and July ; there the sky is often bathed in the 
 
 most gorgeous tints, glowing in crimson and gold, and the 
 
 clouds take the form of a beautiful country, interspcrse(l with 
 
 groves and thickets, and liright lawns ; with calm hikes, 
 
 studded with little islets; and these so accuratelv imatred 
 
4G 
 
 TIIK CAXAIHAX NATURALIST. 
 
 f » 
 
 li[ 
 
 ! 'i 
 
 1 f 
 
 :, I 
 
 forth, as to need no stretch of imagination in the sea-worn 
 mariner^ to convey to him tlic idea of land. I used to look 
 upon the scene, till I could scarcely persuade myself it was 
 unreal; it reminded me of that liright and lieautiful land, 
 which the Indian hopes for " Ijeyond the mountains," the 
 land of the blessed, the land of spirits. It was in the same 
 voyage, that I observed a more singular, though not a more 
 lovely sunset. The sun, as he approached the horizon, gra- 
 dually became laterally elongated, until the form of the disk 
 was a perfect oval. The atmosphere was clearer than I recol- 
 lect to have ever seen it, and the appearance of the sun, like 
 burning gold, without a cloud or mist to intercept his rays, 
 as he sunk slowly l)eneath the waves, was very beautiful. 
 When altout half hidden, he appeared like a hemispherical 
 island of fire in the sea ; and as the light diminished to a 
 thin line, it was tinged distinctly green by the blueness 
 of the waves. The total absence of those tieecy clouds, 
 generally visible at sunset, and which reflect a lirilliant 
 glow, even after the sun has disappeared, contributed not 
 a little to the singularity of the spectacle. 
 
 y 
 
 
 C. — The northern lights are beginning to play : can you 
 tell me the origin of that splendid phenomenon ? 
 
 I^. — Its cause and nature, notwithstanding the observa- 
 tions and researches of the most acute philosophers of the 
 present age, are still, I believe, a mystery. That hypothe- 
 sis which attributes it to the agency of electricity appears to 
 lie most reasonable ; it is true the officers and savans of the 
 North-west expeditions, who had excellent opportunities for 
 ol;)serving the Aurora, could never detect the slightest influence 
 on their electrical and magnetical instruments ; but this 
 may be accounted for by the fact that its usual elevation is 
 very far above the atmosphere. 
 
 H 
 
1 
 
 FEBRIARV. 
 
 I )scrva- 
 ut' the 
 I'potlie- 
 [ears to 
 of the 
 :ies for 
 luence 
 It this 
 :ion is 
 
 C. — I low can this be ascertained ? 
 
 /•'. — By the same Aurora being visll.le from distant 
 parts of tlie world at the same moment. 
 
 C. — But if I riglitly recollect, Ca}itain Parry records an 
 instance in which he saw a beam of the Aumra Borealis 
 shoot down between him and an opposite hill, not more than 
 a mile or two distant. 
 
 F. — I suppose that to have been a very unconnncn 
 case. 
 
 C. — Have you ever heard any sound accompanying it ? 
 
 F. — Never : thouyh I have seen verv manv, and some 
 very splendid ones ; and though I have often eagerly and 
 intently listened: yet I cannot doubt the fact ; f tr I liave 
 been assured by persons of undoubted veracity, that they 
 have distinctly heard an accompanying sound, though ex- 
 ceeding rarely. Some of these individuals could not be sus- 
 pected of having taken the idea from books, yet the charac- 
 ter of the sound attributed to the Aurora exactly agrees in 
 all the recorded instances in which it has Ijeen heard. It 
 was described to me as being like the rustling of a silk flag 
 in a smart breeze. These were all heard in Newfoundland, 
 where it is much more common than in this country. For 
 two or three years past we have had a very brilliant coloured 
 Aurora about this time: in February, 18^7, the whole of 
 the sky appeared of a splendid crimson, which was reflected 
 from the surface of the snow beneath, and had almost an 
 awful, though very beautiful appearance. 1 saw a fine one, 
 though inferior to this, on the evening of the 21st of Feb- 
 ruary, 1838, of which I recorded some particulars. I first 
 observed it about half past eight o'clock ; a Imig, low, irregu- 
 lar arch of bright yellow light extended from the north-east 
 to the north-west, the lower edge of which was well defined ; 
 the sky beneath this arch was clear and appeared l)lack, liut 
 it was only by contrast with the light, for on examination, I 
 
48 
 
 THE CANADIAN' NATIUALIST, 
 
 y 
 
 '. » 
 
 1'^ 
 
 a 
 
 1^ i: 
 
 I ,< 
 
 i') 
 
 i; i 
 
 ■ ! 
 
 could not find that it was really darker than tlie other parts 
 of the clear sky. Tlie upper edge of the arch was not defined, 
 shooting out rays of light towards the zenith : one or two 
 
 th 
 
 rch 
 
 brilli 
 
 rhich 
 
 jwints 
 
 in their position. Over head, and towards the south, east, 
 and west, flashings of light were darting from side to side : 
 sometimes the sky was dark, then instantly lighted up with 
 these fitful flashes, vanishing and changing as rapidly; some- 
 times, a kind of crown would form aroimd a point south of 
 the zenith, consisting of short converging pencils. At a 
 •juarter l>efore nine, I looked at it again : the arch was as be- 
 fore, but slightly changed in form ; the zenith, too, much the 
 same. About nine, the upper and southern sky was filled 
 with clouds or undefined [latches of light nearly stationary ; 
 the eastern part, near the top, lieing deep crimson, which 
 speedily spread over the upper part of the northern sky ; a 
 series of long converging pencils was now arranged around 
 a ]»lank space about 15° south of the zenith, tlie northern 
 and eastern rays blood-red, the southern and western pale 
 yellow ; the redness would flash about as did the white light 
 before, still not breaking the general form of the corona. In 
 a few minutes all the red hue had vanished, leaving the 
 upper sky nearly unoccupied. The arch also was now totally 
 gone, and in its place there were only irregular patches of 
 yellow light, of varying radiance. At a quarter past nine, 
 the upper sky was again filled with pale flashes ; in the 
 north were perpendicular pillars of light comparatively sta- 
 tionary. At half past nine, no material change ; at ten, all 
 had assumed a very ordinary appearance, merely large clouds 
 of pale light were visible ; after which I took no farther 
 notice of it. I listened, as on other occasions, with great 
 attention, but could not hear the slightest sound proceeding 
 from the meteor. The southern sky, near the horizon, was 
 unoccupied during the whole of the continuance of the Au- 
 rora. 
 
FKBRUARV 
 
 4<) 
 
 1 
 
 ceding 
 n, ^vas 
 e Au- 
 
 C. — The briglitness of tlie meteor, and tlio vapid an<l 
 sudden changes of position among the ]»eams, reseml)ling the 
 evohitions of an army, are calcukited to strike awe into tlie 
 mind^ of the vulgar and ignorant, especially uhere its appear- 
 ance is an unusual occurrence ; but even here, where it is so 
 common, when an Aurora of unwonted splendour occurs, I have 
 often heard people, sagely sliaking their heads, prophesy that 
 " something " is going to happen. 
 
 F. — No doubt some of the accounts of armies figliting in 
 the air, of which we read in profane history, may safely l»e 
 supposed to be nothing more than the Aurora Borealis : but T 
 am very far from thinking with many of the philosophers of 
 our day, that all the portents and wonders of ancient days 
 are to be reduced to the effects of natural causes. ])o not 
 these men, endeavouring to be " wise above that which is 
 written," forget that the *' immutable laws of nature," so 
 called, are but the laws which God has been pleased to im- 
 pose upon the objects of His creation, anl which he has 
 undoubted right to suspend at His pleasure ? Still fartlier 
 am I from believing that the clashing hosts, and fiery fal- 
 chions suspended in the air, over devoted Jerusalem, diu'ing 
 her last struggle, were, as some would persuade us, but a 
 bright Aurora. Oh ! no : they were foretold by our Lord : 
 " fearful sights and great signs shall there be from lieaven ;" 
 and were no doubt contrived liy the skill of the " Prince of 
 the power of the air," who, it was said, should, with his lying 
 wonders, deceive almost the very elect : the reprobate Jews, 
 for their unparalleled sin, being given up to judicial blind- 
 ness, to strong delusion, that they might believe a lie. * 
 * ■"■ But yonder is a light more cheering, if less 
 splendid, than the Aurora, — the rays from our own cottage 
 windows. 
 
1,1 
 
 50 
 
 IV. 
 
 MARCH 1st. 
 
 )' 
 
 
 Bi :i 
 
 I f' 
 
 " Suiulng." — Insects. — Pine (Jrosbcak. — Wliitt-wingod Ciossldll. — C'oni- 
 num C'rossliill. — IMiu- Finch. — Tree S|)iirr(iw. — (.inlilcn I'.yc. — Snow 
 Owl, — Masuippi Kivcr. — American Hare. — Operation of " T^vitting." 
 — Aloose. — Anecdote. 
 
 Charles. — A few evenings ago, I observed a cunous 
 phenomenon : about half an hour before sunset, the sun 
 Iteing about 4^ above the horizon, at the distance of about 
 22- on each side was a fragment of a halo, marked with 
 the prismatic colours; each arc resting on the horizon, 
 somewliat like a pillar of coloured light : the red rays v/ere 
 next the sun, the green, blue, violet, and indigo were very 
 taint, yet perceptible : the height to which the arcs extended 
 from the horizon was al)out 6^ but they were not quite 
 luiiform in this respect. The sky was bright and cloudless, 
 except a slight haze in the west, near the horizon, sufficient 
 to cast a dimness over the distant mountains. The day 
 had been very cold, the thermometer in the morning soon 
 after sunrise standing at 17° below zero. As the sun ap- 
 proached the horizon, the meteor became fainter ; and gra- 
 dually disappeared, when the sun was sunk. 
 
 Father. — The phenomenon is not uncommon : I have 
 seen it about sunrise as well as in the evening : the common 
 people call it a "sundog." I do not know that it differs 
 from a common halo, except in having the prismatic colours, 
 which I am not meteorologist enough to explain. The tints 
 of a rainbow are caused by each falling drop of rain decom- 
 
 1 
 
 .,9 
 
f 
 
 ): 
 
 MARCH. 
 
 61 
 
 jiosinij tlie ray that enters it ; but In tliis case it was far too 
 cold tor any mill : if anything was faUing hetweeu yoii and 
 the sun it must have been snow, and if anything was floating 
 in the air, it must have been minute siiicuhe or crystals of 
 ice. The haze you speak of was doubtless the cause, and 
 the reason why the circle was not perfect was, that the mist 
 extended no higher than the point at which the arcs ceased 
 to be visilile. 
 
 C. — After the smi was set, the mist was much more 
 distinctly visilde, and I observed tliat it abruptly ended at 
 about that height. 
 
 have 
 i^mmon 
 differs 
 olours, 
 e tints 
 iecom- 
 
 A 
 
 I 
 
 F. — Vou liave not yet observed any symptoms of activity 
 in the insect tril)es, I presume ? 
 
 C. — Few, except such as are to be found throughout the 
 winter, are to be met with : a few tipulidan gnats fly al)roa<l 
 on sunshiny days. 1 have lately observed in pine-woods in 
 one particular place, several insects crawling about the snow, 
 exactly resembling small T!/>Nhc, even having iHilti'rcs, but 
 totally destitute of wings. They are about one-fourth of an 
 inch in length : they have been rather numerous ; I took six 
 of them in one evening. 
 
 F. — i They are doubtless the C/iionea Araneoii/es : it is 
 singular that I have observed these in company with another 
 very remarkable apterous insect, lielonging to a winged fa- 
 mily, ( Paitorjiidd',) in some numbers. I allude to Bon-f/.f 
 H>/e)iail!x, an insect much like a flea. I have never seen 
 either l^ut in one spot, the black-wootls to the south of the 
 Masuippi, near its junction with the Coatacook ; it was at 
 this season and on the snow. 
 
 C. — That is the same place at which I found them. 
 And what is likewise remarkable, I found, a few days ago, a 
 moth crawling on the snow, a rather large Tortrix ; but 
 
 u 1 
 
 '{ilk 
 

 THE CANADIAN' NATUllALTST. 
 
 If! alt f' 
 i 
 
 ! ? 
 
 -<ii» 
 
 putting it into a pocket-box, before I had opportunity of 
 examining it, it had quite defaced its ^vings, by fluttering 
 aljout. 
 
 F. — Tlie appearance of a living moth at this season is 
 indeed wortliy of note. — All ! there is a flock of those 
 beautiful birds, the Pine Grosljeaks (Loxia Ent(ch>o.tor). 
 They are by far the most splendid of our winter birds ; 
 observe how rich the crimson of the males : the females, 
 us in most instances where the males are red, are of a vel- 
 lowish-olive colour. They delight in the horrors of winter, 
 for even in the desolate region around Hudson's Bay, tliey 
 are only transient spring visitors, passing on still farther to 
 the north. I have seen the species in Newfoundland, but 
 1 believe that there, as here, it is rare. 
 
 ('. — Among some of the common little crossbills that 
 were hopping about the house yesterday, I noticed one that 
 differed from them, hy having two bands of white across the 
 wing. Was it a distinct species ? 
 
 F. — Yes: it is called the White-winged Crossbill (Car- 
 rirosfra Lencoptera). This is another of our rare birds ; so 
 much so, that the indefatigable Wilson, in his researches over 
 this continent, appears never to have met with more than 
 one specimen. Bonaparte says it is common round Hud- 
 son's Bay, and on the borders of Lake Ontario. I observed 
 a pair last spring, as late as the 29th of April, in a flock of 
 the common species, which I closely and particularly ex- 
 amined. They were fearless, and allowed me to stand 
 within ten feet of them, for some time. I observed in the 
 male, a black mark proceeding from the back of the eye, 
 curving outword, and ending about half an inch below the 
 eye, which A\'ilson has not noticed: the tips of the quill fea- 
 thers appeared to be edged with white, forming as the wings 
 met across the rump, three or four short white bands. The 
 female had the white bars un the wing narrower than the 
 
 / . 
 
 I r 
 
MARCH. 
 
 53 
 
 ;ls ; so 
 es over 
 than 
 Ilud- 
 sorved 
 3ck of 
 y ex- 
 stand 
 the 
 
 the 
 1 fea- 
 wings 
 The 
 m the 
 
 male, and the curved mark near the eve was visible only 
 by a slightly darker shade. 
 
 C. — The common Crossbill (Cin-cirof^tra Americana) is 
 a pretty bird, and seems to be a general favourite : proVjably 
 because, like the Redbreast of our own country, he manifests 
 such a saucy familiarity with us ; hardly making room for 
 us to pass l)y, and immediately returning to his picking at 
 the dish-washings of the sink, or the scraps of the kitchen. 
 Perhaps too, we prize him more, because birds are now 
 scarce, and he reminds us of brighter and sunnier days. 
 
 F. — ^\'hen I was in Newfoundland, a friend one winter's 
 day knocked a Crossbill from the summit of a young }>ine, 
 which proving to be only stunned, we put into a cage. He 
 became immediately very familiar, and nuich amused us 
 by iiis tricks, crawling about the inside of his cage, and 
 even from the roof, like a parrot, grasping the wires with his 
 claws, and using his bill as a third foot, to lu'lp himself along. 
 After a few days we opened his cage, but he did not ap- 
 pear to have pined much for liberty, tbr he crawled out and 
 in for some considerable time liefure he In'ouuht himself to 
 bid adieu to his wiry iiome. The very remarkable conform- 
 ation of the bill in this genus has been, l)y purblind jihiluso- 
 phists, stigmatized as a defective organization ; but in reality 
 it is peculiarly adapted, like all the other works of the all- 
 wise and benevolent God, to the purposes for which it is 
 designed ; its mode of obtaining its food Ijeing as follows : — 
 The seeds of the coniferous trees, on which it pi-incijniliy 
 subsists, are concealed beneath hard, woody scales, lying 
 tightly and closely on each other. The bird, bringing the 
 tips of the mandibles togetiier, inserts the united points be- 
 neath the scale, then separating the points, forces it out- 
 wards, and extracts the seed. 
 
 C. — What other birds are to be met with at this season ;• 
 
 F. — I believe I saw the Pine Finch (Friiujilla Pi am) 
 
 ,'i 
 

 I. I 
 
 1^'^ 
 
 rA 
 
 THE CANADIAN XATL'RALIST. 
 
 1 
 
 > 
 
 . 1 
 
 I''. 
 
 w 
 
 'ii' 
 
 4 
 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 around our house a few days ago ; a plain-coloured^ but 
 pretty little bird. The Tree Spai-row (Fi-ingllla Arborea), 
 easily known hy a brown spot on the breast, is numerous 
 every day, in cattle yards and around barns. I have ob- 
 served some small flocks of tlie Golden Eye (Anas Clan- 
 (fida), swimming in those parts of the Masuippi River, which 
 are unfrozen : it is a pretty little duck, and when it flies its 
 wings make such a loud whirring as to be lieard at a consi- 
 derable distance. Mr. Armour of Sherbrooke showed me a 
 fine specimen of that handsome liird, the Snow Owl ( Strix 
 Nt/ctea), which had been shot in that neighbourhood. It 
 stands about two feet high ; the plumage is soft and beauti- 
 fully white, with crescent-shaped spots of dark brown all 
 over the body. These, beside the Snow-bunting, the Titmice, 
 Woodpeckers, IJlue and Canada Jays, are, 1 believe, all that 
 have lately fallen under my observation. 
 
 C. — What is the reason that the Masuippi is not frozen 
 so solid as the Coatacook ? 
 
 F. — I suppose it is owing to its greater rapidity : it is 
 always open much later, and breaks up much earlier, and 
 there are frequently patclies of open water through the winter. 
 
 C. — Yonder goes a ralibit. 
 
 F. — More properly the American Hare (J.cpiis Ameri- 
 canns), the rabbit being unknown on this continent, though 
 it is, with us, universally called by that name. It is found 
 pretty generally over North America, from this province 
 even to the Gulf of Mexico, where it is more common than 
 it is with us. Here its winter coat is nearly white, as in 
 the one which we have just seen, but in sunnner it is of a 
 yellowish brown, with a white tail. It makes a nest or bed 
 of moss and leaves in some hollow tree or old log, %vlience it 
 issues chiefly by night. Though not so nuicli addicted to 
 gnawing as the s(]uirrels, yet as its teeth are formed in the 
 
lOUgll 
 
 I i 
 
 MARCH. 
 
 55 
 
 same manner, it probably resembles tliem in its foodj^cating 
 various kinds of nuts and seeds, as well as green iierbs. It is 
 said also occasionally to peel off the Ijark from apple and other 
 
 trees. A singular mode of taking small furred animals 
 
 out of hollow trees, logs, S:c. is practised in the south, called 
 " twisting." I once saw it performed on a rabbit (so called) ; 
 the dogs had tracked him and driver; ^:im to his hole in the 
 bottom of a hollow hickory tree. The 'lole was too small tu 
 admit the hunter's hand with convenience, so we made tlie 
 negroes cut down the tree, which was soon effected. When 
 it fell, we watched the butt, to see that the rabbit did not 
 run out, but he did not make his appearance. The hunter 
 then got some long slender switches, and probing the hollow, 
 found that the rabbit was at the farther end, several feet up 
 the trunk. He now commenced turning the switch round 
 in one direction, a great many times, until the tip of it had 
 become so entangled in the animal's fur, as to bear a strong 
 pull. He then began to pull steadily out, but the rabliit 
 held on as well as he could, and made consideralile resistance, 
 crying most piteously, like a child : at last tiie skin gave 
 way, and a great mass of fur and skin came out attadied to 
 the switcli, pulled off by main force. He now took a new 
 switch, and connnenced twisting again, and this time ])ulk'd 
 the little thing down, l»ut the skin was torn ahnost com- 
 pletely off the loins and thighs of the poor little creature, and 
 so tightly twisted about the end of the stick, tiiat we were 
 obliged to cut the skin to get the animal free. I thought it 
 a curious, but cruel expedient. 
 
 C. — What large cloven-footed animal has made this 
 trail i 
 
 F. — It is proliably nothing more than some stray cow ; 
 but the footnuu'ks have been enlarged liy tiie late tliaw, 
 without losing their shape. I was once deceived by a simi- 
 
56 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 lar trail, into the belief that actually a moose had passed ; 
 nor could I easily bring myself to relinquish that opinion. 
 Indeed it would be nothing extraordinary, as a Moose (Cer- 
 vus Alces) was this winter killed near Sherbrooke, of the 
 flesh of which I partook. 
 
 if .4 
 
 1 
 
 
 1 I' 
 
 h 
 
 1 li 
 
 MOOSF. 
 
 Ci ir//s A/ci's, 
 
 C. -- What was it like ? 
 
 F. — Much like beef in appearance, but more juicy and 
 tender : I tiiought it of very delicate Huvour. Captain Col- 
 clough kept one at Sherbrooke alive, for some years. Moose 
 are frequently taken in the Indian -stream territory, a kind 
 of neutral grom^d on the boundary of this province and New 
 Hampshire, claimed by both governments. Paths are worn 
 by the feet of these animals, leading to the brook, whither 
 
 i -v 
 
MAHCII. 
 
 O i 
 
 "><"■ 
 
 and 
 Col- 
 oose 
 vind 
 Tow 
 voni 
 ther 
 
 / 
 
 they resort to drink ; and they are caught by traps hiid in 
 these paths. I am told tliat they are ahnost always dead 
 when found, as they soon kick and worry themselves to death. 
 I saw a stuffed moose at Quel.iec, but it was not well mount- 
 ed : if I recollect rightly, it was taller than a horse. " There 
 is an opinion prevalent among the Indians, that the mouse, 
 among the methods of self-preservation, with which he seems 
 more acquainted than almost any other animal, has the 
 power of remaining under water for a long time. Two 
 credible Indians, after a long day's absence on a hunt, canu' 
 in and stated that they had chased a moose into a small 
 pond ; that they had seen him go to the middle of it and 
 disappear ; and then, choosing positions from which they 
 could see every part of the circumference of the pond, smoked 
 and waited until evening ; during all which time they could 
 see no motion of the water, or other indication of the posi- 
 tion of the moose. At length, being discouraged, they had 
 abandoned all liupe of taking him, and returned home. A'ot 
 long afterwards came a solitary hunter, loaded with meat, 
 who related, that having followed the track of a n.oose for 
 some distance, he had traced it to the pondljefore mentioned; 
 but having also discovered the tracks of two men, made at 
 the same time as those of the moose, he concluded they must 
 have killed it. Nevertheless, apiiroaching cautiously to the 
 margin of the pond, he sat down to rest. Presently, he saw 
 the moose rise slowly in the centre of the pond, which was 
 not very deep, and wade towards the shore where he was 
 sitting. When he came sufficiently near, he shot him in the 
 water. The moose is more shv and difficult to take than 
 any other animal. He is more vigilant, and his senses more 
 acute, than those of the Ituffalo or caribou. He is fleeter 
 than tiie elk, and more prudent and crafty than the deer. 
 In the most violent storm, when the wind, and the thunder, 
 and the falling timber are making the loudest and most inces- 
 
!l 
 
 I ; 
 
 58 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 1 ; 
 
 I .1 
 II " 
 
 il 
 
 sant roar, if a man, either with his foot or his hand, breaks the 
 smallest dry limb in the forest, the moose will hear it : and 
 although he does not always run, he ceases eating, and rouses 
 his attention to all sounds. If in the course of an hour, or 
 thereabouts, the man neither moves nor makes the least 
 noise, the animal may begin to feed again, but does not forget 
 what he has heard, and is for many hours more vigilant than 
 before." I know not whether the moose has ever been tamed, 
 but I think it not improbable, that it could be trained to 
 harness, as well as its congeners the reindeer and the wapiti : 
 and it would, from its size and strength, be more serviceable 
 than either of tliem. But in a new country, like this, where 
 alone the opportunity for such an experiment is to be found, 
 the inhabitants generally have little time, and less inclina- 
 tion, for innovations. 
 
 1? 
 
 (I 
 
 i I" 
 
 I 
 
 1 
 
59 
 
 V. 
 
 MARCH loth. 
 
 Red-bellied Nuthatch — Voice and llal)its — Fear of Man, — Insects — 
 Torpidity. — Power of resisting Cold. — Mammals. — Birds. — Tempemture 
 of Cold-blooded Animals. — Why polished Surfaces are c(dd. — Layinj; 
 up of Food by Insects. — Chambers of Mining Ants. — Mosses and 
 Lichens on Trees. 
 
 ' 
 
 Charles. — What hird makes that singular noise, " qiiank, 
 quank, quank ? " Yonder ^voods are resounding with it ; I 
 should think it is a large bird from the noise it makes. 
 
 Father. — We will go towards it : perhaps we may 
 see it. 
 
 C. — The sound still soems to recede as we advance. — 
 There it passes directly over our heads, yet no bird is visible. 
 Hark ! now it proceeds from the right hand, seemingly about 
 two hundred yards distant. 
 
 F. — Look at that old maple, a yard or two on your 
 right : — watch the trunk. 
 
 C. — I see nothing. Oh ! yes : there are two little blue- 
 backed birds, crawling up and down, something like mice. 
 Can it be possible that the notes which I supposed so far ott" 
 proceed from tliem ? 
 
 F. — Yes : bat how faintly they arc now uttered ; and 
 even while we look at them we can scarcely believe that the 
 sound does not reach us from a considerable distance. But 
 they have observed that we are watching them : see how 
 warily they keep on the opposite side of the tree. Stand 
 still a few moments, and we shall see them again. 
 
 t. 
 
I •' 
 
 GO 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 t 
 
 ;> I 
 
 I 'I, 
 
 d ^1 
 
 
 C. — Ah ! tliere they are, pccpnig round the edge : how 
 curious they seem respecting us ! how they stretch out their 
 necks to observe us ! 
 
 F. — It is the red-bellied black-capped Nuthatch (Siita 
 J'ariaJ ; its food is insects, which it finds even at this sea- 
 son, beneath the bark, and in the crevices of the trees. Its 
 feet are large and strong ; fitted to take liold of the projec- 
 tions and roughnesses of the bark, by which it is able to 
 crawl freely on the perpendicular trunk, with the head either 
 upward or downward ; or even on the under surface of the 
 branches. 
 
 C. — Where are they gone? These woods, which just 
 now were full of their notes, are now quite deserted and 
 silent : even the titmice have left us too : all the birds have 
 gradually sneaked off, thinking us disreputable or dangerous 
 neighbours. 
 
 F. — The unvarying effect of the Divine decree : " the 
 fear of you, and the dread of you, shall be upon every beast 
 of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that 
 moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea." 
 It is not, however, always a subject of gratification to a be- 
 nevolent mind, to find oneself an object of terror and detest- 
 ation ; though it must be confessed it is not a causeless dread ; 
 for man has most tyrannically abused the dominion over 
 the inferior animals, which was given him for better pur- 
 poses. 
 
 C. — See : there are some tokens of returning spring : the 
 small flies, different species of Muscidce, are busy preening 
 their wings, and rubbing their feet together, on the dunghill. 
 They have probably been newly hatched by the heat. 
 
 F. — That is scarcely likely ; for as the manure has 
 all accumulated through tlie winter, it is not at all pro- 
 
 f 
 
 I 
 
MARCH. 
 
 Gl 
 
 has 
 pro- 
 
 bable that it would contain pupoe : I should rather say, 
 that these are all the insects of last sunnner, and being now 
 revivified by the increasing warmth of the season from their 
 long torpidity, are at once setting about the business of their 
 liv'es. For this purpose they resort to the dunghill, as from 
 its genial warnith it is a tit nidus for the deposition of 
 their eggs. Insects have but one objt'ct in existence, in tiie 
 perfect state, — the continuation of their race: this is sutH- 
 cient to overcome every other passion, and even almo?t to 
 conquer death itself ; for it is exceedingly difficult in most 
 instances to deprive a female insect of life, before she has de- 
 posited her eggs, except by actual demolition. 
 
 C. — It is strange how animals so small, and with so 
 little vital heat, can survive the severity of a winter like 
 ours. 
 
 F. — It would apjiear from many experiments and observ- 
 ations, that insects, and perhaps all animals with cold fluids, 
 are able to resist the effects of very low degrees of tempera- 
 ture. I have myself had larvte so hard fro/en as to be broken 
 in two like a piece of solid ice, and yet found that on being 
 thawed, those which had not been broken, but had been just 
 as solid as the others, were quite lively and apparently unin- 
 jured. A few days ago, I found a large thick larva of a Chafer 
 ( Melolontim ? ) in the heart of a birch-tree, surrounded by its 
 ejt'cta, which, as well as the grub itself, were hard frozen. 
 In this instance too, the insect was found to be alive, when 
 tliawed by the warmth of the house. I have had ants 
 ( Formivfp) inclosed in the midst of a piece of solid ice, 
 having fallen into the water before it had frozen, which, on 
 being melted out, and placed awhile in the sunbeams, gra- 
 dually gave signs of life, and at length crawled about, as if 
 nothing had happened. These and other observations show 
 that insects sustain, without injury, severities of cold wiiich 
 would be fatal to the superior animals ; but it seems that in 
 
 5 
 
 i 
 

 62 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 4 'it I 
 
 I > 
 
 general tliose species wliich survive the winter in the imago 
 state become torpid ; and this negative sort of existence is 
 found in other animals to be a preventive of the ordinary 
 effects of great cold on vitality. 
 
 C. — How is it that animals can remain in a state of 
 torpidity without food, when a few days' fast, in ordinary 
 circumstances, would be fatal ? 
 
 F. — In a state of health, I believe (without knowing 
 much of piiysiology) the sensible and insensible evacuations 
 continue whether food be supplied or not. But if the supply 
 of nutriment be cut off, the secretions and evacuations going 
 on, with not'aing to make up the deficiency,, life ceases from 
 absolute exhaustion. In some diseases, in which the secret- 
 ing organs are disordered, though scarce any food be taken, yet 
 hunger is not felt. It is probable that in total torpidity, as 
 in the case of the cold-blooded animals, reptiles and insects, 
 secretion ceases altogether ; while it would seem that in the 
 case of such mammalia as hybernate, as the bear, marmot, 
 dormouse, &c. secretion goes on, but very languidly. To 
 supply the waste occasioned by this secretion, these animals 
 on going into their retreats are very fat ; but on coming out 
 in the spring, they are invariably poor and lean, proving that 
 this superfluous fat has been absorbed into the system, so 
 that it may be considered as a magazine of nutriment. 
 
 C — Do birds ever become torpid ? 
 
 F. — From their superior powers of locomotion, there is 
 not the same necessity in their case, as they can, and most 
 of them do, migrate from one country to another at the ap- 
 proach of winter, yet as some species do remain in the coldest 
 countries, at least as far north as Hudson's Bay, this does 
 not altogether account for the difference. The blood of birds 
 is much warmer than that of any other animals, and their 
 peculiar covering is perhaps the most perfect non-conductor 
 of heat, of all known substances. There have not been 
 
 
 / i 
 
 
 I 
 
 4 
 
MARCH. 
 
 )3 
 
 ere IS 
 
 most 
 
 le ap- 
 
 oldest 
 
 does 
 
 birds 
 
 their 
 
 uctor 
 
 been 
 
 wanting men, however, and among them some names of tlie 
 liighest rank in natural science, who liave beUeved the reports 
 of swallows having been found during winter in holes and 
 caves, or beneath the mud of ponds^ in a state of torpidity. 
 But it does not appear that these reports rest on any evidence 
 of sufficient weight to command belief, and they are now 
 generally exploded. 
 
 C. — Is there no heat at all evolved by cold-blooded ani- 
 mals ? or are they always of exactly the same temperature 
 as the surrounding atmosphere ? 
 
 F. — I have some reason to think tiiat a very small 
 quantity of heat is evolved by their circulation ; sufficient to 
 be quite appreciable by the senses, where many are confined 
 in a small space ; as when a thickly-peopled hive of bees is 
 about to swarm, the temperature within is considerably above 
 that of the external air : this heat can only be produced by 
 the bees themselves. Another i)roof is, I think, to be found 
 in the fact, that insects seek crevices and corners to hyber- 
 nate, especially during the pupa state ; this may be partly 
 for concealment, but chiefly I conceive for protection from 
 cold. Tlie same end is proliably designed in the silken 
 cocoons of many of those motlis which pass the winter in 
 pupa, as silk is a non-conductor of heat. But if their tem- 
 perature were not superior to tliat of the atmospliere, they 
 would need no protection from non-conducting sul)stances, as 
 the air coald abstract no heat from tliem. 
 
 C — But if you touch a caterpillar or a chrysalis, it seems 
 much colder than the air. 
 
 F. — Our senses are not to Vje at all depended on, in esti- 
 mating the comparative temperature of different bodies. The 
 feeling cold, or warm, depends on the greater or less power of 
 abstracting heat from our V>ody, and this power depends in 
 a great measure on the smoothness, as well as texture of the 
 abstracting substance. 
 
I^ 
 
 
 K ■ I' 
 
 I : I. 
 
 1 1 
 
 64 
 
 TUE CANADIAN XATUKALIST. 
 
 C. — Wliy do polislied suVjstances conduct heat with more 
 I'aciHty than rough ones ? 
 
 F. — W^hen we ask the reasons of those laws which we 
 find imposed on nature, we are very apt to lose ourselves in 
 the labyrinths of doul->t and uncertainty ; yet if I might pre- 
 sume humbly to venture an opinion on this suVtject, I should 
 conjecture that it may be owing to this fact : polished bodies 
 come into a closer and more general contact with the suIj- 
 stance that touches them, and consef^uently abstract heat 
 from a larger surface, whereas, rough bodies touch only at 
 the minute prominences wliich cause their roughness, and so 
 abstract heat only from those points with which these promi- 
 nences have contact. 
 
 C — Do any species of insects lay up a store of food for 
 their consumption in winter ? 
 
 F. — I am not aware that any do, except bees : it is very 
 generally supposed that ants collect grains of corn, and store 
 them up ; and this is believed to be confinned by the words 
 of Agur ; " The ants are a people not strong, yet they pre- 
 pare their meat in the summer :" and those of Solomon, 
 " Go to the ant, — which provideth her meat in tlie sum- 
 mer, and gathereth her food in the harvest." — Prov. xxx. 
 25. — and vi. 6. 8. But in the first place here is nothing 
 said about laying up for winter, but merely that she 
 works while she can, makes the best use of her time ; 
 and in the next place, the Scriptures are not designed to 
 teach us facts in natural history ; it is quite sufficient for 
 their purpose if the il/ifstrat/'ons of truths, drawn from na- 
 ture, are commoyily supposed to be correct. Modern na- 
 turalists have proved that the ant does not feed on corn, 
 but on saccharine or animal substances ; and that what are 
 thought to be grains of corn in their nests, and often in their 
 mouths, are neither more nor less than the pupoe, or rather 
 the cocoons containing them. Besides this, in cold climates, 
 
 i 
 
 IJ 
 
 y 
 
MATK H. 
 
 Go 
 
 ants become torpid in winter, and where the climate is not 
 cold enough to suspend their animation, it is proltable they 
 can always find food throughout this season. 
 
 C. — I have often tuund ants in a torjiid state, in the trunks 
 of trees, whicii they have mined into galleries and chaml>ers ; 
 but I have never found any store of grain, or other food. 
 
 F. — The chambers of the wood-mining ants, especially 
 the large species that we often find in the wood of cedar- 
 trees, &c. {Formica Pnhesccns ^) are very curious : it would 
 seem impossible to construct partitions so thin and so smooth 
 with no other instruments than their jaws. They are often 
 as thin as paper, and without any roughness on the surface, 
 although generally formed in the soft-timbered trees, which 
 do not readily bear a smooth surface. It is efteeted altoge- 
 ther by the tedious process of aiirading minute particles by 
 means of the jaws ; though by what instinct they ascertain 
 when the requisite thinness is attained, we know not. The 
 formation of ihe thin cells of the honeycomb of bees is said to 
 proceed on nearly the same principle ; a block or mass tif 
 wax is first laid down, and the cells are excavated out of it, 
 by the jaws of the bees : the walls or partitions being left, 
 and the remainder abraded away, and redeposited in another 
 place. 
 
 C. — What causes the remarkable variegations, of differ- 
 ent colours, which mark the barks of many forest trees i 
 
 F. — They are chiefly owing to parasitic plants of the 
 cryptogamous class ; mosses and lichens. The bark of the 
 beech and maple, particularly the soft maple, {Acer liu- 
 hram ?) is marked with patches of white and yellow, which 
 if we look closely, we shall find to be a thin and papery 
 lichen. The loose scales, of which the external bark of the 
 spruce is composed, are sometimes spotted with a similar 
 substance, perhaps the same species. On the beech and 
 
'I 
 
 lit-: 
 
 I i 
 
 1^' 
 
 'il 'i 
 
 ll:r' 
 
 . I 
 
 G6 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 maple is likewise found another curious lichen (J/nujerman- 
 nia) consisting of a multitude of small, very close, brownish- 
 black ramifications : these lilack patches are usually small. 
 Ash, elm, leverwood, basswood, and sometimes birch, have 
 their trunks clothed with larger and thicker masses : a 
 branchy moss {IJt^ptunn?) of a dull green, occurs, mixed 
 with a bright green moss {Ili/pnum ?), in large loose 
 bunches, covering great portions of the trunk together. Witli 
 these there is often found a large, broad lichen {Pt/hnoHaria), 
 pale brownish grey, palmated like the horns of a deer : this 
 is usually found on leverwood {Ostn/a J'trginica.) The first 
 mentioned, and periiaps &,onie of the others, often occurs on 
 rails and boards which have been much exposed to the 
 weather. 
 
 C. — There seems to be great variety in the different 
 lichens. 
 
 F. — Yes ; and their number is very great ; but from 
 the minuteness of many, and the obscurity which exists in 
 the fructification of all, much difficulty is found in arranging 
 them, an I they are yet comparatively unknown, even to 
 botanists. Indeed the study of the Cr>ij)t<)<ia))iia may be 
 considered as a science in itself, requiring a close, undivided, 
 and continued attention. 
 
 C — The spring begins to announce its approach by the 
 increasing powt^r of the sun ; the snow melts, and becomes 
 soft and " rolton" as it is called, even when the temperature 
 in the shade is much below 32.° The runners of sleighs cut 
 through the snow, and rest on the ground : travelling will 
 soon be over for a while. 
 
 /' — We may have heavy snow-storms, and some \ivy 
 cold weather yet. Spring does not come in a day : old Win- 
 ter is loth to give up his dominion, and does not resign it 
 without many struggles. 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
G7 
 
 brownish- 
 illy small, 
 ircii, iiave 
 iiasses : a 
 's, mixed 
 rge loose 
 tr. AVith 
 lOHcifia), 
 t'or: this 
 Tiie first 
 )ccurs on 
 I to the 
 
 different 
 
 ut from 
 exists in 
 ^ranging 
 even to 
 may be 
 livided, 
 
 by the 
 •ecomes 
 rat u re 
 lis cut 
 ig will 
 
 '. ory 
 n^in- 
 sign it 
 
 VI. 
 
 APRIL 1st. 
 
 Sufrarinp. — Tapping tho Maple. — Yield. — Favourable kind of Weather. — 
 Extent of a Sugary. — C'dllectiuij Sap. — IJoiliiiu down. — Kude luijde- 
 meiits. — Syrup.— Sujrarinf,' otV. — Maple- honey .—roolinf:.—Suuar from 
 other Trees. — Sap of the Birch. — Cocoon of a .Moth. — t'atkins of l*op. 
 lars and Willows. — Lonihardy I'ojjlar. — ('ater[)illavs. — Si![)lia. — Spi- 
 ders. — (Jx-( lad tly. — Muscles. — Canada (loose. — Hare (J round around 
 Stumps.- — Resort of Insects. — ('ater]iillar of 15nin,eo]iard Moth. — 
 L'lovuled \\'ater-tly. — Larva of Dragon-tly. — i'l'otrressive Motion, — Sin- 
 gular Organ. — !Mouth. — M.ide of taking its I'rey. 
 
 Father. — \\''ill you accompany mo, Chark's, on a Avalk ? 
 The late heavy rains have removed nearly all the snow, and 
 the |»rc.sent fine weather is exhilarating to the spirits. 
 
 CiFAULES. — Yes, it is indeed a boaiitifid morning, and 
 the advances which all nature is making to a renewal <>» life 
 and animation make it still more cheorful. 
 
 F. — Let us lift our hearts to our beneficent Father, in 
 gratitude for His providential love to Mis creatiu'es, and for 
 His constant care for the happiness of even tlie meanest of 
 
 them. ^\'e nill go into the Sugary, where the men 
 
 are collecting the sap from the maple-trees, which has been 
 flowing for two o.' three days. 
 
 C, — I have a curiosity to see the ])iOcess, f(»r I cannot 
 understand how sugar can be made of the sa|) of a tree : I 
 always thought until lately that it was procure^ only from 
 the sugar-cane of tropical climates. 
 
 F. — The sugar is in itself the same, whether produced 
 
1:1 
 
 68 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 r 
 
 if' 
 
 i 
 
 n \ \ 
 
 by the cane, the maple, or the beet ; for from all these it is 
 manufactured for consumption. But few substances are more 
 generally ditVused through the vegetable creation than sugar, 
 and it is even found in animal sulistances. It is true that in 
 many of these it can be detected only by the chemist, but in 
 dried fruits, in germinating grain, especially barley, in many 
 roots, as turnips, parsnips, &c., in the stalks of mai/.c, and 
 even in straw, it can be readily appreciated by the senses. 
 A most singular discovery has been made, that starch and 
 sugar are chemically the same, composed of the same ele- 
 ments, and in the same proportions, and that in certain cir- 
 cumstances, the former becomes changed to the latter in every 
 property. The cereal grains, or corn in general, are prin- 
 cipally composed of starch, which in the process of germina- 
 tion is transformed to sugar ; tliis is the manner in which 
 malt is made out of barley. 
 
 C. — I suppose these tubs arc set at the foot of the trees 
 to receive the flowing sap. 
 
 F. — Ves ; one to every tree, except where two grow so 
 close to each other as to flow into one tub or bucket. You 
 see, a hole is first l)ored in the trunk with an auger, about 
 an inch deep ; some cut an oblique notch with the axe, but 
 this wounds the tree unnecessarily, and causes premature 
 decay. Beneatli the hole or notch a semicircular incision is 
 made with a large iron gouge, called a tapping iron, into 
 which a spout made of pine wood, guttered down the centre, 
 is driven, to catch the sap as it flows from the hole above, 
 and conduct it down to the bucket beneath. This is our 
 custom ; but in the state of Vermont, I have scju a much 
 lumdiei- way. A nail is driven into the tree just below the 
 spout, and on this the bucket is hung by a hole in one of the 
 staves ; the advantages are, that a shorter spout serves, and 
 the sap cannot be overturned by hogs or stray cattle, as it 
 frequently is when it stands on the ground. 
 
APRIL. 
 
 69 
 
 liese it is 
 are more 
 an sugar^ 
 le tliat in 
 it, but in 
 in many 
 lize, and 
 e senses, 
 u'ch and 
 anie ele- 
 "tain c'ir- 
 in evei-y 
 ire }irin- 
 j'ennina- 
 in which 
 
 he t 
 
 rees 
 
 grow so 
 
 . You 
 
 ', about 
 
 xe, but 
 
 mature 
 
 sion is 
 
 n, into 
 
 Icentre, 
 
 above, 
 
 is our 
 
 much 
 
 \v tlic 
 
 of the 
 
 , and 
 
 as it 
 
 ^ 
 
 C. — How much sap does a maple yield in a day ? 
 
 F. — Tliat varies exceedingly, according to the size, age, 
 healtli, and situation of the tree, and to tlie weatlier. Some- 
 times a tree will yield in twenty-four liours, a gallon or two ; 
 at other times not a drop can be collected. A young tree, 
 provided it has attained a growth of about a ftot in diameter, 
 yields better than an old one ; and one growing in a clearing, 
 that is, rained there, better than a forest tree. 
 
 C — What weather is most favourable ? 
 
 /•'. — A warm, sunny day, after a frosty night. In frosty, 
 cold weather, or rainy weather, or wlien the nights are mild, 
 the sap almost ceases to flow ; but let such a night as we 
 have just had, be succeeded by sucli a warm day as this, 
 and, as you see, the sap drops rapidly, and keejis the men 
 going. Sometimes, it runs all night. 
 
 ('. — How many trees generally compose a sugary ? 
 
 F. — From two to three hundred are as many as can 
 conveniently be attended to, at one boiling place or camp, 
 but sometimes a thousand are tapped, with two or three 
 camps. If the trees generally are near together, more can 
 be tended than if thev are scattered ; and when little or no 
 snow lies on the ground, more lousiness can be done than in 
 deep snow, owing to the greater facility of carrying the sap 
 to the camp. I have known the snow more than two feet 
 deep at the sugar season, causing it to lu> very laborious for 
 the men to move about ; and from the shelter <'f the tl>rest 
 it continues unmelted there nuich later than in the iields and 
 roads. 
 
 C. — How can the men carry the ?ap ? the buckets have 
 no handles. 
 
 F. — These are not nearlv full lither. Thev carrv a 
 coujile of pails suspended from each end of a yoke fitted on 
 their shoulders, as you have seen milkmen carry their pails 
 at homo. They go a regular round with these, visiting every 
 
 ' i^v — ■■— --■ -- 
 
1' 
 
 I! t' 
 
 70 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATIIIALIST. 
 
 i 
 
 I,' 
 I : 
 
 fin 
 
 
 ' 
 
 
 tree in succession, emptying into their pails the contents of 
 each bucket, and replacing it under the tree, until their pails 
 are filled, when they carry them to the camp, empty them 
 into a large cask called a holder, and proceed again on their 
 round. AV'hen this holder is nearly full, it is considered time 
 to Ix'gin boiling. — Taste this sap, and tell me how you 
 like it. 
 
 C. — It is a pleasant drink, perceptibly sweet, but not cloy- 
 ing : it is like water with a very little sugar dissolved in it. 
 How much sugar will a tree produce in one season, on an 
 average i 
 
 F. — From two to four pounds, in a favourable season, 
 for as much depends on the season in this, as in any other 
 object of the farmer's attention. Two thousand pounds 
 weight are sometimes made by a farmer in one spring, worth 
 perhaps fivepence [tor pound, making a sum of upwards of 
 forty i)0unds currency. 
 
 C\ — \V'hat are the men engaged in, when not carrying 
 sa]>, or lioiling { 
 
 F. — Chiefly in felling trees, and cutting and splitting 
 them up for firewood, to be used in boiling down, as this 
 process consumes a large rpiautity of fuel. They select those 
 hard- wood trees that stand near the camp, such as superan- 
 i\uated maples, beeches, Itirrhes, &c. 
 
 C — I see a fire yonder : I suppose that is the camp. 
 
 F. — Ves : we will go thither, as they are boiling ; it 
 
 may interest you to see it. ^'ou perceive here are 
 
 two iorked poles stuck into the ground, across which anotlier 
 strung pole is laid, from which the largo boiling kettle is sus- 
 pended by a chain over the fire. In some parts of the pro- 
 cess it is necessary to stop the boiling very suddenly, and 
 we do this by throwing shovelfuls of snow on the fire ; but 
 I have seen it managed in a much neater manner, thus : — The 
 
 \ 
 
 1 \ 
 
 .( 
 
 I. 
 
 i 
 
ntents of 
 lit'ir pails 
 pty them 
 on their 
 ired time 
 liow you 
 
 not cloy- 
 'ed in it. 
 1, on an 
 
 ) season, 
 ny other 
 pounds 
 g, wortli 
 ivurds of 
 
 carrying 
 
 splitting 
 
 as this 
 
 ct thof^e 
 
 uperan- 
 
 mp. 
 iiig ; it 
 lere are 
 uiothi'r 
 is sus- 
 10 pro- 
 y, and 
 ; but 
 —The 
 
 A I'll I L. 
 
 71 
 
 r s 
 
 ] 
 
 kettle is suspended over the fire from the short arm of a long 
 lever, which works around a pivot on some stump near : by 
 pushing the long arm of this lever, a man can instantly 
 swing the kettle off the fire with all ease ; and these posts 
 and cross-beam are not nee<le<l. J5ut we are a very unim- 
 proving people. See the elegance of our utensils ! Here is a 
 tin basin with a long crooked stick for a handle ; this is to 
 bale the sap or sugar in or out ; here is a tin skinnner, with 
 a similar handle, to scum the liipior ; a shovtd made with 
 the axe, out of a piece of board ; and a poker, made of a beech 
 sapling. We take as many of our materials as we can, you 
 see, from the surrounding woods, perhaps in compliment to 
 the presiding dryads and satyrs of the jilace ; or, perhaps, 
 — from necessity. 
 
 C — What is in the pot now ? 
 
 /•'. — It was filled this morning with sap out of the holder, 
 that large cask that stands beside you, and as the watery 
 part has been evaiiorated, its place has ])een su]ipli('d by re- 
 peated fillings-up from the same reservoir. li' yuu taste 
 it, you will find that it has become very sweet and much 
 thicker than the sap. A )>iece of fiit pork thrown in, has 
 the effect of refining it, by making all extraneous matters rise 
 in a thick coat of scum, which is carcfullv taken off from 
 time to time as it accumulates. When it has boiled to a 
 considerable consistence, about that of oil, it is baled out 
 into this other cask, and is called syriii». The first part of 
 the process, the first boiling, is then complete. 
 
 C — What more remains to be done f 
 
 F. — The same process is repeated, when they have sap 
 enough ; and the syruj* is added to what is already in the 
 cask, until there is a sutficiency collected to " sugar off," as 
 it is called ; that is, to complet(,' the process, by bulling the 
 syrup over again, until it will granulate or crystallize. This 
 
 t 
 
:i, 
 
 (r 
 
 » I 
 
 i 
 
 > 
 
 1 
 
 i 
 
 
 i' 
 
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 ; 
 
 ■ 
 
 
 1 ' 
 1 • 
 
 
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 1^ 
 
 72 
 
 THE CANADIAN XATIRALIST. 
 
 is a delicate operation, and requires constant attention ; they 
 fill the kettle with syrup, adding the indispensable piece of 
 pork for the same purpose as before ; as the syrup wastes 
 away, it is refilled, and kept constantly skimmed ; it is need- 
 ful to keep a regular fire, and towards the close of the busi- 
 ness to watch the sugar attentively, to stop the boiling at 
 the right instant, as a minute's delay may spoil the whole, or 
 at least greatly injure it. ^^'hen it is about half done, it is 
 called maple-honey, from its resemblance to honey in taste, 
 consistence, and appearance ; it 'm, however, to some more 
 agreeable, iK'ing less cloying. In this state, the good matrons 
 generally come, and take a tribute, and it forms a pleasant 
 addition to the simple fare of our tea-table. 
 
 C. — How is it known when it is time to remove it from 
 the fire ? 
 
 P. — By a very simple, but infallible test. They take a 
 twig, and bend the end of it into a loop or circle, about an inch 
 wide : dipping this into the kettle, and taking it out, a film 
 of the sugar is stretched across the bow ; they gently blow on 
 this with their breath ; if the breath breaks through, it is not 
 done, but if the film is sufficiently gluthious to be blown out 
 into a long luibble, it is ready to granulate ; and out goes the 
 fire. 
 
 C. — Is the sugar then )nat/e ? 
 
 JF. — Yes : it is immediately baled out of the kettlf , and 
 carried home in the buckets : if soft sugar be intended to be 
 made, it is poured, when somewhat cooled, and granulating, 
 into wooden vessels, the bottoms of which are bored with 
 holes : the surface and sides soon become hard, having crys- 
 tallized first ; this crust is repeatedly broken, and the whole 
 stirred togethev : the molasses gradually drains through the 
 bottom, and the sugar is left, exactly resembling the cane- 
 sugar ; I have seen some as light-coloured as any from tlo 
 Mauritius or East Indies. But it is more usual to let the 
 
 m 
 
 i 
 
 li 
 
AI'llIL. 
 
 73 
 
 Ion ; they 
 2 piece of 
 ip wastes 
 it is need- 
 
 the biisi- 
 boiling at 
 
 wliole, or 
 done, it is 
 ' in taste, 
 onie more 
 d matrons 
 I pleasant 
 
 ve it from 
 
 ey take a 
 lit an inch 
 ut, a fihn 
 ]Ao\\ on 
 , it is not 
 lown out 
 It goes the 
 
 'tth', and 
 
 led to be 
 
 Inulating, 
 
 |red witli 
 
 mg crys- 
 
 lie wiiole 
 
 High the 
 
 lie cane- 
 
 irom tl'3 
 
 let the 
 
 sugar cool in vessel?, without oitlRr disturbing it, or draining 
 oft' the molasses, so that it becomes a mass, nearly as hard 
 as nir-k, anil very dark in oobmr. 
 
 C. — The niaiije is a verv useful tree; does any otlu-r 
 species ] in h luce sugar ^ 
 
 F. — The White .Maple (.leer Krinn/rj/on ?) yieMs sap 
 more readily than the KiKk Ma}ile (./. Surclitiriionii), and 
 it is said to be more abundant in sugar ; but it is conipara- 
 tiyely rare as a large tree. The Butternut (J>/(/h/ttt ('i)n>rca) 
 likewise will yield sugar from its sap, and proliably other trees. 
 The IJirch {Ili-tKln Vnpiinweu^ is often tupjied, and the sap, 
 (eva})orated by boiling) exjioscd to the sununer's sun, by 
 which it is made into a good vinegar; whence I cimehide it 
 nuist contain sugar, probalily mixed with other matters. The 
 fresh sap of the birch has a [ileasant, slightly acid taste. It 
 has a curious property, ])eciiliar to itself, I believe, for I have 
 never observed it in the saji of any tree but the birch ; where- 
 ever it Hows, it leaves a mass of fungus-like, nmeilaginous 
 substance, of a delici 
 
 1' 
 
 >iy 
 
 affinity with what is called " the mother" in vinegar. From 
 the stumps of trees whieh have been felled during the winter, 
 the sap tlows in spring so ])rofusely, that I have seen them 
 covered with this suVistance, — a great resort of insects. 
 
 C. — How large must the maple become before it will 
 yield saccharine juice ? 
 
 F. — The saj) contains sugar from the first period of its 
 existence, but it is not usual to tap a tree until it attains 
 about the diameter of a foot at the bottom ; too early tap- 
 ping is injurious to the health, of the tree, and causes prema- 
 ture decay ; <ild trees, too, produce little or none, and are 
 cut down for fuel. 
 
 C — Is tliere never more tlian one incision made in a 
 tree at one time { 
 
 F-, — \\'ith us there is no more ; Init in the Ignited States 
 
 4 
 
'i 
 
 
 i 
 
 74 
 
 Tin-; CANADIAN' X ATI" R ALI ST. 
 
 m 
 
 \ 
 
 it is not unusual to tap a maple in three or four places at 
 once. I\Iichaux, in his North American Sylva, quotes a 
 curious fact from the Greensburgh Gazette : — " Having in- 
 troduced," says the writer, " twenty t alios into a sugar- 
 mai'k', I drew from it, fZ/c sinne <l(i}/, twenty-three gallons 
 and three quarts of sap, which gave seven and a quarter 
 pounds of sugar ; — thirty-three pounds have been made this 
 season from the same tree, which supposes one hundred gal- 
 lons of sap." No doubt more sap could be collected by this 
 means, but I conceive it must be very detrimental to the 
 health of the tree to extract so large a quantity of its nutri- 
 tive juices. 
 
 ('. — How long does the sugar season continue ? 
 
 F. — Generally it lasts about three or four weeks ; but 
 there are many days in this period, during which nothing at 
 all can be done. If the spring is late, it is sometimes neces- 
 sary to close the sugaring prematurely, in order to commence 
 the more important operations of agricidture. As I suppose 
 your curiosity is satisfied, we may as well [irolong our walk, 
 and see what is going on in the world of Nature, especially 
 as the weather is so inviting. 
 
 C — I picked up, some days ago, on the bank of the 
 Coatacook, a co<>oon, lying on the snow, resembling in texture 
 those of the large CitnUwcs, but much larger, nearly of the 
 size of a jtigeon's egg, of a dirty flesh-colour. It had evi- 
 dently been spun in the midst of leaves, (I think those of 
 the beech,) for it showed every fibre of them hidented, like 
 the impression of a seal, on every part of the surface. It 
 contained nothing but the brown ex/ir/cr of a large caterpil- 
 lar, probably of a Satiirnia ; for the skins even of green 
 caterpillars become brown when cast. There was an open- 
 ing in the side. 
 
 \ 
 
A I'll I I,. 
 
 »•) 
 
 walk, 
 )ecially 
 
 of the 
 exture 
 of the 
 ad evi- 
 lose of 
 d, like 
 ce. It 
 aterpil- 
 green 
 1 open- 
 
 / 
 
 F. — I know Soturnia Poli/jihi'tniis is found hoiv, and I 
 think it prolialile .V. Liniu too; both of tliL-ni splemUd niotiis. 
 
 Here are the first signs of rt-tuming spring that I 
 
 have yet seen in the vegetable creation. The catkins of the 
 Poplar {Pojitihii^ TreniHhtlilt'n), and those <>f some of tlie 
 Willows (Siil/'.r), are just l.»cginning to show their silky 
 heads out of their bursting cnvehipi-s. These trees, like 
 many others, blossom before they put forth their leaves ; the 
 catkin, or anient, as it is botanically called, being a spike of 
 dose-set, minute flowers. IJoth of these genera, the poplar 
 and the willow, have the male and female flowers on difler- 
 ent plants, but the catkins resemble each other. Of the ge- 
 nus Stih'.v, Professor Eaton gives, in his excellent " Manual 
 of Botany," no less than forty species as indigenous to North 
 America. They chiefly dolitiht in wet places, but do not 
 abound in the primitive forests. Of all the plants in this 
 class, fertile seeds can be produced only by the proximity of 
 the two sexes, so that the farina from the stamens may im- 
 pregnate the pistils. Common as that graceful species, the 
 Loml)ardy Poplar {P"j'. I)'7((tafa) is, both here, and all over 
 the United States, it is said, that no pistillate or female 
 plant of this species has ever been brought to America, and 
 consequently, being all males, no seed has ever been produced 
 here. 
 
 C. — Plow have they then been nudtiplied ? 
 
 F. — By suckers or shoots, which take root very readily ; 
 but as these twigs or suckers, "however recently inserted, 
 feel the effects of age in the same degree as the twigs remain- 
 ing on the original tree, the species is becoming enfeebled 
 with age in our country, so that very recent shoots will 
 hardly withstand a severe winter, ^^''e see but the feeble 
 limbs of an exile in dotage, though yet sustained in a thou- 
 sand localities." 
 
 C. — I have lately observed several caterpillars, thinly 
 
 K -2 
 
f1 
 
 Vi 
 
 TIIK CANADIAN' N AT C U A 1. 1 n T. 
 
 
 it 
 
 I i 
 
 I '■» 
 
 I' 
 
 I Ir. 
 
 il 
 
 i I 
 
 i'i 
 
 covered with dusky hair, erawliug on the snow; and yester- 
 day 1 found in tlie same situation, a great many s|»eciniens of 
 a small Carrion ]5eetle, about one-sixth of an inch long, with 
 anteiuiie slightly clu'ibed {OiiKilituii — ?) ; they gave out 
 a rank smell. These are the first l»eetle.- I have vet seen 
 abroad. A few small brown spiders were likewise straggling 
 over the melting snnw. 
 
 F. — The larvae of the Ox Gatl-fly {Oe.^tniK liucis), com- 
 moidy called wonnuls, (originally worm-holes,) are now to 
 be found in the bodies of oxen and cows. They make large 
 hniips chiefly in the backs of these cattle, in the middle of 
 which is a hole large enough to admit a (juill : if you press 
 the lump, a quantity of jms comes through the orifice, and 
 if the pressure be increased, the large, fat, white maggot him- 
 self is squeezed out. I forced out two from one of our oxen 
 this morning. They will not go into the pupa state, after 
 
 having been thus violently ejected. Let us walk on 
 
 the ice of the river: here arc some large jMuscles {Anadfnilu ?), 
 and a number of their empty shells lying on the mud at the 
 bottom of the water. I can see them through the open space 
 between the ice and the bank of the river : as the water is 
 shallow we may reach them with our hands. I liave occa- 
 sionally eaten them, and could not perceive any ditYerence in 
 taste between them and marine nuiscles. 
 
 ('. — What trumpet-like note is that ? 
 
 F. — It is the " honk" of the Wild Goose {Anas Cana- 
 densis) : yonder is the bird, standing on the frozen river ; 
 some stray individual cut of the many flocks which at this 
 season are pursuing their aerial course to the desolate regions 
 around Hudson's Bay, or perhaps yet farther north. 
 
 C — Has the Canada Goose been domesticated ? 
 
 F. — Yes ; it is extensively kept as a domestic fowl 
 in Europe, and is not the least important addition which 
 
 
 i 
 
Al'RII,. 
 
 I I 
 
 America has made to the domestic ornithnlonry of the uM 
 world. Its form and colour arc handsome, and its tlcsh <>f 
 ajtproved Havour. 
 
 ('. — It does not seem much alarmed at tlie siu'ht of u*, 
 fur it does not take to flight. 
 
 F. — It is a hoavv liird, and rises awkwardly ; anil al- 
 though when liiirly launched on its course, a hird nf power- 
 ful wing, its Hrst tlight is low, and appears heavy and laho- 
 riouSj as vou mav v<Hirself observe ; tnr now it rises. 
 
 C. — He is gone ; prohahly to join the first Hotk he 
 meets with, where he may sound his trumpet in concert. 
 - — —Where do they s}»end the winter ? 
 
 l'\ — The Hocks that jiass over us in autumn in a soutlnM- 
 ly direction, prohaMy scatter themselves over the estuaries 
 and inlets of the deeply indented coast of the United States, 
 particularly Chesapeake Hay, that para<lisr of water-fnwl, 
 the resort of uncounted myriads of a([uatic hirds of alim'st ail 
 species. In spring, the hirds c(»llect again in Hoeks, and their 
 migrations northward are an unfailing indication that " win- 
 ter is over and gone." 
 
 •' Wlu'ii ilou(l-i.K';ivini: nvoso to tlu' l;ikis iirc a--ti'criii'_' ;■" 
 
 as Wilson has it ; though their destination seems far beyond 
 the lakes. 
 
 (ina- 
 :iver ; 
 t this 
 .'gions 
 
 fowl 
 rhich 
 
 i\ — Why is the ground bare for a considerable distance 
 around trees and stumps, when the snow still lies on the 
 surrounding ground \ 
 
 F. — Partly because the earth is always more elevated in 
 such situations by the roots beneath, and therefore becomes 
 sooner exposed ; but the principal reason is, the radiation nt' 
 heat from the central object ; as we find that even when the 
 snow has fallen to the depth of one or two feet, every wci d 
 or stalk of grass whicli rises above the surface of the snow, 
 
IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-3) 
 
 
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 33 WEST MAIN STREET 
 
 WEBSTER, N.)r. 14580 
 
 (716) 872-4503 
 
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78 
 
 THE CANADTAX XxVTURALIST. 
 
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 has, after a day or two's sunsliine, melted a space round it of 
 more than an inch from itself, so that it stands in a kind of 
 tube of snow. Any dark-coloured oltjoct lying on the sur- 
 face of snow, will speedily wear a passage for itself to the 
 ground, on account of its power of receiving heat from the 
 solar rays. 
 
 C. — Such situations are the resort of the few insects that 
 arc already stirring. See, around this dead maple-stump are 
 several of those serrlcorn beetles with soft, brown elytra, and 
 pink thorax {Brochi/nofns Bonncttii). They eject from many 
 parts of the liody, when handled, a white glutinous fluid, 
 which has a strong smell, and is perhaps intended as a de- 
 fence. Here, too, arc little green Cicadellcc, hopping about 
 very briskly ; and the Mf/.scidcs are as busy as Itees, buzzing 
 in the sunshine, and rubbing their feet together, and then off 
 to another nlace : pioneers of the hosts that in a few weeks 
 will make all nature alive with their gaiety. And here is 
 a caterpillar of the Buft-leopard Moth, covered with thick 
 tufts of short hair, tawny red in the middle, and black at 
 each end of the body. It is one of the last caterpillars that 
 crawl in autumn, and one of the first that appear in spring. 
 
 F. — This insect (Arctiu ImbeUn) is called a rare species 
 by Abbott, (speaking, however of Georgia,) who figures it 
 on the Elephant's foot {Kh'j)liantopus Scaher), and mentions 
 wild plantain, corn, and peas, as its food. His figure of the 
 caterpillar is bad, as it does not give the idea of its hairiness. 
 With us, common as it is, I do not know its food ; I have 
 often found it on the raspberry, but could not get it to eat. 
 Yonder is a fly, which, from the peculiar flattering motion of 
 its wings, I take to be four- winged ; probably it is either a 
 moth or a PIift/(ianea : nui and catch it ; it flies so slowly 
 that you will have no difficulty. 
 
 C. — I have it ; it is neuro})terous, but it does not appear 
 to be a Pliri/iHaH'U) as the wings are incumbent. 
 
 ^ 
 
 *) 
 
APRIL. 
 
 79 
 
 'I 
 
 F. — It belongs to a tribe whi-h I call Water-flies, as I 
 have never seen any of the species jxcept in the immediate 
 vicinity of water. The species are numerous in this conti- 
 nent, forming the genus SemhUs of Fabricius. This is an 
 early kind, the clouded Water-fly {Perla Clio). 
 
 ^'' — What is this curious insect at the bottom of tliis 
 little pond ? It is an awkward, sprawling creature, some- 
 thing like a spider, of a light brown colour. 
 
 F. — It is the larva of a Dragon-fly, and an animal wiiich, 
 from its curious haljits and conformation, mav aflbrd vou 
 some instruction and amusement. Take him up, and put 
 him into your pocket box, with a little wet moss, that we 
 may examine him at home ;— you need not be afraid, it is 
 perfectly harmless. 
 
 C — Here is another long, semi-transparent Avorm, witji- 
 out feet, with a head retractile into the body. Of what is 
 this the larva ? 
 
 F. — Of some dipterous fly, probably one of the larger 
 Tlpuhc. I see some small larv£E of gnats and flies ; catch 
 them as food for your JAhdbda grul). AVe bave to- 
 day seen many tokens of approaching spring: Nature is 
 bursting from the icy chains with which she has been bound 
 for so many months, soon again to teem with life and glad- 
 ness. Yet many wintry storms, many bleak days and cold 
 nights must pass, before we can say, spring has actually 
 come. 
 
 C. — Now we are at home, what shall I do with my 
 Dragon-fly grub '{ 
 
 F. — Put him into this basin of water. I would Hrst 
 have you notice his very singular mode of progression. 
 
 C — He goes with a graceful sort of gliding or rather 
 shooting motion, in a straight line, stretching out his legs 
 
1 
 
 1 
 
 -so 
 
 THE CAXADIAX NATl'RALIST. 
 
 m 
 
 behind clo?e to his sides ; but I do not see //ofc ho moves ; he 
 has no fins, and it is not by means of his legs. 
 
 /'. — If you look closely, you may observe that previously 
 to every motion the minute floating ]»avticles of earth, &c. rush 
 in a current towards its tail, and are then furciblydriven away ; 
 at which moment the insect shoots ahead. The tail of this 
 grub is, in fact, a comjtlete syringe, being furnished with a 
 piston ca[table of being drawn towards the head, or thrust 
 towards the tail, at will. On drawing it inward, the water 
 rushes in ; then this piston is forcildy thrust downward, 
 ejecting the contained water in a jet or stream, which, by the 
 resistance of the surrounding fluid, throws the ini-ect forward. 
 If you hold it under water in your fingers, so as to see the 
 tail, you may observe the operation. 
 
 C. — The tail is composed of three triancalar pieces, 
 which meet exactly together, when shut ; and when open, 
 show another valve opening outwardly when the water is 
 ejected. What a curious contrivance ! 
 
 F. — But you do not vet know the whole use of this sin- 
 gular organ : it is a Ijreathing apparatus as well as a means 
 of locomotion ; and every inspiration of water is an act of 
 respiration. The piston, as we call it, is composed of the 
 frar/icff or air-vessels, whose office is to extract oxygen from 
 the water, in the same manner as the gills of fishes. Here 
 is additioiuil matter for wonder : but wonder is not the only 
 sentiment which such an organization should awaken in our 
 minds : it surely calls for admiration of the infinite wis- 
 dom of God the Creator, in thus adapting an organ to pur- 
 poses so widely different ; while at the same time so per- 
 fectly is each operation performed, that it would seem, on 
 considering either of the two processes to be effected, as if the 
 organ were created for that express purpose alone. Again, 
 it gives us exalted ideas of the benevolence and all-i)ervading 
 love of God, to observe such astonisliing skill of contrivance 
 displayed for the comfort of so mean a reptile ; a creature 
 
 i 
 
APRIL. 
 
 SI 
 
 I 
 
 unknown to ninety-nine out of a hundred of mankind, yrt 
 not lieneath the care of Hini, " who openeth His iiand and 
 satisfieth the desire (A cr,',-// llrhai t/iiinu" — i5ut we havf 
 not done with our Lil.»elkda, the mouth is as sinojularly 
 fonned as the tail ; jtut in a few of the gnat-worms, ai:d 
 watcli liis motions. 
 
 ( ' — He waits until tliey are at rest ; now he sees one. 
 and creeps slowly towards it : he has got it : hut what 
 grout flap was that which suddenly flew out froui his head 
 anil seized tlie prey ] 
 
 J'- — ^\'e will lei him eat his morsel, and then examiiu' 
 Ids face. Now, you see he has no aj»parent mouth, Imt the 
 whole flice is composed of a long Hat kind of mask, ending in 
 a rounded point, and divided in the middle (as you see when 
 I separate it with a pin) by serratures, like the teeth of a saAv, 
 which fit into each other. These valves it throws open, and 
 darts out to a great length liy means of a doultle fold, as v^u 
 saw, on the aj>proacli of lavy, to seize it, and carry it to tlie 
 mouth which is concealed within, and the serrated teeth are 
 said to liold it tirnily while it is ]>eing devoured. Alt')getiirr 
 it is a very formidal)le apparatus, and one well worth obser- 
 vation and examination. 
 
 (\ — T did not think so ufjlv a creature could have afford- 
 ed me half so much pleasure ! Concealed among the nnid nt" 
 a pond, its curious fjrmation seems thrown away, and hid- 
 den from our observation. 
 
 F. — Should not this very thing " hide pride from man C 
 So much care bestowed upon an aiuinal altogether out of the 
 pale of general observation, and evidently without any refer- 
 ence to him ! It atTords us, toi>, another instance of iiow 
 admirably every creature is adapted for the situation in 
 which it is jdaced, and that no situation is so barren but 
 that it mav be made to aiibrd life and sustenance to sonu' 
 
 (•rder of sentient beings. 
 
f ' 
 
 1 
 
 :J;' 
 
 82 
 
 ; I 
 
 i^ 
 
 t 
 
 m 
 if 
 
 VII, 
 
 APRIL 15th. 
 
 Sonu of llirds.— Son"- S]inrnnv. — Si-ow-liinl.— C'ro'.hlinc Motli. — Striped 
 Fcatlicr ^lutli. — I'owdfrcil Hcd. — Pfiirlhcnd. — CiinuiKi i'uttcrtlv. — 
 B<'('tlcs. — W'iitcr-lifctlc. — Larv;i' <it' K|ilu'niiTa'. — (.'addi--tlics. — A'fii- 
 rics. — Ycllowliird. — Crows. — KutVed ( irousc. — Ilonoy-lu'cs. — Plants. — 
 Orlord Moimtaiii. — Tlio Owl's Head. — Jvxliilaratiiiir KtVcct of hiirli Ele- 
 vations. — Lesser Ued-poll. — Hop. — Maskilonuc. — Stranue note of Blue 
 Jay. — ("iiridus Fact connected witli the IJani Swallow. — Breaking up 
 of til" Coataeook. — The ]\Iasiii])|)i and the St. Fi'ancis. — Mysterious 
 \'oice of the Saw-wlietter. — I'ipiiitf Frous. 
 
 Father. — Spring, delightful Spring, has at lengtli opened 
 upon us : " the Avinter is past, the rain is over and gone ; — 
 the time of the singing of birds is come." Let us walk forth, 
 and listen to the sweet music. 
 
 Chakles. — It is the first real song we have heard, and 
 very melodious it is. From what birds does it proceed ? 
 
 F. — From the Song Sparrow {Frhiailla ^Idodla). I 
 have not seen nor heard a single individual before, yet this 
 morning they appear in considerable numbers, in company 
 with another little bird of the same genus, the Snow-bird 
 {FringiUa Nivalis), which likewise makes his appearance all 
 of a sudden. They are both plain little birds, and the latter 
 has no song to recommend it, save a single " chip," but as 
 putting us in mind of brighter days, and as the harbingers of 
 sunny spring, they are trebly welcome. 
 
 ('. — Have we no<^ seen the Snow-bird at intervals 
 through the winter 'i 
 
 i 
 
APRIL. 
 
 8.'i 
 
 F. — No : you are thinking of the Snow Bunting, a birtl 
 of a difleront genus, EmU'ri^a, from wliich this may he 
 easily distmguished by its colour : it being of a dark slate 
 colour, with a very light, almost white, bill, the contrast of 
 which with the nearly black head, makes it a very marked 
 bird. It is here vulgarly called the Chip-bird. This Frin- 
 gilla does not winter with us ; I believe its name of Snow- 
 bird is derived from, its appearing in Pennsylvania about the 
 time of first snow. It is the earliest comer of our spring 
 visitants, usually arriving a day or two before the Song Spar- 
 row. It is of a more elegant shape than most of its tribe. 
 
 C. — How very pleasant it is to listen to the warl)iing, 
 after the long, dull silence of winter. 
 
 F I never hear the song of birds under any circum- 
 stances, without feeling my spirits raised, my heart glad- 
 dened, and filled with delightful emotions. It is not so 
 much the song itself, as the thousand associations of time, 
 place, and circumstances, which are at once conjured u}» : it 
 brings the verdant meadow, the l^lossomed hedgerow, or the 
 softened sunbeams playing through the leafy trees, with the 
 happy, gleeful days long gone by. I know not how it is, 
 but on looking back on days past and gone, in which, at the 
 time, sorrow was at least as prominent as joy, — they seem 
 stripped of all that was painful, and the pleasing and happy 
 circumstances connected with them seem to stand out in bold 
 relief, and give the prevailing hue to the picture. In this 
 case, too, 
 
 " 'Tis distance Ifiuls ('iicluiiitiucnt to tlu; view, 
 Ami clotlies the mountain iu its azure luie." 
 
 C. — But independently of association, there is sometlung 
 inherently delightful in the warbling of birds : the sense of 
 hearing is gratified with melody; and it is surely not a little 
 thing to consider it as an instance of the benevolence of God in 
 
84 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATCRALIST. 
 
 ■jl' 
 
 •i 
 
 making even His huin])lest creatures liappy ; tor no one can 
 look upon a bird pouring out its soul in harmony, without 
 feeling that it is an outburst of gla<lness and joy. 
 
 F. — That is at least a pleasanter belief than the one 
 which would make the liird a mere machine, and its song 
 the eft'ect of an instinctive imjmlse, uttered with no more 
 emotion than the ticking of a clock. If this be ['hilosophy, 
 indee'l — 
 
 '• "Tis t'ollv to 1m' wiso.*' 
 
 r. — 1 have noticed some more insects abroad, and within 
 a few days jtast I have made some captures for my cal>inet. 
 About a week ago, I took the Crossline ^loth, a ratlier pretty 
 little XoctiKi, and the first lepidopterous hisect that I have 
 observed, except the Tortrix I found in the winter. Yesterday 
 I took two small moths ; one a very little Tinea, the Striped 
 Feather, the other a jilain Torfrix, the Powdered Red. To- 
 day I caught in the house a pretty Tiiwa, the Pearlhead. 
 
 F. — I saw a butterfly in flight several days ago, but was 
 not near enough to distinguish the species : it v.as proluibly 
 one of the Connnas (Uraptc). 
 
 C. — Under stones^ in the fields, many beetles may noAV be 
 found, some nearly t(n-}>id, Init others quite active. I have 
 found two or three species of Carabldte, a little black CV/r^- 
 mmi'la, with scarlet thorax, (Criorcrls Cullari.^? ) very com- 
 mon in autumn, and several minute StupIniVnii (Porderus 
 Riparius). These last form a very pretty microsco[>ic ob- 
 ject : the head, the tip of the abdomen, and the small wing 
 cases, are black, or rather steel-blue, and the thorax, and most 
 of the abdomen, are bright orange. They are very nimble, 
 and have the same habit of turning up the tail as the larger 
 species, the Kove Beetle, ^'c. 
 
 F. — Let us look into this little pool, and see if we can 
 
 L 
 
 f 
 
 \ 
 
 I 
 
APRIL 
 
 No 
 
 discover anything stirrincr. Yon.ler are two l.lack ^Vater 
 Beetles {(:oJ>/)nliet<>s) ; see how they hurry to tlic to|. of llu- 
 water, then scuttle down again to the bottom, an.] hide, un- 
 der the mud. 
 
 ^'. — I have one of them. 
 
 F. — Tliis insect is worth a moment's observation. Ob- 
 serve how smooth its surface is, without any proji/etiniis, 
 to adai't it f .r swift progress through so dense a mciium as 
 water: the elytra shut very closely, to prevent the winirs 
 beneath, which are large and long, from becoming wet and 
 unfit for use : the fore and middle feet are small and weak, 
 but the hindmost pair are very large and strong, and thickly 
 fringed with hair ; they are used as oars to pro|)el the insect 
 through the water, and we may see how admirably they 
 are fitted for this purpose, by observing the effect produced"; 
 for the motion of the aquatic beetles is very swift. Then; 
 are many species of the tribe, but all agree in tliese particu- 
 lars : some are of very large si/e ; this is but a small kind. 
 
 i\ — Here are some larvae of the KjJn'iiiera. Thev kt>op 
 the fin-like appendages at their sides constantly in a waving 
 motion, even when they themselves are at rest : what can 
 ]>e the reason ? 
 
 F. — I believe these fins are connected with the air-pipes, 
 and ai-e in fact breathing organs : and as they extract the 
 oxygen from that portion of the water with which thev are 
 inmiediately in contact, I suppose their constant vibration is 
 necessary to produce a current, and so br" .g fresh particles of 
 water to be inhaled. But I apprehend these likewise perform 
 a double office, and are also organs of locomotion. 
 
 ^' — There is a serpentine motion of the abdomen when 
 they swim, which perhaps aids them in some degree ; but 
 tliey do not appear to swim with the same fiicility as most 
 water-insects. I see some of these are in the pupa*^ .state, by 
 
.S(i 
 
 THE CAXADIAX NATURALIST. 
 
 tlie si/e and dark colour of the rudimentary wings on each 
 side of tlie thorax. CadiUs Fhes (P}ir)i<jnnc(c) may be seen 
 Hying in tlie marshy woods on almost any line day. 
 
 /•'. — I noticed a cluster of Agarics springing from the 
 dunghill, a few days ago : they are an e|iliemcral race, 
 " that come up in a night, and perish in a nigtit ;" Itut some 
 of them possess great delicacy of form and beauty of colour : 
 these were, however, of a plain drab hue, but I noticed them 
 as symptoms of vegetative activity. 
 
 V. — What little birds are flocking about that apple-tree { 
 they seem fond of company, for when one moves, they all 
 accompany it. 
 
 F. — It is the Yellow-bird, or American Goldtinch ( Frin- 
 tjHia Tristis), in its olive-coloured winter jtlumage : in this 
 state it is not very easy to distinguish them from others of 
 our finches, unless we approach pretty near them ; but their 
 flight in curves, sinking and rising, and their weak but nut 
 unnmsical song, are sufficient to identify them. \\'hen they 
 twitter all together, as they do now, it has a pleasing effect ; 
 their favourite note resembles the word " baln'o," the last 
 syllable protracted and much higher than the first. Though 
 this bird leaves our inhospitalde climate in autumn, for the 
 sunnier regions of the south, yet I am not sure that indivi- 
 duals do not pass the Avinter with us. I have observed a 
 Hock of them picking up oats and seeds around the homestead 
 as late as the 2.5th of December, and have noticed small flocks 
 twittering and chasing each other about the trees in the orchard 
 as early as the 19th of March. They will soon begin to 
 change, but it will be the middle of May before they attain 
 their gay summer dress. 
 
 C. — I have noticed Crows (Corvus CoroneJ flying over 
 the woods and fields for some days past ; and the other day 
 I roused a Ruffed Grouse (Tetrao UnibeUus) on the borders 
 of the woods. 
 
 j 
 
 "( 
 
APRIL. 9i 
 
 F. — I thi..K the Grouse \vintors here, though it is nut 
 much seen in winter. They will soon buijjin to drum, which 
 is the sexual call of the male. It is a curious noise : Wilson 
 compares it to the striking together of two blown bladders, 
 slowly at first, but more and more ([uickly, until the strokes 
 run into one another, and have the effect of one continued 
 rumbling sound, gradually dying away. He says it is per- 
 formed thus : — " The cock, standing on an old prostrate log, 
 generally in a retired and sheltered situation, lowers his 
 wings, erects his exi»anded tail, contracts his throat, elevates 
 the two tufts of feathers on the neck, and inflates his whole 
 body, something in the manner of the turkey-cock, strutting 
 and wheeling about with great stuteliness. After a few 
 manoeuvres of this kind, he begins to strike with his stif- 
 fened wings ir. short and quick strokes, which Ijecome more 
 and more rapid until they run into each other, as has been 
 already described." 
 
 C — The Honey-bees are busy : liow soon they find out 
 the nectar of the poplar and willow catkins! they are throng- 
 ing around those trees in considerable numbers. 
 
 F The Buttercu]) (Unnuiiadnff Acrii^), Clover (Tri- 
 
 folhnn PraU'tm'), and wild Strawberry ( Fnhinrhi I'inji- 
 niana), begin to put forth their young leaves; and I see the 
 grass is sprouting in the woods and sheltered [tlaces. 
 
 C — What very remarkable mountain is that to the west- 
 ward, so elevated above all the neighbouring land :* the snow 
 on its summit and sides shines brightly in the sun, and 
 strongly contrasts with the azure tint of the wooded parts. 
 
 f' — It has often struck my own attention, as being so 
 conspicuous an object from this road, as well as from its evi- 
 dent height, and the singularity of its shape, somewhat 
 resembling that of a couching lion. I havt; had no opportu- 
 
HH 
 
 rilF. CANADIAN' \ ATT II AM ST. 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 \ 
 
 t 
 
 
 
 
 I ' 
 
 |t< 
 
 ft 
 
 ifi ■ 
 
 .s 
 
 f ' 
 
 ;' 
 
 ' '; 
 
 V ' ' 
 
 1' 
 
 
 t 
 
 
 \li 
 
 nity of visiting it myself, whicli I slioiild nuich lil<e to do, 
 Idit fwliiig much curiosity ivspoctin^j; it, I ai>|ilit'il to my 
 friend, Ali>lionso Wells, l^s*}. a gentleman whose acnuuint- 
 ance with the localities of this jirovince is very extensive, for 
 inf<jrmation respecting it. He says, ''this mountain I take 
 to he the higliest mountain in all this part of Canada. It 
 rises ahout two thousand three hundred feet ahove the level 
 of the head waters of Missisipioi liiver, which take their rise 
 at the western side of its hase. It is calh'd Orford Mountain, 
 and its highest peak is about three-quarters of a mile from 
 the south and west limits of the township of Oriunl, near the 
 south-west corner. I have never examined the nature of the 
 formation, }»ut l»elieve that a consideralde portion of it is 
 granite. A small lake, altout a mile in length, lies at the 
 South end of this mountain, in the township of liolton, and 
 the stage road passes in a cut, made out of the solid rock, 
 al)0ut fifty feet above the level of the surface of the water 
 of this lake, the edge of which rock rises nearly perpen- 
 dicularly from the water. At this cut I have found large 
 (piantities of asbestos in the fissures of the rock. 
 
 " The view from the sunnnit of this mountain is truly 
 grand and magnificent. The mountains of Montreal, Montar- 
 ville, Belijeil, Mounoir, Rougcmont, and Yamaska, all of them 
 rising out of a fiat level country, appear in a westerly direction. 
 Sheff(.)rd, Brome, and Farnham mountains also appear, lying 
 more near, in a west and south-westerly coiu'se. Still more 
 to the south, is seen Pinnacle mountain, in the east part of 
 the Seigniory of \Vest Ormond ; and south, and still more to 
 the east, are seen Sutton, Bolton, and I'otton mountains. 
 In Potton, rising a])ruptly from the west shore of the Lake 
 Memphramagog, and about four miles and a half from the 
 Province line, is a high, conical, and very steep mountain, 
 called ' the Owl's Head,' which is a ver}' conspicuous point 
 in the view from Orford Mountahi, and, next to it, is supposed 
 
 ' 
 
 i 
 
 / 
 
■ 
 
 7 
 
 APRIL. 
 
 SJ) 
 
 to 1)0 the higliest land in tliis part of Canada. It is a cur- 
 rent belief with the cmnnion iteople, that the Owl's Head 
 contains some jnvcious niiiicnils, mid much dig<:jin^ and exca- 
 vating have been done in jiUues uimui it, by tlmse who wished 
 to possess themselves ut' thrni, but \vithinit success as yet. 
 I lu'liove that iim exjierionced niini'raloirist has ever yet ex- 
 jibnvd the mineral kingdom nf this, u>>v indcfd of any ntlui' 
 considerable jiart ofCanada. 'I'lir sides of this, and of Or- 
 ford Mountain, are covered to the very summits, with a thick 
 growth of maple, birch, spruce, and hemb.ick timbe-r. The 
 range of Green Mountains, in the State of Vermont, tl;? 
 A\'liite Mountains in Xow Hampshire, and the (nitlines of 
 most of what are called the Eastern Townships, together 
 with about eightein small lakes, are all visible from the 
 sunnnit of Ortbrd Mountain, in clear weather." 
 
 ('. — It would give me very great pleasure to visit the 
 mountain, and enjin' the pirospect of so extensive a country. 
 
 F. — The distance is considerable, but pi'rhaps at some 
 future time we may find opjMjrtunity for a visit and a per- 
 sonal examination, liut the day wanes, and it is time to 
 return. 
 
 C. — There is something very exhilarating in standing at 
 a great elevation ; arising probably from the rarity of the 
 air in such situations. 
 
 /'. — The purity of the air, its freedom from noxious and 
 heavy vapours, acting on the body, is no doubt one cause of 
 the buoyancy of spirits which one usually feels at great 
 heights, joined to the purely mental excitement, which the 
 enlarged prospect, and the distance from the ordinary bustle 
 of life, are calculated to j)roduce in minds of a certain tempe- 
 rament. That such an eft'ect is produced, I have myself often 
 proved. 
 
I' 
 
 I I 
 
 1 ll ,:■ 
 
 I I 
 
 I! .-i; 
 
 f 
 
 hi 
 
 1 ( 
 
 Bl- :)1 ; 
 
 90 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 C — There is a pair of pretty birds in the road before 
 lis : tlie crown of the liead is briglit crimson, and one of them 
 lias a red breast. Wiiat are they ? 
 
 /'. — They are called the Lesser Red-poll (FrinijiUu 
 IJnorio) ; this is one of the few Itirds which are fomid both 
 in Europe and America. It is not by any means a common 
 bird, as I have very rarely seen it. These, too, are finches, 
 and feed principally, if not wholly, on seeds : it is probable 
 they 1 treed with us, as they are northern birds, but I have 
 never met with i-heir nests. 
 
 C. — The fields are beginning to look green in some 
 places ; and here are the young leaves of the Hop plant 
 (Humnlns Lvpiihis) growing in a corner of the fence. 
 
 F. — Professor Eaton gives the hop as a native of this 
 continent : but for his high authority, I should have rather 
 supposed th.at it had been introduced from Europe. The 
 hop grows remarkably fast ; I have known a shoot to grow 
 more than two inches and a quarter in twenty-four hours. 
 
 C. — What large fish are those, which the man who just 
 passed us carried in his hand ? 
 
 F. — They are called here " Longe," in other parts, 
 " Maskilonge ;" and are esteemed fine eating. They are 
 caught in the neighbouring lakes, but I know nothing of 
 their natural history. They are often taken of great size. 
 
 C. — I yesterday heard the voice of a bird near the edge 
 of the second-gro\\th-poplar woods, which sounded strange 
 to me : it was like the words " pwilhelly, pwilhelly." I 
 approached, to try to get a sight of it, but found that it 
 receded before me, faster than 1 could pursue it, and it was 
 finally lost in the distance. 
 
 F. — It was no stranger : neither more nor less than your 
 noisy acquaintance, the Blue Jay (Corviti^ ('rista(Hs) ; the 
 screaming rogue has so many notes and strange cries, that 
 
 / 
 
 I 
 
APRIL. 
 
 91 
 
 / 
 
 that 
 
 his most intimate acquaintance will scarce!}' know him by 
 his voice ; but I have heard him utter tlie note you describe. 
 — My friend, Mr. Jaques, informed me of a curious circum- 
 stance which occurred a few dav? am. lie found on his 
 barn floor, just fallen from the roof^ a Barn Swallow flfi- 
 ruHilo Aiucricand), dead and dry. He showed it to mo : 
 the feet were extended, as if sitting on a plane surface ; it 
 appeared to be a young bird (though perfectly fledged), from 
 its size, being not more than five inches in length, and from 
 the exterior feathers of the tail being scarcely longer than 
 the others : but wjiat is most curious, is the fiict, that a per- 
 fect egg was attached to the vent, stuck on to the feathers, 
 apparently by some glutinous sul)stance. This egg Mr. J. 
 broke in taking it up ; the yolk was yellow, not juitrified, 
 but thickened in consistence. I was at a loss to account for 
 the fact of a full-fledged young bird and a sound egg being in 
 the same nest ; but mentioning the circumstance to an ex- 
 perienced ornithologist, he threw much light uj^on it, by 
 telling me, that towards the end of the season, the swallow 
 becomes very irregular with respect to the time of its laying. 
 The young bird was proljably deserted, owing to its not Ijeing 
 sufficiently matured to accompany the parents in their mi- 
 gration. It was no doubt the dung of the Ijird which caused 
 the egg to adhere to its feathers. 
 
 C. — See ! the Coatacook is breaking up ; as we came 
 over this bridge a few hours ago, the ice appeared firm and 
 solid, though covered Avitii Avator ; but now it is cracking, 
 and going down the large open channel in the middle (jf the 
 river. 
 
 F. — I knew it had been unsafe for many days : the large 
 holes around the posts of the bridge, the openings near the 
 banks, and the de})th of water that covered the main budy 
 of ice, all have shown that the disruption could not be far 
 
IV * 
 
 I 't 'i 
 
 i ii 
 
 i 'I 
 
 f .1 
 
 V 
 
 92 
 
 THE CAXADIAV NATURALIST. 
 
 oft'. The Masuippi luis been open fur some weeks ; and in 
 going to Slieilirooke last week, I oljserved large fragments of 
 ice swiftly tiaating down that ro.pid river, the St. Francis. 
 
 C. — Notwithstanding the day has been so warm, now 
 that the sun is down, the air is chilly and even cold. — 
 Listen to the singular sound proceeding from yonder cedar 
 swamp. It is like the measured tinkle of a cow-bell, or 
 regular strokes upon a piece of iron quickly repeated. Now 
 it has ceased. 
 
 F. — There it is again. I will give y( u all the inform- 
 ation I can about it ; and that is very little. In spring, 
 that is, during the months of April, May, and the former 
 part of Jiiuc, we frequently hear, after nightfall, the sound 
 you have just heard ; from its regularity it is usually thought 
 to resemlde the whetting of a saw, and hence the bird from 
 which it proceeds is called the Saw-whetter. I say '' the 
 bird," because, though I could never find any one who had 
 seen it, I have little doubt that it is a bird. J have asked 
 Mr. Titian Pealc, the venerable Professor Nuttall, and other 
 ornithologists of Philadelpliia, about it, but can obtain no 
 information on the subject of the author of the sound : it 
 seems to lie — 
 
 " Vox ct pnn'terca nihil.'* 
 
 Carver, in his amusing travels, mentions it as being heard 
 near Lake Su})erior, naming it, if I recollect rightly, the 
 Whetsaw. It may possibly be known, but I find nothing 
 of it hi Wilson or Bonaparte. Professor Nuttall was ac- 
 quainted with the note, but told me plainly the bird was 
 unknown. I conjecture it may be some of the herons or 
 bitterns ; or, possilily, from a passage in Bonaparte's Omi- 
 
 I 
 
 
 N 
 
 
APUIL. 
 
 93 
 
 thology, the Evening Grosbeak (VrhniUhi Venportnin j. Ho 
 says of tliat Ijird, " tlieir note is strango and peculiar ; and 
 it is only at twilight tlmt thev are hoard crvintj in a siniru- 
 lar strain. This mournful sound, uttered at such an unusual 
 hour, strikes the travollor's ear, Imt tiio hird itsolf is soldoni 
 seen." One season I hoard it several nights in succession, early 
 in March, and going into the Stale <if W'rniont in the same 
 month, I likewise hoard it there, l)ut invariahly proceeding 
 from the most soml»re and gloomy recossos of the Mack-tim- 
 bered woods. Once, and l)ut once, I heard it liofjre the sun 
 was set ; I have watched in tlie woods from which I was in 
 the habit of hearing it proceed, for some time after sunset ; 
 but could not succeed in hearing it then. I was once coming 
 from Sherbrooke near midnight, when everytiiing was jiro- 
 foundly still, and not a sound broke the deep silence, except 
 the measured tramp of my horse's foot on the frozen road ; on 
 a sudden, from a thick forest, about half a mile distant, came 
 the metallic tinkle of the saw-whottor. Tiio imexpoctedness 
 of the sound struck mo forcibly, and, cold as it was, I stopped 
 my horse for some time to listen to it. In the darkness and 
 silence of midnight, the regularly recurring sound, procooding 
 too from so gloomy a spot, had an ofloct on my mind, so- 
 lenm, and almost unearthly, yet not unmixed with [ileasure. 
 Perhaps the mystery hanging aliout the origin of the sound 
 tended to increase the eflect. I have been told by one of 
 my neighbours that it is a liird, al)Out the size of a cuckoo, 
 but as I could not find that he himself had seen it in the act 
 of uttering its notes, little heed is to be given to the sup- 
 position. 
 
 C. — It is very singular. I should think it might be 
 discovered by perseverance. 
 
 F. — You may watch for it, if you please ; but I apprehend 
 it is very shy, and you would not be aware of its presence 
 
94 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 i 
 
 I! 
 
 SO soon as it Avoiild be aware of yours : so tliat the bird 
 would have a decided advantage over you. Accident may 
 throw light on this, as it has done on many other subjects. 
 
 C. — There is another sound, which I have not heard 1)6- 
 fore : as if a score of persons Avere whistling together : it is 
 not so far oft' as the saw-whetter, for it evidently comes from 
 this field, and but a few yards distant. 
 
 F. — Many are engaged in the concert ; but if you listen 
 attentively, j^ou will perceive that each whistles three short 
 and quick notes, two alike, and the third much higher in 
 tone. There is not much doubt about the origin of this. It 
 proceeds from some of the liejitilia ; it is usually called the 
 Piping Frog, but I believe it in reality a small lizard. Like 
 the saw-whetter, it reserves its music to enliven the night 
 season, and makes up in pertinacity what it wants in melody. 
 This field is wet and marshy, in which situations alone this 
 reptile delights. I think it likely that the lizard is Vjeneath 
 the surface of the ground, at the time of making this piping 
 noise ; at least, sometimes, if not always : for once I heard 
 many of them in my own field before it was dark, and being 
 quite near, I looked, but could see nothing : presently the 
 tune struck up from the ground a yard or two from me. 1 
 went cautiously to the spot, and found tliat it had evidently 
 proceeded from a small hole in the earth, ])ut no musician 
 w'as visible. If I had had a spade, I might liave brought him 
 forth to daylight, or rather to twilight, to receive the applause 
 due to his musical powers. — But here we are, once more at 
 home. 
 
 I 
 
 1 
 
 i 
 
95 
 
 -I 
 
 VIII. 
 
 MAY 1st. 
 
 Rol.in.-riroon Comma ButtorHy. -Compton Tortoise B. ~ C,mh.nv,M 
 Beauty J . _ M..tl,s. - Cocoon. - Mnsca. - CKa.la>. _ JJaru ^ wal- 
 Unv~ ^lusquito. - Black Kly. - Sand Fly. - '• Snuul^c.. "' - J^.Hv 
 S.ttl..,s.-.CunonsElm.-\Vhi,.l I?c.etlo..-Fre.lK>ts.-SIi,K.. _M,; 
 tu,-l.ou.e^ _ I>.„.,|.. M.rti„. - Vi..v of Hatley. _ Canada Thi.tlc. - 
 
 (-hostnutCI>ater._Pnri,l,.Ca,-a1,us.--R„syCasc.riy.-Fo.kodnnttcrtlv 
 -Cattle m pastures.-K.ni.oration to Cai.ada.-Misstatements of Wri- 
 ters. -Instance of Infatuation.-Evil.s of a new Countrv.-Glorv of 
 ^aturo.~Fir.t Flower of Spring.- IVuit Flycatcher.- Early Elder 
 -Uieqaered Snake-heeomes torpid-cast, its skin-its " f„ud - 
 W dd Leek. — Cacklinn of Fi'oos. 
 
 Father. — I have business Avhidi calls me to Hatley 
 to-day, a village al.out seven miles distant. The village is 
 more properly called Charleston, but as it is in the township 
 ot Hatley, it is more usually known by the former name. 
 If you would like to accompany me, get your pony and let 
 us go. '' 
 
 CiiARLEs—A walk or ride with you is always pleasant, 
 tor 1 always find many new things to observe and to inquire 
 about. I will join you immediately. 
 
 F. — Now then, if you are ready. Our road lies through 
 a very varied country, now through dense woods, and then 
 amidst wide clearings, sometimes on lofty hills, and then into 
 valleys as deep. 
 
 C. — We cannot go a step out now, without seeing some- 
 thing new either in the vegetable or animal world. In my 
 
90 
 
 T 1 1 J'. { ' A X A D I A N N A 1' [ ' R A L I S '1 , 
 
 
 ? 
 
 ii^ 
 
 I 
 
 :i 
 
 it 
 
 'i.< 
 
 
 .■>! 
 
 'U 
 ii./ii 
 
 ifl 
 
 
 :1/1 
 
 It: 
 
 rambles about tlie farm and neigU])Ourhuofl, for a Avoek or two 
 past, I have observed many thingr^ wortJi noticing. 
 
 F. — I, too, have not walked with my eyes shut: but 
 what tokens of sjning's advance have //ok observed since our 
 last walk ? 
 
 C. — About a fortnight ago, the Robin appeared: I saw a 
 flock then, and since that time 1 have observed several flocks. 
 They are hopjting very familiarly about the wet grass-lands, 
 and the ploughed fields, searching, as I supyiose, for worms 
 and insects. He is conmionly called the Robin, though I 
 perceive no resemblance Itetween him and our English ro- 
 bin, excejit in the single circumstance of his having a red 
 breast. 
 
 F. — The American Robin is a species of thrush (T/o'dffs 
 Mi<irafor'nii<). In Newfoundland, where it is very common, 
 it is alwavs called the IMackliird. It is a saucv, familiar 
 bird, fond of man's neighbourhood, and more seen in our 
 fields and gardens than in the woods. Its song is not con- 
 temptible, but by no means comparable to that of the Song 
 Sparrow. The roliin is a very general favourite, but this does 
 not protect him from the assaidts of any idle boy that can 
 procure a gun. The flesh is sav(nuy, and great numbers of 
 them are shot for the table ; in Newfoundland especially, a 
 constant warfare is carried on against them, Avithout any 
 apparent diminution of their numbers. 
 
 C. — About the same time I saw the first butterflies this 
 season. In the woods, a small brown one flew by me, but I 
 was in a hurry, and could not stay to pursue it. The same 
 afternoon, I saw two, one of which I caught, and found it to 
 be the Green Connna ( Vrrapki Priniuo ? ). Three or four 
 days ago, I saw the Conipton Tortoise Butterfly (J'anessa 
 J.Alhtn/i), and the nolde Camberwell Beauty (Tan. An- 
 iiopa). 
 
 F. — These are fine butterflies, both in size and colour. 
 
 [/ 
 
 i 
 
 m' 
 
 .1 
 
or two 
 
 ; : but 
 ice our 
 
 saw a 
 
 flocks. 
 ,-lands, 
 
 ^Yorrns 
 10 ugh I 
 lish ro- 
 g a red 
 
 T>n-(/i's 
 ommon, 
 familiar 
 I in our 
 not con- 
 :he Song 
 his does 
 hat can 
 libers of 
 ially, a 
 |0ut any 
 
 Iflies this 
 pe, but I 
 Ihe same 
 und it to 
 or four 
 J'anessa 
 \an. An- 
 
 colour. 
 
 
 MAY. \l i 
 
 There is a very striking resemblance between the Com|iton 
 tortoise and its congeners tlie Tortoiseshells of I'higland, 
 both in colours and distribution of the tints, and tlie simila- 
 rity is equally striking in both the upjior and under surfaces, 
 though these differ so much from each otlier. The Camber- 
 well beauty, a rarity in England, is liere extremely connnon, 
 ehieflv in autumn, and is one of the latest sen of all our 
 butterflies. The first you named is a pretty fl}' ; the under 
 surface of the wings is very beautifully and richly variegat- 
 ed. The genus ih-ojita is not, I believe, generally atlopted ; 
 but it seems as natural a genus as almost any other of 
 the X>/)nj)lifdi<l(r. I have found four species in this place, 
 and one in the south, all of which can scarcely be distin- 
 guished from each other on the upper side, but vary greatly 
 beneath. They are all marked by a silver crescent in the 
 centre of the hinder wings, on the under surface : the Comj)- 
 ton tortoise reseml.iles them in this particular, l)ut tliis is a 
 true I'dHi't'sa. 
 
 C. — 1 have two new moths added to my collection, both 
 of them of small size. One is a very pretty Tinea, taken 
 about ten days ago ; the other I caught last evening, a small 
 but handsome Cicomeira- The cocoons of the Muff Moth 
 ( Lojilidcanijia Tessi'/ar/'sJ and Panther Moth f SpiloaniiHi 
 Arria), may both be foiuid under stones or boards, lying 
 on the ground. A pretty little bug, about as broad as it is 
 long, of a polished l)lack, with a white margin (Ci/<lnHK 
 ? J, crawls about. Icloteamons and Mnscce are nu- 
 merous. 
 
 F. — I have noticed, buzzing about the dead leaves which 
 lie under the maples, a large Masca that I have not seen 
 before ; the abdomen changeal>le Ijlackish-grey, the head light 
 brown, with dark brown eyes, and rather long antenuiu. It 
 is numerous. 
 
 C. — Among those same leaves, if we disturb them, we 
 
 1' 
 
 i 
 
!^ 
 
 9.S 
 
 THi: CAXADIAK NATURALIST. 
 
 1 ' 
 
 ri 
 
 I i 
 
 (T 
 
 find hundreds of the Httle Crimson-striped Cicadie ( TettiffOHia 
 \-Kitt((ta), and a green species, still smaller ('Vdtiijon'm 
 M(»lllj)cs), liojipiiig in every direction. I suppose they have 
 remained all the winter among these leaves, mider the snow. 
 
 F. — These things are all signs of spring ; but there is a 
 bird which, when it appears in any considerable numbers, is 
 considered peculiarly as the harbinger of summer. I allude 
 to the Swallow : as early as the Jilst of Aj ril, numbers of 
 them appeared. I was standing on the bridge near Smith's 
 mills, and CQuld not but admire their beauty, as they darted 
 under the arches of the bridge just beneath my feet ; they 
 st'emed to take great delight in skimming along the surface 
 of the water, sometimes just touching the surface, perhajis 
 catching minute insects, too minute to be discoverable by our 
 obtuse senses ; while their backs and heads glistened in the 
 sunbeams with the most glossy blue ; and their breasts, and 
 inner surface of their wings, showed a bright chestnut, visible 
 as they occasionally swept over head. The species was the 
 Barn Swallow (Hirumlo Americana), the most numerous 
 of all the species of this swift- winged race, that enliven the 
 air during our short summers. 
 
 C — Is this the species that builds its nest under the 
 eaves of barns, as the English martin does under the eaves of 
 dwelling-houses ? 
 
 F. — Yes : I have seen between thirtj' and forty nests 
 under the eaves of one side of a Itarn, nearly as thick as they 
 could be placed, besides many which were on the other side 
 and at the ends of the l)uilding. But this species likewise 
 builds within the barn, attaching its nest to the rafters and 
 beams. Square or lozenge- sha})ed holes are usually cut in 
 the boards at each end of a barn, to admit the 1 nrds ; and it 
 is astonishing to observe the precision with which they fly 
 through these holes, which are so small as frequently to 
 compel them to half close their wings in passing through. 
 
 i 
 
I 
 
 MAV 
 
 99 
 
 Vet ill suininor tliey may be seen flying to and fro, through 
 tliese hitles, many hundreds of times in a day. 
 
 C. — W'hv are the farmers so acconnnodatinfj to this hird :' 
 
 F. — All the sjtecii'S of swallows are universal favourites ; 
 and they well deserve to be cherished around our dwellings, 
 on account of the incessant and successful warfare which they 
 carry on against those insect pests, the musquitoes, sandflies 
 and other similar races. 
 
 C. — I have ol»served the musquito or gnat already abroad ; 
 but I have not yet been so unfortunate as to know by expe- 
 rience the effect of their liites. 
 
 F. — Vuu will not live long in that state of happy igno- 
 rance : before this month is ended, we shall have them 
 swarming av^und us, and our Vtodies will be continually co- 
 vered with large white tumours, attended with intolerable 
 itching, and followed by much inflanmiation and pain. It 
 is more particularly liy night that they make their insidious 
 attacks ; they swarm in our bed-chambers, and it is a very 
 common thing to see in the morning many of them lazily 
 pitched about the walls, and ceiling, their abdomens distended, 
 and almost bursting, with the blood which they have ex- 
 tracted fmm our veins at their leisure. It is almost impos- 
 sible to do anything in the fields after sunset, as one hand is 
 perpetually in reipiisition to drive them from our faces, l)ut 
 they return most pertinaciously to the attack, and, notwith- 
 standing all our etYurts, manage to cover our faces, necks, 
 heads, hands, and legs, with their Itites. Their ringing hum, 
 which always announces their approach, is listened to with 
 a feverish anxiety, and as it approaches the ear, is heard with 
 a dread and horror that is almost laughable when we consi- 
 der the size of the enemy. 
 
 C. — Is there more than one species that is so annoying ? 
 
 F. — There are two species at least, if not more, of the 
 must I ' - -^ - 
 
 (|uito (Culex) . 
 
 V -' 
 
 i 
 
V 
 
 :l 
 
 100 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 J 
 
 i'' 
 
 ■V. 
 
 lii 
 
 i! i' 
 
 Fly, a small species of dipterous fly, with hlack body, the 
 legs ringed with black and white (Sinndia — ?), whose l)ite is 
 similar in its effects to that of the musquito, but it does not 
 usually come into our houses. There is also a very minute 
 insect likewise dipterous, with mottled wings, the Sandfly, 
 or Midget, so small as to be scarcely visible: they appear in 
 myriads at nightfall, and Imry their heads in the flesh ; their 
 bite is not unlike a spark of fire, but it is not followed by 
 tumours ; a slight inflammation continues for a few minutes, 
 with itching. Neither of these two utters any sound as it 
 approaches, so that their attack is still more insidious than 
 tliat of the musquito. 
 
 C. — But is there no way of guarding against their as- 
 saults ? are we altogether at their mercy ? 
 
 F. — When they are too bad to be borne any longer, our 
 
 housewives make what they call a s)mi(l<ie ; that is, little 
 
 fires to windward of the house, covered with wet chips and 
 
 earth, which, smothering the flame, make a dense smoke ; this 
 
 being wafted by the wind around the house, prevents the 
 
 approach of the flies, as they cannot abide smoke : so we 
 
 tolerate one inconvenience to dispel a greater. There is no 
 
 other help, l)ut patience. Salt dissolved in water, rubbed 
 
 on a recent bite, prevents much of the evil effect. But we 
 
 know little, after all, of this evil, compared with those bold 
 
 and hardy men who first penetrated this vast wilderness, 
 
 and set up their solitary dwellings in the midst of the forest, 
 
 before roads were cut, or clearings made, or marshes drained ; 
 
 when clouds of venomous insects rose out of the rank swamps, 
 
 to which those we encounter are as nothing. I have heard 
 
 some of the first settlers declare, that they did not dare to go 
 
 out to work without a pine torch continually blazing on their 
 
 hats, to keep, by its smoke and flame, a small space around their 
 
 heads clear of these minute but formidable foes. But enough 
 
 of them. — There is a tree, if I recollect rightly, somewhere 
 
p 
 
 body, the 
 ose bite is 
 
 does not 
 y minute 
 
 Sandfly, 
 appear in 
 sh; their 
 owed })y 
 minutes, 
 nd as it 
 us than 
 
 MAY. 101 
 
 ul.out this pUice, whicli I wish you to see, fl^r it is quite a 
 eunosity. It is an elm of consideraMo size: one of the main 
 brandies, apparently the leading limb, has he.Mi partly bmken 
 ort ; but being heM by the under part, only inclines toward 
 the ground, without touching it ; from this broken bough 
 three vigorous and branchy shoots have arisen at some dfs- 
 tance from each other, presenting the curious appearance of 
 three young trees growing in the air. ^\'e shall come to it 
 soon, if we have not passed it unobserved. Vunder it is. un 
 the left hand side of the road. 
 
 heir 
 
 as- 
 
 ger, our 
 is, little 
 ips and 
 :e ; tliis 
 nts the 
 
 so we 
 } is no 
 rubbed 
 *ut we 
 36 bold 
 erness, 
 forest, 
 ained ; 
 amps, 
 heard 
 
 to go 
 I their 
 I their 
 lough 
 tvhere 
 
 
 UAvw,W(«,iJ*ir''^^''i5^f,'iV^^''';^'^^^ 
 
 SIMifl.AR K.'..M. 
 
 1 
 
\: 
 
 10:2 
 
 TIIK CAXADIAX NATC H A I.I nT 
 
 C — It lias indeed a very remarkuMe ajipcaranco. Il' 
 you will stay a tew moments, I sliouM like to take a hasty 
 
 sketch of it. 
 
 F. — Do so : I have seen several other instances of up- 
 right shoots springing froni a half-bmken linih, but none 
 having so singular a look as this one. While you are draw- 
 ing, I will go and look at this little pool liy the roadside. 
 
 I; !i 
 
 I?' 
 
 l.\ 
 
 C. — I have finished, and am ready to proceed. 
 
 F. — I have found in the pool a group of those merry 
 little creatures, the \Vhirll)cetles (Gf/rlnns JEhchu, S<:c.) in 
 full play ; twisting and twirling in their mazy evolutions, 
 with as much skill, and as much apparent enjin'ment, as a 
 band of full-grown ladies and gentlemen perform the myste- 
 ries of the quadrille in a hall-room. They whirl in and out 
 with surprising swiftness, and when a numlier are together, 
 it is wonderful how, in their giddy dance, they manage to 
 avoid coming in contact with each other, a thing which I 
 have never seen to happen, though I have very often watched 
 their merry play. They generally perform their evolutions 
 on the surface, but occasionally one glides through the water, 
 imder the rest, and presently comes to the top again, as dry 
 as before. Wliile under the surface, a bubble of air is al- 
 ways attached to them, which gleams like a little pearl. 
 The antennte are exceedingly short, being nothing more than 
 little knobs on the head, to the naked sight ; but the eyes of 
 this insect are the most remarkable part of its conformation, 
 and afford another out of the innumerable instances of pro- 
 spective wisdom in creation — an instance of adaptation of 
 an organ to its use, perhaps never surpassed. Most beetles 
 have two eyes ; but the G>/rhiffs has four, two on each side 
 of the head ; why is this remarkable exception to the general 
 rule ? The sphere of action of this beetle is the surface of 
 
I 
 
 MA^ . 
 
 10.) 
 
 the water, on wliich it swiins with ahout half its hody f-uli- 
 mergt'fl. Now it has need to guard against enemies tVom 
 above and Ixlow : eyes which would see well in the air, 
 would not si'i' Well in the water, on account of the dilVen-nce 
 in the density of tliese nudia, and besides, one pair of t-yes 
 could not )>f^ in h th tff** air and water at once. To obviate 
 this inconvt'iiit-nre, the (iiii'limn has one pair just above the 
 surface, and another pair just below, vrry close together, yet 
 sufficiently separate to be in diiferent elements. Insect 
 anatomists find that the two eyes, that is, the upper and 
 lower eye on each side, are joined internally, and connected 
 with one optic nerve, — an example of economy of materials 
 by no means unconnnon. 
 
 C. — Going down to Spafford's bridge yesterday, I ob- 
 served that the river had overiiowed its V'anks, and imm- 
 dat».'d the cxtonsive meadows and low lands on each side, 
 so that it looked like a large lake: the road was lm}>assable 
 for f(Jot passengers. 
 
 F. — These freshets, as they are termed, occur every spring, 
 and are caused by the melting of the accumulated snows of 
 the past winter. It is true our snow has disappeared some 
 time, and the roads are comparatively dry, but it is in the 
 mountains that these freshets oiiginate. The snow there 
 does not melt so soon as in less elevated regions ; and as all 
 the springs and rivers have their sources among the hills, 
 they are comparatively little affected, until the melting of 
 the mountain snows. — On such of our rivers as have steep 
 banks, as the St. Maurice and the Magog, I ani informed it 
 is not uncommon for sU'Ich to occur at this season. Heavy 
 spring rains undermine the earth, while yet frozen, and loosen 
 it from the subsoil, when large portions of the surface, with 
 all their trees and bushes, slide off the rock beneath, and 
 
10^- 
 
 TirE (AN'ADIAX XATLUALIST. 
 
 I S':i 
 
 descend like an avalanche into the river. Sometimes, the 
 side of a hill will slide, after a heavy and continued rain, 
 in the sunnner months, and do great damage. 
 
 C. — What can he the intention of those little houses 
 stuck on poles ? 
 
 /•'. — Have you not seen them before ? they are common 
 enough in this country, though we have none in our imme- 
 diate neighbourhood. They are put there solely for the ac- 
 commodati<jn of the Purple jMartin, a still greater favourite 
 than the Barn Swallow. The Purple Martin (llirHwlo 
 Purpurea) is the largest of all our swallows ; his colour is 
 nearly uniform, a deep glossy purple ; he generally arrives 
 about the same time with the barn swallow, though I have 
 not seen, or at least observed, any before those I now see 
 Hying about their little painted houses. As soon as they 
 come, they find lodgings ready prepared ; for very many of 
 our farmers, as well as those in the neighbouring States, have 
 taken the trouble to provide boxes for the martin : some 
 erect them on poles, as in this instance ; others fasten them 
 on the very peak or corner of the roof of their dwelling- 
 house. The making of the box in the form of a house, with 
 holes in the shape of doors and windows, with the roof painted 
 red, and the sides white, is the taste of the provider, but it 
 is a pretty general one. In the southern States, I have seen 
 gourds hung on the cut branches of a young tree, near the 
 planters' houses ; a mode which Wilson mentions as practised 
 |ty the Indians : and as far as I could see, the martins were 
 as well satisfied with this homely abode, as with the painted 
 and shapely houses of the North. I believe the providing of 
 a hituse for the martin is confined to the American inhalnt- 
 ants : I have never seen one erected by an English emigrant. 
 
 r. — I suppose the reason of their being petted is the 
 service they render in destroying flies. 
 
 F. — Like all the tribe, the purple martin feeds exclu- 
 
 u 
 
 \ 
 
?, Avith 
 
 t ■ 
 
 ( 1 
 
 MAY. 
 
 lO.-) 
 
 sively on insects ; but its chief service is its domineering 
 disposition : it attacks crows, hawks, and even eagles; and as 
 its powers of fliglit are sufficient to secure its own safety, it 
 makes a bold and fearless assault, and with such success as 
 effectually to drive any bird of these kinds from its vicinity. 
 
 Now draw in your horse a moment, and look at the pro- 
 spect from this hill : yonder white building is the ]Metho- 
 dist church, which, with its high tower surmounted by a 
 cupola, is a conspicuous object, and, together with the hand- 
 some dwelling-houses near it, agreeably contrasts with the 
 dark woods at the back : here in front are the fields just 
 putting on the verdant livery of spring ; behind, and to the 
 right, we see a silver sheet of water, smiling as peacefully us 
 if its surface had never been rufHed by a storm ; that is 
 Lake Masuippi. From its very edge rise steep and liigh 
 mountains, shagged with wood to the summits ; and the 
 whole picture is finished by the blue and distant hills of V^er- 
 mont ; hills of all shapes, mountain rising beyond mountain, 
 as far as the eye can see. This hill to the left hides Charles- 
 ton village from our sight, which is not more than tW') nr 
 three miles distant. But let us go on. 
 
 C. — I observe by the roadside the young leaves of the 
 thistle are appearing. 
 
 F. — The sprouting of this plant, the Canada Tliistle 
 (Cnicus Arvensis) I noticed about a week ago. It is one 
 of the most pestiferous weeds that are found amongst us, an 
 has of late years increased so rapidly as to become an object 
 of considerable alarm among farmers. It springs up among 
 the grain crops, and its sharp spines are so tbrmidalile as to 
 cause great difficulty in reajting grain in which the tliistle is 
 growing. It spreads rapidly too in grass lands. 
 
 C. — But is there no way to eradicate it '. 
 
106 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 Ijlil 
 
 F. — If suffered to ripen, its downy seeds are borne by 
 tJie wind in clouds, in every direction ; and as they readily 
 take root, and as the plant likewise is perennial-rooted, that 
 is, springs from the old root, it is difficult to keep it down. 
 Much might be done, liowever, if fanners were unanimous, 
 but the plant is in many cases permitted to grow and ripen 
 by the sides of the roads, whence the seeds are scattered over 
 the fields. Repeated mowings in summer will cause the 
 roots to wither and die ; and if each one would take the 
 trouble to cut off the flowering heads of those that grow in 
 the roads of his own farm, the plant would be prevented 
 from seeding. — This is the house at which I have business ; 
 it will not detain me long : if you please you can go in with 
 me, or take a look at the village. 
 
 C 1 will ramble about until you are ready. I shall 
 
 find sources of amusement, I dare say. 
 
 F. — Now, Charles, it is time to see about returning. 
 What do you think of Charleston ? 
 
 C. — It is a much prettier village than Compton ; it con- 
 tains handsomer and more tastt-ful houses, and more of 
 them. But I have not been in the village all the time you 
 have been engaged ; I have been entomologising in the 
 fields. 
 
 F. — Have you had much success ? 
 
 C. — Not very much : I have turned over stones, and 
 found under them several specimens of a large chestnut-co- 
 loured chafer, with flexible elytra ; it is something like the 
 cockchafer, but mucii more sluggish and inactive. 
 
 F. — It is frequently turned up by the plough, when 
 breaking up grassland: and I have likewise turned up 
 large larvfe of a scarab, which I take to be this species 
 ( Rli isotroya FervensJ . 
 

 M A V 
 
 10' 
 
 mmg. 
 
 C. — Besides these, I found the handsome Purple Carabus 
 
 (Carabus Catena.) ; and a Rosy Casefly f V/n\>/<ianea ?). 
 
 I also found two of a broad-winged Ichneumon (Ophion La- 
 tenm), a Green Byrrhus ( Ih/rrlius !'an'ifi<J, and a Black 
 Water-measurer (^CiVw/.s' J, sprawling on a brook : these three 
 are Newfoundland insects. These, with one or two otlu-rs 
 of little note, are all I luive collected. 
 
 F. — What goes yonder ? That is a butterfly we have 
 not seen this season before. It is the Forked ( f'anessa. 
 Fitrcillafa), a species common enough here, but in New- 
 foundland the most abundant of all the butterfly tribe. Mr- 
 Say speaks of having met wi;h it in his travels, "several 
 times," as if it were quite uncommon in the States ; and this 
 is not tlie only instance in which insects common with us 
 are marked by the American naturalists as great rarities. 
 
 C. — It is rather a pretty butterfly, though it has not 
 much variety of colour. Its larva, I believe, feeds on the 
 nettle. 
 
 F. — I perceive many persons have turned their cattle out 
 into the pastures, but it is little tliat they can pick up yet ; 
 they eat a good deal of the dead and bleached grass of last 
 year, which fills their stomachs, but yields them no nutri- 
 ment. The length of time necessary to stable his cattle 
 is one of the greatest drawbacks to a farmer's profit in 
 this country. We put up our cattle in October, and it is 
 the latter part of May before they can su[>port themselves in 
 the fields, so that we have to provide dried fodder for our 
 stock for upwards of seven months of the year. On this 
 account we are compelled to leave a very large portion of our 
 farms in grass, which otherwise might be more profitably 
 put under tillage. 
 
 C. — But hay usually bears a good price ; is it not there- 
 fore as profitable to mow land as to till it i 
 
lo.s 
 
 Tin: ( AXADIAX XATLUALI>>T. 
 
 • j, 
 
 1 1 
 
 n 
 
 F. — Sometimes to an individual it is : Ijiit you must re- 
 collect that the hay is sold from one farmer to another ; the 
 farmer is tiie consumer after all ; what one gains another 
 loses ; the farmers, as a class, reap no advantage from the 
 very highest price of hay, \vhate\er profit individuals may 
 realise. 
 
 C. — What do you think of this country as a place of 
 emigration for the farming class at home ? 
 
 F. — I\Iy opinion is, that much exaggeration, and very 
 highly coloured, if not absolutely false, statements have been 
 made in many of the pamplilets, and in some works of higher 
 pretensions, holding out expectations to the settler, which, in 
 a majority of cases, he no more realises than the Lion who 
 chased the rainbow, in the hope of obtaining the golden cup. 
 Travellers generally come here in summer, when the country 
 is clothed with beauty ; they see the crops growing, they 
 have no anxieties, no laltours, and are usually inclined to 
 be pleased with all they meet with ; they pass a few months 
 in going through the pleasantest part of the country, and 
 tlien think themselves qualified to give a descri})tion of Ca- 
 nada, setting forth in glowing colours all the pleasures, and 
 never noticing the disagreeables, probably because they know 
 nothing about them. A very remarkable instance of this in- 
 fatuation has come under my own personal knowledge. A 
 person whom I had known thought of emigrating to Canada ; 
 but previously, he determined on coming to see it. Accord- 
 ingly he arrived here in July, was of course kindly received 
 by his friends, who, as was natural, laid aside all gloom and 
 care, and even the ordinary labours of the farm, to entertain 
 him, and endeavoured to make him welcome to the best they 
 had. He was charmed, enraptured, with all he saw; purchased 
 a farm at once ; built all sorts of castles in the air, in project- 
 ing alterations and improvements ; remained a few weeks ; 
 and then returned to bring his fiuiiily to his estate in the fol- 
 
 ^1 
 
 n 
 
MAY. 
 
 ](lf> 
 
 lowing spring. On his return, ho published an account of 
 his journey in the most flaming and hyperbolical terms, quite 
 laughable to those acquainted with the country by ex])erience. 
 Supposing that because his friends sacrificed a portion of their 
 time to his amusement, they had therefore nothing to do, he 
 seemed to consider a farmer's life in Canada as one of ease 
 and pleasure, of abundance and luxury. He returned the 
 next summer to his paradise, found that there was some la- 
 bour, and toil, and privation, which he had not anticipated ; 
 did nothing to his farm, spent his means, and the next spring 
 gave up his purchase at a considerable loss, and went buck 
 poor and miserable. I fear this is too common a case. 
 
 C. — But I have seen some very favourable accounts from 
 persons resident here. 
 
 F. — They are generally from gentlemen who have capi- 
 tal ; or at least means enough to make them comtbrtalde, 
 without personal labour, in any country. These, suffering 
 none of the inconveniences and privations which assail ordi- 
 nary settlers, usually write as they feel ; and these accounts 
 are mostly given while the novelty of a forest life, and the 
 excitements of a new country, are fresh ; Ijofjre tlu-y have 
 begun to feel the want of that society to which tliey have 
 been accustomed, and of those luxuries and refinements which 
 only an old state of things can give. Perhaps it is not un- 
 charitable to suppose that some of the praises bestowed may 
 arise from the principle developed in the fable of the fox who 
 had lost his tail ; the friends they have left are anxious about 
 their welfare, and they feel reluctant to let those kind friends 
 suppose they are disappointed, and endeavour to persuade 
 tlieniselces they are not. I have known something of this 
 feeling myself. — I have resided here some time, and have 
 engaged personally in the labours of agriculture, and have made 
 many inquiries ; and I do not know an instance, with one sin- 
 gle exception, of an English emigrant, Avho is not dissatisfied 
 
no 
 
 THE CANADIAN X ATU U A LIST. 
 
 JE.I 
 
 with his exchange. Tlio exception is one of a gentleman who 
 has money at his disposal, and who has been here but a short 
 time, who, I have heard, takes off his hat, and blesses God that 
 ever He brought him to such a gar<len of Eden as this. A sub- 
 sistence can be procured here ; but it is by incessant labour: 
 the land is in general infertile, and the season of preparing the 
 ground for the summer's crops so exceedingly short, that a 
 man can do but little with his unassisted exertions. We 
 cannot usually harrow our fall-ploughed land until ^lay is 
 considerably advanced, on account of the frost in the ground, 
 and the conscrpient wetness. Then, there is all the grain to be 
 sown, and the potatoes to be planted, during the remainder of 
 May and a small part of June, or no return can be expected. 
 The sunnner is short, though warm ; early frosts fre<piently 
 destroy or greatly injure the wheat before it is ripe, and often 
 quite cut off the buckwheat and potato plants. I have 
 known severe night-frost as early as the twelfth of August, 
 doing incalculable injury. It is not an unconmion thing for 
 potatoes to be frozen and spoiled in the ground, before they 
 can be secured in autumn. Weeds, smut, rust, and liies are 
 full as pernicious here as in other places, and all tend to di- 
 minish the farmer's means of existence. The extreme seve- 
 tity of the winter, the thermometer frequently falling more 
 than 20° below zero, sometimes more than 30', is another 
 inconvenience severely felt by the poor farmer. The tending 
 of his cattle, and the cutting and drawing of firewood, are 
 sufficient to occupy nearly all his time in the short days of 
 
 winter. The advantages are, freedom from tithes and 
 
 taxes, a pure air, healthy climate, excellent water in abund- 
 ance, and the prospect of gradually but slowly increasing his 
 comforts, and leaving an inheritance for his family. Whether 
 these outbalance the disadvantages, I can hardly tell. If a 
 farmer in England finds that with all economy he grows 
 poorer, and thinks he could put up with these evils, and 
 
 M 
 
MAY. 
 
 Ill 
 
 another which I have not mentioned, the evil of exile from 
 courtry and home, he might better hia condition ])y coming 
 hither, if he has the means of setting himself agoing when 
 he arrives. But in common justice, in common humanity, 
 he ought to have both sides of the question fairly laid befjre 
 him, that he may know beforehand the difficulties he will 
 have to encounter, and not have to repent of his choice when 
 repentance is too late. I do not speak against emigration in 
 general ; but I think that emigrant makes a very unfortunate 
 choice, who fixes on the eastern townships of Lower Canada 
 as his place of residence. From what I have heard from 
 many sources, I believe that Upper Canada offers an incom- 
 parably greater advantage to the settler, without the peculiar 
 drawbacks of this country. 
 
 There is a class of emigrants, however, to whom these 
 townships hold out a very fair prospect. I mean the class of 
 agricultural labourers, who would be content to work for 
 hire. One of our greatest evils is the want of hands in busy 
 seasons, such as haymaking, harvest, &c. It is often very 
 difficult to hire labour at any price ; and good, and even higii 
 wages may at all times be secured. But that class of men, 
 as soon as they come here, almost invariably become discon- 
 tented, because everything is not exactly like England ; and 
 generally go into the States, probably going farther and far- 
 ing worse. Those that remain accumulate money so fast, 
 that the spirit of independence comes over them, and they 
 become farmers ; so that the lack of labourers continues, from 
 year to year, unsupplied. 
 
 C. — . Have you not drawn too dark a picture ? I have 
 found the winter very severe, and very dull ; but I have met 
 with many pleasant things, especially of late, since the spring 
 has begun to open. 
 
 F. — The naturalist finds gratification in any scene, and 
 at any season, if he can but get abroad among th(.' works of 
 
 { 
 
I l' 
 
 I 
 
 :^' 
 
 112 
 
 TIIK CANADIAN' XATLUALIST. 
 
 God ; and the bursting forth of life and vegetation, as the 
 glorious spring gladdens all creation, is an aVjundant source 
 of enjoyment to every benevolent mind. But the minds of 
 that class of men to whom I allude, are often incapable of 
 drawing water out of these wells, or at least a taste for such 
 enjoyments has never been awakened. And even if it had, 
 the tangible evils I have mentioned would be sufficient to 
 counterbalance the pleasures of the imagination. 
 
 C. — Let us return to our more accustomed and, I may 
 say, more interesting suljjects of conversation. I observed, 
 yesterday, the first flower of spring ; it is a low yellow syn- 
 genesious flower, much resembling in appearance a dandelion, 
 l)ut with a thicker and a solid stem, covered with scaly 
 bracts ; it had no leaves. 
 
 F. — I too have observed it in preceding years : it is the 
 common Coltsfoot f Tussilago Farfara) so useful in catarrhal 
 affections, but it is not abundant with us. The leaves 
 spring from the root, and do not appear mitil sometime after 
 the flower. A pretty little bird was shown to me a few days 
 ago, which had no doubt just arrived from the south. It was 
 the Pewit Flycatcher fM/(scicaj)a NunciolaJ ; it had been 
 caught within a house. The plumage, like that of many of 
 the flycatchers, is olive on the upper parts, with a dark 
 head ; the under parts are yellowish white. It has a simple, 
 rather monotonous note, " pewee ;" its habits are like those 
 of the rest of the tribe ; it is fond of taking its station on a 
 particular twig, whence it makes its frequent sallies after 
 flies, and to which it as constantly returns ; keeps its tail in 
 a continual motion, and often erects the dark feathers of the 
 head, like the kingljird, and others of this genus. 
 
 C. — The buds of the elder are opening. 
 
 F. — The early Elder {Sonibiicus Pnbescens) always 
 opens its flower-buds the first of our shrubs and trees, ex- 
 cept some of the catkin-bearing trees. We have two species 
 
 I n 
 
 
an, as the 
 nt source 
 minds of 
 ipable of 
 i for such 
 if it had, 
 Rcient to 
 
 d, I may 
 observed, 
 low syn- 
 mdelion, 
 1th scaly 
 
 it is the 
 catarrhal 
 e leaves 
 ne after 
 e\v days 
 
 It was 
 id been 
 nany of 
 
 a dark 
 simple, 
 e those 
 on a 
 after 
 
 tail in 
 
 of the 
 
 Iways 
 's, ex- 
 pecies 
 
 .M A V 
 
 1 1 .] 
 
 of elder, both abundant in the corners of our feiicos, and 
 much resembling each other: the second s])ecics (.V. ('min- 
 (/ensin) is called the late elder. These plants multiply and 
 spread rapidly ; and in some of the agricultural {•uldications 
 of the neighbouring States, I have seen C(»m})laints of them 
 as pernicious weeds, with iiupiiries for the best modes (tf ex- 
 tirpating them. 
 
 C. — There is a snake crossing the road. Are there many 
 species of snakes found in this country ^ 
 
 F. — I have never seen any but this species, the conunon 
 
 Chequered Snake, {Cobdjer ?) but it is possible there 
 
 may be more. 
 
 C — Is it venomous ? 
 
 /'. — No, perfectly harmless ; as I have proved Ijy exam- 
 ining the mouth : all venomous serpents have two or more 
 large curved fangs in the upper jaw, which are wanting in 
 harmless ones. " In general it may be said tluit innocent 
 serpents have four rows of teeth in the upper jaw ; two on 
 the palate, and one on each side : but that poisonous ser- 
 pents have no other outward or side-teeth but ihe fangs." 
 When attacked, this snake, like many other harmless kinds, 
 rears itself up in a threatening attitude, dilates its body, 
 brightens its colours, and darts in and out and vibrates its 
 red forked tongue : this organ, called by the vulgar " its 
 sting," and supposed to be the weapon of offence, is consi- 
 dered an undoubted token of its venomous nature. But in 
 reality, all these motions are but menaces ; there is no power 
 to do hurt, though they no doubt often serve as a protec- 
 tion. In common with the whole serpent race, it is the 
 object of universal enmity : every person seems to consider it 
 a sort of duty to kill snakes whenever they can be met 
 with, perhaps in conser|uence of the curse entailed on the 
 serpent that beguiled Eve. 
 
114 
 
 THK ("AXADIAX X ATI' K A I.I ST. 
 
 ('. — The snake Vjecomcs torpid tluring winter I believe ? 
 
 F. — Yes : it conceals itself in the fall, in some conve- 
 nient spot, such as under logs, often in heaps of stones, and 
 sometimes, I have reason to think, in the earth ; for in 
 ploughing late in the autunni, I once turned up a chequered 
 snake : it was inert and dull, but not torpid. 
 
 C. — At what period of the year does it cast its skin i 
 
 F. — I believe that is the first operation performed, after 
 its revivification in spring, and before it leaves its winter 
 concealment. An intelligent neighbour informed me that 
 once in turning over a heap of stones early in spring, before 
 the snow had all disappeared, he discovered a snake in the 
 very act of sloughing its skin ; the skin was stripped off from 
 the head to about the middle of the liody ; the displaced part 
 lay around it in close folds or wrinkles : even the eyes were 
 skinned. If I recollect aright, in Bingley's Ani i>al Biogi'a- 
 phy it is intimated that the snake crawls among the stalks 
 of plants, in order that the skin may be rubl>ed off by fric- 
 tion, and that it is turned inside out, as we draw off a stock- 
 ing. My neighbour's account appears far more probable : 
 besides, it is supported by analogy ; for it is exactly the 
 mode in which all caterpillars slough their skins, as I have 
 many times witnessed. The food 'f the snake is frogs, 
 toads, lizards, and probably insects. I once killed a snake 
 which I found in the field, (supposing then that it was 
 poisonous,) by dashing it against the ground : and some- 
 thing protruded, which I supposed was its bowels, but on 
 examination, I found it to be tlie pretty olive-spotted frog, 
 with an orange-coloured belly ( Rana Halecina ?) : it, too, 
 was torn, but whether this was done by the snake, or by the 
 shock against the ground, I don't know ; I suspect the latter, 
 and that it had been swallowed whole, and probably alive. 
 A friend of mine informed me that he once saw a snake of 
 unusually large size, and determined to kill and open it ; 
 
 
.M A Y 
 
 Jo 
 
 [ lielieve ? 
 ne conve- 
 ones, and 
 1 ; for in 
 'liequered 
 
 skin { 
 led, after 
 s winter 
 me that 
 g, before 
 e in the 
 
 off from 
 ced part 
 /es were 
 
 Biogra- 
 le stalks 
 by fric- 
 a stock- 
 obable : 
 I'tly the 
 
 I have 
 I frogs, 
 I snake 
 it was 
 
 some- 
 but on 
 d frog, 
 it, too, 
 by the 
 latter, 
 
 alive, 
 ake of 
 ;n it ; 
 
 wliich he accordingly did, and found a very arge grees 'r«>g, 
 which was dead of course, but unbroken. It sarins iujj ••^si- 
 ble that so slender an animal as a snuke can swallow or con- 
 tain so large a creature as a frog, but the jaws, throat, and 
 body, are capable of })riidigious distension. 
 
 C. — I have read that the sloughs of snakes arc an object 
 of superstition with some Indian tril)cs, and are used in their 
 pretended magical rites. 
 
 F. — They are also an indispensable aiticle in tiie nests of 
 some birds ; perhaps from their softness, as they are ex- 
 tremely thin and smooth. 
 
 I have lately perceived the young deep green leaves 
 of the Wild Leek (^Alliu)n Vincalc) sprouting through the 
 dead leaves on the ground, in the maple woods. This plant 
 is greedily eaten by the cattle, probably because anything 
 fresh and green is now accei)tal^le to them ; but if milch 
 cows eat it, it gives a strong and unpleasant taste to their 
 milk, so as sometimes to make it unfit for use. This flavour 
 is in a considerable degree dissipated by slightly heating it 
 as soon as bi'ought in. 
 
 C — I was much deceived last evening in a sound I 
 heard : as I was standing in the field behind the house, about 
 twilight, I heard what seemed to be the rattling of a thou- 
 sand carriages on a rough road, about half a mile off. I 
 could not think what it could be ; but on going towards it, 
 I found it proceeded from the marshy spot below the barn, 
 and on my approaching discovered that it was nothing more 
 than the cackling and croaking of myriads of frogs. As I 
 came pretty close, I could see one after another splash into 
 the water, and the croaking gradually grew less and less 
 until it altogether ceased. I had not left them long, how- 
 ever, before they tuned up their musical throats again, and 
 
116 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATUUALIsT. 
 
 1; ., 
 
 cackk'il " TipttcEKEKe^ Koal >;octS," as vociferously as bofl»re. I 
 c'ciulil not help laughing, to think how egregiously I had been 
 mistaken. 
 
 F. — They have just awaked from their half year's 
 sleep ; and will now nightly serenade us with the same 
 delightful sounds, for several weeks to come. Occasionally 
 the Bull-frog (li. Pipions) comes in with his bass, making 
 a deep hollow sound, something like the short bellow of a 
 distant bull. These sounds, with the whistling of the 
 lizards, fill the air in the neighbourhood of the marshy places 
 .the Avhole night long ; and are very annoying at first, but 
 habit soon accustoms the car to this, as well as to most 
 other annoyances of a similar nature. That which is often 
 repeated, except absolute j)ain, ceases to aft'ect us with sen- 
 sations either of disgust or pleasure ; and becomes a mere 
 matter of course, so as scarcely to be perceived. 
 
 A 
 
 I 
 
 % 
 % 
 
 ii 
 
11 
 
 •efure. I 
 had been 
 
 If year's 
 he same 
 asionally 
 making 
 low of a 
 : cf the 
 ly places 
 irst, but 
 to most 
 is often 
 ith sen- 
 a mere 
 
 r* 
 
 TX. 
 
 MAY 10th. 
 
 Bfltt'd Kinpfishor. — fiolil-wiimcd Woodpecker. — Pilfated Woodpecker. 
 — l{ed-\viiitfed StiiiTmjr. — Hald lOiifilc. — Meadow Lark. — Fernij.'iiious 
 'J'liru^li. — Marvland Maniint. — Hirch Stump. — Insects. — ( Irey- veined 
 White Buttcrriy. — Spring A/ure 11. — I)oj;Vtootli Violet. — Tamarack. 
 — Klni IJlossoms. — <.)va of Frofrs. — Leather Plant. — UaNplierry. — Hlack 
 Cherry. — Red Cherry. — Hat. — Sliort-tailed Field Mou>e. — Instance n) 
 maternal Care. 
 
 Charles 1 have been taking a walk this afternoon by 
 
 myself; my course has been down to Smith's mills, crossing 
 the bridge, and following the river a little way ; occasionally 
 straying into the woods, as I took my gun with me. 
 
 Fathkh. — I perceive you have had some success in pro- 
 curing birds. 
 
 ('. — What is this bird ;* its head is too large to allow 
 the form to be graceful ; but its colours, blue and white, are 
 chaste, and even elegant. 
 
 F. — It is the Belted Kingfisher {Akedo AJoijo,,) -. its 
 habits are much like those of its more showy congener, tiie 
 English kingfisher. 
 
 C. — I shot it near the mill : it was perched on the 
 liranch of a cedar which overhangs the water just below the 
 falls, where the cliff is high and precipitous ; I had some 
 difficulty in securing it after I had killed it, for it fell in the 
 water. It was probably watching for fish among the pools 
 and eddies caused by the rocks. 
 
 F It generally frequents such situations : it no doubt 
 
118 
 
 TilK CANADIAN NATl'RALIST. 
 
 M 
 
 finds its prey abundant, many fish being driven over the 
 falls, and entangled among those rocky shallows below. 
 
 C. — I heard its sudden rattling cry two or three times, 
 before I could ^ot a shot at it. Is it migratory ^ 
 
 F. — I have never met with it in winter ; and as our 
 streams and rivers are fast frozen up at that season, I should 
 think it impossible for it to subsist. 
 
 C. — I have obtained a specimen of a very beautiful bird, 
 the Gold- winged Woodpecker (Pt'r//s Auratus), which was 
 hopping about the ground, and the rails of the fence. 
 
 F, — In this respect it differs from the other woodpeckers ; 
 for they are very rarely, if ever, seen on the ground, and 
 not often on the fence ; whereas, this species is more com- 
 monly found in such situations than in o'.y others. This, 
 though it often rests perpendicularly, and climbs, like its 
 lirethren, yet more frequently sita on a Itough, or on a rail, 
 like other birds. He is very fond of ants, and to search for 
 these is probably the business which so often lirings him to 
 the ground : he does not perforate trees so much as the 
 others, though still he does a little business in that line. 
 
 C. — The common people here call it " W'ickup ;" its 
 common cry consists of one note repeated very rajiidly, 
 many times, so as almost to resemble a shake in nuisic. 
 
 F. — I was once shown the nest of a Gold-wing j it was 
 in the State of Alabama, where it is called the Yellow-ham- 
 mer. The nest was in a hole in a decayed stump, about 
 twelve feet from the ground ; the hole was round and small, 
 but widened within, and turned downwards. It contained 
 four young ones, almost Hedged. A boy took out one to 
 show me, which he put in again, and for some time after, 
 they kept up a singular hissing noise, sufficient to deter any- 
 one from exploring their hole who was not acquainted with 
 the origin of the sound. The colours of this bird are beauti- 
 ful, without being gaudy. 
 
 % 
 
.M AV. 
 
 lU) 
 
 as our 
 
 C. — I saw a still finer species, the iiolile Pileated Woml- 
 pecker {V. Pileatn-^), with his Mack bo<ly, and white wiuffs, 
 and high conical cap of deep scarlet. He was stripping the 
 bark from a dead spruce, in the hlack-tim])ered woods, and 
 seemed to enjoy the sjiort, as he laughed a good deal at it. 
 1 wanted to spoil his tune, but could not get near enough to 
 shout him. 
 
 F. — The notes of the pileated woodpecker resembk' the 
 loud horse-Uiugh of a person with a cracked voice, gradually 
 sinking, which makes the resemblance perfect ; those of the 
 Red-headed {P. Er^tlirocephalux), are a cackling repetition 
 of one sound. The pileated is not migratory, liut is occa- 
 sionally seen in winter ; it is not however at all numerous at 
 any season. 
 
 C. — On the willows and hazels in the marsh bordering 
 the river, was a tiock of pretty l)irds, all over shining lilack, 
 except the slioulders of the wings, which are bright scarlet, 
 edged with whitish. I shot two of tiieni. 
 
 /'. — It is the Uedwingfil Starling ( Shu i/>i.^ Prrilnfa- 
 rhi.^) ; a bird nuich hated ly the farmers of the neighliour- 
 ing States, by whom it is called "Corn thief," on account of 
 its appearing in couiith'ss myriads in the fields of Indian 
 corn when >. is si»i"t, which it devours in. immense tiuantities. 
 With us, however, they do not assemlile in such numbers as 
 to )ie f)rmidable ; a few flocks, and those not numerous, are 
 all that We usually see during the season. 
 
 C. — They had a singular kind of crowing sound, rather 
 melanch(»ly, and now and then opened their wings as they 
 sat on the trees. There were several among them, whose 
 plumage was Ijlack, mottled with white, which I take; to 
 
 have been females. These are all that I succeeded in 
 
 procuring, Imt I saw several others that were new to me. 
 One in particular 1 very much wished to obtain. At 
 a very lonely }iart of the river, aliout a quarter ot" a mile 
 
 s 
 

 i 
 
 :m: 
 
 ■ I 
 
 I 
 
 11' 
 
 |] 
 
 120 
 
 THE CAXADIAX XATL'IIAMST. 
 
 bolow the fulls, where its rocky course is liounded on each 
 side l>y high cliffs, topped with thick evergreen woods, I saw 
 sitting on the limb of an old hemlock that grew out of tlie 
 side of the cliff, a very large eagle, of a dark )>rown coloiu-, 
 except the whole of the head, which Avas white. I suppose 
 it was the celelirated Bald Eagle ( Falco Leucoccjihaht.t), the 
 en^hlem of America ; it took to flight l)efore I could come 
 near it, and sailed down lietween the cliffs, till a bend in the 
 river hid it from me, and I saw it no more. 
 
 F. — It was doubtless what you suppose it to have been ; 
 it is a nolile bird, and is not altogether rare. 
 
 C — Some pretty birds were running about the field at 
 the margin of the river: the upper parts of the body were 
 brown, mottled with black, the under parts liright yellow, 
 except a black mark on the breast. They allowed me to 
 approach pretty near, but I fired and missed my l>ird, when 
 thev all took to wing. 
 
 F. — That is the Meadow Lark, another visitant from the 
 south (AI((U(la MajfnaJ: they are shot for the talile, and 
 are a delicacy. They are much larger than the larks of 
 England, but resemble them in many of their habits. Their 
 song is sweet. 
 
 C. — Early this morning, 1 tefore I set out on my walk, I 
 saw a bird, evidently a species of thrush, sitting on the top 
 of a tree, singing with all his might, and with great sweet- 
 ness of expression. He was of a bright red-lirown above, 
 and the under parts white, spotted with Ijrown, like the 
 songthruiih of England. His attitude was singular; for he 
 kept his tail spread out, and ]>ent under him as he sat on 
 the bough. I could easily have shot him, Init he sang so 
 delightfully that I had not the heart to do him a wrong. 
 
 F. — It is the Ferruginous Thrush (Tin-ilus Ruft(s) ; 
 and is a very prominent musician among the choir, wiiich 
 are just beginning tu lill our woods with harmony. 
 
 i 
 
MAY. 
 
 U'2 
 
 on each 
 Is, I saw 
 ut of the 
 '11 colour, 
 [ suppose 
 h(i^), the 
 Lild come 
 lid in the 
 
 ,ve been ; 
 
 3 field at 
 (.idy were 
 t yellow, 
 id me to 
 rd, when 
 
 from the 
 
 iMe, and 
 
 larks of 
 
 Their 
 
 walk, I 
 
 h the top 
 
 t sweet- 
 
 |n above, 
 
 like the 
 
 ; for lie 
 sat on 
 
 sang so 
 
 iiig. 
 
 ', which 
 
 C. — But I have more game which you have not seen : I left 
 it in the kitchen, but I will fetch it. It is a curious animal. 
 
 ,3 
 
 
 WOOIX IIt( K. 
 (A irUniijis Miiiuiz ). 
 
 F. — This is the Maryland Marmot ( Ardomi/s Mo)iax ) ; 
 it is common in the temperate parts of this continent. In 
 some places it is called the Ground Hog, but here it is better 
 known by the name of Woodchuck. It feeds on cabbage and 
 other garden vegetables, young corn, &c. and devours vast 
 quantities, so that it is considered an injurious animal. He 
 retires underground about the middle of September, and is 
 generally very fat in spring. His luirrows are long and cham- 
 l)ered, and he sleeps in these even during the sunmier, taking 
 care to make himself a soft bed, for he is very attentive to his 
 own comfort. He cannot run very fast, and generally makes 
 fur his burrow if alarmed ; but he is easily caught by a dog. 
 
 ( '. — Is the flesh good for food ? 
 
 F, — It is often eaten, and 1 have partaken of it ; liut the 
 flesh, and especially the fat, has a rank and rather disagree- 
 al>le taste. 
 
 C. — I shot it in the woods, more from curiositv to know 
 what it was, than from any supposition of its being valu- 
 able. In entomology I have made some new captures : I 
 found in the woods the stump of a very large birch, which 
 
 o 
 
 i 
 
TOO 
 
 1 r^ .-^ 
 
 THE CAXADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 ! 
 
 Ml 
 
 w 
 
 if 
 
 Htj i 
 
 m 
 
 I 
 
 liad been cut down in the winter ; the sap has flowed from 
 it profusely, and is still flowing, and the whole top, and all 
 down the sides, is covered with a thick coat of that pink 
 mucilage you mentioned the other day. Great numbers of 
 insects were crawling about this substance, several of which 
 I took ; a convex C/irf/so)in;la, resembling silver, sculptured 
 with black curves and marks ( lAtmoljms Bf(/sh^a)U(J : it is 
 a very elegant little beetle : another beetle, of a bright crim- 
 son (ChcuJ)i.^ Rfifas) ; two or three little Ijlack ones, with 
 scarlet bands ( Ips Quadrijvoictata ?) ; two black- winged 
 Tenlliredhu'tcr ; and a red-bodied Iclmeumon, with a yellow 
 scutellum (I. Devhictor? J. I took a silver Chrysumela of 
 the same species, from the very same spot yesterday ; a sin- 
 gular coincidence. I have also captured several moths : four 
 Geonu'tro', and a Tartrix, none of which have much preten- 
 sion to beauty. I have a very elegant little species of locust, 
 the Spotted Fan-wing fJcn/- 
 di'on Ontatniii): the thorax 
 is elongated and tapers to a 
 point, which reaches to the 
 tail ; the wings are perfectly 
 transparent, opening like a 
 (lui, and are very finely net- 
 ted with delicate lace-work ; 
 they reflect the prismatic colours, like mother-of-pearl. On 
 a pool by the road-side, I caught two species of \\'ater-mea- 
 surer (iierris), very much like my former species, but both 
 of these have wings, whereas the former is apterous in all its 
 stages. I caught also a four spotted Ladybird (C/tilocorKS 
 
 ? ) and a little Cur-culio in flight. 
 
 F. — I have been busily engaged to-day, sowing wheat, and 
 have noticed some novelties. I took, crawling on the newly 
 ploughed ground, the Copper-spot Carab (CalDKoma CalidumJ, 
 a large beetle, the elytra black, marked with rows of round 
 
 SrOTTED FAN- WING. 
 
 ( Aci'i/ili/au Ornatiini. ) 
 
I 
 
 red from 
 and all 
 hat pink 
 Tibers of 
 )f which 
 Lilptured 
 ') : it is 
 ;ht crim- 
 les, with 
 c-winged 
 a yellow 
 ;omela of 
 I ; a sin- 
 :hs : four 
 h preten- 
 of locust, 
 
 U 
 
 1'.) 
 
 arl. On 
 iter-mea- 
 but both 
 in all its 
 7/f/ocon/s 
 
 leat, and 
 10 newly 
 
 of round 
 
 i 
 
 1 
 
 MAY. 
 
 123 
 
 ( orrKii-si'oT. 
 (('< (I Delimit ('itlilnni. ) 
 
 hollow dots, wJiich shine like 
 new copper. A strong odour 
 proceeds from it, resenildiiig 
 that (if prussic acid, ctr al- 
 mond kernels. It is not un- 
 common throughout the vear, 
 in meadows and ]ilought.d 
 fields. I also saw two new 
 butterflies, the Grey-veined 
 White (Vo/itia Olerarea J , 
 and the beautiful little Spring 
 Azure (Volijommatns I:ii- 
 (ia) ; these last were quite 
 numerous, but confined to a small space of the road, and a part 
 of the field adjacent : they are exceedingly playful ; chasing 
 each other through the air, and though often alighting on the 
 ground, remaining scarcely an instant before they are in 
 flight again, flitting about over one particular spot, which 
 they seem reluctant to leave. Notwithstanding they are so 
 restless, they are not difficult of apjjroach, and are easily 
 caught. The colour of their wings, a delicate azure blue, is 
 exceedingly Itrilliant. 
 
 C. — In the hard- woods, I observed several }>lants springing 
 up through the fallen leaves of autumn, many of them liavmg, 
 in growing up, pierced through a dead leaf. They generally 
 consist ij'i one leaf, hollow or sheathed at the bottom, but 
 some have another smaller leaf, ajipearing in the sheath of 
 the first. Their colour is peculiar ; they are of a polished 
 green, with more or fewer brown spots, many of which run 
 into each other, and cover a large part of the surface. A 
 single stem springs from the leaf, surmounted by a very ele- 
 gant droo))ing flower, of a bright yellow. 
 
 F. — It is the Yellow Dog-tooth Violet ( EriiOivonuon Aine- 
 ricamim), which blooms abundantlv in the beech woods. 
 
»«*• 
 
 121 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATIKALIST 
 
 r 
 
 
 
 
 1 ti 
 
 1 1, 
 
 >'i 
 
 THE YEf./.OW DOG-TOOTH VIOLET. 
 
 ( Enitlironiitm Aiiwrkamiui ). 
 
MAY. 
 
 V2: 
 
 '-i 
 ( 
 
 I'l 
 
 ('. — I fljund on most of them, in the very bottom of the 
 corolla, some little black beetles, with a red thorax. ( Tclf- 
 phonis ? ) 
 
 F. — The leaf buds of the Larch or Tamarack (Piics 
 Pendnla) are bursting; a deciduous member of an evergreen 
 family. 
 
 C. — The tops of the elms are quite yellow ; is this co- 
 lour caused by the opening of the leaf-buds ? 
 
 F. — No : the elm has not yet begun to leaf ; but it has 
 been in full flower about a week. The blossoms are yelluw 
 and very small ; from some trees they have already liegun to 
 fall, and are thickly strewn on the gi'ound beneath. The 
 seeds ripen and are shed in June, at which time they may be 
 collected ; and as the elm, if properly treated, would make 
 an excellent hedge, it would be worth while for our farmers 
 to plant the seeds for that purpose. It grows rapidly, and 
 makes a strong shoot the first season. 
 
 C — In standing water, I observed many masses of cK-ar 
 jelly-like substance, containing a number of small lihuk 
 glolniles. 
 
 F, — They are the eggs of frogs ; they are all deposited at 
 once, enveloped in this mass of jelly, which both serves as a 
 protection to them, and keeps them from being washed away. 
 When near the time of hatching, the young tadpole may be 
 distinctly seen with a microscope in one of these eggs ; but 
 I suspect they are not yet sufficiently matured. The frog 
 deposits its ova almost immediately after it revives from 
 torpidity : we may always see these masses a very few days 
 after we first hear their croaking. 
 
 C. — I found a shrub very numerous in the woods, co- 
 vered with yellow flowers, very small, with thick downy 
 envelopes. I have a twig of it ; I was ol>liged to cut it ofl' ; 
 for, small as it is, the bark was so tough tiiat I could not 
 tear it. 
 
 1 
 
 I 
 
: I 
 
 
 I i 
 
 I 
 
 111 
 
 i\ 
 
 s 
 
 126 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 F. — That is the Leather plant (DIrca Pahistris), so 
 called from the extreme toughness of the inner bark, which 
 is so strong that the stoutest man could not break, Vjy pulling, 
 a strip of an inch in width, taken from the main stem. The 
 bark is used as strings for many purposes, especially by 
 millers, who collect great quantities for the purpose of tying 
 their flour bags. The wood, when stripped of the bark, is 
 remarkably soft and brittle, snapping with tho slightest 
 eftbrt, almost like the pith of elder. Like the elm, it blos- 
 soms before leafing. It is here commonly known by the 
 name of Wickaby. 
 
 C — The leaves of the raspberry are opening. Is this 
 plant a native ? 
 
 F. — I believe it is : Eaton mentions it by the name of 
 Rubus IdcEus, among the native plants. It grows and spreads 
 abundantly, so as quickly to overspread a large space of 
 ground. I have never seen it in the primitive woods, but 
 whenever a clearing is made, the raspberry appears. I 
 think it is the most delicious of our native fruits ; fully 
 equal, if not superior, to the garden raspljerry of England : 
 an unusual thing, for the advantage is almost universally 
 on the side of the cultivated fruit. In Newfoundland, it 
 also grows abimdantly, and in the most unpromising situa- 
 tions, springing up from a mere bed of stones. As a weed 
 it is troublesome, and not very easy to eradicate : mowing 
 will, however, keep it down in grass land, and in tillage 
 land we plough them up, and turn the bushes under the 
 furrow. The stumps of trees that have been cut down, 
 which we are obliged to leave in the ground for several years, 
 ))ut which give our fields so unsightly an appearance, are 
 invariably surrounded by a clump of raspberry bushes ; 
 these seem privileged places. Another fruit-bearing plant, 
 but of somewhat fairer proportions, is leafing ; the Black 
 Cherry ( Pruniis Jln/inianaJ. The cherry grows to a con- 
 
 % 
 
 i 
 
MAY. 
 
 127 
 
 
 
 siilerablc tree, and has a spreading body, and a handsome 
 outline, but its foliage is too thin to liave that massy richness 
 which gives so much beauty to many trees. Its wood is 
 hard, of a fine grain, and susceptible of a polish, and from 
 these qualities, and its colour, a dark red, it is in demand for 
 furniture, which sometimes has no small resemblance to ma- 
 hogany. The red cherry, whose fruit is very dissimilar in 
 colour and flavour, is, I believe, a distinct species (P. Bn- 
 realis). Except by the fruit, they can scarcely be distin- 
 guished from each other : the red, however, rarely grows to 
 any size. 
 
 C. — In coming home this evening, I saw a l)at in flight : 
 I should scarcely think there are yet moths enough abroad 
 to support him. 
 
 F. — Though moths are his favourite food, I do not think 
 he altogether conflnes himself to that diet, but occasionally 
 makes a meal of other msects : and an entomolornst of his 
 skill and industry, no doubt, can manage to capture many 
 specimens, even at this season. 
 
 (\ — Under large stones and the like, I find many pass- 
 ages, turning in every direction, made in the surface of the 
 ground, about half an inch deep: in some of them there is a 
 great quantity of soft dried grass : as much as a man could 
 hold in both hands, I have taken out. 
 
 F. — They are the l>urrows and nests of the Short-tailed 
 Field-mouse ( A r cicala PetDt.v/h'anicns) , a destructive little 
 animal, which every farmer kills at every opportunity. In 
 ploughing grass land, we frequently disturb them ; and as 
 they cannot run very fast, though they are nimble in creep- 
 ing into crevices and under the clods, they very often sutVer 
 death. The fanner's animosity against them arises from 
 their fecundity, and their ajjpetite for grain and Indian 
 
 ] 
 
 i 
 
 i 
 
128 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 corn, of which they destroy a gi-eat quantity. This animal 
 is ahout four inches long, besides the tail, which is aV)Out an 
 inch more ; the head is roundish and blunt ; the fur is thick 
 and soft, the colour a kind of iron-grey on the back, the un- 
 der parts light grey. They are very numerous. A friend of 
 mine told me that once in the month of June, a mouse of 
 this kind, whose nest he had exposed by turning over a large 
 stone, was endeavouring to make her escape with three 
 young ones which clung cleverly to their mother's back, 
 holding with their teeth, and not retarding her progress in 
 the least. His admiration of the maternal care of the old 
 one was not, however, a sufficient inducement to prevent his 
 killing the whole four. There is another species of Field- 
 mouse (Mies I.eiicopus?J, much smaller, of a lighter brown, 
 and with a tail considerably longer than the body. I have 
 never seen more than one specimen of it, and that I did not 
 preserve. 
 
12.0 
 
 X. 
 
 MAY 20th. 
 
 IJiccliiiiitini:. — Blacklmni Warblof. — Canada Flycatdior. — Ray-hiva>toil 
 \\'arl)lcr. — Piir|ile (irakli". -- Hiisty (iraklo. — Kingliinl. — Vcllow- 
 l)inl, — ^cark't Tiiiia-jcr. — JJotHy. — Moths. — Carrion Ik-t-tlfs. — 
 Sjiarklcrs. — Ui-ricctions of Colour, — Poplars. — Curious Fact. — Halm 
 (.f ( lili'ad. — I^eaf-liuils. — Thorn. — Hcdirt's. — Hircli. — White liinh . 
 
 — Him. — Makinu; Salts. — lloitrht of Hlius. — Cprootod Trees. — Leaf- 
 ing of Lojfs. — Rock Maple — Soft Mai)lc. — ( >ak. — Service. — Purple 
 Finch. — Singular Dance. — \V'ild (Joosoberry. — Willows. — Insects, 
 
 — River Coatacook. — Indians — their warfare — war-whoop — domes- 
 tic manners — religion — goverinnent — language — sulferiiigs — anec- 
 doH's. — Kveniny; Walk. — Perfiune of IJalm of Ciilead. 
 
 Fathkh. — Every day now increases our sources of plea- 
 sure and enjoyment. Xatiu'e now opens her stores so tlist, 
 that we have scarce time to look on one object Ijetbre another 
 is presented to our view, and in the multitude we doulitle.ss 
 overlook many altogether. The labours of agriculture, 
 although by employing us in the fields and woods, they 
 aftbrd us opportunities for the observation of nature at tiiis 
 peculiarly interesting season, yet afford us little leisure to 
 search for her more hidden operations, or even to duly mark 
 those that fall under our notice. Very many interesting 
 facts we cannot fail to observe ; among which the successive 
 arrival of one bird after another, from its hybernation in 
 milder latitudes, is not the least worthy of remark. 
 
 Charles. — What species have you noticed since our last 
 conversation on the su1)ject ? 
 
Ill 
 
 '1 
 
 \i 
 
 •i 
 i 
 
 i 
 
 i' t 
 
 1l!'' 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 V 
 
 i I 
 
 
 
 t 
 
 130 
 
 TflE <ANA1)IA\ XATlUAMsT. 
 
 ■ f'\ — On the fifteenth, I ohservcJ several little featheRd 
 strangers : the trees and liushes being still leatless, aftbrd faci- 
 lities for discovering l)irds, which a few weeks later we shall 
 not possess. The first I noticed was that well-known bird, 
 the Ricebunting ( Etnhcfi^n ()r)i:^)i'ora), familiarly known 
 to everybody here by the name of Bob Lincoln, from his 
 call, uttered as he sits on a rail of the fence, or a brancii of 
 a tree, which much resembles the words " Bol) Lincoln," but 
 still more " Boh lAnkluKj^' whistled with a very peculiar 
 intonation, the middle syllable being in a much hiuher note 
 than the others. Yonder one sits on the fence now : do you 
 note his call ? 
 
 C. — Yes ; he repeats his name very distinctly : as ii 
 stranger, he perhaps thinks it a point of politeness to an- 
 nounce himself. He is a pretty but singularly marked bird ; 
 the W'hole of the under parts being deep black, and the back 
 of his head and neck white, and his back being chiefiy of the 
 same colour, make a very curious appearance ; the distribu- 
 tion of the colours being opposite to that of most other 
 birds, which have the darkest tints above, and the lightest 
 beneath. 
 
 F, — This is the male : the female has the back brownish, 
 and the under parts dull yellow ; and in the sunnner the 
 male throws off his black and white dress, and becomes like 
 his mate. I have never known them to do us any consider- 
 able injury, but in New England, and in the Southern States, 
 they do great damage ; in the former, by devouring the oat 
 crop in summer, and in the latter, by the devastations they 
 conmiit in the wheat fields in spring, and among the rice in 
 autumn. For these reasons, and because his flesh is highly 
 esteemed, no mercy is shown to him ; but the inmiense 
 Hocks that appear are thinned by the combined guns of all 
 the sportsmen in their vicinity. 
 
 C. — Has he no other notes but the " Bob Linkling ?" 
 
 I 
 
 \ 
 
M A V 
 
 l.Jl 
 
 F. — Oh, yes ! liis song is very ploasinp; ; of wliich Wil- 
 son says, " Some idea may be tbrmed of this song, by strik- 
 ing the high keys of a pianoforte at random, singly and 
 •juiikly, making as many sudden contrasts of high and low 
 notes as possilde." I observe that they have a habit of sus- 
 pending themselves in the air, and then coming gradually 
 down, singing mure and more rapidly till they alight, and in 
 the moment of alighting, make a hissing, or sometimes a low 
 guttural sound. They do not usually fly high, but sing in 
 this rapid manner, hovering over a fieM. After having 
 Iteen several years in this country, on my return to England, 
 hearing for the first time the skylark in the air, and turning 
 quickly round and seeing the bird singing as it descended, 
 my first impression was, " there is a Bob Lincoln." 
 
 C. — What other birds have you lately noticed ? 
 
 F. — The Blaekburnian Warl)ler (S>/lcia lilarkhurnld) 
 is one ; a little bird of great beauty : the whole upper ]»arts 
 are black, the black on the crown of the head, bounded and 
 divided in the middle by lines of rich orange ; a large white 
 spot on the wing ; the whole throat and breast rich fiery 
 orange with black spots ; the belly yellow. It is very rare 
 in the United States, but here, I sec some every s{)ring ; and 
 in some seasons they are quite conmion : they are not very 
 shy, coming around the house, and allowing a person to aji- 
 proach within a short distance, when in the woods. I saw 
 a pair of them a few days ago, busily engaged in pecking the 
 buds of a tamarack, probably searching lor insects. Of its 
 musical powers I can give no account, as I have never heard 
 it utter a note. 
 
 C. — I have seen a Ijird somewhat like the one you de- 
 scribe, but its breast and belly were brilliant yellow, spotted 
 with black, the upper parts dark coloured. 
 
 F. — I too have seen it, but cannot exactly determine 
 whether it is the Black and Yellow Warbler ( Si/lciu M<i<i~ 
 
 I 
 
132 
 
 Tin: CAXADIAX NATURALIST. 
 
 , . 4 
 
 hi t 
 
 hi- i 
 
 I 'V 
 
 nolia), or the Canada Flycatcher (Muscicapa Canaflensis): 
 as the fomier is represented as very scarce, it is probably 
 the latter. JVIany of the warblers are marked on the under 
 parts with different shades of yellow, and it is difficult from 
 a casual sight of an individual or two in the woods, without 
 opportunity for close examination, to determine with accu- 
 racy the species to which they belong. I believe I am clear 
 in mentioning the Bay-breasted Warbler (Si/lvia Castaneu) 
 among our recent visitants, though I do not know that I 
 have seen more than one or two specimens. Many other 
 warblers, marked with olive and yellow, are hopping about 
 the bushes, but these colours are far too general in this fa- 
 mily for me even to guess at the species. 
 
 C. — From the name, " warbler," given to this genus, I 
 should suppose that they are noted for their song : is it so ? 
 
 F. — By no means : in general, the numerous species of 
 this tribe are either silent, or have a few weak, simple notes. 
 The word warble signifies to sing sweetly, l»ut in a low weak 
 tone of voice ; and the notes of several of the Sz/la'a genus 
 bear this character. 
 
 C. — Among a thicket of willows near Spafford's bridge, 
 1 noticed a flock of birds about the size of a thrush. At 
 first, they all appeared of a deep black, but on a closer sur- 
 vey, I observed that it had a changealde gloss, and that the 
 head was deep gi-een. 
 
 F. — They are called by naturalists the Purple Grakle 
 (Quiscalus Versicolor), but by farmers the Crow Blackltird. 
 This is another of those species which assemble in immense 
 armies, and attack the agriculturist in the tenderest part, 
 his crops. I have seen large flocks in this country, but 
 nothing compared to those clouds which are said to blacken 
 the fields of our southern neighbours. The depredations of 
 these l»irds, and others of similar appetites, seem chiefly com- 
 mitted on the maize, or " corn," as it is emphatically called ; 
 
 f \ 
 
 V\ 
 
 \ 
 
M A V 
 
 133 
 
 weak 
 
 rakle 
 kliird. 
 nense 
 
 part, 
 but 
 icken 
 ns of 
 
 COlll- 
 
 lled ; 
 
 but as very little of this grain is raised in the Province, we 
 escape the ravages sustained by our less fortunate brother 
 agriculturists in the south. There is a kindred species, 
 hardly to be distinguished from this, the Rusty Grakle 
 (Qnisndns Vemufinens), visiting us about the same time : 
 it has many of the habits of its congener, assisting in the 
 destruction of the corn, though not in such countless thou- 
 sands as the other. A large proportion of the individuals of 
 this species are of a rusty hue, but this is not found in the 
 full-grown male. 
 
 C — There is a pretty bird with a black head, sitting on 
 the topmost twig of that leafless Inish just liefore us. 
 
 F, — That is the notorious Kingliird ( Musciatjxi Ti/rau' 
 nnsj ; a liird well known throughout this continent, and I 
 believe respected, wherever he is known. He is a ]>lrd of 
 the most undaunted courage : during the lireeding season, 
 no bird of prey of any kind, no matter what its size or 
 strength may be, can approach his territory with impunity. 
 He sallies furtli on the wing, attacks the intruder with vigour, 
 and makes even the kingly eagle retire from his premises. 
 The plumage on the head is fre(|uently erected, and then 
 shows a rich l)ed of brilliant Hame-colour, at other times 
 concealed. Like the rest of the flycatchers, he fixes on a 
 prominent station, like that occupied by the individual just 
 oliserved, whence he watches all around lor l>ees, flies, and 
 other insects : when he perceives his prey, he darts into the 
 air, catches it with a snap, and instantly returns to his 
 watch-post again. 
 
 C His slate- coloured back, and white breast, are very 
 
 becoming ; and his character is nolde, as it appears to be 
 in defence of his mate and young ones that all this courage is 
 exerted. The service of banishing birds of prey more than 
 compensates for the loss of a few bees. 
 
 F. — The Yellowl>ird (Fr'uKj'dla Trhtix.) has Iteen in 
 
I!il 
 
 I <■ 
 
 h 
 
 
 f I 
 
 It \ 
 
 'lit 
 
 11 
 
 I 11 
 
 ■4 
 
 
 IC i: 
 
 I 
 
 
 134 
 
 THE CAXADIAN NATUllALIST. 
 
 summer plumage for several days. His appearance is now 
 very beautiful and striking ; tlie body being of a rich yellow, 
 with the front of the head, wings, and tail of a deep black ; 
 and as they are by no means solitary, Init fly in flocks, they 
 cannot fail of being noticed by the most unobservant. Ha ! 
 I see a stranger, still more showy in his appearance ; tlie 
 Scarlet Tanager (Tanci<jra Rubra) ; you may see him by 
 getting on the fence, in this ploughed field, a few rods 
 distant. 
 
 C. — I see him : he is indeed a V)eautiful l)ii-d. There is 
 some resemblance in the distribution of the colours, between 
 iiim and the Yellowbird ; but where the latter is yellow, 
 this is brilliant scarlet ; both have the wings and tail black. 
 
 S( AIU.KT TANA(iKIl. 
 
 ( Tanayra liuhni. ) 
 
 ./•'. — The tanager is more than twice as large as the yel- 
 lowliird : the brilliancy of his colour makes him conspicuous, 
 when the sun shines, at a great distance ; and when seen 
 near at hand, the contrast between the let black and bright 
 vermilion has a fine effect. His notes have not, I believe, 
 any pretensions to l)e called a song ; at least, I have never 
 heard any, though I have seen them in consideralde num- 
 
 I. 
 
M A V 
 
 1.35 
 
 lack. 
 
 yel- 
 aious, 
 
 seen 
 .right 
 
 hers. The female is a kind of dull yellow-olive, a colour 
 which the females of almost all our gaily coloured birds pos- 
 sess : probaldy to secure them from observation while per- 
 forming their maternal duties. 
 
 C. — I picked up a few days ago, in the horse-stable 
 among the ordure, a somewhat oval larva of a dirty white 
 colour, encircled with rings of minute hooks. It is now be- 
 come a pupa, not by throwing off the skin, l»ut Ity the inte- 
 gument itself Itecnming more rigid : it is also a little altered 
 in form, being cylindrical, and its colour is a shining chestnut 
 l»rown. 
 
 F. — It is, no doubt, the Horse Gad-fly, or Bot (Cuuti-us 
 Equi,) but it is not likely that you will raise it to the per- 
 fect state, unless you have covered it with damp earth. The 
 Bot-fly deposits its eggs in sununer and autunni, on those 
 parts of the horse's body that he can reach with his mouth : 
 a curious provision is made for the depositidii of the egg; the 
 oviduct of the female is capable of being thrust out to some 
 length, and is composed of tubes, which slide one within 
 another, like the tubes of a spyglass. When the fly is 
 hovering around a horse, I have often observed this oviduct 
 protruded, and turned up under the belly ; if caught at this 
 time, we find that an egg is already ejected, aad lies at the 
 very extremity, ready to l»c deposited. The slightest con- 
 tact with the hair of the horse eft'ects this, and the egg is left 
 sticking to the hair. AVe frequently see the fjre legs and 
 shoulders of our horses almost white with the mnnbers of 
 these eggs. In a short time they become ready for hatching, 
 and the least toucli of moisture, even a wet finger, wi-ll in- 
 stantaneously cause the egg to burst, and the little maggot 
 crawls and writhes about. As the horse frequently litks 
 himself, hundreds of these eggs nuist be hatched, and the 
 worms adhere to his tongue ; and as many as escape the 
 grinding of his teeth, go down with his food into the stomach. 
 
 \ 
 
n . 
 
 136 
 
 THE CAXADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 ji 
 
 ;* 'I 
 
 m- n 
 
 :i'- 
 
 ! I 
 
 \ ; 
 
 Here they have reached tlieir destination ; and here, or in 
 the intestines, they thrive and increase in size until full 
 grown, when in spring they are voided with the feces, as 
 the one you found. They are supposed by some to produce 
 a painful, and sometimes fatal disease, to which liorses are 
 at this season sultject ,- others, however, believe the presence 
 of these insects to be even conducive to the health of the 
 animal by their stimulating effects. 
 
 C — I have taken several new moths within the last 
 ten days, some flying in at the window at night : Xoc(i<(e 
 and (it'o/HcfrfP. 
 
 F. — Yonder is the carcass of a lamb, thrown out to 
 putrefy, with no regard to the olfactories of passers-by. If 
 your entomological zeal is sufficient to overcome your disgust 
 at the scent, you may probably find some large and hand- 
 some carrion beetles under it. 
 
 ('. — Oh, 1 don't much mind the smell if I can obtain any 
 fine specimens. If you will stay here, I will examine it. 
 
 F. — Well, have you succeeded s* 
 
 C. — Yes : there are multitudes of beetles of many dif- 
 ferent species crawling about it. Most of them were a 
 Ijlack species of Sylph, the elytra covering the abdomen, ex- 
 cept when the latter is elongated, the thorax broadly mar- 
 gined with pink (T/iatiatopltilas m((n/lna//sj : another 
 species was numerous, much larger and handsomer, the 
 elytra almost as long as the body, longitudinally ridged, and 
 having a transverse row of red spots near the hind margin : 
 the rest of the insect is black (Necrodes SnrinaineHsis). 
 There were numbers of Stajthi/linldtp, the Fish -beetle of 
 Newfoundland ( Staj)h>/Unus FiUosxs), the beautiful Gold- 
 tailed Rove-beetle ( Staph i/Itnus CZ/n/surusJ, and other 
 smaller kir.ds. I also took a small black Ilistcr (II. H>n- 
 risiij, and a little lamelliconi beetle, with the thorax elon- 
 gated into a projecting horn, and having another horn on the 
 head f Paf/tajdtci/'fi-i latiljruSK}^), 
 
MAY. 
 
 1 Q^ 
 
 F. — These beetles answer the same useful purpose as tlie 
 vultures and jackals of tropical countries : that of quickly 
 removing jaitrid animal substances. The S/7j>///(/(r, in par- 
 ticular, are very useful in this respect : as soon as animal 
 sul)stances become fetid, these beetles throng to it from all 
 quarters : whether the knowledge is derived from the sight, 
 as in the case of the vultures, or from the smdl, I do not 
 know, but I suspect the latter. A curious practice prevails 
 here, of throwing the carcass of a lamb, when one dies, into 
 the limbs of an apple-tree in the orchard : it is true f///s 
 instance is an exception, but the custom is a general one, 
 though of the origin or object of it, I have not the most dis- 
 tant idea. 
 
 C — The beautiful gi*een Sparklers (CicuKlcIa Scx-iiNt- 
 tataj^ and a purplish species (Cicindela Pfotcnx), fly al^out 
 dusty roads. The former are of a most brilliant dazzling 
 green, if the rays of light falling on them are reflected to the 
 eye at an acute angle ; but if it ])e obtuse, they api)ear uf 
 a deep and fine blue. The same phenomenon occurs in the 
 brilliant colour of the Emerald Agrion of Alaltama ( Ai/rion 
 Viniinica), and Wilson notices exactly the same thing in 
 the plumage of the Indigo-bird ( Frbuj'dla Ci/aneaJ. These 
 Tiger Beetles, as they are called, are, I suppose, the most 
 agile of all coleopterous insects ; their legs are very long 
 and slender, and they run with such swiftness, that they 
 seem to glide along the ground rather than to crawl ; and 
 on the approacli of a footstep they take wing with as much 
 wildness as any fly, l)ut only for a short distance, when they 
 alight again. They can be caught only with a net, and it 
 is a difficult matter even then. 
 
 F. — Many trees have burst their leaf-buds, and new ones 
 are opening every day. Yonder poplar woods have a pleas- 
 
 \ 
 
* I 
 
 ( I 
 
 I 
 1 
 
 i 
 
 
 '4.. 
 
 1 
 
 ■ I 
 
 'i 1 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
 138 
 
 THK CAXADIAM NATURALIST. 
 
 ing flush of green, the leaves hehig quite developed and open, 
 but yet soft, small, and tender. The green is now of a very 
 light and yellow cast, but after a while it will be much 
 darker. 
 
 C. — The poplar seems to be the first tree that leafs. 
 
 F. — Yes : there may be others that burst their leaf-buds 
 a day or two before it, but they are much longer before they 
 acquire anything like foliage. I noticed the bursting of the 
 leaf-scales in those woods about a week ago, lait some near 
 the village are more forward by several days. AV'e often find 
 a difference of many days in the leafing of trees of the same 
 species in different situations, which, for aught we can see, 
 appear equally favouraV»le. The Poplars ( P opal us tremu- 
 loides, P. ijrandi<lentatay P. la'i'hjuta, Scc.J are very rarely 
 seen in the primitive forest : but if a clearing be made, and 
 neglected for a few years, the ground will be covered with a 
 new growth of trees, usually called " second growth timber," 
 consisting almost wholly of poplars, provided the land be 
 slightly disposed to wetness. The cause of this I cannot in 
 anywise explain. It is not confined to the case I have men- 
 tioned : it has very often been observed that when forests 
 are destroyed, they are succeeded by a spontaneous growth 
 of plants of altogether different species from those which 
 originally occupied the ground. How are they produced ^ 
 From seed, certainly : but whence comes the seed ? has it lain 
 in the ground for uncounted ages, waiting a favourable op- 
 portunity to spring up ^ I cannot tell ; this is one of those 
 mysterious things, which I am not at all adequate to unfold. 
 I can only notice the fact. 
 
 C. — Is not the Balm of Gilead a species of poplar ? 
 
 F. — It is : P()jf/(//(s lialsiuiufcra is its botanical appella- 
 tion. This tree affords a good example of the jterfflcs, or 
 scales, which serve as a sheath to the bud in winter, and 
 which protect the tender, unexpanded leaves within from 
 
 ■ -1 
 
 I I 
 
 V. 
 
 11 
 
 t 
 
MAY 
 
 LiO 
 
 
 the cokl. That tliey may l»ette»" do this, the pcrules in the 
 Bahn of Gilead, and in many otlier pUints, are coated with a 
 thick, clammy, resinous substance, which may be scraped off 
 with the nail, and which in this species lias a fragrant 
 smell. It seems probalile that the hive-l>ee collects the 
 substance called jn-opaliK, with which it stops the fissures 
 and crevices of the hive, partly from the resinous perules of 
 plants. Let us examine a liud from this Jiulm of Oilead ; 
 as the terminal ones open some time before the lateral ones, 
 we shall fmd some unopened. 
 
 C. — Here is one. 
 
 F. — These two dark-brown convex scales are the perules ; 
 they are thick and tough ; within them are two more, much 
 thinner and paler, but still more coriaceous than the young 
 leaves. Here are the leaves : how soft and small they are ! 
 they appear, however, much smaller than they are, for they 
 are so folded up as to occupy the smallest possi]>le space. 
 
 C. — I will try to unfold one, though it seems a very 
 delicate operation. Are all young leaves folded up in the 
 bud in this manner ? 
 
 F. — I believe all are folded, but not all in the same 
 manner, •' It is found that the young leaves are constantly 
 folded up in the bud in the same way in the same species of 
 plants, but there are many different modes of this arrange- 
 ment ; this is termed the voiiutum ()\:f<)li(ttioa of the plant." 
 The Balm of Gilead opens its laids at about the same time 
 as the other ])oplars. 
 
 C — I noticed a few days ago that solitary bush in the 
 corner of the upper field ])eginning to unfold its leaves. 
 
 F. — It is a specimen of tiie native Thorn ( CruUriius 
 Corcinca ) ; the leaves are shaped almost exactly like those of 
 our English hawthorn, but the berries are much larger. This 
 is not a very common plant here, though I know of several 
 large shrubs withhi the compass of a mile ; but near Quebec 
 
i 
 
 ii-: 
 
 111 Ai^ 
 
 t ' 
 
 \ 
 
 h 
 
 'I '■') 
 
 ' >\{ 
 
 
 \ 
 
 i 
 
 \t 
 
 \'. 
 
 140 
 
 THE CANADIAN' NATURALIST. 
 
 it is very numerous. The Heights of Abraham, and the 
 sloping sides of the cliff are, in many places, so thickly 
 clothed with thorn-bushes as to form almost impenetrable 
 thickets. 
 
 C. — Could not this plant be introduced as a substitute 
 for the hawtliorn, in the formation of live fences or hedges ? 
 
 /'. — There is no doubt but it might. I have begun an 
 experiment of this nature, but too recently to be able to 
 speak with certainty of its ultimate success. I collected 
 about a quart of the haws, from under the neighbouring 
 bushes last autumn, and buried them in the garden a few 
 inches below the surface ; they will not, however, sprout 
 until next spring. I also took the pains to collect about a 
 dozen suckers and young plants, which I planted in a line 
 last spring : many of them lived through the summer, and 
 are now budding. There are many other plants which 
 might be put to this purpose. The beech readily grows from 
 seed, is very thick in branches, and may be easily dwarfed 
 by cropping : it has the advantage of keeping its dead leaves 
 through the winter, affording considerable shelter. It is 
 said that after cider is made, if the jwmace, that is, what re- 
 mains of the pulp after the juice is expressed, containing the 
 seeds, be strewn in a line and slightly covered with earth, 
 a thick hedge of apple will spring up and prove very effective : 
 all these, with the elm, are worth trying. 
 
 C — The plum and apple trees in the orchard are like- 
 wise bursting their leaf-buds. 
 
 F. — So are the Birch f Bet /da Pajv/racea ?^ and Elm 
 (Uhnus Americana), Both these trees grow to a majestic 
 size, and are among the finest of our forest trees : the former 
 is particularly abundant in wet and marshy lands, and is the 
 companion of the resinous evergreens. It is considered a 
 sign of poor land where it is plentiful. The outer bark 
 of the birch is composed of many very thin layers, which 
 
 n 
 
 i 
 
MAY. 
 
 141 
 
 may by patience be separated, and can be written on as 
 easily as writing-paper. Tiie outer laniinra are of a delicate 
 cream colour, but as they approach the inner bark they be- 
 come redder. These layers, when separated and divided 
 into narrow strips, make an exceedingly soft and elastic bed, 
 equal, if not superior, to a feather-bed ; but great })atience is 
 requisite to prepare so large a quantity. The inner bark is 
 about half an inch thick, of a crunililv, somewhat farinaceous 
 nature : it is of a rather pk-asant smell and taste, and of i 
 bright orange colour, which it readily transfers to water. I 
 have read that in times of scarcity, the rude inhal>itants of 
 northern Europe make a kind of apology for bread l>y pound- 
 ing the inner bark of the birch. The buds have a similar 
 smell, which is strong, but agreeable. For some time after 
 the leaves are disclosed, they are covered with a fine silvery 
 down, as you may observe : probably this down acts as a 
 preservative against the effects of cold, both while witliin 
 their perules, and afterwards while young and tender, for it 
 soon disappears. The wood of the birch, when young, is 
 yellowish white ; when mature, tlie heart -wood, or all ex- 
 cept the sap-wood (aUnn-nKin), is of a dullish red, which 
 deepens liy exposure ; and is, when polished in furniture, Ike, 
 of considerable beauty. In very old trees, the heart is nearly 
 black, or rather of a deep Idstre brown, and very brittle. 
 The laminte of the outer bark are used to form the very in- 
 genious birch canoe of the Indians, being sewn together with 
 deer sinews, and pat/ed with resin. There is another tree of 
 this genus, the Paper, or White Birch (Betula Vopuli- 
 folia ? ), which is said to be occasionally found in our woods : 
 for instance, near the banks of the Masuippi river, on the 
 west side. I have never met with it here, but have seen it 
 in great numbers near the head of Lake Memphramagog, in 
 Vermont. I have been told that the Indians sometimes 
 travel through the country, making inquiries f n* this tree, for 
 
142 
 
 THE CAXADIAN NATl'RALIST. 
 
 ] 
 
 -; J H 
 
 mu 
 
 what purpose I do not know. It 1ms a singular appearance : 
 the bark is perfectly white, not glossy or silky as the common 
 liirch, hut exactly like white paper, very smooth, hut not 
 shining ; it readily peels in thin laminic, hut does not look 
 so ragged as our tree. None that I saw were of large size, 
 not more than six inches in diameter. I observed it in 
 several other localities, usually on the slope of a hill, and 
 near water. 
 
 r. — Is the timber of the birch ap[>licd to any useful 
 I'urpose ? 
 
 F. — It is often sawed into planks for tables, and many 
 other articles of furniture, but is chiefly used as fuel, as it 
 burns readily even when green, and makes a hot fire. 
 
 (\ — Is there any difference in this respect? 
 
 /'. — Oh, yes ; very great difference. Some woods, such 
 as elm and the evergreens, especially hemlock, will scarcely 
 burn at all when green, and when they do, make a very dull 
 fire, smouldering away without flame. ]\Iaple and beech 
 burn intensely, the former the most readily, and with the 
 most flame ; but the latter, when half consumed, gives out 
 the most intense heat, though there is little difference be- 
 tween these two. Birch ranks next, and then the ash, both 
 wliite and brown : basswood and poplar can scarcely be con- 
 sumed, except by gradual and slow smouldering, and that 
 with the help of other fuel. All wood burns well when 
 seasoned, or deprived of sap by drying. 
 
 C. — To what purpose is the wood of the elm applied ? 
 
 F. — A\'hen young, it is often cut arid quartered ; that is, 
 split through the middle into four parts, which are laid by 
 to season. Few farmers have not a nundjer of pieces of elm, 
 white ash, and leverwood by them, to lie brought into use 
 whenever any small article is wanted, in which hardness 
 must be combined with toughness, such as axe-helves, 
 wheel-spokes, &c. When grown, it is not used for any- 
 
 I 
 
j 
 
 MAY 
 
 143 
 
 Avhen 
 
 ed? 
 liat is, 
 lid by 
 [f elm, 
 ;o use 
 rdness 
 lelves, 
 aiiy- 
 
 tliing that I know of, except l>y those who prepare s<ilfi< i>f 
 let/, for the manufacture of potash. As the ehn yields a 
 large quantity of ashes when burned, in proportion to other 
 trees, it is often felled l>y the salts-lioilers. 
 
 r. — "What is the process of making salts ? 
 
 /•". — One man, or more commonly two, go into the woods 
 with holders, and a kettle or large caldron, and make a 
 kind of camp, very much like a sugar camp. As winter is 
 the usual season of operation, they often make a rude hut, 
 or some little protection froni the cold. They conunence 
 their business by felling such trees in the neighbourhood as 
 suit their purpose ; unless they have another object in view, 
 the clearing of the land for cultivation, in which case they 
 cut and hv\x\\ indiscriminately all tlie timber, except such as 
 is saved for some peculiar purpose, such as cedar for fencing, 
 &c. Having cut enough to begin, and divided it into logs, 
 they pile tliem on one another by rolling them up an in- 
 clined plane, made by stakes from the lower logs to the 
 ground : they then fill the interstices with dry brush, sea- 
 soned wood, &e. and set fire to the wiiole, taking care to 
 have sufficient wood that will l)urn to consume that which 
 would not burn without assistance. The ashes are collected 
 from time to time, and put into a holder, shaped like an in- 
 verted cone, with the bottom open ; a little straw is placed 
 over the hole at the bottom, a receiver placed beneath, and 
 water poured on the ashes : the Avater filters through and 
 runs into the receiver, having extracted the alkali contained 
 in the ashes, which stains it of a dark colour, like that of 
 brandy. This is called lye, or ley, and is boiled down till 
 the water is evaporated and the alkali is left, which is the 
 potash in a very impure state ; it is of a black colour, and 
 is called salts of lye. This is sold to those who keep a pot- 
 fls/ten/, where it is cleansed from its impurities, I believe by 
 burning in a furnace, and becomes the potash of conmierce. 
 
144 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATIJUALIST. 
 
 h 
 
 \j 
 
 ■■^ 
 
 m 
 
 ii 
 
 *:• 
 
 
 ';f 
 
 
 M 
 
 The making of salts is toilsome and laborious, but is consi- 
 dered profitable, especially where it is carried on in conjunc- 
 tion with clearing, liut to return to our elm. In June, 
 the bark readily separates from the wood ; and as it is very 
 tough and leathery, it is often used (the dry furrowed out- 
 side being pulled ofl") to tie stakes together, between which 
 lioards are put as a fence. 
 
 ('. — The elm grows to a great height ; I know of 
 several that I should think are not short of a hundred feet 
 high. That solitary one on the top of the hill, near Barker's 
 house, must be near that height. Divested of its nt-ighbovu's, 
 rising alone out of the open field, and stretching to so great 
 a height without l>ranches, it has a picturesque appearance. 
 
 F. — The large elms are often left standing in lonely 
 majesty when a clearing is made : and their straight tower- 
 ing trunks, crowned at top with a small bunch of foliage, 
 give them a character somewhat resembling that of the tall 
 palms of southern regions, but without their feathery light- 
 ness. I suspect, however, that their uselessness pleads fur 
 their lives in the mind of the axe-man more strongly than 
 their beauty. There was one in the field to the south of the 
 house, more lofty than the one you have mentioned ; and as 
 it was much more insulated, and its top decayed and dead, 
 except a small tuft of foliage on one of its liml;>s, it seemed 
 as it stretched forth its withered arms, to be a stiking 
 emblem of an aged patriarch, who has outlived all his com- 
 panions, and is a stranger and a solitary in his generation ; 
 in whom death is already struggling with life, and fast gain- 
 ing the ascendancy. 
 
 (\ — What became of it ? for it is not there now. 
 
 F. — One Sunday morning last summer, w'e heard a thun- 
 dering roar, a sound unlike any to which we were accus- 
 tomed ; we ran out of the house, but all was still around, 
 and we could not imagine the cause. By and by we missed 
 
 rt 
 
M A V 
 
 Ui 
 
 gain- 
 
 thun- 
 
 laccus- 
 
 [■ound, 
 
 iiissed 
 
 .! 
 
 mir aged Elm, and on j^oing to the place loiind it prostrate ; 
 the Idast liad come at k-iigth and laid it low. 
 
 ('. — Is it not dangerous to leave trees in this maimer, 
 standing in the open Held { 
 
 F. — Yes ; the roots of our forest trees are very suj)or- 
 ficial, and tho branches and foliage being all at a great height, 
 the wind has a ^ivowg purchase, as it is called, and tliey are 
 very liable to be overthrown; s^ometimes killing cattle and 
 lireaking fences. Even in the forest, when protected by 
 their fellows, trees are often uprooted by the wind : then 
 we can see how very little below the surface the roots ex- 
 tend, flmiiing, as the tree lies prostrate, a peri)endicular 
 wall of contorted roots, mixed with earth. 
 
 ('. — \\<i can see scores of these in every walk through 
 the woods: the routs often extend to a great width, though 
 to so little depth, and the wall, as you call it, is very high. 
 
 F. — 8u high that if the trunk be cut off close to the root 
 soon after it lias fallen, the weight of the roots will cause 
 them to fall back into their original position. This is often 
 done, as these roots are not only unsightly, but present great 
 obstacles to cultivation after the land is cleared. 
 
 C — I have observed that an elm log that was cut last 
 autunm, is putting forth leaves as if it were still grov,ing in 
 the woods. 
 
 F. — That very often occurs ; in our jiiles of firewood, 
 cut during winter, you may see many logs during the en- 
 suing spring and summer, not only budding, but actually 
 putting forth leaves which attain considerable size. The 
 sap contained in the log, supports and affords mitriment to 
 the budding twig, for some time after the felling. In the 
 same manner we observe that maple logs cut in winter, con- 
 tinue dry till spring ; then the sap begins to flow freely, and 
 the ends are running and dripping all day. Jiy the way, 
 
 H 
 
140 
 
 w 1 
 
 } . I 
 
 
 (i 
 
 II 
 
 i 
 
 TFIE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 I have not observed the progress of the maple in vegetation : 
 here are some by the road-side ; let us examine them. 
 
 C. — The terminal and lateral buds are both opened ; 
 the foiTner seem to have been expanded some days. 
 
 /''. — I supposed they were ; the maple usually leafs at 
 al>out the same time as the birch. 
 
 (\ — How many kinds of maple are native ? 
 
 /'. — I believe some five or six species ; but the Rock 
 Maple C-^c<'>' Soccliarimnn) and the Soft INIaple (A. lin- 
 hntm) are the best known, and the only ones that are of 
 any note as trees. The Rock, or Sugar Maple is the most 
 noble of our native trees : it grows to a great height, and is 
 crowned with a dense mass of foliage at the summit ; the 
 tmnk is generally straight, though often studded with pro- 
 jections and excrescences. When it grows in a clearing, 
 with room for it to spread on every side, and when all its 
 l)ranches are exposed to the light, it is a tree of great beauty. 
 Tt somewhat resembles the English oak, in its outline;, its 
 trunk, the form of its branches, and the massy character of 
 its foliage — trees with broad sinuated leaves having this 
 character in a higher degree than those whose leaves are more 
 regular in their shape. Their colour is a fine green, changing 
 in autumn to bright scarlet or deep crimson. 
 
 C. — We have seen its utility in producing sugar ; has 
 it any other use ? 
 
 F. — I have already mentioned it as affording firewood of 
 the best quality ; and though as a sugar tree it is so valuable 
 when growing together, yet as it is found scattered through 
 nil our upland woods, and as it is so very abundant, the 
 greater part of our winter fuel is composed of this wood. 
 Besides this, sound and healthy trees are often sawed into 
 plank, whicii is used for many purposes. When a tree of 
 this kind, or birch, or elm is found, wiiich has a sudden curve 
 or bend in th,. trunk, it is sawed into plank for the runners 
 
MAY. 
 
 14' 
 
 has 
 
 of sleds, \N hich are curved up at one end to run on the snow. 
 The wood is handsome, of a bright, changeable, satirij lustre, 
 with many straight lines radiating from the centre outwards, 
 across the grain ; these are lustrous, and in one light look 
 darker, and in another lighter than the rest of tiie wood : 
 these are the medullary rays. It is used for the finer kimls 
 of furniture, and when varnished, looks very beautiful ; it is 
 hard and heavy, but it is not durable. Trees are occasion- 
 ally found, the wood of which is filled with little knots or 
 eyes, which make what is called curled, or ]3ird's-eye Maple, 
 and which is much prized in cabinet work. This appearance- 
 is accidental, and does not indicate a difterent species. , I 
 have often seen logs of firewood which were curled, some less, 
 others more ; and sometimes the eyed part extends only a 
 few inches, all the rest being as usual. 
 
 C. — Here is a Soft Maple : it is covered with little red 
 blossoms, so thick as to hide the branches : how very beau- 
 tiful it is, and what a delightful fragrance it diffuses around ! 
 
 F. — The Soft Maple, whether in blossom or in foliage is, 
 like its congener, a beautiful tree. It flowers several days 
 before it leafs, and the blossoms individually considered are 
 both handsome and fragrant : they grow in thick spikes or 
 clusters on the twigs, and have a very rich appearance. 
 This is a lofty tree, but with us it does not attain either the 
 size or the height of the sugar maple. It very much resem- 
 bles that species, but it may be distinguished from it by its 
 trunk being more profusely marked with l»road, pale yellow 
 patches. In clearings, it usually divides at the ground, and 
 takes the form of several small trees, growing in a clump ; 
 the bark in such situations is of a darker colour and smoother 
 texture than when it grows in the woods. It affects marshy 
 situations, the sides of rivers, brooks, &c. but i.> not found 
 with us in any great abundance. The wood is soft and too 
 full of sap to make good fuel : indeed it will scarcely burn of 
 
 ii 
 
148 
 
 THE CAXADFAN NATURALIST. 
 
 !<v 
 
 itself. It is handsome, however, and is sometimes used for 
 furniture. Tiie bark of this tree, boiled with copperas, makes 
 a fluid of an intense black, which is commonly used in tlie 
 village schools as ink, but it never dries properly ; and in 
 damp weather the writing becomes glutinous and l)lots, after 
 any length of time : it is also used in domestic dying. This 
 tree is called indifferently, soft or white maple. 
 
 C. — Is no species of oak found here ? 
 
 F. — I believe there is none nearer than the banks of 
 Lake Memjthramagog, about twenty miles distant : I have 
 been told that the \\'hite Oak f Qiiercvs Allm) grows there : 
 an^ about Quebec I have seen oaks of several species. 
 Throughout the United States, the white oak grows abun- 
 dantly : I have seen it in Vermont and in Alabama, in both 
 of which, and I believe in all the intermediate States, it forms 
 a very prominent tree in the forests. Its general appearance 
 is like that of the sugar maple. 
 
 C. — What tree is that in blossom yonder i* 
 
 F. — It is the wild Service Tree ( P>/nis Arhntijhlla? J 
 its profuse corymbs of Avhite blossoms give it the appear- 
 ance of a large snowball. Its fruit is about the size of a 
 cherry, but more resembling a medlar in foini : it ripens in 
 August. The tree is not common with us. 
 
 C — I see a beautiful little bird sitting on a bush yonder ; 
 it is of a dark crimson. Do you see it i 
 
 F. — Yes ; it is the Purple Finch ( FrintiiUa Purjuirea ). 
 It has the power of raising the feathers of the head, as if it 
 were crested, which it is continually doing. Wilson says 
 it is of a tyraimical and domineering disposition : one beating 
 and nearly killing two or three other birds with which it 
 was confined, " driving them into a corner of the cage, stand- 
 ing on them, and tearing out their feathers, striking them on 
 the head, munching their wings, ^'c. — and even if called 
 to, the aggressor would only turn up a malicious eye for a mo- 
 
MAY 
 
 149 
 
 mcnt, and renew his outrage as before." They are common 
 here in spring, and tlie early part of summer ; they probal>ly 
 spend the whole summer with us, hut retire into the woods 
 and swamps ; the female is olive coloured, as usual. I once 
 noticed a curious trait in the history of this ])ird. One 
 day, al)out the latter part of June, I observed two males and 
 a female of the purple f.nc i, ho])ping about beneath the 
 window, and was amused '-y watching the motions of one 
 of the males. He stationed himself close to the female, and 
 looking at her, kept rapidly dancing from side to side, in the 
 space of about a foot, with his wings widely extended and 
 quivering, his crown feathers erected, singing all the time 
 very sweetly ; but so faintly were the notes uttered, as to 
 seem to proceed from twenty or thirty yards' distance, though 
 the bird was only three or four feet from me. The female 
 took no part in the dance, but looked on very complacently, 
 her crest being likewise somewhat erected. 
 
 (\ — Did the other male take no part in the ceremony ^ 
 
 F. — No ; he hopped about, apparently minding his own 
 business, and took no notice at all of the dancer. 
 
 C. — Here are some bushes of the wild gooseberry, which 
 have begun to leaf ; was this plant introduced from Europe ? 
 
 F. — Oh no ! many species of gooseberry and currant are 
 indigenous to this continent. A Black Currant ( UihfH Flori- 
 (hnn ? J is fi»und here, which produces fruit much like the 
 English black currant, ])Ut not so large ; both the fruit and 
 leaves have the same rank taste, l»ut in a less degree. In 
 the wi^ods I have fjund Ited Currants ( Rlhcs Alhiiiet'ciion J 
 scarcely to be distinguislied from those of our gardens. IJoth 
 these plants are rare ; luit this gooseberry ( Hi hen (.\ifnnshini J 
 is abundant ab(»ut the edges of tiie forest, and in second- 
 growth woods. It bears a middling-si/ed berry, deej) n'(l 
 and sweet, but l>eset, as is tiie bush itself, with strong 
 prickles, which make them somewhat formidable in jiicking 
 
;. It, 
 
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 ]|iU 
 
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 I 
 
 M j|« 
 
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 i 
 
 150 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 and eating. In Newfoundland, a Red Currant (Rihes Rin- 
 ijons ? )\% common, -which is covered with hair, and has a very 
 strong, unpleasant smell and taste. The stem and twigs, too, 
 are thickly beset with broAvn hair. 
 
 C — As we approach the river, the willows become 
 abundant j their long shoots are quite green with the open- 
 ing leaves. 
 
 F. — The Willows (Salix) of which there are forty 
 species, natives of North America, leaf, like the Poplars, 
 with great rapidity. They delight in marshy situations, 
 and will not usually thrive except in the vicinity of water. 
 Generally speaking, the willows have more the appearance 
 of slirubs than trees, rarely growing to any considerable 
 height, and connnonly dividing at the root into many di- 
 verging branches ; yet there is, on the road to Sherbrooke, 
 within about a mile of that town, a willow, which is a lofty 
 tree, being, I should think, not less than fifty feet in height. 
 
 C. — The Day flies ( Ephe^nera) fly now in the evenings : 
 t'.,o of them, with dark wings, flew in at my open window 
 last night, which, I see this morning, have sloughed their 
 skins, and obtained perfectly hyaline wings. The Red and 
 Yellow Sphex of Newfoundland (Nimiwla Americana J 
 is now to be found ; I saw one yesterday hovering about 
 ploughed ground, and peeping into every little hole. Large 
 dragonfly grubs are abundant at the bottom of brooks and 
 ponds. I caught an Azure Buttei"fly ( Pol >/o}n mains Lucia), 
 with the upper wings having a broad border of black : 
 from its distended abdomen, I supposed it was a female. 
 i\Iany l)eetles crawl about the gi'ass and under stones, among 
 which the Purple Carab (Carabas Catena) and the Copper- 
 spot (Calosonta Calidnm) are numerous. In fact, hisects 
 of all orders have ended their winter's repose, and meet us at 
 every step. 
 
MAY 
 
 l.-)l 
 
 F. — Let us stand still a tew moments on the bridge, and 
 view the scene. I love to stand here at this hour, when the 
 twilight gives a mellowness to every object, and that indis- 
 tinctness which has so pleasing an effect. I love to look on 
 the calm and placid river, flowing in blackest shade beneatli 
 the tall overhanging woods on each side: — 
 
 " the dark, tlu' silent stivani," 
 
 as Shelley beautifully says : — the line of light in the middle, 
 wliere the sky is reflected between the woods on either bank, 
 making tiie blackness of each side still more dense and ob- 
 scure. Not a breath ruffles the surface ; not a twig vibrates 
 in the air ; every sound and every motion stems stilled ; 
 nature appears to sleep in that cahn repose which prevailed 
 in this spot f<»r centuries before the foot of the adventurous 
 white man trod the soil. We seem to ex}>ect the face of tiie 
 dark Huron to peep from the woods, or the canoe of tlu' 
 more chivalrous Algonquin to dart round yonder jujint ; 
 everything is in its primitive wildness : there is nothing to 
 remind us of civilized man, save the bridge beneath our feet. 
 The same silent river has flowed here for ages ; the same 
 woods have clothed its banks ; the same beasts have hid in 
 their recesses ; the same birds have warbled among their 
 branches ; the same tiny flies have danced in the last light 
 of evening, between the heaven above, and the reflected 
 heaven below. Nature remains the same : — but where is 
 the Hed-nian, whose noiseless tread once passed like the 
 gliding of a spirit through these woods, or whose wild war- 
 whoop broke the solemn silence, and made tiie forest ring :' 
 He has passed away, and left scarce a vestige Itehind. 
 
 ('. — Do you kno^v anything of the manners of the 
 natives ? 
 
 F. — Nothing from my own obserxation : I have seen biit 
 few, and they appeared to be little benefited by their inter- 
 
 ) ■ 
 
152 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 
 I 
 
 ,ii 
 
 nri 
 
 Ml 
 
 ' ii 
 
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 Hi 
 
 course witli civilized man ; they are a degraded race, very 
 mucli like the gipsies of Europe. Perhaps I can give you 
 some information respecting them, derived from sources to 
 which you may not have had access. The Indians appear 
 to have beun originally divided into three great families, 
 speaking languages so distinct, that no affinity can be per- 
 ceived between them. All the numberless tribes into which 
 tlio red men have been subdivided, may, with a few excep- 
 tiuns be assigned to these three families : the Algon(|uin, or 
 Chijipeway, the Dahcotah, and the Floridian. The Algon- 
 quin was the great race from which the \\'ampanoags, the 
 Xarragansetts, the Mohegans, the Pequots, the Ottawas, the 
 lro(piois or six nations, and all the tribes which originally 
 inhaltited Canada and New England, ajiitear to have sprung. 
 These all speak dialects which can be traced to one great 
 root, and in their habits and manners bear a great affinity 
 to each other. I should rather use the past tense, however, 
 as tew remains of these powerful tribes survive. They 
 fought for their hearths with a chivalric valour, and a deter- 
 mined perseverance worthy of a better fate ; but the scalp- 
 ing-knife and the tomahawk have sunk before the musket 
 and the bayonet. They were cruel and unmerciful in war, 
 and cunning and stratagem were as highly esteemed as 
 valour. The scalp, or skin of the crown of the head with 
 the hair attached, was taken from a fallen enemy as a trophy, 
 and highly valued : and so much honour was attached to the 
 possession of these bloody spoils, that it is said a wounded 
 Indian belonging to a retreating party, has been known to 
 entreat his fellows to cut off his head, lest his scalp should 
 fall into the hands of the enemy. In performing the act of 
 scalping, tlie victor sets one foot on the neck of his disabled 
 enemy, entwines one hand in his hair, and by a few slaslies of 
 the scalping-knife in his other, round the top of the head, is 
 enabled to pull ofl" the skin with the hair. Before the intro- 
 
 
MAV. 
 
 1" ,> 
 
 duct ion of iron by Europeans, tlieir liatchots were made of 
 flint, and they used sliells or sharp stones for knives. Tliey 
 stole upon their enemies with great caution ; Imt when dis- 
 covery was unavoidable, or conreahiicnt no longer necessary, 
 they uttered frightful yells, and the terrific war-whoop, to 
 strike terror into their foes. 
 
 C. — Have you any idea of what the celebrated war- 
 whoop was like ? 
 
 F. — It is said to resemble the words " woach, woach! 
 hach, bach, woach !" and I have been told by those who 
 have heard it, that when two or three hundred Indians are 
 shouting these discordant sounds, each one thirsting for blood, 
 it is enough to appal the stoutest heart. Probably there is 
 not so much in the sound itself, as in the ideas with which 
 it is associated ; the suddenness and unexpectedness of the 
 attack, the stern and merciless character of the warftire, and 
 often the horrors of night, and the uncertainty respecting the 
 force of the enemy, have contributed to give to tliis war-cry 
 that fearful character with which it has been invested by the 
 whites. Prisoners were often taken, and put to death with 
 iiorrible tortures, the sustaining of which, without any mani- 
 festation of pain, Avas indispensable in him who wished to 
 bear the character of a warrior. They lived chiefly l)y hunt- 
 ing, and were well acrpiainted with the habits and retreats of 
 the wild animals of the woods : they clothed themselves with 
 the skins. They also cultivated the maize plant, or Indian 
 corn, and from them the Europeans learned the mode. In- 
 stead of hoes, they used large oyster-shells, and the labour of 
 cultivation was performed l)y the women ; personal labour 
 being considered beneath the dignity of a warrior and hunter. 
 They had little knowledge of medicine ; their jugglers were 
 both physicians and priests : they used a few simples, and 
 had some knowledge of rough surgery. A steam bath has 
 often wrought surprising cures, and was a favourite remedy in 
 
 H 5 
 
I' 
 
 154 
 
 THE CAXADIAN XATCRALTST. 
 
 
 m\ 
 
 H • 
 
 I I 
 
 r: 
 
 
 ill, 
 
 ■4 
 
 most diseases. A small hut is made over a hole in the 
 ground, and a number of red-hot stones are put at the bottom 
 of the hole. The patient crawls in with a vessel of water, 
 and closes the entrance ; he throws the water on the hot 
 stones, which fills the hut with a cloud of steam, and the 
 man is thrown into a profuse perspiration. He then comes 
 out, and instantly plunges into cold water ; repeating the 
 course several tunes, and ending with the steam bath. The 
 medicine-bag, rattle, and juggling tricks of the priests were, 
 however, the ordinary hopes of restoration. 
 
 ('. — Had they any notions of religion / 
 
 F. — In tliis respect they were far Ixjfore the refined 
 nations of antiquity ; for they held these important doc- 
 trines, the unity of God, the immortality of the soul, and a 
 state of future retribution. It is certain these doctrines were 
 tinctured by the prejudices of their habits and education : 
 their paradise was a happy hunting-ground, where game was 
 plentiful ; their notions of vice and virtue were in many in- 
 stances erroneous : thus an Indian prays that he may be- 
 some a great warrior, hunter, and horse-stealer ; but it 
 appears that these children of the forest acted, in general, 
 in conformity to the light they had received, and were in 
 many cases examples to us, who are partakers of a better 
 dispensation. They were destitute of all government, except 
 the influence which a strong mind exerts over a weak one ; 
 their chiefs were merely the bravest or most sagacious of 
 their warriors, having no authority to make laws, nor power 
 to execute them ; but they were looked up to for advice, 
 and led them in battle. Every man did what was right in 
 liis own eyes, and public opinion appears to have been the 
 principal restraint on individuals. The chief was called a 
 Sachem, or Sagamore ; he wore no badge of rank, and often 
 possessed no more wealth than others. The Indian was in- 
 defatigable in the chase, unshrinking in war, but supinely 
 indolent in peace ; this indolence was an insuperable bar to 
 
 
1 
 
 MAY. 
 
 1 
 
 ).» 
 
 improvement, as nothing but stern necessity could induct" 
 exertion ; and inunediatt'ly their necessity ^vas suppHod, tluy 
 returned to tlie same state of inaction as before. Yet thry 
 were not destitute of mcclianical contrivance and infjenuitv, 
 for they invented the birchen canoe, an article which has 
 elicited the approbation of all travellers. It is made of a 
 frame-work of light tough wood, over which the papery bark 
 of the birch is stretched ; the pieces being sewed together 
 with sinews, and the seams smeared with turpentine. It is 
 water-tight, and so light that a man can carry it on his head : 
 a white man would, on getting into one, tip it over: but the 
 Indians manage them with great dexterity, and sometimes 
 load them down to within an inch of the water. An Ameri- 
 can author says of the languages of these tribes, that " they 
 are like no forms of speech known in the old world. Tlu-y 
 are wonderfully expressive, both defective and redundant, 
 and are said to be difficult of acquisition. The verbs of the 
 Dahcotah language appear to have no roots, and to be entirely 
 irregular in their modifications. The nominative case neither 
 precedes nor follows the verb, as in the languages of the 
 old world, but is incorporated with it ; sometimes at the end of 
 the word, sometimes in the middle, sometimes abbreviated, 
 and sometimes entire. We have known traders fail to 
 acquire it during a trial of thirty years. From the little ac- 
 quaintance we were able to gain, we thought it a collection 
 of phrases, with scarce the semljlance of rule or order, and c<in- 
 clude that to be learned at all it must be learned l)y rote." 
 
 r. — Were not the red men treated with unnecessary 
 cruelty by the first settlers of North America ? 
 
 F, — There is no doubt they were ; they were called " the 
 heathen," and were often hunted and shot down like wild 
 Vjeasts. Some curious legends are preserved of these doings : 
 some Indians of the Norridgewock tribe, who lived on the 
 Kennebec river, near this province, were employed by some 
 traders to draw a cannon into the fort, by means of a long 
 
 
156 
 
 THP: CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 !i! 
 
 |! . 
 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 4 
 
 rope. The Indians took liold of it, and seemed much 
 amused with tlie sport ; but the moment they were arranged 
 in a straight Hue, tlie whites treacherously fired the cannon, 
 and killed and wounded a great number. At another time, 
 u man was chopping in the forest, and having cut a large log 
 was engaged in splitting it : the wedges were riving the 
 wood, and it had begun to open. Just then, a party of 
 Indians suddenly appeared : though they showed no hostili- 
 ty, the woodman suspected their intentions, and at length 
 asked them to help him in splitting the log. He told them 
 to put their hands into the cleft, and pull against each other. 
 As soon as they had got their fingers well in, he suddenly 
 knocked out the wedges, and the Indians were all caught, 
 like so many foxes in a trap. He then went for assistance, 
 and secured (t)iat is, most probaljly, killcil) them all. They 
 displayed considerable ingenuity in catching and killing 
 animals : " they made traps by bending down young trees, 
 which would spring, when touched, with force sufficient to 
 raise a wolf or a bear. An English horse having strayed 
 away was once caught in one of these traps, and sent sprawl- 
 ing and kicking, several feet into the air. The Indians, who 
 had seen a horse but seldom, were afraid of his ' iron feet.' 
 They shouted to him from behind their fence, ' what cheer, 
 what cheer, Mr. Englishman's horse V but getting no answer, 
 ran off and told the English they could find their horse hang- 
 ing on a birch tree." 
 
 But the Indians are passing away; and except in the 
 extreme north of our possessions, and in the southern Ame- 
 rican States, few are to be found east of the Mississippi. 
 Westward of that river, and especially to the west of the 
 Rocky Mountains, many tribes are yet to be found in primi- 
 tive wildness. These, too, will recede before the mighty 
 power of civilization ; white men will ultimately reach to 
 the Pacific ; and where, then, will the poor Indian dwell i 
 That it is better for the world at large, that this vast con- 
 
1 
 
 MAY. 
 
 157 
 
 tlncnt should be peopled with civilized and Christian men, 
 cannot he doubted ; yet a benevolent mind cannot contem- 
 plate the fate of the red man without a pang uf regret for the 
 hardness of his destiny. 
 
 " Tlioy w;isto us. aye, like A|>ril miow 
 
 In tlk' warm noon, we shrink away ; 
 
 And fast tlicy follow, as we c'o 
 Towards tlic si-ttini,' day : 
 
 Till they shall till the land, and wc 
 
 Are driven into the westeni sea."' 
 
 But while we are talking of the Indians, the evening has 
 waned into night ; and were it not for the innumerable 
 lamps aboVe us, it would be quite dark. 
 
 C. — The evening is Avarm, and the air Italmy and 
 pleasant ; the soft maple in flower on the bank of the river 
 gives out a sweeter fragrance than before ; but let us walk 
 homeward. 
 
 F. — A walk in the evening at this season has always 
 charms for me, and I often delight to protract it into the 
 night ; the general quietness that prevails around, and the 
 sight of those unnumbered glittering wnrlds, have a soothing 
 and calming influence on my mind, and fit it for devotion. 
 
 (\ — What delightful odour is that which is now dif- 
 fused through the air ^ It is very different from that of the 
 maple^ but equally delicate and pleasing. 
 
 F. — It comes from the Balm of Gilead, near the house : 
 by day it is not perceivable, but in the damp dewy air 
 of evening, at this season, the tree diffuses this delicious 
 perfume. — If one sense is delighted by day, another is 
 charmed by night : how many sources of pleasure and in- 
 nocent enjoyment has our good Creator opened fur us ! 
 
 "■ Those are thy jjlorious works. Parent of pood ! 
 Alnnj,dity ! thine this universal frame. 
 Thus wondrous fair 1 tlivself how wondrous then I*' 
 
M • 
 
 lo8 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
 m 
 
 i> 
 
 
 J. 
 
 ill, 
 
 XT. 
 
 MAY Hoth. 
 
 S]ii(lors' Webs. — White iiiul IJcd Dcatli. — Vinlcts. — Hivctlios Flmvi'i". — 
 iJiindulion. — Plum lllossoms. — Huniiiiing-l)ir(l — its beauty, activity, 
 habits — iutiTostiiifi; Aiu'cdiite — juTiiIiar imxh^ of tlij;lit. — Stark't 
 TanaffiTs. — Crows. — Uavcii. — liiack-poU Warltlcr. — Sony Sparrow. — 
 Snow-bird. — Cat-liird. — Perfume from tlie Alaple. — Leafinp of the Ash 
 — Wliite and Brown Ash. — Native Fislies. — Sliad — Maskihmge — 
 Sturgeon — White Doljthin. — Seals. — Common Dolpliin. — Capture of 
 one. — Strange cetaceous Animal. — Caterjtillars. — Onuige Comma IJutter- 
 Hy. — nutternnt. — Moose wood. — Bass wood. — Red Currant. — (iroat 
 liorned ( )wl. — Striped Siiuirrel. — Red Sciuirrel — its playful tricks — agi- 
 lity. — Anecdote. — (Jtlier Siiuirrels. 
 
 Charles. — We «in scarcely take a walk in the dewy 
 morning without feeling our faces come in contact with 
 the fine gossamer webs, which are stretched from fence to 
 fence, and from tree to tree. They are so slight as to be 
 invisiVjle, except when the light is directly reflected from 
 them, but the tickling sensation when they touch the face 
 detects them in a moment. How does the spider manage 
 to stretch his web through the air from one point to another 
 so far distant, as he has no power of flight ? 
 
 Father. — Tiiat is a very curious inquiry, and one which 
 has given rise to much research and experiment, and much 
 controversy ; and yet it does not appear that the point is 
 settled. Some maintain that the spider has the power of 
 shooting out long filaments of silk in any direction, which 
 are waved by the wind till they are entangled in some object ; 
 others affirm that the wind is necessary to produce these 
 
 i : 'I 
 
MAY. 
 
 l.")!) 
 
 threads; that tlie spider ejects a little jet of glutinous sub- 
 stance, which the wind blows out into a thread ; others again 
 suppose that the spider fastens one end of its thread, imd then 
 patiently crawls down, we will suppose from the fence, 
 along the ground, and up the opposite fence, taking care to 
 keep the thread from contact with the surface on wiiich it 
 crawls: and when arrived at its chosen point, "hauls in the 
 slack," as a sailor would say ; that is, tightens the weh by 
 pulling it in, and fastens the other end. Tb.ese and other 
 modes are said to be confirmed by actual observation, and 
 probably they all are correct, different species having ditlereiit 
 hal>its ; and even the same species may not always be con- 
 fined to one mode of operation. 
 
 C. — The network webs that are extended on bushes, 
 between palings, &c. are beautiful and curious, from the regu- 
 larity and geometrical nicety witii which they are construct- 
 ed, the lines radiating from the centre like the sjtokes of a 
 wheel, and the interstices filled with many concentric circles 
 of the finest th.reads : and they are particularly beautiful in 
 the early morning, when every thread is thickly studded 
 with little sparkling gems of dew. 
 
 F. — They are so slender that one would suppose the 
 slightest touch would break them, but the threads are elastic, 
 and very strong in proportion to their si/e ; they are suffi- 
 cient to break the flight of small two-winged Hies, and to 
 
 detain them in their meshes. Let us turn out of the 
 
 road for a while into these beech woods, where many a 
 fiower " wastes its sweetness on the desert air." Here are 
 two species numerous, besides the yellow dog-tooth violet, 
 which is abundant. They are handsome flowers, and are 
 much alike in every respect, except in colour, one Ijeing dark 
 red, the other pure white, *^ingcd with pink. Both have 
 a corolla of three petals, three large heart-shaped leaves, a 
 calyx three-parted, a style three-cleft, a seed-vessel three- 
 
 ' 
 
 
ill 
 
 i 
 
 ino 
 
 TIIK CANADIAN NATIIIALIST. 
 
 w, 
 
 >! 
 
 i ? 
 
 i) 
 
 1 
 
 valved and six stamons. These flowers are called by some 
 of the Ainerioans, the White and the Ited JJeath : for wiiat 
 reason so ominous a name is given them, I am unaldo 
 to determine. Their botanical appellations are TriUlmn 
 Plctttni the white, and Trilliuin Ftttklain the red. I lure 
 
 <vV 
 
 \\IirrK DKATM FLOWKK. 
 
 TrlHimn I'lctmii. 
 
MAY. 
 
 Ifil 
 
 I 
 
 are violets of different species, some white, some bright 
 yellow : we have also blue and tricoloured violets, like the 
 pansy of our gardens, but smaller ; these are not yet in 
 blossom. None of them have the delicate fragrance of the 
 little English violet. No less than thirty-one species of the 
 
 I 
 
 I'h 
 
 nnEEriiEs ffoweu. 
 Cort/dtii'is ( 'iii:it/'((ri'f. 
 
1G2 
 
 THE CANADIAN' NATURALIST. 
 
 '♦ 1; i 
 
 genus Viola are enumerated l>y Proiossor Eaton as indigen- 
 ous to North America. I have seen one or two specimens 
 of a delicate, lowly little flower, whose blossoms, hanging 
 from a stem of al»out six inches in height, boar a resem- 
 blance to tiny pairs of breeches. They are white, the upper 
 part or mouth of the corolla tinged with yellow ( Cort/ilalis 
 CHCulhirhi ). I was at a loss at first to find its leaves ; for 
 on breaking off the flower close to the earth, no leaves were 
 attached to it : the fact is, the leaves spring directly from the 
 root, and they are connected with the flower-stalk beneath 
 the surface. They are pinnatifid, the loties irregularly in- 
 cised. A very common and humble plant is likewise in 
 flower, the J)andelion ( Lenntodnu TanixtinmiJ ; though 
 despised, the blossom is pretty. 
 
 (\ — AVhat is the origin of the name, dandelion ? 
 
 F. — The word was originally Dcut-ilc-liott, that is, lion's 
 tooth, the leaves being cut into curved teeth, pointing back- 
 ward. The generic name signifies the same thing ; this 
 form of the leaf is called r/nichidk'. In Newfoundland, the 
 leaves of the dandelion are much sought after in spring, as a 
 culinary vegetable ; their taste, when l>oiled, is peculiar, but 
 agreeable to many persons, and as this is the first eatable 
 vegetal )le that appears, the meadows and fields are fre- 
 quented at this season by boys and girls, who in cutting up 
 the plant with knives, cut up a great deal of the grass also, 
 and do considerable mischief. Here it is not eaten. 
 
 ('. — The jilum trees are one mass of Vtlossoms ; let us kuk 
 at them and enjoy their perfume. How loud the bees are 
 hunnning amongst them ! 
 
 /•"'. — That is not the humming of bees ; look attentively, 
 and you will see a novelty. 
 
 (\ — Ha! there is what I have long wished to see, a 
 humming-lnrd sucking the flowers. There are two of them : 
 let us take a closer view of them. 
 
MAY. 
 
 163 
 
 F. — No, no : stay wliere you are, and remain quite still, 
 and talk in a low voice ; for on the slightest alann, and 
 their brilliant little eves 
 
 gl'^ 
 
 direction, they 
 
 lancnig \\\ evi 
 
 shoot off with the straightness and speed ot" an arrow. See 
 how they hover on the wing, in front of the Vjlossonis, quite 
 stationary, while their long tongue is inserted, but their 
 wings viltrating so rapidly as to be only visible as an indis- 
 tinct cloud on each side. 
 
 ('. — One of them has suddenly vanished^ but I did not 
 see him fly, though I was watching him. 
 
 F. — He has gone only about a yard : you may see him 
 stationary again to the right of where he was before. These 
 starts are so sudden and so rapid, that they are often lost to 
 the sight. 
 
 C. — How very little and how very beautiful ! the Imdy 
 glitters in the sun with green and gold, and the throat is 
 just like a glowing coal of fire. Now they rest on a twig ; 
 one of tliem I perceive has not the brilliant throat of tlu' 
 other. 
 
 F. — That is the female ; in other respects her plumage 
 is like that of the male. It is the Huby-throated Humming- 
 bird ('Frurhihix. Cidnlirh), and is scattered over the whole 
 of this continent, at least to the latitude of 57 degrees 
 north. It is the only species of the genus found in North 
 America, except a species (T. Rnj'iis) which inhabits the 
 coast of the I'acitic, as far north as 61.' 
 
 ('. — Js it numerous here ? 
 
 /•'. — Ves : in sunmicr it is al>undant ; frequenting our 
 gardens, for the tubular flowers, which it ))robes with its long 
 bill and tongue, sometimes hiding its head in the corolla, and 
 sucking with so much indiscretion as to be approached, and 
 taken in the hand. It is particularly fond of the deep crim- 
 son flowers of the sweet-smelling Balm ( MiuKirdit Kulnii- 
 nnaj, and will return to these after a few moments, even if 
 
 ^ 
 
 < ■ 
 
164 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 
 II 
 
 li 
 
 i 
 
 I ;■ 
 
 1 ! 
 
 W 
 
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 1*1 
 
 i" !. 
 
 * ( 
 
 i 
 
 repeatedly alarmed away. Last year, in the month of Sep- 
 tember, I was in the garden one morning, when a female 
 humming-bird came, and began sucking the flowers. I im- 
 mediately ran into the house for my insect net, but found 
 that the bird was gone when I returned : I stationed myself, 
 however, close by the balm flowers, holding the net up in a 
 position for striking, that there might be no occasion for any 
 previous motion if it should re-appear. I remained perfectly 
 still, and presently the bird came again, Jiovering over the 
 flowers, and probing them with its tongue within two feet of 
 me, without any sign of fear. I dasliod at it, ana succeeded 
 in capturing it. I carried it into the house, and held it in 
 my hand, admiring its delicacy and beauty. It would lie 
 motionless in my hand, feigning death, then suddenly dart 
 oft' like an arrow towards the window, strike against the 
 glass, and fall, and lie motionless as before. I at length 
 killed it, not without regret ; and having taken out the eyes 
 and viscera, stuffed it with cotton, imbued with a solution of 
 corrosive sublimate, which preserved it pretty well. 
 
 C. — I have read of humming-birds having been tamed, 
 but I do not know whether they were of this species. 
 
 F. — The most interesting anecdotes of the ruby-throat 
 which I have read, were published in a Quaker publication 
 of Philadelphia, called " The Friend." The correspondent 
 says, " Sometime in the seventh month of the present year 
 [IS.'Jt], one of my family caught a small humming-bird, 
 which appeared quite debilitated for want of food. We pre- 
 sented it with come sugar and cream mixed together, which 
 it sucked up with avidity ; after which it was restored to 
 liberty. In the course of a short interval, it again made its 
 appearance, was taken in the hand, and a mixture of sugar 
 made into the consistence of a syrup, was poured into tl^ 
 corolla of a trumpet honeysuckle, from which it eagerly ex- 
 tracted it. From that time forward it became quite familiar. 
 
MAY 
 
 1( 
 
 ).) 
 
 and would come a dozen times a day, or more, to be lid. 
 After fluttering a few seconds at the door or window to at- 
 tract notice, it woidd alight on a neighhouring tree or rose- 
 hush, until its food was prepared for it ; and ihen upon 
 calling " peet, peet," it would dart in a straight line with 
 the velocity of an aiTOw to receive it. We generally filled 
 two or three tidies of the honeysuckle with syrup, which 
 it extracted while on the wing, l»uzzing aruund the Hower 
 held in our hand, and inserting its hill, which was al>out 
 three fourths of an inch in length, from whieh it protruded 
 its tongue, at least half an inch longer, with which it sucked 
 up the liquid. This generally sufticed it, but sometimes it 
 did not appear satisfied, but would repair to its resting-place, 
 and wait until the flowers were again filled, when upon being 
 called it would return and finish its repast. But if after 
 flying to its perch it wi{ied its bill upon the limb, we were 
 then assured it wanti'd no more at that time ; all the soli- 
 citations we eould make would have no oth^'r effect than to 
 hasten its drjtartuie. In the course of half an hour, it wtiuhl 
 be back again af"ter more f )od, and if the membe? of the 
 family to whom he aj'plied was engaged, and not ready to 
 attend to him, he would try over and over again to excite 
 attention, by flying into different apartments df the house, 
 and buzzing within a few inches. Peet's solicitations gene- 
 rally succeeded, as the yovmger branches of the family were 
 delighted with attending to him. He ajipeared to be more 
 fond of syrup when made thick, than any other food which was 
 offered him. If it was too much diluted, he would fly to his 
 i-esting-place, and wait until it was altereil. W'e also at 
 times gave sugar and cream, wine and water mixed with sugar, 
 and once some honey obtained from a hmnlde bee's nest, 
 which he appeared to treat with great contem))t. Sitmetinics 
 when he was fluttering around the flower held outside of the 
 doorway, a stranger of the same species, having less confi- 
 
 , 
 
 ■'i 
 
 
 II 
 
 II 
 
KIG 
 
 Tin: CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 d \' 
 
 dence in huiium nature, would dart at the little fellow and 
 drive him away^ as it" anxious for him to escape from so 
 ]ierilous a situation. liut it only had a momentary effect on 
 <»ur little friend, as he would return with as confiding an as- 
 surance of safety as before. His little twittering noise and 
 averted eye, as he momentarily withdrew his Ijill from the 
 flower, appeared to say, ' surely thou wilt not hurt me.* 
 After he had visited us every day so frequently for aliout 
 three weeks, and been admired liy numerous persons, he 
 disappeared on the 11th of last month [August], ]»eing fed 
 about the middle of the dav, which was the last time that 
 he was seen. As the wild humming-l)irds, which were quite 
 numerous befiire, disappeared aliout the same time, it is 
 probable he accomjianied them to more southern regions. 
 As we were on terms of the most friendly kind, it is hoped 
 our little tr iveller will again revisit us, after he has finished 
 liis peregrinations among the flowers of the south, as it is 
 very doubtful whether he will find them as sweet as he did 
 the honeysuckles of Delaware." 
 
 C. — It is a very amusiiig account, and appears to have 
 an air of strict veracity. I observe the darting Hight spoken 
 of; it resembles the motion of the dragon-tiies more than 
 that of birds. 
 
 F. — The flight of the humming-l)ird is like that of no 
 other bird ; it has a character peculiarly its own. When 
 most birds fly, we perceive that there is an evidtMit eftbrt ; 
 that constant exertion, more or less, is necessary to support 
 them in the air : their tendency appears to be to sink, which 
 has to be continually resisted by muscular eflbrt. The swal- 
 lows, and some other tribes of swift and powerful flight, ap- 
 pear to skim at will through any stratum of the atmosphere 
 without any tendcucif to rise or sink ; but our little hum- 
 ming-bird seems just like a cork drawn under wat> r ; he seems 
 oU huo>iaH('ii, as if his natural place were above the clouds, 
 
MAY. 
 
 107 
 
 and he had to struggle to keep himself in the lower air : 
 he brings himself down to suck the flowers, then shoots away 
 with a springy lightness like an unincumbered balloon when 
 the cords are cut. It is more like the flight of a dragon-fly 
 than anything else, but much more buoyant. The flrst that 
 I ever saw were two males, that shot along just over my 
 head one day in July, soon after my arrival here. Frnm the 
 peculiar character of their flight, and the sparkling brilliancy 
 of their colours, I took thom for large and l)eautiful insects, 
 and it was not until I had seen more that I was convinced 
 of my mistake. 
 
 ('. — I have seen many Scarlet Tanagers lately in the 
 ploughed fields and pastures ; yesterday they were very nu- 
 merous, particularly in the orchard ; there was scarcely a 
 moment in which we might not see three or four within a 
 few rods of each other. The Bub Lincolns are still more 
 abundant ; they sit on every fence, and utter their singular 
 cry in every direction. Crows have l)een occasionally seen 
 some time ; but I have heard for about a week a sound 
 from the summits of the forest, somewhat like their cawing, 
 but nuich more soft and musical. I followed the sound to 
 discover the authors, but could see nothing but crows not 
 perceptibly dittering from the common species. 
 
 F. — It is the connnon Crow fCorv/'s Corom') ; this 
 change in its usually harsh note, takes place periodically at 
 or rather just before the breeding season. They are selecting 
 their mates, and fixing on a spot to build in, the top of some 
 lofty elm or other tall forest tree. As soon as their nest is 
 lAiilt, they become totally silent, and continue so until their 
 young are flown, when they resume their usual mode of 
 cawing. This is one of the few species which are connnon to 
 l>oth America arid Europe. The Raven fCorn/s Conix) 
 occasionally sails over our heads, as he apjtears to visit 
 nearly every country; but he is not a connnon sojourner with 
 
 i 
 
 l\ I 
 
 PI 
 
\()H 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATFRALIST. 
 
 
 lis ; or if lie is, he must bo generally ini;?taketi for the crow, 
 the t'hief difference being his superior size. 
 
 ('. — I noticed a little stranger in the depth of the woods, 
 ^vhich I liavc not seen Itefore. Its head was deep black, 
 wings and back dark, and all the under parts •white ; but it 
 was very shy, so that I could not examine it particularly. 
 
 F. — Probably it was tlie Black-poll Warbler ( Si/lcia 
 Striata ), which occasionally visits this province, and even 
 Newftundland, where it is more common than with us. 
 The nests of the Snow-bird and Song-sparrow ( FfitufiUa Xi- 
 ?'ali.s and F. Mclodia) may now be found in great numbers ; 
 tiiey both build on the groimd, in a small hole, or in a tuft 
 of grass : the former frequently chooses a hole in the side of 
 a bank under a raspberry bush. They are easily discovered 
 by the bird's flying away on the approach of man, and they 
 
 are not very artfully concealed. Have you in your 
 
 rambles heard a bird whose cry resembles the mewing of 
 a cat ? 
 
 ('. — I have not noticed any such. What is it like ? 
 
 F. — It is a species of thrush ; its colour is slate blue, 
 deep on the upper parts, and light below. Its note exactly 
 resembles the plaintive mew of a cat that has been hurt ; it 
 is very familiar, and when mewing in this odd tone, has 
 various jerks and motions that are full as odd. It is called 
 the Cat-'>ird (Tardus Fc/iroxJ, and is very well known, but 
 is not at all a favourite, though a very harmless bird. 
 
 ('. — What a delicious odour tills the air from the maple 
 grove. 
 
 F. — Yes ; the sugar-maple is in full blossom : its flowers 
 are small and greenish white : their fragrance would scarcely 
 be perceivable if smelt singly, but a grove of young maples, 
 such as these, each one covered with blossoms, gives out a 
 volume of perfume that indeed, as you say, fills the air. — 
 The leaf-buds of the brown and the white ash are expanding. 
 
 1^1 ! 
 
M A V 
 
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 crow, 
 
 Tlie aslics arc amcmg tlie last trees that leaf, and the tirst 
 that shed their leaves. 
 
 ('. — The ash, when it grows in a clearing, has groat 
 grace and elegance, but it wants the massy character <>i' 
 foliage that distinguisiies some trees. 
 
 F. — Its leaves lieing piimate, give it a feathery kind itf 
 lightness, and its outline is graceful. The two species, White 
 Ash ( FraJciiiHS Acmiiiiiota) i\.\\<\ lirown Ash (Fro.. S(n)tliii- 
 rifiilio ) are much alike, but are distinguished l>y the buds, 
 the bark, and the wood. The buds (.f the former are pale 
 luMwn : of the latter nearly or ([uite Idack. In lioth, they 
 are large and broad, and intensely bitter. The bark of wiiite 
 ash is deeply furrowed, and the ridges cross each other so 
 as to give the spaces between a lozenge shai)e, or what is 
 usually called diamond furm : that i>f brown ash is nuich 
 smoother, (though furrowed in old age,) the furrows are 
 parallel and perpendicular ; it is more inclined t(j a yellow 
 cast, is mi>re subject to be infested with bunches of moss, 
 ami may in some degree be peeled off in small thin plates, ir 
 lamina'. I have read in books much tloubt respecting the 
 cause of the distinction, h-JiUi' and hroicii, and the conclusion 
 that it is t'rom the superior lightness of colour in the bark nf 
 the former species. But not to mention that this is not so 
 in fact, every Canadian farmer knows that it is in the /coo./ 
 nf these two trees that this distinction is found; the who). • 
 heart of the lirown ash is of a dee}> bistre brown, while that 
 of the white ash is white from the bark to the centre. The 
 wood of the latter is exceedingly tough and elastic, and is in 
 much demand fir hoops, chair-l>acks and bottoms, and any 
 farming implements in which toughness is the chief requi- 
 site ; the grain is large and coarse ; it is capable of being 
 torn into long strips, almost as thin as a wafer, which are 
 interlaced ibr bott(jms of chairs, and are very duralile. TIk- 
 sapwood of the brown ash is tough, but not in the same 
 
 I 
 
 '1 . -, 
 
170 
 
 Tin: ( AXADIAV XAirilAI.IsT. 
 
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 H 
 
 'legrce, and tlie heart is V»rittle : this species is much more 
 abuiiilant, and is chietly spht into rails, wliich rank next to 
 cedar fin- <lurahility, but are far heavier and more difficult to 
 liandle. The white ash is very scarce as a tree of any size, 
 and its yalue for the purposes named, and for sawing into 
 plank, is too great to allow it to be used for rails ; it is con- 
 fined to upland, or what is called hardw )od land, while the 
 brown is most almndant in marshy ground, with the resinous 
 evergreens and the birch. 
 
 V. — Yonder is a boy angling in the brook : do you know 
 anything of the native fishes of our rivers ? 
 
 F. — Very little indeed: and nothing of their natural 
 history or specific charactevs. I have angled in the Coata- 
 cook, and caught several small species, which bite very freely. 
 Dace, trout, chub, lump-fish, and others, are na)nes giyen to 
 our most common river fish, whether correctly, 1 am not ich- 
 thyologist enough to determine. The Salmon is taken in our 
 rivers: the Shad (CUipca AlosaJ, a fish very highly es- 
 teemed for its firmness and the delicacy of its fiavour, 
 abounds, I believe, in the St. Lawrence in spring ; and the 
 INIaskilonge, (Esox Estor ? ) another fish of large size, of the 
 pike family, is found in the lakes. On the bank of the Ma- 
 suippi, about a mile above its junction with the Coatacook, 
 is a spot where the land, after descending with a gradual 
 slope, suddenly ends in rather a steep but grassy bank. At 
 the very edge of this bank is a farm-house, and the owner 
 has told me that he can sit at his door, and watch the stur- 
 geon and other fish playing almost directly under him, over 
 the pebbly bottom of the clear river. The Sturgeon f Acl~ 
 penser StnrioJ is very numerous just there ; and is, I sup- 
 pose, the largest fish w^e have, being several feet in length. 
 They are long, slender, and angled, and covered with tuber- 
 cles ; the flesh is not much esteemed. They often leap from 
 
 rfi ii m r, 
 
M A V . Ill 
 
 the water, several feet into the air. While on tlie sul>j'(t 
 c»f tishes, I may alhide to the White Dolphin of the St. Law- 
 rence ( D('l/>hiiitts ('(niit(lrH,<i)t). In coniin<^' up that river in 
 summer, I saw preat numhers of them frolickinj^ atul kapinj]; 
 about, like thoir conpem-rs, the ilolphins and j^nrpoises ot'the 
 ocean, from which I could not see that tlicy ditlered in any 
 respect, except in lieinp all over <»f a pure white. Tho Na- 
 tural History Society of Montreal olVorocl a prize a few years 
 ago for an essay on the ('('((trcn of the St. Lawrence, which 
 was, I believe, handed in, but I have never had an oppor- 
 tunity of learning the information contained in it. Seals 
 also often pop up their black heads in the same river. 
 
 ('. — I have seen the common Black Dtilphin ( Dclplilioi.'^ 
 Di'lj>lii.<) in shoals, while crossing the Atlantic. They are 
 very amusing ; and as, when they come around a ship, they 
 seem unwilling to leave her, we have plentiful opportunities 
 for oltservation. They are in the habit of leaping out of the 
 water, sometimes to the height of twelve feet, as I have seen, 
 and while in the air their bodies are much incurvated. It is 
 no matter how fast a >liip is going, the dolphins play around 
 her and under her bows, as if she were fast at anchor. Some- 
 times I have seen them quite clearly through the side of a 
 wave, darting along with incredible velocity, and apparently 
 without an effort, leaving behind them a wake of whitening 
 foam beneath the water. 
 
 F. — They seem to revel in the storm : the prodigious 
 leaps which they are so fond of making, appear to be made 
 for no other reason than in mere wantonness, in the exuber- 
 ance of their mirth. They are believed by sailors to indi- 
 cate the direction of the wind, as it is absurdly supposed the 
 wind will shortly be in that quarter from which the dolpiiins 
 approach the ship. I have been present at the ca|»ture of two 
 individuals, one of which was taken about midway })etwt'en 
 England and Newfoundland in the summer of ]8'i^\ It 
 
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 WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 
 
 (716) 872-4503 
 

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172 
 
 THK CANADIAN N'ATUUALIST. 
 
 I. ■. 
 
 Avas just after dinner : a shoal of dolphins were amusing 
 themselves under tlie hows, when our captain went forward, 
 took his harpoon, and stationed himself on the bowsprit. 
 He watched his opportunity, poised his weapon, and trans- 
 fixed a fine fellow in the back. The animal rushed away 
 with the speed of lightning, but the barb was fast, and so was 
 the rope attached to it : the sailors hauled him to the sur- 
 face of the water, where he tossed and plunged witli amaz- 
 ing force, while the red life-blood gushed from his wound in 
 torrents, dying the water all around. We were fearful of 
 losing him ; for one barb of the harpoon was out, and the 
 point of the other was protruded through the skin : his hide 
 must have been very tough, or his tremendous struggles 
 would certainly have freed him from so slender a hold. After 
 many trials and failures we at length got the bight of a rope 
 under his iuige tail, and another over his breast fins, and 
 liauled him on deck, with the warm blood still spouting 
 from his gaping wound. The mate, however, cut his throat, 
 and he was dead almost instantly ; but not before he had 
 well lashed the deck with his muscular tail. I took an ac- 
 curate drawing of him as he lay. He measured seven feet 
 ten inches from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail : 
 one foot four inches from the insertion of the back fin to the 
 l>elly (that is, in pei-pendicular diameter) ; two feet four 
 inches from tip to tip of the pectoral fins ; the tail Avas two 
 feet in width ; the snout, from tlie tip to the angle of the 
 eve, one foot. The blowhole on his forehead was verv curi- 
 <jus ; it was circular, about an inch in diameter, and was 
 closed l)y a valve. When it was cut open, wc found that 
 the orifice considerably enlarged a little below the surface, 
 and was lined with a very soft black skin. The eye was of 
 a transparent blue colour, and gleamed in some lights like 
 the eyes of cats, &:c. The teeth were very small, regular, 
 and beautiful ; those of the upper jaw fitting into the inter- 
 
 . „„-. . ♦.a*** 
 
-MAY. 
 
 1 ■*■ '' 
 1 I J 
 
 I 
 
 stioes of the lower. We found in his maw some beaks of 
 scjuids (Sepia). Under the skin was a coating of white fat, 
 an inch in thickness all over the body, and much thicker 
 about the head ; this was peeled from the flesh with the skin, 
 and tlnvnvn into a cask to melt into oil. All the cetaceous 
 animals having warm blood, would be likely to be chilled by 
 the coldness of the water, as they have no outward covering, 
 such as fur or hair. God has therefore protected them by a 
 thick coat of fat, which is a poor conductor of heat : t \w 
 effect of this is, that their blood is as hot as that of any land 
 animal, if not more so. We ate part of the flesh of our 
 game ; it looked much like beef when raw^ but was very 
 dark when cooked : it was particularly tender, and " otc 
 short," as it is called. I fancied it had something of tlie 
 taste of reindeer venison, which I had eaten in New- 
 foundland. This Avas a male, and one of large size. The 
 colour was bluish black on the back, lead colour on the sides 
 and fins, and white on the belly. The other that I saw 
 caught was in the Gulf of Mexico ; the liarpooning, the 
 struggling, and the thiunping of the tail were the same as in 
 the former instance ; but this was a much smaller specimen, 
 measuring only six feet in length : it was a female. It had 
 thirty-eight teeth on each side of each jaw, making one hun- 
 dred and fifty-two in all ; of this, too, I took a drawing. 
 Whenever a dolphin is harpooned, the rest of the shoal 
 vanish instantly, never staying to sympathize with the suf- 
 ferer : indeed, sailors say that if one is wounded and escapes 
 the harpoon, the rest immediately tear him to pieces with 
 their serrated jaws, and devour him. I think it probable 
 that some species of this tribe are yet undescribed. In going 
 up the English Channel in 1832, wdien off" the Devonshire 
 coast, a large animal of the cetaceous kind suddenly ap- 
 peared just under our bowsprit ; it swam along for about 
 ten minutes (the vessel going before the wind at about five 
 
 ■■'■I 
 
 4 
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 '^ 
 
 '■' I 
 
 i: 
 I 
 
 II 
 
174 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 knots,) as if to pilot us in our course, keeping within a few 
 inches of the vessel's head, deviating sometimes a foot or so 
 to the right or left. At length the captain prepared his 
 harpoo.'.j but before it was ready the animal had disappeared. 
 It was al)Out sixteen feet long, of a light grey colour, with a 
 round bluff head. I could find no description of such a 
 
 species."' But where have we wandered? From 
 
 the jNIasuippi to the St. Lawrence, from the St. Lawrence to 
 the Atlantic, from the Atlantic to the Gulf of Mexico, from 
 the Gulf of Mexico to the English Channel : a wide flight in 
 a few moments ! But let us return to our woods and fields. 
 ('. — Several kinds of caterpillars are now to be found, 
 which survive the winter ; such as those of the Grey Kidney 
 
 Moth fPol/'n ?J, the Buft" Leopard (Ardia IsaheUa), 
 
 and others with which I am not acquainted. I caught two 
 specimens of the Orange Comma Butterfly (Graptu (\ 
 Alhani ? ) a few days ago, a beautiful species. Some very 
 pretty but small dipterous flies have appeared, with bril- 
 liant metallic thorax and abdomen, glittering with green and 
 crimson gold fSan/xs ?J. 
 
 . I 
 
 F. — The Butternut (Ji>(jlans Cinerea) has begun to 
 leaf: the buds of this tree much resemble those of the 
 ashes, but are larger, of a downy pale green, and they are 
 not so regular in shape as the ash buds. The leaves are 
 pinnate, like those of that tree, and on the whole there is 
 considerable resemblance between the white ash and the 
 butternut. This tree is considered an indication of the very 
 best land we have ; it is not abundant in this vicinity, 
 though there are many trees scattered about : on the banks 
 of the Coatacook, near Spafford's bridge, are several trees. 
 The bark of this tree is used in dying : I believe it produces 
 a snuft-brown colour ; I know of no other value which it has 
 
 * Porliiijis it was lUliu/n /j<'iic<is, tlu' A\'liiti' W'lialo. 
 
MAY. 
 
 r.. 
 
 except for its fruit, which is l\v no means equal to an 
 English walnut. 
 
 C. — I notice the leaves of a shrub which grows abun- 
 dantly in the upland woods ; tlie common people call it 
 moose\vo(jd. The leaves are large and heart-sluiped, and 
 much wrinkled. 
 
 /•'. — I know tlie Ijush well ; it is a species of Guelder- 
 rose ( J'iliKnunii iMnUiinudt'n) : the inoosewood of Ijotanists 
 is a species of maple (Acer StriatHDt), This plant bears in 
 autunm clusters of round beiries, which are at tirst green, 
 then bright red, and when ripe shining black. Ti\ey are 
 hard at lirst and astringent, but l)ecome farinaceous ; they 
 are not very pleasant, though some persons eat them. Its 
 leaves expand very rapidly. The Basswood, or Lime (Til id 
 Glahra ) is at length l)ursting its glutinous leaf-buds. Ti)is 
 tree fre(iuently attains a great height, but thougli its trunk is 
 usually remarkably straiglit, round, and pillar-like, and its 
 outline good, the foliage is never beautiful. The leaves are 
 always corroded or distorted in some way, so that among 
 many trees I have often vainly searched to find a perfect leaf, 
 except such as were just unfolded. The cause of this I do 
 not know, unless it be produced by minute insects : few 
 cateri)illars feed on the basswood, and as the tree is so com- 
 mon, their ravages could be easily discovered ; whatever the 
 cause, the eftlct is greatly detrimental to the beauty of the 
 tree. The outer bark of this species is rough and stringy, 
 the inner bark is viscid and sweet, the twigs and buds are 
 likewise very glutinous when chewed ,• cattle are fo)id "f 
 them, and in severe winters, when fodder is scarce, it is 
 common for a farmer to drive his stock into the woods of a 
 morning, and cut down a ])asswood or a maple, on which 
 they eagerly browse, and which proves nutritive. 
 
 r. — Is the v. uod of this tree of any service ? 
 
 /•'. — It is extremely soft and white when green ; when 
 
 
 m 
 
 I 
 
no 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 I ( 
 
 i '; 
 
 seasoned, it becomes of a light brown hue : it does not warp 
 like the resinous woods, and is often sawed into boards for 
 many purposes. The young trees are sometimes cut into 
 poles, which are set up as rails for a temporary fence, but 
 they are not at all durable. It is almost useless as firewood 
 when green, being too full of sap. The basswood grows abun- 
 dantly in this country, and is found in all situations, but 
 most affects a low, and often a marshy soil. 
 
 C — I observe the red currant bushes in the garden are 
 initting out their leaves ; and many other garden plants are 
 ]>eginning to shoot into active life (if vegetation can be called 
 active) ; the bulbs of the Orange Lily (Lilimn CanadcnseJ 
 
 are above the surface of the ground. What very 
 
 large bird is that sitting on yonder hemlock. Is it an owl i 
 
 F. — Yes ; and one that is much oftener heard than 
 seen; it is the Great Horned Owl ( Strix Virginkina,) a 
 
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MAY. 
 
 IT': 
 
 very fine species : it is a native of nearly the whole of North 
 America, but is rarely met with here. Its voice is peculi- 
 arly loud and alarming : Wilson describes it in his usual 
 happy manner : I have myself often heard it in the forests of 
 Alabama, where in travulling through the swamps, covered 
 with gigantic beeches and sycamores, entwined and tangled 
 by the various species of briers and vines that hang in fes- 
 toons from the trees, and amidst the evergreen bushes of the 
 hystrix fan-palm, this "ghostly watchman" lifts up his hol- 
 low voice like a sentinel challenging the intruder. Through 
 the afternoon, and especially as day wanes into evenir.g. 
 they may be heard from all quarters of the swamps ; and in 
 the deep solitude and general silence of these gloomy recesses, 
 the cry is peculiarly startling. " Ho ! oho ! oho ! waugh 
 ho ! " is his call ; the last syllable uttered with particular 
 earnestness, and protracted for some seconds, and gradually 
 falling. The whole is given deliberately, in a ioud and 
 hollow tone ; and one can scarcely be persuaded that it 
 comes from a bird. They call and answer to each other, 
 and I have made one answer my imitation of his cdl. But 
 it is at night that this delightful music is heard to most ad- 
 vantage : he sometimes makes a noise which Wilson justly 
 compares to the half-suppressed screams of a person throttled, 
 but I have heard this but seldom ; the first appears to be 
 his favourite song. There he goes ; as he flies, you may 
 observe how exceeding noiselessly he glides through the air : 
 all the owls have this property ; not a ruffle is to be heard : 
 this arises from the very soft nature of their feathers ; an 
 owl is almost all feathers, and they are loose and unwebbed 
 in most parts of the body, and offer little resistance to the 
 air. 
 
 C. — What do they feed on ? 
 
 F. — Small birds, field-mice, squirrels, and any animals 
 that they can master. 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 1 
 
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 M:( 
 
 
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178 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 C. — The Ground Squirrel (Taniia Striata) is quite nu- 
 merous now : it does not migrate, I believe. 
 
 /'. — No : all our squirrels are residents, not sojourners 
 here : I think the ground squirrel, however, retires to a 
 burrow during the winter, and hybernates. I have never 
 seen it, as I recollect, abroad during that season ; but the 
 Red SquiiTel ( Sclurus Hudsoniiis) may often be seen on a 
 
 ■• H-" 
 
 ' 
 
 r 
 
 RED SQUIRKEI.. 
 
 Sdiifus Iludsonius. 
 
 fine day at the foot of some beech or maple, and if disturbed 
 he quickly runs to his hole under the snow. 
 
 C. — The striped or ground squirrel is a very pretty ani- 
 mal : it has not the roguish saucy familiarity of the red, 
 and has little of the appearance of a squirrel. Its bright 
 fawn colour is well marked by the three black stripes down 
 its back and sides. 
 
 F. — He rarely if ever climbs trees, but is fond of playing 
 bo-peep around old logs, or among a heap of stones, now and 
 
 • ! 
 
MAY. 
 
 Kf) 
 
 M 
 
 then poking out his lieacl to take a sly pcop at you ; then 
 gone again. His note is a single chuck, uttered at intervals 
 like the cluck of a hen : he is commonly known here by the 
 name of the chipmunk. 
 
 C. — The red squirrel is a very fantastic little gentleman : 
 he plays as many tricks as a monkey, and were it not that 
 he is so fond of grain, and has such very loose ideas on the 
 subject of meum and tnutn, he would be a universal fa- 
 vourite. 
 
 F. — As it is, however, he is sorely persecuted with pow- 
 der and shot, and even periodical hunts are made up, as a 
 kind of frolic, in wliich men and boys eagerly join ; any old 
 rusty musket being a suificient qualification. Two leaders 
 choose sides, each alternately taking a man, till the whole 
 are engaged, just as in cricket, &c. : then they sally forth, 
 and the party that brings in most squirrels is the victor ; the 
 whole then adjourn to some tavern, and have a dinner, to be 
 paid for by the vanquished party. Notwithstanding all this, 
 and the numbers that are shot about the barns in winter })y 
 vindictive farmers, they are not a whit less impudent or fa- 
 miliar, nor do they seem diminished in numbers. His jerks 
 and motions are very amusing ; if you go under a tree where 
 one is sitting, he sets himself firmly on the branch, flourishes 
 his tail over his back, and looks fiercely at you, making a 
 most angry chattering all the time, or rather a reiterated 
 chirping ; every now and then giving a start as if he had a 
 mind to fly at you, jerking his tail too "-'Ith a convulsive sort 
 of motion. If you are pretty close to hu •, you may hear at 
 every chirp, and simultaneous with it, a sort of low under- 
 tone of a mournful sound, something like the coo of a pigeon, 
 but nuich shorter. 
 
 C. — How very ninible they arc ! they leap to a great dis- 
 tance, and run very swiftly : I have often chased them along 
 the rails of the fence, I running on the road beside it ; but 
 
 
ISO 
 
 THE CAKADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 "m-, 
 
 though I ran with all speed, and though the squirrel had to 
 run nearly double the distance, from the zigzag f^'rm of the 
 fence, he would keep a-head of me. He is a cunning fellow 
 too ; for after running from rail to rail, he will often suddenly 
 crouch down on one of the projecting ends where they cross 
 each other, in hope of remaining unseen : I have often lost 
 them in this way. 
 
 F. — Do you see that little grove in yonder bottom, exactly 
 between our house and the village ? There I once put the 
 agility of a little rogue of a red squirrel to a pretty severe 
 test. The trees are chiefly maple, cheiTy, and elm ; all, or 
 nearly all, though of considerable height, so slender as to be 
 easily shaken with my hands. My little gentleman was 
 enjoying himself on one of those trees, when as " his evil 
 stars " would have it, I espied him. I knew that he would 
 not leave the gi'ove, and for a frolic I commenced shaking the 
 tree violently, which put him at his wit's end : he ran from 
 bough to bough, and at length leaped to another tree ; this I 
 instantly shook in the same manner, and so kept him flying 
 from tree to tree sometimes at an astonishing distance, back- 
 ward and forward through the grove, for more than half an 
 hour, without a moment's cessation. He several times 
 missed his hold, but always caught a bough in his fall, ex- 
 cept once, when he came rather heavily on the ground from 
 one of the topmost branches : he was instantly on his feet 
 again, and up in the tree before I could come near him. I 
 don't know whether lie was tired, but / was, and was fain 
 to yield him the point, and leave him in quiet possession of 
 his trees. 
 
 C. — Are there any squirrels found here besides the red 
 and the striped ? 
 
 F. — There are three others: the GvQy (Schinis Leu- 
 cotisj, the Black (Scivrus Ni<jer), and the Flying Squirrels 
 (Pteromys FolucellaJ, all of them larger than these : but 
 
 m 
 
 9t. 
 
 i ii,i 
 
M A Y . 
 
 181 
 
 § 
 
 
 they are very carce, and I know comparativt'ly nothing of 
 their economy. I once had a gUnipso of a flying squirrel 
 taking a long leap from the top of one tree to the top of an- 
 other, in the forest ; and I have seen one or two specimens 
 of the grey species, which had been shot. The black has 
 never fallen under my own personal observation : I know it 
 only from the report of others, ])ut have not the least ddubt 
 of its existence here. Many species are indigenous to this 
 continent, but I am not aware that any others visit this part 
 of Canada at least, than those 1 have mentioned. 
 
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 JUNE 1st. 
 
 Musquitoos. — (ijillrtios. — Moths. — Tigor Swallowtail Butterfly. — Black 
 Swallowtail. — ('loaded Sulphur. — Black Ski|)i)i'r. — Other Insects. — 
 Klder. — Moosewood. — Wild Strawlicrry. — Beech — its bark — folia<je 
 roots — wood.— Ijcalinfr of Forest Trees. — I'rovideuce of Ciod. — Tor- 
 toise — its manners — eggs. — Mushroom. 
 
 CiiARLKs. — I begin to fool the truth of your fomier ob- 
 servations respecting the virulence of the musquitoes ; last 
 night they were very numerous, and I was shockingly bitten 
 by them. 
 
 Father. — Yes, they have begun to be troublesome, and 
 we may now look for their nightly attacks, for three months 
 at least, but not without frequent intermissions, or at least 
 mitigations of their violence. We must bear it as we may. 
 
 C. — I yesterday picked up, lying on the ground, an irre- 
 gular-oval, spongy gall, resembling a brown tuberous root, 
 studded here and there with prickles : it contained very many 
 regular cells, and pupae of Gallflies (Ci/nlps), I observed 
 one little hole, which I enlarged, and took from 'it a little 
 gallfly perfected, the first I had ever seen. 
 
 F. — The gallflies are generally small insects^ but very 
 curious in their economy : their power of so altering the 
 course of nature, as to produce on plants apparent fruits and 
 flowers, totally different from their ordinary productions, 
 merely by means of an invisible puncture, is one that com- 
 pletely baffles all our researches, and shows us that, with all 
 
UNK. 
 
 I.S.J 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
 our boasted wisdom, wo know nothlnc;. There are very many 
 species: the one you tound is, I behove, produced on a spe- 
 cies of Ruhim (I think, the common raspberry). Anotiier 
 kind, very oonnnon, swells out the stem of a species (if Sol" 
 lUxjOy Golden-rod, which is very abundant, into a round 
 ball, spreading equally on all sides. 
 
 r. — I have taken two new moths lately, and three new 
 liutterflies have made tlieir appearance since our last walk ; 
 the first of which is the beautiful Tiger Swallow-tail (^/V- 
 liilio Til runs J. This large and handsome butterfly is very 
 
 TKiER SWALI.OWTAH.. 
 
 Pupil ill TurniK. 
 
 wild and difficult of capture; at least so I have found the 
 specimens which I have seen, which are only two : I pur- 
 sued them both, but succeeded in catching neither. 
 
 F. — They will be more familiar presently ; or at least 
 will be much more abundant, so that you will be aljle to 
 
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 184 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
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 lit 
 
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 wi 
 
 secure as many specimens as you please. It is a wide- spread 
 species, extending from Newfoundland to the Gulf of jMexico, 
 and perhaps farther : in the State of Alabama it is common 
 Another species, the Black Swallowtail (Pupilio AsteriusJ, is 
 likewise found in Newfoundland and in the Southern States, 
 in both of which T have found it numerous, and I have seen 
 it mentioned in lists of New England insects, yet I have not 
 met with it in this province. I should suppose, however, 
 that it is a native, but probably, as in Newfoundland, only 
 appears plentifully in particular seasons. 
 
 C. — The other butterflies were the Clouded Sulphur 
 (CoUas PIdlodicoJ, and the Black Skipper (TlnjtHde 
 Brho ?). 
 
 F. — The former is very abundant through the summer, 
 and continues till late in autumn: it is a pretty butterfly; 
 the female, especiall}'' : her yellow-spotted black border, and 
 phik fringe, is much more becoming than the plain black 
 of the male. The extent of the black margin on the poste- 
 rior wings differs much in individuals, and there is more vari- 
 ation in size in this species than, I think, in any that I am 
 acquainted with. I once saw an individual which was so 
 pale as to be nearly white : whether it was a distinct species, 
 I don't know. The skipper is not numerous ; three or four 
 specimens being as many as I have usually seen in a season. 
 Its form and colour are not at all pleasing : it has the habit 
 of all the Hesperi(c, of jumping up and down in its flight 
 over the herbage ; whence these butterflies have derived the 
 name of skippers. What other insects have you observed ? 
 
 C. — I went out a day or two ago bush-beating among 
 the willows, but the leaves were too young and small to 
 afford me much success. I shook off" a black Sawfly (Ten- 
 thredo), two green Waterflics (Peria Ci/dippc?), two Ci- 
 
 mkes ( Pentatonia ?), several C/oysomelidfC, with soft 
 
 horn-coloured elytra (Crioceris ? J, and another very 
 
 I' I?- 
 
11 
 
 
 jrxi:. 
 
 185 
 
 little species, of a metallic purple (V)nillodecta VlteUhiH ). 
 I have also taken some more of the delicate Fan wing Lo- 
 custs (Acridium Ornatum ) , another Tenthredn with netted 
 wings (I.yda Circvmcinctns?), one of tlie beautiful change- 
 able crimson and green Elater, which is found in Newfound- 
 land ( Elater MetalUcus ? ), a rufous Tipnla, a pretty straw- 
 coloured P(irhi/1n with black spots, and a female Mcloe 
 Pro.'<rar(djiTffs, the abdomen monstrously distended with 
 eggs : it is all over of a deep steel blue. 
 
 F. — This is called the oil beetle, because, whenever 
 molested, a round drop of bright yellow clammy fluid ex- 
 udes from every joint, as from the Ladybirds (Corci- 
 nellcp). This species is rather common with us : I have 
 taken it in the act of eating the leaves of the connnon 
 Buttercup ( Rannncnlus Acn'sJ ; there is a great disparity 
 of size between the male and female : the elytra are ex- 
 ceedingly short in both. 
 
 C. — I found a small beetle, quite numerous on poplars, 
 scarlet with black spots ( Chrummcla lO-i/otafa ?J ; it re- 
 sembles in shape, size, and colour, the ladybirds. Among 
 stones I obtained a dingy specimen of the sculptured small 
 bronze beetle of Newfoundland (Carabus ? J ; and se- 
 veral purple and copper-spot Carabs (Camhus (\iU>na, 
 and Cidosoma Cnlidmn). I have also caught an Ejdn'- 
 meni, with the tip of the wings clouded, and a Motd/rart's 
 with two prominences on the back. 
 
 F. — The Elder ( Samhncxs PidjcsccnsJ and the Moose- 
 wood ( I'ihui'nnm Lanlnnoideii) are both in blossom: the 
 large white corymbs of the former are very fragrant, and are 
 the constant resort of numbers of little flies and other in- 
 sects. 
 
 C. — Windsor-beans and Scarlet-runners I see are above 
 ground in the garden ; but they were planted late. I oli- 
 serve the blossoms of the wild Strawberry ( Fnujaria Vir- 
 
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 TUK (ANADIAX XAirRALIST. 
 
 (fininno ) abundant on those barren places in the pastures 
 and grass fields, which will scarcely bear any grass. They 
 sc9m almost confined to such places : probal>ly where the 
 grass is luxuriant, it chokes them out. 
 
 F. — Here is the tardy Beech f Faijus Ferrnfihtea) just 
 beginning to open its leaf buds. This, and the brown ash 
 usually contend which shall be the latest in leafing. The 
 red beech is probably the most beautiful tree we have ; its 
 bark is remarkably smooth, of a pale blue colour, often 
 marbled with large spots of white. Its leaves are of a 
 graceful shape, of a deep glossy green ; its general outline, 
 when growing in a clearing, is often very round, and always 
 beautiful, its lower branches spreading horizontally ; and 
 its foliage possesses that rich and massy character, common 
 to the maple. It has the singular property of retaining a 
 great portion of its leaves all through the winter, though 
 they are sere and dry, as the leaves of other deciduous trees. 
 The roots spread out to a great distance on the surface of the 
 earth, and are generally very tangled and contorted ; they 
 often begin to diverge from the trunk some distance above 
 the ground. In the forest, in which the beech holds a pro- 
 minent place, the trunk is tall and straight, with a wide and 
 branchy top : its twigs are slender, and minutely ramified : 
 its buds are spindle-shaped, and long ; and become much 
 longer when they approach their expansion. The perules 
 are coriaceous and tough, l)ut thin, and are lined with a 
 silky down. The leaves do not acquire their glossy appear- 
 ance for a considerable time. 
 
 C — What are the uses to which the wood of the beech 
 is applied ? 
 
 F. — It is a hard, close-grained, and firm wood, and is 
 used for carpenters' tools, brushes, and many other small 
 articles ; but the chief use we make of it is as fuel : a prin- 
 cipal part of the firewood used in this country is beech, as it 
 
 If. r'.t 
 
JUNK. 
 
 I ,S7 
 
 the 
 
 •'i 
 
 is very abundant, and burns well, and with a strong heat. 
 Perhaps we use as much maple as beech, but these two form 
 nearly the whole of what is consumed. The wood of the 
 beech somewhat resembles that of the maple, but may be 
 distinguished from it, by being redder, and by the medullary 
 rays being broader and coarser in appearance ; the ends of 
 these form imunnerable short dashes on the outer part of 
 any section of the wood, which distinguish it from that of 
 any other tree. It wants too the bright play of light that 
 makes maple wood so beautiful. It is heavy in proportion 
 to its bulk. When young, the sugar maple often bears great 
 resemblance to the beech, before its bark has become fur- 
 rowed, but the leaves in summer, and in winter the taper 
 twigs and pointed buds, and an appearance of superior 
 hardness in the bark of the beech, (which can be seen, but 
 not described,) are a sufficient distinction. This tree grows 
 to a majestic size and height, and its fruit aftbrds sustenance 
 to squirrels, and other wild animals. 
 
 We have now observed the gradual unfolding of the buds 
 of all our forest trees : some, forward and fearless of late 
 frosts, expand their incipient leaves or tender blossoms to 
 the fickle sun of April ; others, more sober and cautious, 
 have suffered day after day to pass over, apparently unin- 
 fluenced by the increasing warmth of the solar rays ; but all 
 have at length yielded to the resistless influence of the genial 
 spring ; and greenness, the cheerful livery of the sunmier, 
 will speedily envelope all the vegetable progeny of nature. 
 Why one plant unfolds its leaves so many weeks before 
 another, exposed to the same influences of light and heut, 
 we cannot tell : we observe facts ; but when we presume to 
 inquire w//// these things are so, we are baffled and repulsed : 
 in some cases we can penetrate to second causes, but the 
 primary cause must be referred to the will of the Father nt" 
 all ; who, we may be assured, appoints the seasons, and 
 
 
 '! 
 
 n 
 
188 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST^ 
 
 watches over the welfare of the meanest objects of His crea- 
 tion. He regulates with unerring wisdom, and with benefi- 
 cent providence, the expanding of every leaf, and the un- 
 folding of every flower ; not a sparrow falls without His 
 supervision, for " His kingdom ruleth over all ! " What 
 an encouragement is here for our implicit trust in His care, 
 even as regards the comparatively trifling affairs of this life, 
 " what we shall eat, what we shall drink, wherewithal we 
 shall be clothed ;" " seeing He clothes the grass of the field, 
 and feeds the fowls of the air." And we are of far more 
 value in His sight than these : if we do His holy will, and 
 rely on Him by faith, we are raised al)0ve all anxiety, for 
 Omnipotence and Omniscience itself is pledged to care for 
 us ; " Who is he that shall harm you, if ye be follo^vers of 
 that which is good ? " 
 
 \ 
 
 v.l I 
 
 C. — Look ! what is this among the grass ? it is a little 
 Tortoise. 
 
 F. — They are not uncommon in some of the brooks : there 
 is a brook running through what is called the Robinson farm, 
 on the banks of the Coata'cook, near Spaffbrd's bridge, where 
 this species ( Terrajjene Claiisa) is quite numerous. I have 
 caught several at different times ; if I should not rather say 
 " found," for a tortoise is not a very difficult thing to catch. I 
 kept one in the house for some days, where he was rather 
 amusing : when touched, he would draw in his head and legs, 
 and curl his tail so tightly to his body that my fingers could not 
 pull it away : if left alone, he would gradually put forth his 
 ugly, hawk-like head, but did not like to crawl if watched, 
 contenting himself with merely looking out. If put into a 
 room, however, by himself, he would soon take courage, and 
 rattle over the floor with a speed I could not have antici- 
 pated from his uncouth appearance. He managed to get 
 
 
JL'NE. 
 
 ISf) 
 
 out of a l^ox about a foot high, several times ; but how he 
 did it I don't know ; for he does not seem at all adapted for 
 scaling walls or crawling up a perpendicular. 1 bored a hole 
 through the edge of his shell, and tied him with a string to 
 the fence of the field, thinking he would there enjoy him- 
 self ; but one day, I fuund my poor tortoise dead, killed, as 
 I supposed, by the heat of tlie sun. Another that I caught, 
 I fastened in tiie same manner to a stake by the side of a 
 spring, giving him scope enough to immerse himself in it. I 
 often found him, with his head and fore parts exposed, and 
 the rest of his body in the mud, quite still, and apparently 
 enjoyhig his situation ; he lived in this way some time, and 
 at last broke the string, and I saw him no more. I have 
 never seen this species exceed the size of the one before us, 
 about six inches in length of the upper shell. I once 
 saw a tortoise taken in one of our streams, which was twelve 
 or fourteen inches long ; but I believe it was of a different 
 species : I had no opportunity of examining it. They lay 
 their eggs in the sand on the banks of the rivers, I'javing 
 them to be hatched by the sun's warmth. Farwell informs 
 me that he has often been engaged in digging up the eggs of 
 tortoises from the depth of a foot and a half in sand, and 
 that once for a frolic, he boiled and ate some : they were 
 about the size of sparrows' eggs, from which he says, he 
 could not distinguish them in taste and appearance : they 
 were covered with a brittle shell. He has seen the young un 
 these warm sand-beaches, from the size of a dollar up- 
 wards. The eggs are to be found at about this season of the 
 year. 
 
 C. — Here are some Agarics which look like IMushrooms ; 
 are they so ? 
 
 F. — Yes; these are true Mushrooms (Atioricnx C'lnt- 
 pestrisj, and very large ones : they are extremely scarce 
 here : I do not remember ever having seen the mushroum 
 
 I 
 
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190 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
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 here before, except in one instance, in which tliey were 
 growing among the htter beneath the floor of a barn. The 
 mushroom is distinguished >iy the colour of the gills being 
 pink in young, and liver-coloured in old specimens, by the 
 curtain beneath the head, by the solidity of the stem, and 
 by the smell and taste. When fried or stewed, they are 
 agreeable, but not very wholesome : they possess a remark- 
 able resemblance to animal flesh, arising from the abund- 
 ance of ammonia in their composition. 
 
 
191 
 
 .vere 
 The 
 leing 
 ' the 
 and 
 ' are 
 ark- 
 md- 
 
 Xlll. 
 
 June 10th. 
 
 Beauty of Summer. — American Pearl-border Fritillary.— Yellow- 
 spotted .Skiijjier Natural affinities of Insects. — Ti^rer Swallowtail. 
 
 — Moths. — Seinbling. — StarCranetly. — ( Hlier Insects. — Tabani — 
 structure of their Mouth — a])petite for Blood — Distension. — Chi- 
 goe. — Termites. — Ticks, — Pearltly. — W'liite-bodied Cimbe.v. — 
 Passenger Pigeon — its inunense Hosts — Beauty of Plumage. — Tur- 
 tle-dove — its Notes. — Quivering of the Air. — River. — Evening 
 Scenery contrasted with Moniing. — Sleep of cold-blooded Animal*. — 
 Barred Owl. — FireHy. — I'se of its Liglit unknown. — Luminous 
 Appearance of the Ocean. — Bottom of the Sea. — Singular Light 
 once seen by the Author. 
 
 Father. — We may now say that summer is here in all 
 its rich and gorgeous beauty : " the glorious summer time ;" 
 a time which, to the naturalist, is like the opening of the 
 gates of Eden. It is indeed delightful to walk forth and 
 behold Nature in her majesty and loveliness ; — the glorious 
 sunshine, the verdant field, the glittering insects ; to feel 
 the balmy and fragrant breeze ; to hear the melody of the 
 birds, as they glide among the ^eafy shades of the forest ; to 
 see the trees with their weiglit of massy foliage, fragrant with 
 blossoms ; to observe the profusion, the almost excess of life 
 
 and gladness, which pervades the vast temple of nature 
 
 Look at yonder maple woods: how rich an effect is pro- 
 duced by the contrast of light and shade ! masses of the 
 most soft and refreshing green, prominent in the bright sun- 
 shine, relieved by the dark sombre recesses which the eye 
 
 
1/ 
 
 k 
 
 192 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 cannot penetrate, while the leaves fjuivering in the air, ?eeni 
 as if each one were possessed of an individual life, and were 
 frolicking in mirth and gaiety. The Irishes and shrubs 
 are studded with myriads of happy insects, of all sorts, 
 merrily hurrying to and fro, and enjoying their brief but 
 joyous span of life in the gladdening beam. 
 
 Charles. — It is indeed a scene of loveliness : it is al- 
 most worth a winter of frost and snow to witness such a 
 scene. The apples in the orchard, and the wild cherry trees 
 in the woods are now mere bunches of blossoms, so profuse 
 as to quite hide the leaves. The fields of grass are brightly 
 green, and enamelled with flowers, and the young grain is 
 of a still richer and deeper greenness. The cattle in the 
 pastures are beginning to acquire the sleekness consequent 
 upon fresh and abundant herbage, and warm weather; and 
 every thing speaks of happiness. The birds do not appear 
 in such numbers, nor with so much familiarity as before, 
 having probably domestic duties to attend to in the shelter 
 of the groves ; but the insect tribes are more and more 
 numerous. 
 
 F. — What new acquisitions have you lately made in 
 entomology ? 
 
 C — The American Pearl-border Fritillary (Mclifcea 
 Mi/rina), a very pretty little butterfly, much resembling 
 M. Euplirosf/ne, has made its appearance. It is one of 
 those Fritillaries which are marked, especially on the under 
 surface, with spots having the lustre and polished metallic 
 appearance of silver. Why is the name Fritil/an/ given to 
 this division of butterflies ? 
 
 F. — FyitiUariHs signifies a chess or chequer-board, and 
 the term is applied to this family, because a majority of the 
 species composing it, have the upper surface of the wings, 
 and sometimes the lower also, tesselated or chequered with 
 black and tawny. This species, though small, is very 
 
JUNE. 
 
 lOJ 
 
 elegant and beautiful ; it is quite common, and is fond of 
 settling on flowers, especially Si/iu/enesia, by roadsides, &c. 
 where it may easily be caught. It continues with us till 
 the latter part of September or October. 
 
 C. — Another little butterfly, but of humlilcr pretensions 
 has likewise appeared. It is the Yellow-spotted Skipper 
 (Hesperia Perkins). 
 
 F. — The family of butterflies known by the name of 
 Skippers, have in the thickness and clumsiness of their 
 bodies, as much reseml>lance to moths as to butterflies. I 
 have sometimes amused myself by tracing the close atfinities 
 which exist between members of tril^es, that ap}iear at first 
 sight widely different, and by observing the very minute gra- 
 dations by which nature delights to step from one to annthor. 
 Let us look at a few of these in the organs of flight ; liesidcs 
 the thickness of body just alluded to, what a close resem- 
 blance of shape is there between the wings of the Ifcyicrur 
 and the Novti«v, so that when dead and expanded, it would 
 not be easy for a young naturalist to tell whether the speci- 
 men were a butterfly or a moth. On the other hand, an 
 equally close similarity exists lietween the Gconictrcr and 
 butterflies : the delicacy of form and breadth of wing is the 
 same ; the butterfly flies by day, the geometra does the 
 same ; the butterfly erects its wings Avhen at rest ; nothing 
 is more common than to see a geometra with closed erected 
 wings : here we have resemblance in points, which are con- 
 sidered generic distinctions. How closely do the Hawk- 
 moths approach the PhakciKP, through the sul)division 
 Z>/[icena ! But for a far closer affinity, and between orders 
 apparently very remote from each other, look at Lcjildojiteru 
 and Hi/t)ien<)j)tera. So exactly do many of the hawk-moths 
 of the division JEcjerm resemble hymenopterous flies, that 
 even an entomologist may be deceived at the distance of not 
 more than a yard. The transparent wings, often with 
 
 K 
 
 ! 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
194: 
 
 Tilt: CAXAUIAN NATIUALIST. 
 
 
 oitaline reflections of colour, the peculiar shape and relative 
 proportion of the fore to the liind }tair, the form of the an- 
 tennie, and even the colours of the l^ody, and their arrange- 
 ment in bands, are so exactly imitated, that every species 
 of Algeria seems to have its hymenopterous counterpart. 
 I have observed in some, which possess the deep blue wings 
 connnon to many of the Sjiliexes and Icltnemnons, even the 
 habits of those flies ; the restlessness, the short flights, the 
 frequent turns and starts, and even the flirting of the wings, 
 which no one can have failed to observe in the larger Ichneu- 
 mons. Again, see how close in the small hind-wings, and 
 the ramiflcation of the nervures, of the genus Psucks of 
 Latreille, is the order isairojitcra brought to IIi/nu'twj>tera. 
 And when the hind-wings of this latter order are united to 
 the fore ones by their minute hooks, it is not easy to per- 
 ceive the difference between them, and the single wings of 
 many in the order Di]>tera. " Thus does Nature laugh at 
 our systems ! " 
 
 C The Tiger Swallow-tails (PaplUo Tnnui..^) have 
 
 become abundant : they have a very noble a[»pearance in 
 flight when compared with the meaner fry : they are seen a 
 great way off, as they come dancing through the green lanes, 
 and I do not now find them difficult of capture. Since this 
 month began, I have obtained as many as t^venty-five 
 species of moths, which I had not seen before, of which 
 seventeen are Geometrcr. The Streaked Hooktip, ( rhit>i])teri/x 
 Ei'osa ?) Lemon Beauty, ( Augcrona SosjK'ta ?J Pea Green, 
 (CJilorlssa Vutataria? J and Grandee ( Geometni China- 
 laria), are very elegant species, and the last-named is the 
 largest Geometra I have seen here. The others of this 
 division are not remarkable. A curious little P//n(lis, the 
 
 Rhinoceros Moth, (Henninia ?^J occurs now in clover 
 
 fields : the palj>i, which are very long, are recurved over 
 the head like a horn. Three are Bomh/ices, the first I have 
 
 y 
 
A 
 
 JIXK. 
 
 11). 
 
 I' 
 
 i 
 
 seen of tliis division, and are all handsome : the Ik-lIe ( Sj>i- 
 losomii J'initHk(i), a moth of soft, vclvrty, wliito wings, is 
 become quite numerous; the ]{ul»y Tiger ( P/irdiimnhJiin 
 Fid'Kjiiioxii ), an European species, I caught in a potato lit'l I 
 just at nigiit-fall. It laid several eggs in a l>ox, wJiicli were 
 hatched in about a week ; the young catcriiillars, whicli arc 
 hairy, cat the leaves of the dandelion. The other moth, the 
 finest 1 have yet taken, is the llose-breasted ( Dri/ucoiiijin 
 Uiih'u'nuda)^ a female: the head is exceedingly small, and 
 jaws (or sucker) altogether wanting. It is large and ho;ivy, 
 and very inert, not making the least attempt to tly, or even 
 to crawl, when molested. I found it in the evening, on a 
 large stone in the field. 
 
 /'. — It is a rare species : the male is so nuieh unlike tlie 
 female, that you would scarce recognise it. It is nuicli 
 smaller and lighter of lijrm, and not remarkable for inacti- 
 vity ; and the wings, which are cream-coloured in the female, 
 are in the male beautifully clouded with rose-colour. 
 
 i'. — I put it and the female Belle Moth into sembling 
 boxes to attract males, but tiiough I kept them exMosed in 
 the field tor several days and nights, no males came near that 
 I was aware of: it may be that they were already impreg- 
 nated, though in that case they would probably have depo- 
 sited their eggs. It has been likewise unsuccessful with a 
 female Tiger Swallow-tail which I reared from tiie pupa : 
 hundreds are tlying around, but not one comes near the 
 captive. 
 
 F. — Sembling is not so likely to be successful with those 
 species, whose females are active and lively, as with those 
 which are dull and inert ; therefore I am not surprised at 
 your failure with respect to the Belle and the Swallow-tail ; 
 and perhaps the scarcity of the species may sufHciently ac- 
 count for it with the Rose-breasted moth. 
 
 C. — Wasps of different species are now very Inisy : some 
 
 « . 
 
 ^1 
 
 m 
 
 i 
 
 !i 
 
19G 
 
 THE CANADIAN' NATIUALIST. 
 
 h< ! 
 
 ; i ■»• 
 
 ;*1 
 
 of them are large, ami handsomely riiigt-d with l)huk and 
 bright yellow ( J'cKjia Mcn/lnafaJ. The elegant Star Crane- 
 fly ( liittiinnnorjilm ('nif^i^ijD'x) I have observed slowly sailing 
 thruugli the air over a pool of water ; the black and white 
 legs extended at full length from the body like the radii of a 
 star : it ap[>ears to be uncommon here. Two small but 
 beautiful sj>ecies (if bee have appeared, vieing in the lustre of 
 their colours with the brilliant Hubytails (i'lirt/KtsJ ; one is 
 of a smooth gilded green all over ( ILdirlns Gnoiiinens)^ 
 the other has the abdomen polished crimson ( Sjihecodcs liti- 
 hiila ). I netted a pair of handsome KphcnnTti'. in coitu in 
 the air, the wings elegantly spotted with brown. The larger 
 species of Dragonflies ( Lihelliiliuo ) fly about, particularly 
 on the banks of the river. 
 
 F. — What has become of the tuberous gall which you 
 found a few days ago i 
 
 C. — About thirty little Gallflies crept out of it one morn- 
 ing, all alike, aVtout half as large as a gnat, having a green 
 thorax, and the abdomen of a metallic brown, with a long 
 ovipositor. I had thought that galls produced only the true 
 Gallflies ((ialllvohe), but experience has shown me that I 
 was mistaken ; for from one that I was keeping, diftering, 
 however, from the tuberous one, I had produced, a day or 
 two ago, a dipterous fly, like a Mf/sca, with mottled wings. 
 
 F. — The large Whameflies (Tahiuiusi) are beginning to 
 be troublesome to the horses and cattle : I have been told by 
 surveyors and others, whose business leads them to penetrate 
 the forests far from human settlements, that these large flies 
 are so numerous and virulent that sometimes it is impossible 
 to proceed. It is not uncommon for persons in such circum- 
 stances, to have their faces and Ihnbs so bitten, as, with the 
 venom infused, and the consequent irritation combined, 
 to cause dangerous wounds or ulcers. I have never been 
 attacked by them myself, nor have I ever known them to 
 
 ! 
 
 f 
 
JUNE. 
 
 1.') 
 
 nv)lest man in tlic open clearing in this country, except in 
 one instance ; in which one of the little Clnudctl W'lianietlies 
 (Cltft/xiijiii Si'/'iih'liraVx? ) suthlenly darted at the hand of 
 niy brother three Huccessive times without aliu'litiuf,', iiiHiot- 
 ing a wound ei!<'li ti ue : it k-ft hard whitish lumps, attended 
 by severe pain. Tht* nioutli of these insects is a fine piece 
 of nicclumisiii : a flcsthy case contains two sjtiny serrated 
 needles, and two broad lancets, shaped like a knife, working 
 laterally ; these are to cut and enlarge the wouml, and in- 
 crease the How of blood ; within these is a fine tube enclosed 
 in a separate sheath, through which (he blood, jirobably di- 
 luted by some injected tluid (which causes the intlannnation 
 and pain) is sucked into the stomach. The jialjn are short, 
 straight, and fleshy, and V>ei)ig situated one on each side of 
 the proboscis, guide and guard it from injury while piercing 
 an animal. The whole apparatus, being little larger than the 
 point of a pin, is well Avorthy of regard and admiration. I 
 have taken the' larger species from my horses, so full of blood, 
 that the abdomen was swollen almcjst to bursting, and of a 
 deep red colour. It appears that on such occasi(jns, as well 
 as in musquitoes, ticks, &c. the vessels and intestines must 
 be either disruptured, the blood flowing among the whole 
 viscera, or else capable of such enormous distension, as almost 
 to fill the whole body. That the bodies of some insects are 
 capable of very great enlargement, is proved by the Chigoe 
 of the "West Indies ( Pxlcx PcnefratfsJ, the White Ant of 
 Africa (Tcrmes Fat'ila), and many species of tick. I have 
 myself often seen in the Southern States, Ticks ( Acanis 
 AtnericfoiHs) which, in their natural state, were not more 
 than one eighth of an inch in diameter, and no thicker than 
 writing-paper, swollen to the diameter of half an inch, and 
 the thickness of an eighth of an inch, merely by the blood 
 sucked from the body of some animal. 
 
 r. — The Golden-eyed Pearl-fly ( Ilnmcrohins Perla ) is 
 
 f I 
 
 i 
 
r-i; 
 
 P ■■ 
 
 ( 
 
 \ ! 
 
 1 
 
 '■:? 
 
 
 I 
 ti 
 
 S 
 
 r 
 
 * 
 
 II. ! 
 if I 
 
 1.08 
 
 THE ('AN'ADIAK XATURALIST. 
 
 frequent amongst the Irishes. I think there is no insect more 
 elegant tlian this : t'-e hirge wings so fihiiy and transparent, 
 tlie delicate network tracery of the green nervures, and the 
 graceful manner In whicli they close, the slender body, and 
 the golden prominent eyes, are, I think, unrivalled. It is a 
 pity that it gives out so disgusting an odour when handled. 
 
 /''. — Have you ever observed the remarkable appearance 
 presented by the eggs of this fly ? Each one is elevated on 
 a slender footstalk, as a flower grows on its stem, the lower 
 end being attached to a leaf, or other substance. As they 
 are often arranged in regular rows, and all of one length and 
 thickness, they look very curious, and would hardly be sus- 
 pected to be the eggs of an insect ; they look somewhat like 
 
 the capsules of some mosses. A fine Hymenopterous 
 
 fly, the White-bodied Cimbex (Cimbcx \0-)uac>data ) was 
 lately evolved from pupa in my box : the larva of which, 
 with some others, I took from willows in August last : it 
 was pale green, with a blue band down the back. The per- 
 fect insect is not so large as a specimen I obtained hi New- 
 foundland. The common Downy Cimbex (Cintbex S//Ira- 
 tka) is becoming numerous : I perceive these flies are the 
 same dull heavy creatures here as they are in that island, 
 where I first became acquainted with them. 
 
 C — Here is a large two-winged fly, crawling among the 
 grass, whicli appears almost helpless and unable to use its 
 wings : what is it ? 
 
 F. — It is Cocnowi/ia PalUda: I took one on the 13th of 
 June, 183G, and another on the very saii:e day the next 
 year ; this makes the third. They were all amongst the 
 grass : one of them was in the act of emerging from the pupa 
 when I took it : I have the pupa-skin still ; it is large, and 
 the hind segments have rings of spines ; its colour is chestnut 
 brown, and it much resembles that of a large moth. I have 
 no doubt it is subterraneous in the pupa state. They all ap- 
 
 S 
 
 I 
 
1 
 
 JUNE, 
 
 199 
 
 poaved thus dull and inert. In Say's American EntouKv 
 logy it is spoken of as a rarity : he says, " During the re- 
 cent journey of Major Long's party to the source of the St. 
 Peter's river, I obtained three individuals of this interesting 
 species, the only one yet found in North America. They 
 occurred in a small forest of scattered trees, where we halted 
 at our dining hour, in the immediate vicinity of Wemiabea's 
 Sauk village on the Pecktannos. None were observed at 
 any subsequent period of the journey." Say's figure is 
 rather ;;maller than our specimens. 
 
 i: 
 
 'I 
 
 
 IMA(iO AND I'lIW-SKIN Or COKNOMVIA I'AM.U)A. 
 
 r. — What birds arc those flying so swiftly in a small 
 
 Hock I 
 
 F. — That is the celebrated Passenger Pigeon (CohDnho 
 Mi(/ratoriaJ, and the first flock I have seen this year. They 
 do not appear to make their migrations, as birds in general 
 do, to avoid ungenial seasons, but to oljtain in abundance 
 that food which is most suited to their wants : hence their 
 appearances are very uncertain as to time. They are com- 
 
.i 
 
 200 
 
 THE CAXADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 t ♦ 
 
 ! 1 
 
 i 
 
 M 
 
 mon enough in tliis country every summer, but I have never 
 seen anything Hke tlie innumerable liosts of pigeons that 
 fill the sky in the forests of the west. Wilson and Audubon, 
 each in his own felicitous manner^ have described the comings 
 and goings of these countless swarms ; the eclipsed sun, the 
 rushing roar, the crash of broken trees as they alight, the 
 report of fire-arms, the shouts of the people, the howls of the 
 wild beasts, the eagles and vultures, the greedy hogs, and 
 the unimaginable confusion and uproar attending such scenes 
 as these. To give some idea of the abundance of these birds, 
 both of these eminent naturalists have made a rough compu- 
 tation of the number contained in particular fiocks seen 
 by them. Wilson makes his flock to contain two thousand 
 two hundred and thirty millions, two hundred and seventy- 
 two thousand pigeons : Audubon supposes one billion one 
 hundred and fifteen millions, one hundred and thirty-six 
 thousand to have been contained in the flock seen by him ; 
 and the quantity of food necessary for this single flock to 
 be nearly nine millions of bushels per day. The mind is 
 lost in endeavouring to form an idea commensurate with 
 these vast numbers ; and this small, and apparently insigni- 
 ficant bird, may justly be considered one of the wonders 
 
 of this western world. There are two sitting on 
 
 a limb of yonder beech ; be cautious, and you have a fair 
 ojtportunity of observing them. 
 
 C — It is a very pretty bird : the slenderness of the 
 l)ody, and length of the tail, make it a more elegant bird 
 than the tame pigeon, but there is a family resemblance ; the 
 prevalence of blue, and the changeable metallic gloss of the 
 feathers, show its affinity. 
 
 F. — They are much sought after for the table, as the 
 flesh is delicate, and many are killed during their sojourn 
 with us : they fly, as you see, very swiftly, and make very 
 little noise with their wings. The sun shining on the flocks 
 
 I 
 
 17 { 
 
JL \E. 
 
 '201 
 
 as they fly, from the changing kistre of their pknnage, pnt- 
 duces a fine effect. Tlie eye of tliis species, as of all the 
 pigeons, possesses a peculiarly soft and mild character, which, 
 with their mournful and gentle notes, has perhaps contri- 
 buted to make them the general favourites which they are. 
 The Turtle-dove (('ohunhu (Airolinoisis) is said by natu- 
 ralists to be an inhabitant of Canada, or migratory here ; and 
 I suspect, from its general resemblance, it is often mistaken 
 for the passenger pigeon : it is, however, smaller, and of 
 more brilliant tints, and does not assemble in those immense 
 flocks that the latter does, it being rare to see in sunnner 
 more than two or three together. They fly with a loud 
 whistling sound, caused by the vibration of their wings. In 
 the South I have seen them abundantly, where their re- 
 markably mournful cooings fill the woods all day long. Tlio 
 coo of the Turtle-dove consists of five deliberate syllables, not 
 four, as Wilson has it, though the first is sometimes so low 
 as to be unheard unless you are pretty near : the second is 
 about five notes or tones higher than the others, which art' 
 all of one note. It is a very mournful, but not unpleasiug 
 sound ; and being quite in character with the umbrageuus 
 solitudes of those majestic forests, has a soothing effect on 
 the mind. They are fond of basking in the dusty roads 
 when the sun shines, arid are so tame that they will scarcely 
 move from a horse's feet. 
 
 I 
 
 C. — There is that peculiar quivering in the air close to the 
 ground, or the surface of any object, which we always see 
 at this season ; an appearance so exclusively associated with 
 bright and warm weather, that the country people in some 
 parts of England, have given it the name of " the summer." 
 
 F. — It is caused by the rarefaction and consequent rising 
 of the air: the earth being heated I'V the sun's rays, give* 
 
 K .') 
 
 m 
 
 m 
 
 il 
 
 I 
 
m 
 
 I : 
 
 ' ': * 
 
 202 
 
 TIIK CANADTAX NATniALIST. 
 
 out a portion of its caloric to tlie air at its surface, the strata 
 of Avhich, as they become heated, rise iir little waves or 
 ripples. The same thing may be seen aromid the pipe of a 
 lieated stove in our rooms, arising from the very same 
 cause. 
 
 C. — Let us stay, and again admire the beautiful river, 
 so calmly flowing : how brightly is the furnace-glow of the 
 western sky imaged in the smooth mirror ; every twig of 
 the overhanging birches, every leaf of the quivering poplars, 
 is perfectly reflected. Every now and then a trout snaps at 
 some unfortunate fly, but makes so little splash that the re- 
 ceding circles scarcely break the surface. Clouds of gnats 
 are dancing in the evening beam, and here is a little cluster 
 of Ej)Ii(>7)ior(V, playing in mazy circles over the water wliich 
 lias just given them birth, and which will presently be their 
 grave. 
 
 F. — Tiicre is a great difference between the feelings 
 excited by the beginning and those by the termination of the 
 day. In the early morning, the brightening twilight, the 
 rosy east, the uprising sun, the dewy grass, the awakening 
 birds, all contribute to give an exhilaration and a gaiety to 
 the spirits, that impels us to shout and leap for mere joy- 
 
 ousness of heart. How difterent are the feelings at 
 
 this evening hour ! Although the setting sun is as bright 
 as the rising, the sky as gorgeous, and the appearance of 
 nature in most respects the same, yet there is an indescribal)le 
 touching of sadness and melancholy, Avhicli comes over the 
 spirit ere we are aware. Perhaps the difference exists more 
 in ourselves than in the external world ; perhaps there is an 
 unacknowledged tinge of weariness, a feeling of vanity in the 
 daily pursuits ; or, perhaps, there may lie an unconscious 
 association of the departing day, with the passing aAvay of 
 all earthly things. 
 
 ..f 
 
 J. 
 
JUXK. 
 
 203 
 
 C. — We had better return : for the musquitoes are be- 
 giiining to dispel every trace of the romantic, with their very 
 matter of- fact l»ites. — I wonder whether these vermin ever 
 sleep ? 
 
 F. — They are active in their most congenial haunts at 
 every hour of day or night ; thougli possibly, like sailors at 
 sea, they keep " watch and watch ;" one set making tiglit 
 while the other sleeps. But, seriously, I have often doubted 
 whether any cold-l)looded animals sleep, or at least whether 
 tliey are not able to do without it, for long-continued periods 
 at will. I have known fishes very remarkable and easily 
 recognisaljle, keep under the stern of a vessel and about her 
 rudder for many days together, while sailing through tlie 
 ocean : if they had slept during that time, of course the ves- 
 sel would have left them ; and, l>esides, as there is no slitl- 
 ter in the ocean, without going down to unflithomable depths, 
 I tliink if the smaller fish were to sleep, all exposed as thoy 
 must be, they would inevitably tall an unresisting prey to 
 those ravenous tribes wliich continually watch to devour 
 them. 
 
 ('. — There is a large bird flying across tlie road, just vi- 
 sible against the sky. Is it an owl :* 
 
 /p. — It is an owl, doubtless : from its size, though too 
 dimly seen for certainty, I should take it to be the Barred 
 Owl (Strix NehtdosaJ. It feeds on many small animals 
 which roam abroad at night, and, as Audul)on says, is fond 
 of frogs. He is frequently seen in the afternoon, resting on 
 some low limb of a tree, and will suffer a person to approach 
 very close to him without troul)ling himself to move, and 
 when he does slowly throw open his great wings, and betake 
 himself to his silent flagging flight, he usually perches on 
 another limb a few rods distant, whence he glares with liis 
 moony eyes at the intruder, as if in utter astonishment. 
 
 J. 
 
'204 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 Lt ' 
 
 -'1 I 
 
 V v 
 
 i-. 
 
 BARRED OWL. 
 
 (StiLv Nt'bidom.J 
 
 C. — What light is that before us ? 
 
 F. — It is the Firefly ( Lanip'/ris ConiscaJ ; which illu- 
 minates our summer nights with its radiance. AV^hen I 
 came up the country from the St. Lawrence, travelling late 
 one evening, I first saw these pretty insects. The light, you 
 see, is of a yellow colour, like that of flame, and very differ- 
 ent from the blue gleam of our English glowworm : from this 
 circumstance, I at first took them for candles in the woods, 
 and though told what they were, at every one that appeared, 
 the same idea would come across my mind, that it was 
 some one in the woods, carrying a candle, until I became 
 
 i 
 
 J 
 
cl 
 
 Hi 
 
 i 
 
 >w 
 
 *1 
 
 JUNE. 
 
 20.' 
 
 more familiar with them. Even now, if I see one sud<lenlv, 
 witbout having expected it, the impression momentarily re- 
 curs. They more frequently give out the liglit while flying, 
 than when crawling or resting, though we may often observe 
 the intermittent gleam as one crawls up a stalk of grass, or 
 rests on the leaf of a tree. They fly slowly, and as they 
 fly, emit and conceal their light with great regularity at in- 
 tervals of two or three seconds : making interrupted lines of 
 light through the air, gleaming slowly along for about a yard; 
 then suddenly quenched, and appearing again at the same 
 distance a- head. The insect is a pretty Itectle, with soft 
 elytra, of a light brown colour, marked with red, and hand- 
 somely striped : the light proceeds from the last three seg- 
 ments of the abdomen, which are of a delicate cream colour 
 V)y day. At night these three segments are bright at all 
 times, but at the regular intervals I have mentiuncd, they 
 flash out with dazzling splendour. If this part be plucked 
 off" and crushed, many patches of brilliance occur lor a few 
 moments among the flesh, but they gradually die away. In 
 summer evenings, they often occur in great numl)ers, es})e- 
 cially over wet and marshy ground : I have seen the whole 
 air, for a few yards above the surface of a large fleld, com- 
 pletely filled with them, thicker than the stars on a winter 
 night ; and, flashing and disappearing, every one moving 
 about in their mazy evolutions, it is really a very beautiful 
 sight : it is conmionly believed these numbers precede rain. 
 Notwithstanding their aVjundance, they are not often seen 
 by day. They are usually known here by the name of light- 
 ning bugs. 
 
 C. — What can be the use of their light ? 
 
 F, — That it has some end useful in their economy may 
 not be doubted : but what that '^nd is, we are entirelv ifjnorant. 
 It has been concluded and taken for granted that in a parallel 
 case, that of the common Glowworm of England ( Lampijr'iti 
 
 I 
 
 'I 
 
 ' 
 
 
'»l" 
 
 
 III 
 
 Li 
 
 ill!! 
 
 •■!» 
 
 li 
 
 ii 
 
 !!' 
 
 ,| 
 
 I 
 
 !l 
 
 
 4 'i:'l 
 
 20fi 
 
 THE CANADIAN' NATURALIST. 
 
 Norfiluca) its purpof5e is to direct the winged male to the 
 wingless female. But it is surely forgotten that other in-ects 
 have no diflficulty in finding the females which are stationary, 
 l>ut that, on the contrary, they possess a peculiar power of 
 discovering them, even when totally concealed from sight, as 
 when enclosed in boxes, and even coming down chimneys, 
 and beating against windows, to obtain access to them ; on 
 which power, the plan of taking males, called " seml^ling," 
 is founded. And whether or not, the explanation of the 
 phenomenon would not answer in this instance, where both 
 sexes are winged. 
 
 ('. — It is not without a parallel in other insects, such as 
 some Klalcrs and Fnhinra' ; and in those very curious mol- 
 lusca so a])undant in the ocean, whicli make the ship's path 
 a path of light and splendour. Have you ever observed these 
 marine illuminations with any attention ? 
 
 F. — I have not had any opportunity of making micro- 
 scopic observations on them; liut my curiosity and attention 
 have often been excited by the appearances, and I have 
 occasionally made some notes on their peculiarities. In 
 crossing the Atlantic from Newfoundland to England, I 
 have noticed three distinct kinds of liirht in the water, all 
 visible at the same time. One was the cloudy, milky ap- 
 pearance of the sea under the stern and in the wake, just as 
 if the ship had disturbed a quantity of chalk at the bottom : 
 another kind consisted of an innumeral>le multitude of mi- 
 nute bright sparks, appearing at the sides of the vessel, and 
 among the former cloudy light, though perfectly distinct 
 from it. These two sorts appeared to be caused by the 
 ploughing of the ship through the water, ]»ut the third sort 
 was evidently quite independent of this cause. It may be 
 described as broad flashes of light on the surface of the waves, 
 coming and going like sudden fitful flashes of lightning. 
 
 <i I 
 
1 
 
 jrxE. 
 
 QOl 
 
 i 
 
 
 Tlie first two are only seen in the vessel's track, and at the 
 sides ; but these gleams are seen as far as the eye can trace 
 them, in every direction : they are much more rarely ob- 
 served than the former. There was a confused swell when 
 I made these observations, and some short waves ; Init tliey 
 did not break. In a voyage to the Gulf of Mexico, I saw 
 the water in those southern seas more splendidly luminous 
 than J had ever observed 1»efore. It was indeed a magnili- 
 cent sight, to stand in the fore part of the vessel, and watch 
 her breasting the waves. The mass of water rolled fn^m her 
 bows as white as milk, with a luminous cloudiness, studded 
 with those innumerable sparks of blue light. Tlie ncladosity 
 instantly separated into small masses, curdled like the clouds 
 of marble, and soon su])sided ; but the sjtarkles remained. 
 Sometimes, one of the brightest of these points appeared to 
 burst into a small cloud of superior whiteness to the mass, 
 and to be lost in the rest. Occasional flashes were seen on 
 the dark surface of the surrounding sea, as some little wave 
 would rise and break. 'J'he curdling of the milky a}»})ear- 
 ancc into clomls and masses, and its quick subsidence, were 
 what I had never observed elsewhere. IJut how little do 
 we know of the arcana of nature : this Knninous property 
 of the sea has doubtless attracted the attention of observant 
 meii. in all ages, being seen on almost every shore ; and 
 yet what do we know of it ? of its cause, of its nature, of its 
 uses ? 
 
 C. — The ocean is probably a world within itself; con- 
 taining thousands of productions, that the eye of man has 
 never seen. \Vhat numberless animals, shells, plants, zoo- 
 phytes, may be supposed to lie on the undisturlied bed of 
 the vast sea, where the sounding line of the mariner has 
 never penetrated ! How beautiful are Percival's lines on 
 the tropical seas : — 
 
 
 WI 
 
 M 
 
2()S 
 
 TJIK r.AXAPIAX NATURALIST 
 
 H^i 
 
 ; r 
 
 I D 
 
 !•'' 
 
 •I 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 i 
 
 
 1 
 
 1^ ' !:> 
 
 ill 
 
 *' The rioor is of saml liko the nimintiiin drift. 
 
 And the pearl shells spangle the tlinty sudw ; 
 From coral rocks the sea-plants lift 
 
 Their hoiijrlis, where the tides and billows tlow : 
 The water is calm and still lielow, 
 
 For the winds and waves arc absent there ; 
 And the sands are bright as the stars that glow 
 
 In the motionless iieids of the upper air. 
 There with its waving blade of green, 
 
 The sea-riiig streams through the silent water ; 
 And the crimson leaf of the dulse is seen 
 
 To blush liko a banner bathed in shuigliter. 
 Tiiere, witii a light and easy motion. 
 
 The f;m-coral sweeps through the clear dee}) sea. 
 And the yellow and scarlet tufts of ocean 
 
 Are bending like corn on the upland lea. 
 And life, in rare and beautiful forms, 
 
 Is sporting amidst those Itowers of stone. 
 And is safe, when the wrathful spirit of storms 
 
 Has made the top of the waves his own. 
 And when the ship from his fury flics, 
 
 Where the myriad voices of ocean roar. 
 When the wind-god frowns in the nuu'ky skies. 
 
 And demons arc waiting the wreck on shore ; — 
 Then far below, in the peaceful sea, 
 
 The purple mullet and goldfish rove. 
 Where the waters murmur tranquilly 
 
 Through the bending twigs of the coral grove." 
 
 F. — I had almost forgotten to mention a very singular 
 luminous appearance that I observed in Newfoundland about 
 ten years ago. It was summer time : a few young men of 
 us had been on an excursion from Carbonear to Brigus, in a 
 pleasure-boat, and were now returning. The wind had 
 died away before we had reached so far as Harbour Grace, 
 and it had become a perfect calm ; night was falling, and 
 we had taken to the oars for some time, when a thick fog 
 closed us in, and we lost sight of the land, just as we neared 
 the southern point of Musc^uito : we were now bewildered, 
 
 
 i 
 
 ■f 
 
JL'XE, 
 
 ?()<> 
 
 for though we had a compass on board, \\r ad uu Hgii - and 
 feared to ro\v% not knowing our direction. Suddciil\ . wv 
 saw a briglit red hglit, like tiie flame of a candle, near thr 
 surface of the water, in the fog, and thinking it to he tln' 
 light of some fishing skift', we rowed towards it ; hut present- 
 ly, we perceived it to be in motion ; now receding from us, 
 now apiiroaching us with great swiftness ; sometimes shooting 
 round our boat, then whizzing away like a shot, until almost 
 lost in the fog, then rapidly skimming along towards us again, 
 so that we were lost in astonishment at its vagaries. \\\' 
 came near enough to see that there was no boat, nor any 
 other visible substance but tlie flame itself, whatever its na- 
 ture was. We at length dropped our anchor, and lay thore 
 till morning. I presume it was of a gaseous or phosphoric- 
 nature, though I cannot account fjr its motions.'^' 
 
 ('. — It was a curious circumstance, and would have been 
 alarming, if you had been superstitious. I have heard of 
 'lalls of fire resting on mast-heails, yard-arms, and diflcreiit 
 parts of the rigging of vessels at sea in a gale of wind. Was 
 the light you saw anything of that kind i 
 
 F. — I do not apprehend that it was : it appeared of alto- 
 gether a different character of light : they are blue, jtale, and 
 indistinct ; this was bright and r(;d. I believe electricity is 
 generally considered to be the cause of those appearances, 
 and they only occur in contact with some substance : usually 
 some projection. The iynisfutuus of the marsh has probably 
 more affinity to it. I have often mentioned the circumstance 
 to mariners, and others familiar with the sea, but have ne- 
 ver met with any who was acquainted with the phenomenon. 
 
 * I liave lately seen in the Magazine of Natural History (Vol. I. new- 
 series, 1837, page .i48, H sr(j,) several papers attributing the liylit called 
 iiinisfatuus to winged inseets. It has struck me that the appearance aliove 
 noticed may have had a similar origin ; in which case its inu//')//}: would 
 be no longer unaccountable. — P. II. (}. 
 
 Im 
 
 i 
 
I 4 
 
 210 
 
 XTV 
 
 JUxXE 20th. 
 
 V 1: 
 
 I ih i4 
 
 Piiqili'-lmiulcd Wakondiiii. — Hiitti>i'tiip. — Red Clover. — Cellar Rinl.—- 
 Siiitriiiir Birds. — Night Hawk — its singular iiKiiiiK'rs. — Aiii>raraiiee 
 of Forest. — Straiglituess and Nakedness of Korest Trees. — I'roces* of 
 clearing Land. — Ornamental Trees. — Uloom of Forest. — Ago of 
 Trees. — Tenaeity of l^ife, — I'earl-crcscent Fritillarv. — Che<inered 
 Skipper. — Small Copper. — Handed Purple — its Caterpillar and Ciiry- 
 salis. — Caterpillar of Forked — of Orange Comma. — Mollis. — Twin- 
 eyed llawkmotli. — Di'iu-cdations of Mice. — Congregations of Br.t- 
 tertiies. — N'oracity of a Hug. — Other Insects. — Decay of Trees, \c. 
 
 Fatiieu. — "Will you roam with nie through the woods 
 tor an hour or two, that we may see if nature has any no- 
 velties to offer us ? 
 
 Charles. — Very willingly : but it appears to he rather 
 a dull time in every department except entomology : insects 
 are numerous enough ; but the bii'ds seem to have all de- 
 serted us, and the trees manifest no change, except a greater 
 depth and density of foliage. 
 
 F. — Here is a striking plant, the Purple-banded ^yake- 
 robin (Arum Atropnrpnrcitm) ; the leaves and spathe are 
 handsomely striped with longitudinal bands of deep purple. 
 You have probably been familiar with the Spotted-Wake- 
 robin (Arum Maculutmn), which grows in some parts of 
 England. 
 
 C. — Oh, yes ! it is abundant in some of the lanes near 
 AVimborne and Blandford ; at school, we used to gather them 
 for the beautiful, crimson, pillar like spike of flowers, sitting 
 in state beneath its canopy ; for which reason, probal)ly, they 
 
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 1 
 
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 S\ 
 
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 av" called " lords and hidios." Tiny have a most putrid 
 odour, when the Hower fades. 
 
 F. — The rout of the ditfcroiit species of .//•'/;// is fleshy 
 anvl tulierous: it is hi^fhly ii.'rid and even poisonous v>luii 
 raw; hut heat dispels this quality, as it dues in some othfr 
 v«»uetahle suhstances ; and when couked, it contains a fari- 
 na- eous nutriment. 'I'his species of ours is sometimes called 
 Indian turnijt, and is said, when lioiKd, to taste like cassava. 
 
 ('. — The Huttercup ( RaHHia-iihii^ Acris) hei,dn3 to show 
 its familiar ydluw hlossom in the fields : is it a native ? 
 
 /'. — 1 think it is prohahle that the seed has been intro- 
 duced anioiifj grass seeds from Europe. It is a plant per- 
 fectly useless to man, cattle uniformly rejecting it : yet it no 
 doulit answers some purpose of utility in the great economy 
 ol' Creation, and the chain would be imperfect without it. 
 But wo may observe another field i>lant Itlussoming, which 
 is of essential service to the agriculturist: I refer to the 
 Red QXoxQV (Trfjhlhnn Prutense), the general cultivation of 
 which is undoulitedly one of the greatest improveni'uts of 
 modern husbandry. It yieMs an abundant crop of herbage, 
 fit for mowing, to be cured as hay, or to be fed to stock when 
 green, called soiling. It opens the soil, and by the rotting of 
 its roots admirably fits it for the succeeding crop. Our 
 American farmers here are prejudiced against it a-; hay, 
 pleading that it becomes hard and dry ; but the cause of this 
 is ol)viously tlieir mismanagement. Clover should be cut 
 just as it comes generally into full blossom, at which time it 
 possesses more nutriment than at any other; but it is usually 
 sown here with Timothy (P/iU'ioii PratcnseJ, which pro- 
 duces the best hay when cut in ripe seed. This grass does 
 not blossom till the middle of July, at which time most of the 
 clover has ripened its seed, and become dry stalk, almost 
 worthless as hay. But our haymaking does not usually 
 commence till late in July, when timothy is in the best 
 
 i> 
 
 \m 
 
212 
 
 THE CANADIAN XATUllALIST. 
 
 ! •! 
 
 state fi)!' cutting, but clover completely sacrificed. The lat- 
 ter should be sown separately, and cut at a much earlier 
 season, and w-uld then bear a very different character. 
 
 C Is clover a grass ? 
 
 F. — In agriculture, nearly all plants whose herbage is 
 used for food for domestic cattle are so called ; but in botany 
 it is a papilionaceous flower, and when examined it is a very 
 pretty one. What is commonly called a clover blossom is 
 in fact a collection of many flowers closely united : the co- 
 rolla contains much nectar or honey, and this is very sensible 
 to the taste, if we suck the basis of them individually. The 
 blossoms are nmch freciuented by bees, butterflies, and other 
 insects, on this account ; and a bee-hive placed near a clover 
 field will not lack honey. It is thought that honey gathered 
 princiitally from clover is of a peculiarly agreeable flavour. 
 White Clover (TrlfdllHm NfjK'/tsJ is not sown with us, 
 yet it springs up abundantly by the road sides ; but the 
 seed has douljtless been introduced. It is not suited for 
 hay, but forms very excellent pasturage, and is more durable 
 than the red species. 
 
 C. — There is a very elegant little bird on a stake of tlie 
 fence, with a high pointed crest. 
 
 F. — It is the Cedar Bird (Amjx'/is Americana J ; and a 
 very pretty little stranger it is : it is remarkable for the 
 smoothness and glossiness of its plumage, which is chastely 
 but not brightly coloured. Its chief singularity consists in 
 some curious appendages to the tips of the quill feathers, 
 which look exactly like bits of red sealing wax. It is an 
 inoffensive bird, and a general favourite, but with no preten- 
 sions to song. 
 
 C. — What has become of our Itright-feathered friends 
 that charmed us by their beauty and their song a short time 
 ago ? It is three weeks since I have observed the scarlet 
 tanagers, or any of the warlders. 
 
 "■5 
 
.irxE. 
 
 2]. 3 
 
 'he lat- 
 earlier 
 
 lie 
 
 1 
 
 
 F. — The spring is tlie cliief time for the singing of birds : 
 it appears to l)e connected Avith their pairing, and tlie rearing 
 of their young. When these duties are performed, our Httle 
 musicians become silent : a few sing in autumn, lait very few 
 indeed during the heat of summer. They have not left the 
 country, however ; they have merely retired from view 
 into the recesses of the woods and swamps. I saw some of 
 the warblers in a cedar swamp yesterday: I believe they 
 were the Bay-]»reasted Warbler and Canada Flycatcher ( S//1- 
 vid C<iKt<t)t<'(i, and Miixclc(ij)a ('(niadcHHis). The finches 
 are much more familiar; the Purple Finch ( FrhiijiUii Pur- 
 jmrea) yet remains with us; the Goldfinch ( Vrimiilhi. 
 Tristin)^ the King-bird f M'/ftcicajxi T>jrannvs), and the 
 sparrows, are still hopping about the fences ; and the Ued- 
 wings (Stni-)tf(s Predator h<s) and Grakles ( (iracnliisj are 
 occasionally seen. 
 
 C. — Last evening, as I was returning from the field about 
 sunset, some rather large, dark liirds keiit flying over my head, 
 sweeping along with great swiftness : they had a i>aie spot 
 on each wing. Their wings were long, and they tle»v like 
 swallows, with great power of wing. Now and then, they 
 uttered a short harsh scream. 
 
 F. — They were Night Hawks (C(ijirn)riiJini^ Ann'rica- 
 wx) : they screech in the air every evening from sunset till 
 after darkness has closed in. They are spread over the 
 whole of the United States, in some of which they are called 
 the bull-bat, partly from their resemblance to bats, as they 
 flit along in the twilight, and partly from another circum- 
 stance, whicli is very peculiar. In the evenings, the males 
 amuse themselves by mounting on the wing to a great height, 
 then suddenly dropping down perpendicularly, head foremost, 
 like a lump of lead; they bring themselves up with a turn 
 before they come to the ground, then mount, and precipitati; 
 themselves again. While in the act of descending, Ihey sud- 
 denly utter a hollow booming sound, which may lie iieard at 
 
 
 
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 214 
 
 THE CANADIAN N' ATU Jl ALIST. 
 
 a great distance, and lias some rescmlJance to the hcllow of 
 a IjLill. It is supposed that the sound is caused by the air 
 rushing into their capacious open mouths, as into the top of 
 a barrel. They feed on moths and other night-tiying insects, 
 and are rarely seen by day. 
 
 C. — Is the A\'hip-poor Will fC(fjjrim/(/<j/fs I'ociJeriisJ 
 an inhaliitant of this part of Canada ( 
 
 F. — I have been told that it has been sometimes heard, 
 l)ut I have never heard nor seen it myself, and at all events, 
 it nmst be considered a very rare visitor. 
 
 C. — Our neighljour here is clearing some forest land. 
 
 /•'. — ()t)serve the remarkable appearance of it : if we look 
 at the forest at the edge of an old clearing, yonder field for 
 instance, we see it green and leafy to the very ground ; but 
 if we h.>ok at it v.iiere a portion has been recently cut away, 
 a very different aspect is presented. A\'e see nothing but tall, 
 slender, upright stems of ditt'erent sizes, with scarcely a leaf, 
 excei)t at the top, where there is a small and scanty surface 
 of foliage, quite out of proportion to the height of the trees: 
 the eye can penetrate a long way into the gloomy depth, ns 
 there is no tbliage to intercei»t the vision ; nothing but this 
 liost of straight grey sticks. There is certainly a little under- 
 In'ush, on the ground, but it is meagre, and extends only to 
 the height of a very few feet, consisting of a few scattered 
 shrul)S. 
 
 ('. — A\'hat is the cause of this remarkable manner of 
 growth ? 
 
 /•'. — The want of light ; without which there is no folia- 
 tion: those trees which grow on the edge of the forest shoot 
 out side-branches into the light, and liushes and !?hrubs 
 sprhig up, which are profusely covered with leaves. J^ut 
 those that spring ujt within, continue to shoot upward and 
 upward, until they reach the top of the forest (the only situa- 
 tion in which they can reach the light), before they shoot 
 
 I 
 
 4 
 \ 1 
 
 11 
 
 f 
 
juxi:. 
 
 :.M5 
 
 out any permanent branches. If the leadhig sliout ot" a 
 yuang tree growing alom' ]»e liroken ofi', the tree cea>es to 
 grow nuicii higher, hut sends out many ramifying houghs ; 
 hut a young forest tree in similar circumstanoes acts (htfer- 
 ently ; another shoot is sent out, which hocomes the header, 
 and carries up tlie perpendicuhir, and tliis after the tree has 
 attained a considerable height and circumference, as I have 
 seen in many instances. It is this circumstance of [jrowing 
 
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 i\ 
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 li 
 
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 MAi'I.K ( Arcr Sii, flid rill mil ) in a ( i.KAlilNCi.* 
 
 ^ Tliciv is an i.ppiiiviit iiRonj^niity in iviinM'iuin,Li trees naknl and lr:il- 
 lr>- in tlio niiaaio of .Innc, Imt tlie nlijcit was to illn-.tr.itc the nm,!,' of 
 raiiiijioili'iii, on wiiich tin; apiK'araiRX' iilhidcd to in tin.' toxt ilriMinN. 
 
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 210 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 SO tall without lateral l)ranches, that makes forest tinil»er so 
 valuable, for wherever a branch grows, there is a knot in the 
 trunk. 
 
 ('. — "Will you describe the process of clearing land ? 
 
 F. — Our neighbour having just got his " crops" into the 
 ground, is clearing this for next year. He begins by cutting 
 with a heavy bush-hook, the shrubs and slender saplings, 
 which are then piled in large heaps : the axe follows, and cuts 
 down the young trees, the larger ones being left for the pre- 
 
 MAI'I.E (Ai'c)' Sid-rliiO-iiilim ) I\ THE rouEsr/ 
 * Sit figures of tlii' Elm, pp. 14, 1.5. 
 
 '1 
 
\l 
 
 1 
 
 JUNE 
 
 217 
 
 sent ; tlie felled ones are cut in lengths, and piled with the 
 limbs on the brush heaps. All these have been cut quite 
 close to the ground, so that the stumps may offer no obstruc- 
 tion to the harrow : all being piled, nothing remains Imt to 
 fell the large trees, which is done at about two feet from the 
 ground, the stumps being permitted to remain till the gra- 
 dual decomposition of the roots allows of tlieir extraction : 
 a work of years. The trunks of the trees are now chopped 
 into lengths, those which are useful for fencing placed by 
 themselves to be removed, and the remainder, l)y the efforts 
 of oxen with chains, and men with levers, are piled one 
 upon another, and the tops thrown into heaps as before. 
 In this state everything remains during the sunnner, exposed 
 to the burning sun of July, August, and September, which 
 dries up a good deal of the moisture, and makes the heaps 
 fit to burn. In the fall, advantage is taken of a dry time 
 to put fire to the logs and brush, which burn ra}ddly, 
 and are usually consumed, with the exception of some rem- 
 nants of the log heaps, which are piled together for a final 
 burning. The running of the fires over the ground kills 
 eveiy vegetable, and the fertilizing ashes make the whole 
 in good order for culture. Tiie plough is not put into the 
 ground for some years, until the small stumps and roots 
 have decayed : it is merely harrowed over, the virgin eartii 
 being soff; and mellow, and grain is sowed with grass seed. 
 After the first crop, it remains in grass for several years. 
 Such is the ordinary practice, slightly varying, according to 
 circumstances. 
 
 C. — Are no young trees ever left for ornament ? 
 
 F. — Were it possible to do so, they would be anything 
 but ornamental ; for a young forest-tree is nothing more 
 than a very tall hop-pole with a few leaves at the top : but 
 the fires woidd be sure to kill them, if such were spared by 
 the axe and hook. Ornamental trees must, in general, be 
 
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 218 
 
 THE CANADIAN' NATURALIST. 
 
 planted, or spring up spontaneously ; and this sufficiently 
 accounts for what travellers think so strange in a forest 
 country, the general want of trees aliout the homestead, road- 
 sides, Sec. : farmers in general being too much employed to 
 pay attention to planting for ornament. 
 
 C. — Let us walk into the forest. — What a sombre gloom 
 prevails ; the more striking, as contrasting with the bright 
 sunlight we have left. Scarce a ray here and there can pe- 
 netrate through the leafy canopy, that almost fatigues the 
 eye to look up to it. Yet that is the most cheerful part of 
 the scene ; for there the leaves, so brightly green, are dan- 
 cing and sparkling in the light ; while we, far below, are in 
 shade. 
 
 F. — The gloom and solitude of the interior of the forest 
 have invariably a solemnizing influence on n.y mind : -an 
 awe like that which one feels amidst the timeworn pillars of 
 an ancient cathedral ; which these grey and moss-grown 
 trunks greatly resemble. 
 
 C. — How old do you suppose these large elms to be ? 
 
 F, — I cannot tell : probably they were rearing their slen- 
 der stems years before Jacques Cartier explored the St. Law- 
 rence, or even before the chivalrous Genoese launched his 
 frail bark on the grim Atlantic. The concentric circles 
 around the heart of a tree are, however, believed to give a 
 correct estimate of its age, one being made every year : we 
 can count the rings in some of these logs that have been 
 felled. 
 
 C. — I have counted one ; an ash of about eighteen inches 
 in diameter, which has but one hundred and sixty circles. 
 
 F. — I chose this hemlock log, about two feet in diame- 
 ter : if this be a true criterion, this tree must be three hundred 
 and ninety-five years old, wiiich canies us back to a period 
 fifty years before the first voyage of Columbus. But what 
 is this ? what is the age of the largest tree in these forests 
 
 
 \^ 
 
JUNE. 
 
 QM) 
 
 to the celebrated Baol)ab of Adanson, or tlie Cypress of 
 Decandolle, both of which are beheved to be nearly as old as 
 the deluge ? The former is in Senegal, the latter in 
 l\Iexico. 
 
 C. — Does a tree invariably die when it is cut down :' 
 
 F, — Oh no : the stump often sends out fresh shoots, 
 which are remarkable for the vigour of tlieir growth, and for 
 the great size of their leaves. I have seen an ash stump 
 throw out a shoot six feet long in a single season, with the 
 leaflets eight inches in length ; and maples in a similar pro- 
 portion, with leaves near a foot in diameter. These fresh 
 shoots and suckers often cause the farmer much troulde, b}' 
 springing vip in ground that he has cleared. If deprived of 
 their leaves in July or August, however, the stock will die; 
 and so it will if the tree be cut down at that season. V^ery 
 large trees do not usually send out new shoots after being 
 cut down, under any circumstances, or at any season. 
 
 C. — Butterflies of several kinds are now numomus on 
 sunny days, especially about the borders of the wood;- ; but 
 very few are to be found actually within the forest. I have 
 noticed the appearance of several new species ; the first of 
 which was the Pearl-crescent Fritillary ( Mclitcfn Tlmron), 
 a pretty little fly, with the tawny wings marked with yellow 
 and black ; the female differs so much from the male that I 
 took it for a distinct species, till further observation showed 
 me their identity. A rather pretty little Skiji])er, the Che- 
 quered Skipper, ( PamphUa Pantscxs ? ) has also appeared, 
 but I have taken only a single spechnen. 
 
 F. — It is very rare. 
 
 C — Another species would be perhaps the most sjilendid 
 butterfly we have, if its size corresponded with its lieauty : 
 I mean the Small Copper ( L>/('a')u( VhU'Ci^) which now occa- 
 sionally flits about the roads. The richness of the glowing 
 flame-coloured wings is worthy of admiration, and the under 
 
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 220 
 
 THE CAXADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 surface is very delicate : and I do not see that it is less beau- 
 tiful because it is diminutive ; tliough if it were as large 
 as a Swallow-tail or a Camberwell Beauty, it would strike 
 the attention more readily. 
 
 F. — There is often considerable diversity in the vivid- 
 ness of colour of different individuals of the same species of 
 butterfly or moth ; one being much more beautiful than an- 
 other ; in the scane indicidual, however, one wing in general 
 
 LARVA, PUPA, AND IMAOO OF THE BANDEn PCRPM;, 
 
 (Liiiu/iilis A rt/wmii-.) 
 
 \ 
 
1 
 
 JUNE. 
 
 
 IS beau- 
 is larcre 
 d strike 
 
 e vivid- 
 secies of 
 tian an- 
 general 
 
 exactly corresponds with the other, its fellow. But I once 
 took a Small Copper in the month of September, which had a 
 very apparent difference in the colour of the wings ; the 
 left fore-wing being much lighter on loth surfaces than the 
 right, though neither was defaced in any degree. It was 
 resting on a stalk of grass, and was unwilling to fly, the 
 weather being cold with misty rain. It was unusual to find 
 a butterfly abroad in such weather. In the same month, 
 one that I had taken laid nine eggs ; they were small, 
 nearly round, flesh-coloured, appearing under the magnifier 
 covered with indentations. 
 
 C, — I took from an elm tree, on the leaves of which it 
 was feeding, a large and handsome caterpillar, mottled with 
 white and greyish green, with two spinous horns on the 
 second segment, and two prominences on the fifth. It went 
 into pupa on the 15th, ^suspended by the tail ; the chrysalis 
 has a remarkable prominence on the back. 
 
 F. — It will continue in the pupa state about a fortnight, 
 and then produce the Banded Purple Butterfly (Litneaitin 
 Arthemis). 
 
 C. — I have also obtained a caterpillar of the Forked But- 
 terfly (Vanessa FurciUata), and two or three of another 
 kind, spinous, greenish, with a flat white back : they were 
 feeding on the common nettle. 
 
 F. — They produce the Orange Comma. (Grapta C. Al- 
 hnm? ) I perceive a moth, of the division Bomhf/x, has been 
 produced from the cocoon of a yellow, hairy caterpillar, which 
 I took from a poplar tree at Quebec, on the 30th of last July: 
 it spun its cocoon in a corner of a box a few days afterward, so 
 that the moth has been nearly eleven months in pupa, a most 
 unusual while. It is an unnamed species. 
 
 C — I have had some Bomhyces evolved this week, from 
 cocoons produced by caterpillars, which I obtained last au- 
 tunm. The Buff-Leopard (Arctiu Isabella) and the Muff 
 
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 4 
 
 222 
 
 TlIK CAXADIAX N'ATURALTST. 
 
 il 
 
 ii t- 
 
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 ( Lophocampa Tesf^eli(fis) are pretty moths ; tlic Brindled 
 ( Biston Ilirtaritts? ) is plain and more sober. And I perceive 
 this morning that a beautiful, but rather small Sj>//in<i' has 
 crawled out of the earth in one of my V»reeding-l)Oxcs, in 
 which the caterpillar buried itself in September. It very 
 much resembles the Eyed Hawk-moth ( SineriHtlins Occel- 
 latus), but the eye-spot has two pupils. I do not think, 
 however, that this character, the double pupil, is constant, 
 though it has given the specific name ; for in breeding two 
 individuals, whose larvre were taken together, in nowise dis- 
 tinguishable from each other, one of the perfect moths had 
 two blue spots, and the other only one, in these ocdll. They 
 were exactly alike in every other respect : it is the Twin- 
 Eyed Hawk (Smerintlnis Gonlnnfifs). The wings ai'e not 
 deHected, but stuck out at an angle of al>out 45° horizontally 
 from the body, the second pair being concealed beneath the 
 fore ones ; they are kept in almost constant vibration : the 
 tongue or sucker is very small. Besides these which I have 
 bred, I have taken many other species : two pretty Bomht/cex, 
 
 the SnoAvy ( Sj)iloso))ia ? ) and the Panther ( SjjUoso- 
 
 ma Acria), both of which flew into my room at night : the 
 sexes of tlie latter differ from each other, the hind wings of 
 the male being deep yellow, those of the female pure white, 
 l)0th spotted with black ; some Noctuce, among which I may 
 mention the Angleshades ( Vkhnjophora Metiodosa) ; this 
 I shook from a willow in bush-beating : among the Geo- 
 ttiefffe, the minute but pretty little Orangeband, (Pt/ralis 
 
 ? ) and some of the Veneer moths ( Cnonhns) 
 
 among the Tinecs. 
 
 F. — I found two large hairy caterpillars of a dark grey- 
 ish colour^ about a week ago, feeding on the leaves of a tall 
 herb, provincially called Indian Wickup ( Ejiilohixm Lafi' 
 folium) ; they have since spun dark brown cocoons. They 
 
.irsK 
 
 QQS 
 
 V| 
 
 belong to the l)eaut'iful Royal Tiger Motli (Arctia Virji>), 
 and remain in the pupa state about four weeks. 
 
 (\ — I nuist tell vou of a sad misfortune that has Itefallcn 
 me : a rascally mouse has managed to find access to my 
 setting-board, and destroyed a good many insects, snme nt" 
 them valuable ones ; eating the bodies, and leaving the 
 mangled and scattered wings. 
 
 F. — Mice seem pretty fond of insect diet, for they will 
 always commit these depredatior.s at every opportunity : I 
 have myself suflered from the same cause. 
 
 C. — Look! what a congregation of butterflies on that 
 little muddy spot ! and all of one species, the Clouded Sul- 
 phur (Colias Pliiloilice). I should think there are near 
 twenty within a square foot. 
 
 F. — This species is very fond of assembling in such 
 places to assuage thirst, but other butterflies have the same 
 haljit : I once saw fifteen of the Tiger Swallowtail (PkjuUo 
 TxrnviiJ in a space not exceeding a foot square ; and my 
 brother soon after counted fifty-two of tlie same fine species 
 together; besides many more which were hovering about tht,' 
 
 spot, on the wing. 
 
 5ee 
 
 here is an instance of 
 
 tyranny and rapine, though on a small scale. A large flat 
 Bug (Penlato))ta) has caught an unfortunate caterpillar, and 
 plunged his sucker, or rostrum, into its Ijody ; this rostrum is 
 usually bent up under the breast ; but now it is extended 
 
 straight from the head, holding the caterpillar at the end of 
 it. Observe how fiercelv he holds on, ancVwon't let me take 
 it away from liim. All the bug tribe are carnivorous, and 
 live l>y sucking the juices of other insects, and sometimes df 
 larger animals. I have succeeded in rearing jilant bugs tn 
 the perfect state, by supplying them with house-Hies, wliich 
 I maimed and threw into the box. 
 
 C. — I have caught, near the river, one or two Day-flies 
 
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 THK CANADIAN XATCRAMST. 
 
 ( KjJicniera Cognata '^ ) of very large size, mottled with 
 ]>liick and yellow, having only twi; anal setie. In coming 
 up the river St. Lawrence last sunnner, many of this fine 
 species flew on board below Quebec ; and the exvi'itc of the 
 pujuc were floating down the river in myriads. Some pretty 
 beetles have occurred in my late researches : a small 1 thick 
 Ceramfit/x, with curved marks of bright yelluw on the elytra ; 
 
 (Cl//t>is ?) a B)ij>n'i^tls, with rough elytra of a bistre 
 
 brown ; the ujtper part of the abdomen brilliant green, only 
 visible when the elytra and wings are expanded ; the under 
 side coppery (Odoittotnis Trinervia) ; a Leptura, with the 
 fore part of the elytra scarlet, the rest black ( Nej>lir(i]»is 
 Canwlotsisj ; I have observed, also, the Green Triangle 
 Dragonfly ( Gomplms VtiliiatisiiinmJ, the Greater Clouded 
 
 Casefly, ( Liunicpliilus ? ) and the little Scorpion-fly 
 
 (Vanorpa FasciataJ ; the abdomen, in the males of this 
 genus, terminates in a large thick knol:>, containing a pair of 
 pincers, like a crab's claw ; this it generally carries turned 
 up over its back. The brilliant little Green Ruby tail 
 (Clnysis Ci/aitea) appears about the posts and walls of 
 houses ; the delicate Green Waterfly ( Perla Cydippe) flies 
 about the margins of brooks and rivers ; and I have noticed 
 
 a specimen of the Inlaid Casefly, CPhryijanea ?^ 
 
 which appears to be a rarity. 
 
 F, — We are drawing near the edge of the woods, as you 
 may perceive by the increasing light : we will go out, and 
 return home. 
 
 C — Walking in the forest would be much more pleasant 
 if it were not so much encumbered with logs, roots, and 
 fallen trees. Sometimes we break our shins against them, 
 or stumble over them ; at another time we step on one, and 
 tread into a soft mass of dust and rubbish, instead of a hard 
 log, as it appeared. 
 
 \ 
 
 1 
 
you 
 and 
 
 { 
 
 JUNE. 
 
 
 F. — " Xf(//(t frniitl fi<(cs" here : the bark of trees will 
 often seem perfectly sound, when tlie interior is, as you (>l>- 
 serve, become a mere mass of dust, utterly gone to decay. 
 This is owing to the greater abundance of carbon in the bark 
 than in any other part, which resists putrefaction. The bnrk 
 of the birch, in jjarticular, appears almost incorruptible. 
 
 We see here an example of that continued round of 
 
 decay and renovation which pervades all created, or, at least 
 all organised, bodies. The seed falls from the tree ; it shoots 
 up a tender twig ; it grows upward, drawing continual sup- 
 plies of nutriment from the earth l.)y means of its increasing 
 roots ; the slender stem slowly, but surely expands in height 
 and thickness, till it has become a mighty tree ; it continues 
 erect, and apparently vigorous, for centuries : but time, 
 eilax renim, at length prevails over its giant frame : and by 
 imperceptible, but ceaseless attacks, robs it of life. The 
 frost rends, and the rain rots the heart ; the moss and the 
 lichen fix themselves on its outside ; the winter gales blow ; 
 and the majestic, hoary veteran bows to the blast, and de- 
 scends with a rushing roar that shakes the earth. There it 
 lies : the process of decomposition now goes on unresisted by 
 the living principle ; many agents complete the work, and at 
 length the place of its bed is marked but by a slight, a very 
 slight elevation of the soil. It has reverted to the same 
 earth from which its own sustenance was first drawn, and 
 now its elements are forming the sustenance of other trees, 
 to perform the same round again, as long as earth shall 
 endure. 
 
 i M" 
 
 ! 
 
 \ 
 
 \ ( 
 
 i! 9 
 
 il 
 
 I. ,i 
 
 i 
 
22G 
 
 ill 
 
 .?i: 
 
 I i 
 
 rf 
 
 1 I 
 
 XV. 
 
 JULY 1st. 
 
 Transfoi-matioiis of Insects— local Habits, — Haltimoro Fritillary. — Large 
 Sphinx. — Silver-spilt Fritillary. — Tawny-edged Skipi)er. — Moths — 
 rearing winter Pup.e. — ^loiild — Puff-balls. — Curious lieetles. — He- 
 nierobius. — Dragon-Hies. — Day-tlies ; — other Insects. — ( iiant Wa- 
 teiily. — liuprsetis. — llasplierry. — Wild Strawberry. — I'uke. — 
 Sandpiper. — Blue Iris. — lledtop Grass. — White-throated Sparrow. 
 — Large Moth 
 
 Charles. — Perhaps one of the chief pleasures of natural 
 history, especially entomology, is the perpetual novelty and 
 variety we find in it : we are meeting at every tiu'u with 
 new and interesting facts : the endless diversity of habits, 
 locality, structure, form, colour, to be found in insects, is 
 such a source of pleasure, as effectually prevents us from 
 feeling weariness or melancholy. It seems almost a con- 
 tradiction in terms, for a naturalist to be in low spirits : 
 everything he sees tends to enrapture and delight him. 
 Among these things, one of the most pleasing is the observ- 
 ation of the various transformations to which insects are 
 subject : the same individual, Proteus-like, taking new forms 
 and presenting new objects of examination to our admiring 
 eye. — The caterpillars of the Forked and Orange Comma 
 Butterflies, which I took a few weeks ago, have both become 
 pupa3, and the chrysalis of the Banded Purple (Liiticnitis 
 A )'///(' HI is J has produced the Initterfly, an insect of remark- 
 able beauty : the contrast of the white, orange, and deep 
 
 'J 
 
 id 
 
 ■' I. 
 
JULY. 
 
 
 clmngeable pui^ple, is very fine. It lias already beconu' 
 (juite nunicrous, especially near the little brook that crosses 
 the road Ik'Iow the maple grove : this place, from some cause 
 which I am not aware of, is a very favourite resort of many 
 species of Ijutterflies. 
 
 Father. — I have noticed the same fact, having seen spe- 
 cies there that I had not met with anywhere else ; and (ui 
 a fine sunnner day many kinds are always thronging tluit 
 
 l{.U.Ti:\in!iK FRITIM.AKV, 
 
 ( Mviittea I'luutou.) 
 
 % 
 
 ■ I 
 
 '\i 
 
 lane. I caught, a day or two ago, in that very spnt, a 
 beautiful little butterfly, the Haltimore L'ritillary f Mi'liiuu 
 P/i(i(!tonJ. It is the first spt'cimen I have ever seen in 
 
 !)J! 
 
•', f 
 
 ' .'1/ 
 
 
 /.' 
 
 H 
 
 
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 h 
 
 
 (Hi 
 
 (I 
 
 ill 
 
 
 1 1 
 
 1 i 
 I 
 
 228 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 tliis country, and may well be called rare. It is elegantly 
 marked with the Baltimore colours, black and orange, with 
 round spots of white. 
 
 C. — Here are two wings of a very large moth, that I 
 have just picked up from the ground by the side of the 
 road. 
 
 F. — They are the two left wings of a Sphinx, and of a 
 remarkably largo species : the insect nmst have measured four 
 inches and a half in extent of wing. I have never met with 
 the species ; its colours are but dull, a plain brown drab ; but 
 you see, on the under side of the hind wing is a large cloud 
 of dull crimson near the base.* These wings have no doubt 
 l)een snijipod off by some bat, or night liawk, which had 
 caught the moth : if its body corresponded with its wings, it 
 would form a good meal lor a bat. 
 
 C. — The Silver-spot Fritillary (Arg)/nnis AjyhroilUc? ) is 
 becomh)g common : tliis is a fine butterfly, for though its 
 upper surface is of rather a dull tint, the number and beauty 
 of the bright silver spots beneath are sufficient to redeem it. 
 
 F. — It is a common butterfly throughout the summer ; 
 but the Banded Purple makes quite a short stay with us ; 
 it becomes very numerous all of a sudden, but by the begin- 
 ning of August they have all disappeared, with the occa- 
 sional exception of a straggler. 
 
 C. — Among the clover blossoms, hundreds of little Skip- 
 pers arc dancing in their peculiar jerking way from flower to 
 flower. The Yellow-spot (Pamjt/iila Peckius) is aljundant, 
 and another species much resembling it, the Tawny-odged 
 Skipper ( Painjt/iila CernesJ. Two new Bomhi/ces were 
 evolved a few days since from caterpillars taken last fall ; 
 one of them is very pretty, the Silver-spotted Buff* (P>/gccya 
 
 * It is not doscribed in Dr. Harris's reci-nt niDiiograph of tlio American 
 Spliingvs. 
 
 il 
 
* 
 
 JULY. 
 
 /^ /^ ty 
 
 Gihbosa). I have obtained several new species of Xodiicr, 
 among which is the Gamma Moth (Phisia Gamma), so 
 common in England, with Geometrcc, Tortrices, and Thiece ; 
 two of these last, belonging to that very elegant division 
 called Veneer Moths (Cramhus), and another to a division 
 of very minute moths, ( Mlcrosetia ? ) known by their Inir- 
 nished metallic appearance. 
 
 F. — You have been fortunate in rearing your winter 
 pupae. 
 
 C — Yes ; I have scarcely lost one out of a great number 
 that I wintered. I pursued a plan that you reconnnended ; 
 late in the fall, after the Bomh/fccs had all spun their co- 
 coons, I buried the breeding-boxes in the earth, very lightly 
 covering them. In the spring, as soon as the ground was free 
 from frost, I dug them out, and have been rewarded for my 
 trouble, by some fine moths. On first opening the boxes, all 
 the inside was clothed with a fine white downy mould, 
 nearly an inch high, but impalpable. 
 
 F. — I was induced to recommend that }>lan, on account 
 of my own failures : in the preceding winter,- I had upwards 
 of fifty pupre, chiefly Bom^j/ces, which I kept in their boxes 
 in a dry cupboard. — In the spring, I had scarcely a single 
 imago out of that number, the pupos being dead and dry. 
 I then considered that to be successful, I must adhere more 
 closely to their habits in a state of nature : we usually find 
 the cocoons of Bom/j'/rcs in the spring, on the ground Ijeneath 
 large stones, boards, &c., where the earth affords tiiem the 
 moisture necessary to life, and the snow pro])ably secures them 
 from congelation. For this reason, I advised you to bury 
 them lightly ; and it seems the result has answered my ex- 
 pectations. 
 
 C. — The appearance of the mould struck me as being 
 curious. I know it is a vegetable production ; l)ut how 
 could its seeds have found access into my shut boxes ? 
 
 ^1 
 
 'I 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
 i 
 
 i} 
 
2.30 
 
 THE CAXADIAN XATURALISI'. 
 
 i'l< ' 
 
 
 .'f 
 
 ;■/ 
 
 F. — The propagation of mould is one of the most curious 
 subjects in vegetaVjle pliysiology. The seeds or germs of the 
 future plants are supposed to be continually floating in the 
 atmosphere, and do not spring up till a suitable degree of 
 heat and moisture developes their vegetative power. 
 
 C. — The Puff-balls, so common in our pastures, are sin- 
 gular things. 
 
 F. — They do not look much like plants, either when 
 the inside is a soft green mud, or when it is become ripe, 
 and resembles a lump of fine sponge, dipped in a box of 
 iinpalpaljle snuff. If these atoms of dust be the seeds of 
 the plant, as is supposed, it is surprising to me that the 
 land does not become completely covered with them, instead 
 of being scattered, as they are, hero and there, half a dozen 
 on an acre. 
 
 C. — Are they considered pernicious by agriculturists ? or 
 is any effort ever made to check their increase ? 
 
 F. — Not that I am aware of : our farmers here do not 
 think them injurious, except inasmuch as they are useless 
 encumbrances, and draw nourishment from the soil : the 
 evil is not of sufficient extent to alarm the farmer's fears. 
 I believe their presence is considered, with what truth I know 
 not, an indication of land whose fertility has been exhaust- 
 ed, as they do not infest the soil when in a high state of 
 cultivation. 
 
 C. — Here are two curious insects, Avith the fore Avings 
 black, with two orange bands, and very thick pectinate an- 
 tennae : what are they ? 
 
 F. — I have been puzzled by them myself; having even 
 doubted to which order they should lie referred ; but further 
 observation showed me that they are beetles, with flat and 
 very flexible broad elytra fL//c/fs Rdlculatas). I have 
 found another siiecies, of about the same size, one-third of 
 an inch in length, and reseml^ling it in every respect, except 
 
or 
 
 ll 
 
 JULV. 
 
 
 that the elytra are half orange and half black, or very deep 
 blue. As in this case, they are deeply farrowed, and the 
 hind wings are smoky black ( Li/cus Tcfmin(i.ll><). 
 
 C. — As I was roaming on the bank of the river yester- 
 day, near the bridge, I caught a large black Ihnnerob'oDi, 
 
 the wings banded and spotted with white (Hermes ? ) 
 
 Great numbers of Dragon-flies Avere flying over the water, 
 many of them in coitu, in the form of a circle, having a very 
 singular appearance. Towards evening, I noticed several 
 Day-flies ( Kpheincra)^ dancing in the air al)Ove the river. 
 I observed that they alternately fluttered perpendicularly 
 upwards for about ten feet, and then sunk down with 
 closed erect wings ; the anal bristles held perpendicularly 
 and diverging : then they would flutter u}) and sink 
 again ; continuing these motions over one spot, till I left 
 them. 
 
 F. — The Brush-footed Bee CMetiachile WiUiKjJJiU'Ua) and 
 the Green and crimson Elater, ( Klatcr MctaUiciDi? ) ])oth 
 natives of Newfoundland, I have observed here lately. — 
 There are not nearly so many species of insects common to 
 that country and this, as I should have expected from their 
 proximity. It is stated by Linnaeus, if I mistake not, tliat 
 ticelce degrees of latitude make almost a total change in the 
 insect species ; but probably much difference is also caused 
 by the situation of a country : for instance, between the coasts 
 of an island, as Newfoundland, and an inland region, as this 
 part of Canada. 
 
 C. — A lad gave me, yesterday, a Water-fly of very large 
 dimensions, measuring about three inches and three-fourths 
 in spread of wing. It is of a dusky colour, and the nerviu'es 
 of the wings are of the same ; its claims to notice are only 
 its enormous size, as compared with other species of the 
 genus, for it has no beauty. It is Pteronarri/s lii'(/(i.lis. 
 
 it'i 
 
 if 
 
 ! 
 
~ iue; 
 
 -rr 
 
 ' >A\ 
 
 (il'/K 
 
 V»»i 
 
 i . 
 
 
 THE CANADIAN XATIRALTST. 
 
 -> ' 
 
 • WANT n'ATKK-KI.Y. 
 
 ( Plcro/Hirci/a Jiti/a/ii!.J 
 
 F. — 1 have taken a very large species ( Pteronayc>/s Pto- 
 ti'.nsj at Sherbrooke, near the junction of the Magog River 
 with ■ the St. Francis ; but I have not any specimens now. 
 It is not, however, near so large as yours, but resembles it 
 in colour. 
 
 C. — A handsome Buprestis ( Stemiris Divaricata) is 
 now occasionally seen ; chiefly on trunks of trees, rails of 
 the fence, &c. The Buprestis, I believe, inhabits wood in 
 its earlier stages, which accounts for the perfect beetle's fre- 
 quenting such situations, having, perhaps, just emerged ^'nto 
 daylight from its long imprisonment ; or, perhaps reconnoi- 
 tring for the pui-pose of laying eggs, for a new generation. 
 This one has the upper parts metallic brown, the under pi:rts 
 shining coppery ; and the elytra, which are sculptured, t ?r- 
 minate in lengthened points or tails. I have^taken a larger 
 species (Anojdis RusticorumJ. 
 
 I 
 
Jl'LY. 
 
 2.J3 
 
 now. 
 jles it 
 
 larger 
 
 F. — The genus Buprestls is I'emarkable for the general 
 beauty of its species ; most of them being characterized by a 
 metallic brilliancy of colour. We have several species nere. 
 I have lately observed two species of CocchieUa, which I 
 have seen in Newfoundland, Init which appear to l»e scarce 
 here; one is the beautiful Scarlet Ladybird, (CocdueUa 
 5-notat(i. ? ) so very common there ; the other is the Banded 
 Ladybird. (Cocrlitclla ? ) 
 
 C. — The Wild Raspberry (^/^^/-^/s Liens) has been in 
 Idossom about a week ; and on some bushes I perceive the 
 fruit is beginning to form. The Wild Strawberry ( Fragaria 
 Virginiana ) is ripe, and quite abundant : it is of a pleasant 
 flavour, but far inferior in size to the cultivated species. 
 Here is a rather handsome plant ; do you know its name ? 
 
 F. — It is connnonly called the Poke, and its root is con- 
 sidered by the common people as poisonous. Its botanical 
 appellation is Veratritm Viride. It has not the slightest re- 
 semblance to the plant called Poke in the south ( Vh'/tolacca 
 Decandn'aJ. This plant resembles some of the large liliaceous 
 plants ; it dies to the root every year, and in tiie spring sends 
 up a large bull) of broad, lance-oval leaves sheathing each 
 other : the leaves have deep plaits running their whole 
 length, like a half-closed fan. From the centre shoots a 
 stalk sometimes three feet high, bearing a spike of small 
 plain greenish flowers at the top ; as you see, for it is now in 
 blossom : these are succeeded by dry seed vessels, which 
 open and drop their seeds. The plant is most common in 
 the black swainpy earth of the evergreen woods, and does 
 not often grow in clearings, except by the side of pools of 
 water in lov/ grounds, as here. The flowers have no beauty, 
 but the large leaves give it rather a noble appearance. 
 
 C. — What pretty little bird is that, running along with 
 such nimble feet on the bank ? 
 
 F, — I believe it is one of the Sandpipers (prubably 
 
234 
 
 THE CANADIAN' NATURALIST. 
 
 .! 
 
 n [itt 
 
 { " 
 
 » : ii 
 
 i I. 
 
 !? 
 
 
 Trinrja Semip<dmata, or T. Pnsilld ) ; this numerous tribe 
 is so much alike in general appearance, that it is not easy 
 for a common observer to know the species, without an accu- 
 rate examination and comparison. A few may be seen every 
 summer, just at this spot, but I have never met with them 
 in any other. The land here is low ; scarcely above the 
 bank of the river, which flows close beside the road on one 
 hand ; and on the other Is a large pond and marsh ; the latter 
 clothed with willows, bushes, and rushes. The road, you 
 observe, is raised up, like a causeway ; yet in spring, when 
 the river is swollen by the melting of the snows, it overflows 
 this part of the road, and, with the adjacent pond, makes 
 the surrounding meadows look like a miniature sea. On the 
 sandy banks of this pond the little sandpipers run to and fro, 
 picking up worms, insects, and small testacea. They run 
 very fast, but do not readily fly, and when they do, it is 
 only to a few yards, alighting again immediately. ]\Iany 
 plants and animals seem in some degree peculiar to this spot ; 
 though no doubt there are many other situations having the 
 same character and equally congenial to their hal/its, Avhere 
 the same species may be found. A large and handsome 
 flower, the Blue Iris (Iris Versicolor ) , haunts this place ; 
 the beautiful blossom may now be seen capping the curious 
 sword-shaped leaves. 
 
 C — What a light and feathery appearance a field of 
 grass has at this season ! To what is it owing ? 
 
 F. — The Red-top Grass ( Agrosiis Vnhjaris), of which 
 this field is chiefly composed, is now in flower : the blossoms 
 of this grass grow in a large loose panicle, the anthers pro- 
 ject from the glumes, and it is they that cause this downy 
 lightness, 
 
 C. — I have several times hoard in the woods a very 
 sweet but singular note, the author of which I cannot dis- 
 cover. It consists of six notes deliberatelv uttered, the first 
 
 
 ' 
 
 
 '\A 
 
.ILT.V. 
 
 23.-) 
 
 
 loWj the other five about four tones higlier, and all alike, so 
 clear, and shrill, and musical, that 1 have been quite charmed 
 with the sound. The higher notes are something like the 
 strokes on a small silver bell, and are trequently shaken or 
 trilled. 
 
 /''. — T have heard the notes hundreds of times, both here 
 and in Newfoundland, where it is very common, and have 
 had very great curiosity to know the author. They visually 
 proceed from the thick woods, and the bird is too shy to al- 
 low approach : one day, however, I heard it proceeding from 
 one of the plum trees in the orchard ; I crept cautiously to 
 the spot, without disturbing it, until I arrived directly un- 
 der the tree, within a few feet of the liird, which, while my 
 eyes were fixed on it, whistled its sweet but simple song. 
 It was the White-throated Sparrow ( Friif<illla Alhirallix) ; 
 a pretty bird, the upper parts spotted, like most of the Spar- 
 rows, with bay, brown, and black, the head handsomely 
 striped with white and black, and the under parts white. 
 I have never seen the bird since. Its song, though heard at 
 all times of the day, is chiefly uttered early in the morning, 
 and in the evening; and even sometimes continued till dark- 
 ness has spread her curtain over the earth, at which time it 
 has a pleasingly solemn effect. 
 
 I 
 
 'I 
 
 ^ 
 
 C. — Did you see that very large moth that just darted 
 along, over our heads ? 
 
 F. — No : but I have seen several lately, in the dusk of 
 the evenings, of very large size, but too indistinctly to iden- 
 tify them : they are no doulit Sati(rni(E, and would be a 
 noble addition to your caljinet ; but it would be vain to 
 pursue them at this late hour, as they are almost instantly 
 lost in the darkness. — Now you have an opportunity of 
 seeing an assemblage of Fh-efiies, which I described to you a 
 

 286 
 
 THE CANADIAN' NATURALIST. 
 
 few days ago. Cast your eyes over yonder meadow below 
 the road, and observe the millions of bright sparks dancing 
 there, and over the river. 
 
 C. — It is indeed a sight to be admired : I can compare 
 it to nothing that I have ever seen. It is something like the 
 stars on a clear winter's night, but the redness of the sparks, 
 the regular emission and concealment of light, and the con- 
 tinual mazy evolutions which every one performs, give it 
 ({uite a unique and singular, and certainly a most beautiful, 
 appearance. 
 
 I , '! 
 
 •fU ii 
 
below 
 ancing 
 
 23: 
 
 mpare 
 ke the 
 iparks, 
 e con- 
 nive it 
 .utiful, 
 
 1^ 
 
 XVI. 
 
 JULY 15th. 
 
 (.'limato. — TliiindiTslu)\vi.T. — SiiljM'qiiolU Frcsliiuss. — Fdji. — A^riiniltiiral 
 Productions. — Wci-ds. — Canada Tliistlo. — Biirrwt'od. — Spurry. — IJliic 
 Bird. — Baltimnro Oridk-. — Iliininiinu' Bird>. — Dewberry. — Raspberry. 
 — Timothy (Jrass. — Indian Wickup. — Orange Lily. — Fox-coloured 
 Sparrow. — Urange Comma Butterfly.- -Pearly Eye. — Eyed Brown. — 
 Conipton Tortoise. — Remarkable variet}' of Forked Buttertly. — Bantled 
 Purple. — Dragon Motli. — Ca-rulean. — Pink Arches. — Twin (Jold-spot. 
 — Clouded Cre.'mi. — Spotted Lemon. — Drab IMunie. — Caterpillar of \'a- 
 pourer, — of Grey Comma Buttertly. — Dragon Fly. — Hoof Boletus. — 
 Toad Beetle — its Larva and Pupa — Habit of counterfeiting Death. — 
 Sknnk — its fetid Odour — Mode of Emission — Habits. — Blue and Oold 
 Ceriimbvx, — Black and Yellow \\'hame-tlv. — Punctured Beetle. — 
 Sweet-scented Milkweed. — Resort of Insects. — Dandelion. — Scatter- 
 ing of Seeds. 
 
 Charles. — What a strange climate is ours ! a climate of 
 extremes. A few months ago the thermometer was down 
 to 30^ below Zero: now it is ranging from 90' to 100 
 above : showing an annual range, that perhaps scarce aity 
 other part of the world can equal. 
 
 Father. — It has been very hot lately; and the cloud- 
 less atmosphere, through which the sun darts the full blaze 
 of his beams, makes the heat in the open air exceedingly 
 oppressive, almost too hot to labour. But the thunderstorm 
 of last evening cooled the air, and laid the dust, which n "St- 
 before in choking volumes. 
 
 I 
 
 i. 
 
 n 
 
<i- 
 
 238 
 
 THE CAKADIAX XATURAMST. 
 
 (' 1 never liefljre saw rain anything like it: the large 
 
 hail preceding it ; then the shower itself, coming down in 
 dense sheets, and the drops so large and heavy ! why, the 
 roads, with all their thick beds of dust, in five minutes were 
 mere water-courses. And how vivid the lightning ! coming 
 from no particular point, hut appearing to fill the sky with 
 one blaze, followed in cpiick succession Vjy deafening roars of 
 thunder, dying away and taken up again in repeated echoes ! 
 It was cpiite appalling. 
 
 F. — A great evil needs a strong remedy : a gentle rain 
 would not cool the air sufficiently to be attended Avith any 
 lasting benefit ; nor would it have wot the earth to such a 
 depth. But the change in the air is chiefly caused by the 
 sudden restoration of the e(piilibrium of the electric fluid, 
 •which had been destroyed by the great heats. After the 
 storm had ceased, a more beautiful scene, though not so ter- 
 rifically sublime, was presented by the lightning, which con- 
 tinued to play in the clouds around the horizon, after the 
 thunder had ceased to be heard, and tlie sky over head had 
 recovered its azure serenity. Long after sun-S( t, the horizon 
 was ever and anon lighted up with brilliant flashes, some- 
 times cleaving their zigzag path apparently through a dense 
 cloud, then shining behind, and round the edge of a black 
 mass of cloud, which was shown in full distinctness and 
 dark outline. 
 
 C. — I have often seen in summer evenings, gleams of 
 lightning around the horizon, unaccompanied by thunder : 
 it is called by some people, ^' summer lightning;" does it 
 dift'er in its nature from that which is followed by thunder ? 
 
 F. — I believe not : the cause of the thunder's not being 
 heard is, as I suppose, nothing more than its distance : light 
 being visible at an incomparably greater distance than sound 
 is audible. We sometimes see summer lightning at evening, 
 even when the horizon-sky seems perfectly clear and cloud- 
 
.TILV. 
 
 
 loss : ill tliat caso I presume we do not see the flasli itself, 
 liut the ilhiiiiiiuitiDii of the atiiiuspliere (M)nse([uent on it ; 
 the reflection in the sky, as it is called ; the clouds contain- 
 ing the electricity being beneath the hori/on, and therefore 
 invisible. 
 
 ('. — What an exhilarating freshness and jnirity there is 
 in the air, this morning ; similar to that which is perceived 
 on mountain summits, or any great elevatiuu. 
 
 F. — For this we are indebteil to the trees and jdants 
 around us : all vegetables give out (j.r//</i'// by day, the life- 
 giving fiart of the air we breathe ; but after the excitement 
 of a thunder-stonn, it is evolved in nuich greater profusion, 
 which has a refreshing and enlivening eft'ect on animal 
 spirits. 
 
 ('. — How delightfully fresh and green the trees and 
 herbage look ! the leaves are yet sparkling with tlie rain- 
 drops : sec the long, seedy grass bowing its heavy head 
 under the weight of moisture; wjiat a silvery appearance it 
 has ! it is almost ready for the scythe. 
 
 F. — liCt us climb this hill, whence we may look down 
 on the lowlands and bottoms. — I should have rather said, 
 we can look towards them ; for I perceive they are hidden 
 by a dense film of mist or fog, that lies upon them. 
 
 C. — What is the cause of its covering the land so par- 
 tially ? 
 
 F. — When the rain fell last night, the earth had been 
 heated to a considerable extent : much of the water was 
 evaporated, and rose in invisible vapour, but now that the 
 morning air is cool, the vapour is condensed, and falls in the 
 form of a thick fog upon the low lands. Often during a 
 season of dry weather, if we stand on a hill at early day 
 light, w'e may trace the river through all its circuitous wind- 
 ings through the forest, (though no part of it is visible,) by 
 the belt of white fog which hangs over it, but which is 
 
 U 
 
 ■■ H 
 
 il 
 
 I 
 
■:.':/ 
 
 240 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 1 '; 
 
 ill 
 
 ^ '< u 
 
 quickly dissipated by the beams of tlie sun. This pheno- 
 menon only occurs during the hottest part of summer. 
 
 C. — The farmer begins to see some promise of a reward 
 for his exertions : the potatoes have been in blossom for se- 
 veral days, and so have the peas ; oats and wheat are com- 
 ing into ear. At a short distance beyond Sherbrooke, I saw 
 a field of wheat in ear, as early as the 6th of this month. 
 
 F. — A field of potatoes in blossom has, in my opinion, a 
 very fine appearance, from the rich luxuriance of the vegeta- 
 tion ; the dark green hue contrasting with the delicate 
 lilac blossom. The regularity of the rows adds to the effect, 
 if they are kept clean and free from weeds ; but this is a 
 difficult task, and requires a great deal of attention and 
 labour. 
 
 C. — AVhat are the chief weeds we have to contend with ? 
 
 F. — I have already mentioned the Canada Thistle 
 (Cnicus Arvensis) ; but even that vile plant is not so bad 
 as the Burrweed (Galeopsis Tetraliit), which is spreading 
 over our fields, and ruining our farms. This is a vigorous 
 plant, growing from a creeping root, which is, I believe, 
 perennial ; though the plant is annual : it has a tall branchy 
 stem, and leaves like those of a nettle ; it bears a pretty 
 white labiate flower, succeeded by large burrs or seed-ves- 
 sels, covered, ^\hen ripe, v/ith hard, sharp prickles, defying 
 the touch. It produces seeds in most prolific abundance, 
 which are unfortunately scattered before our grain is cut ; 
 and as it spreads from the root as well as the seed, there 
 appears no way to eradicate it, but pulling up every plant. 
 But in doing this, the root often breaks, and leaves a part in 
 the ground, to become the progenitor of a new stock of 
 weeds. Besides this, wherever this spinous weed grows with 
 wheat or other grain, a great deal of the latter is obliged to 
 be wastec"!, as it cannot l)e reaped ; for no man can put his 
 hand into a bed of burrweed with impunity. In short, 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 i i 
 
! 
 
 ! 
 
 .IILY. 
 
 o 
 
 tliougli unknown a few years ago, It is now spreading with 
 alarming rapidity, and laughs at our efforts to control it. 
 Another pernicious weed is likewise becoming an object of 
 some attention ; though it has not yet attained the noto 
 riety of the former. I allude to Spurry (Spanjnhi Arrm- 
 fiis), so abhorred by some of our farmers, that they have 
 given it the name of " devil's gut." It has a long, but very 
 slender stem, trailing on the ground, with nudules about an 
 inch apart, at each of which the stem forms an angle. The 
 leaves and flowers are inconspicuous ; the seed-vessels are 
 numerous, globular, and about as large as peas : the stems 
 trail a long way from the roots, and twine and entangle one 
 with another. It chiefly infests new land ; Init I suppose 
 the seed has been imported witli other seeds from Europe. 
 There, I have imderstood. It is sometimes sown for the sake 
 of its herbage, which affords an abundant and nutritious fooil 
 for cattle. These three are the worst weeds that infest our 
 crops: we have many others; but they (}.) not spread so 
 rapidly as these, and can in some measure be kept under. 
 
 C. — Oh! what a beautiful bird is on that apple tree : 
 his back is bright azure blue, and his breast reddish ]>rown. 
 
 F. — That is the Blue Bird (Stixicoln S/tdisJ. It is nnt 
 very common with us, but is a universal favourite wherever 
 it appears. I have seen it here as late as the month of Oc- 
 tober, and have no doul»t that It arrives from the south 
 pretty early In spring, though I have not met with it at 
 that season. It appears to frequent the clearing more than 
 the forest, and to be rather familiar with man, and of a 
 mild and confiding disposition. In the south I have seen 
 them abundant ; but cannot add anything to Wilson's very 
 minute and accurate account of their economy. His simple 
 stanzas in honour of this jiretty bird are so beautifully feel- 
 ing, that I need make no excuse for repeating them h> yuu. 
 
 M 
 
 I 
 
242 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 n 
 
 '• I 
 
 I I 
 
 "' When winter's cold tempests .ind snows are no more. 
 
 Green meadows and brown furrowM fields reappearing, 
 The fishermen hauling their shad to the shore, 
 
 And cloud-cleaving geese to tlie lakes arc a-steering ; 
 When first the lone butterfly flits on the wing. 
 
 When red glow the maples, so fresh and so pleasing ; 
 O then comes the blue-bird, the henild of spring. 
 
 And hails with his warblings the charms of the season. 
 
 " Then loud piping frogs make the marshes to ring, 
 
 Then warm glows the sunshine, and fine is the weather ; 
 The blue woodland flowers just beginning to spring, 
 
 And spicewood and sassafras budding together : 
 then to your gardens, ye housewives, repair. 
 
 Your walks border up, sow and plant at your leisure ; 
 The blue-bird will chant from his box such an air, 
 
 That all your hard toils will seem truly a pleasure I 
 
 '' lie flits through the orchard, he visits each tree. 
 
 The red-flowering peach, and the apple's sweet blossoms ; 
 He snaps up destroyers wherever they be, 
 
 And seizes the caitiffs that lurk in their bosoms ; 
 He drags the vile grub from the corn it devours, 
 
 The worms from the webs where they riot and welter ; 
 His song and his services freely are ours. 
 
 And all that he asks is in summer a shelter. 
 
 ''• The ploughman is pleased when he gleans in his train. 
 
 Now searching the furrows, — now mounting to cheer him ; 
 The gardener delights in his sweet simple strain, 
 
 And leans on his spade to survey and to hear him ; 
 The slow ling'ring schoolboys forget they '11 be chid, 
 
 While gazing intent as he warbles before them, 
 In mantle of sky-blue and bosom so red, 
 
 That each little loiterer seems to Jidore him. 
 
 til 
 
 " When all the gay scenes of the summer are o'er, 
 And autumn slow enters so silent and sallow. 
 And millions of warblers, that chanu'd us before, 
 Have fled in the train of the sun-seeking swallow ; 
 
JL'LV. 
 
 '2ir, 
 
 . 
 
 im ; 
 
 The blue-bird, forsaken, yet true to liis homo, 
 Still lingers, and looks for a milder to-morrow. 
 
 Till forced by the horrors of winter to roam, 
 He sings his adieu in a low note of sorrow. 
 
 " While spring's lovely season, serene, dewy, warm. 
 
 The green face "f e;rth, and the [luro blue of heaven. 
 Or love's native nu. ic has influence to charm, 
 
 Or sympathy's glow to our feelings is given, 
 Still dear to each bosom the blue-bird shall be ; 
 
 Ilis voice, like the thrillings of hope, is a treasure ; 
 For througli bleakest storms, if a calm he but see, 
 
 lie comes to remind us of sunshine and pleasure I" 
 
 C. — Wilson had the true naturalist's enthusiasm: he 
 appears to have lived in a world of birds, and to have 
 viewed them in the light of intelligent and companionable 
 beings : his earnest defences of their characters, and his fre- 
 quent eulogia on their moral excellencies, prove this. They 
 
 are certainly very fascinating little creatures. A few 
 
 days ago I saw a very showy little fellow, dressed in deep 
 black and orange : his tail, in particular, was bright orange at 
 the sides, and black down the middle : he was flying about 
 the end of an outhouse in a garden. 
 
 F It was either the American Redstart fMuscicapa 
 
 liuficiliaj, or the Baltimore Oriole (Oriolns Baltimorus) ; 
 your description applying pretty equally to both : but I ra- 
 ther suppose it might be the latter, for I have heard Ameri- 
 cans speak of the Gold Robin as being found here, by which 
 name they distinguish the Baltimore ; though I have never 
 observed it myself in this country. This bird is remarkable 
 for its skill and ingenuity in the manufacture of its nest, 
 which is pensile, hung at the end of a l)0ugh or twig, a bag 
 of thick strong felt, about six inches deep, made of tow, flax, 
 hair, wool, &c. according to Wilson. I have no doubt of its 
 
 being an inhabitant of this province, as it is spread over the 
 
 w -2 
 
 t 
 
 'I 
 
 I 
 
 
 '\ 
 
 ■ \ 
 
 
MP 
 
 214 
 
 THF. CAXADIAN NATIRALIST. 
 
 :hMf' : 
 
 " i 
 
 N 
 
 I 
 
 fj ll 
 
 Avliole of the United States ; and I have myself seen it in 
 
 Newfoundland. 
 
 C. — Red ciuTants in the garden are ripe : and many gar- 
 den flowers are now Mown ; which form a great attraction 
 to the lumiming-hirds. I see the brilliant little meteors 
 glancing to and fro, very often ; and stopjiing to suck the 
 deep crimson flowers of the balm ; the tail bent down, the 
 wings vibrating, and the head almost buried in the corolla ; 
 yet not easy to be surprised. 
 
 I 
 
 F. — There is a delicious berry now abundant in the 
 woods, growing on a very low plant, scarcely rising above 
 the ground : it is called here the Dewberry ( RhIjhs Vroaim- 
 bens). In appearance it is much like the berry of that name 
 in England, but is superior in taste, being of a pleasant 
 tartness. 
 
 ('. — Yesterday I fiiund, in walking, some wild Raspl»er- 
 ries ripe ( linhiis Ideas ) ; I think they equal in flavour your 
 description of them. See : here are more. 
 
 F. — From this time forth, they will be daily ripening : and 
 liushels will rot upon the ground for want of being gathered ; 
 although large quantities are collected, and either eaten as 
 they are, or made into an excellent conserve. The bushes are 
 extremely numerous on every road-side, and almost in every 
 field, growing in the corners of the fences, springing up abun- 
 dantly in ground recently cleared, and " burnt over ;" and 
 invariably forming a great bush around every dea<l stump, 
 or neglected log : so that we have no lack of this delicious 
 fruit : and from its great abundance, it is really no inconsi- 
 derable addition to our comforts. The strawberries are going 
 out of date, but the raspberries are more than sufficient to 
 supply their place. 
 
 (\ — Timothy Grass (VliJe^nn Pratcnse) is now in flow- 
 er : the anthers look like little fragments of dust on the green 
 
 • 
 
 
Jl'I.V. 
 
 :^i.j 
 
 in 
 
 flow- 
 green 
 
 
 heads: a field of tiinotliy, or, as tlie people here call it, 
 "herd's grass," has not the lieautiful ajipearance whivh <iiie 
 of Redtop ( Aiirastis l'///(/<(r/'sJ has. 
 
 F. — Perhaps not, but it is more profitaMe ; generally 
 producing a greater weight *>{' nutritive inattt-r to the acre ; 
 and this is a suhjcet to which a tanner is nuich more alive 
 than their respective claims to Iteauty. Here is a fine 
 flower, which possesses far greater [tretensions than cither uf 
 the grasses: it is vulgarly called Indian \\'ickup ( Ejiilo- 
 binm LatlJoliiDt) ) ; its leaves are large and lanceolate, and 
 its tall and elegant pyramidal spike of pink flowers, cuntinu- 
 ing in blossom till late in autunm, wimld tbrni no mean olt- 
 ject in a garden. Lung l»efore the u}>per buds are itlown, 
 the lower flowers have yielded their place to long narrow 
 pods, having a partition down the centre, and bearing winged 
 seeds. This plant is common in Newfoundland; but not 
 in such abundance as here : with us it frequently covers 
 a large space of ground. The caterpillars of the Panther- 
 moth ( SjiiloxiDHU Acfl((), Royal Tiger CAirtio rin/oj, and 
 I believe of some other moths, feed on its leaves. Another 
 handsome flower, the Orange-lily (LiliiDii Cdnmlcitxc ), is 
 now, and has been for some time, in Idoom : the brilliant 
 colour and the graceful drooping of the ])ell-shaped corolla, 
 entitle it to our admiration. It grows commonly here, par- 
 ticularly in meadows near the river. 
 
 C. — Have you seen a thick-set bird, shaped like a spar- 
 row, hopping about, of a liright rust-colour, slightly mottled 
 with dusky brown i I saw three or four of them a few days 
 ago on the ground, at the edge of the maple woods. 
 
 F. — I have not met with it here ; but I am verv fami- 
 liar with the l)ird, as it is in Newfoundland one of the nio^t 
 common species. It is the Fox-coloured Sjtarrow ( Frin- 
 (jill(( Rnfa) ; in its manners fearless and familiar, resembling 
 
 I 
 
 ( 
 
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 i 
 
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 'STffStf* 
 
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 !.:' ' 
 
 246 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATUllALIST. 
 
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 ill 
 
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 the European house-sparrow. — What is new among the 
 insect tribes ? 
 
 C. — An Orange Comma Butterfly f Grapta C. Album ?) 
 has been evolved from the chrysaUs in my possession, having 
 been in pupa only seven days. I saw in the woods a few 
 days ago, a very beautiful butterfly, which was new to me : 
 I pursued it, but it alighted on the trunk of a tree, far up, 
 out of my reach. Presently afterwards, I saw it again, or 
 else another of the same species, which I succeeded in cap- 
 
 
 i\ 
 
 PEARLY-EVE. 
 
 ( Ilippa rch la A vdromacha, ) 
 
 turing, and found it to be the Pearly-eye ( Hipparchia An- 
 ilfomuclia) ; the under surface is particularly beautiful. 
 
 F. — It is indeed a rarity. Say, if I mistake not, men- 
 tions it as being confined to the Southern States ; and I have 
 seen it in abundance there, but never have heard of its being 
 found here before. In the south, I have known one frequent 
 the foot of a particular tree for many days ; whence he would 
 sally out on any other passing butterfly, either of his own or 
 of another species, and after sundry circumvolutions, retire 
 to his post again. Sometimes one of the same species, after 
 
JULY. 
 
 247 
 
 the 
 
 } 
 
 having had this amicable tussle, would likewise take a stand 
 on a neighbouring spot, and after a few minutes both would 
 simultaneously rush to the conflict, like knights at a tourna- 
 ment, wheel and roll aljout as before, and each return to his 
 own place with the utmost precision, and presently renew 
 the combat with the same result, — for very many times in 
 succession. 
 
 C. — Another butterfly of the same sub-genus has ap- 
 peared, the Eyed Brown ( IIlp}tarcliia Transmontayia). 
 
 F. — This is likewise described by the American natu- 
 ralists as very rare, and as found only beyond the Rocky 
 Mountains ; but with us it is extremely numerous during 
 the latter part of summer and autumn. The female is much 
 larger and handsomer than the male, the eye spots being 
 more distinct ; but both are pretty. All the Hipparchiie 
 fly in a jerking dancing manner, alternately opening and 
 closing their whigs, usually not far above the ground or 
 herbage : in this respect somewhat resembling tlie Skippers 
 ( Helper i(B ) ; but when alarmed, they vastly increase their 
 speed. 
 
 C. — That large and fine butterfly, the Compton Tortoise 
 (Vanessa J. Album), begins to appear, particularly in the 
 grove-lane ; it was one of the first butterflies we saw in the 
 spring ; but since that lime I have scarcely seen an indi- 
 vidual until lately. 
 
 F. — It cannot be said to be common at any season ; but 
 in the latter part of summer and autumn it is more frequent 
 than at any other time. The uidividuals we now and then 
 see in early spring are, no doubt, such as have been so fortu- 
 nate as to survive the severities of winter : the same may 
 probably be said of all the Grapt(B and Vanesste. which ap- 
 pear at the same season. The Grey-veined White, Clouded 
 Sulphur, and Spring Azure, are, I presume, but recently 
 evolved from pupa when we see tiiem. 
 
 !' 
 
 M* 
 
 f 
 
 r 
 
'4 
 
 248 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 m' 
 
 ■11 ' 
 
 f? . ,' 
 
 C. — On the public road, near the village of Compton, I 
 caught a new butterfly, which exactly, even in the most mi- 
 nute particulars, agrees with the Forked (I'anessa Fiaril- 
 h(ta) in the hinder wings, and the under surface of all ; Imt 
 the first pair on the upper surface are black, with only a row 
 of small, indistinct, and undefined red spots in place of the 
 broad orange l»and : the bright fulvous spots on the front 
 margin are wanting. 
 
 F. — It is proba])ly not a distinct species, but only an 
 accidental variety of /'. FarclUata ; or what is sometimes 
 called a his^vn, nainrcE. The Banded Purple (Lhneriitis 
 Artlnnnis) is beginning to grow scarce ; but about ten days 
 ago I observed as many as sixteen of this species crowded to- 
 gether on an old log by the road side ; so close together as to 
 be almost touching in every part. 
 
 C. — I have been out in the fields and borders of the 
 woods lately, in the evening twilight, mothing, with son^e 
 success. A large Bomhyx, the Dragon-moth ( Hep talus 
 Arr/enteo-maculatus) , was quite numerous ; Ijelonging to 
 that division of moths called Swifts, or Ghost Moths : 
 and I was surprised and pleased to observe the striking 
 similarity, not only of shape and general appearance, but 
 also of manners, to the English species of that family. They 
 continue in one place, dancing from side to side on the 
 wing, just above tlie herbage, within the space of a yard or 
 two. A large female which I caught, on being pinned, 
 began to eject her small white eggs with great rapidity, 
 driving them to a considerable distance. Another time I 
 lieard a fluttering at the bottom of a raspberry bush, and 
 on looking down saw a large insect : I threw my net over 
 it, and on holding it up to the light, found that I had cap- 
 tured a fine female Twin-eyed Hawk-moth {SiiwrintfiHs 
 Geminafus). I folded the net around the handle, and in- 
 stantly ran home Avith the prize ; but what was my chagrin 
 
 
 •' I 
 
.iri.Y 
 
 249 
 
 ^\* 
 
 
 on arriving, to find that it had escaped through a hole in the 
 net ! I have olttained specimens of lietween thirty and forty 
 new species of moths, of which I sliall only mention such as 
 are remarkable for beauty : — The Cieruleau (('fctniclin Lf- 
 treUfki)i<(), a pretty, rather slender lioniht/x, has a golden \\'\- 
 low head, and the thorax 
 
 and abdomen silky sky- "^^ ^ 
 
 blue : the wings are of a 
 pur[ilish black. A Xnr- 
 tn(i, the Pink Arches 
 ( TJtiidt'ira Scrlpto ), is 
 one of the most delicate- 
 ly beautiful of the small 
 muths that I have ever 
 
 |ji 
 
 IMNK AH( IIKS. 
 
 (Thijntira Srrijttn.) 
 
 lagrm 
 
 seen. 
 
 F. — They are both rather common: the former I ob- 
 served numerous about Quebec, particularly on the Heights 
 of Abraham. 
 
 C. — The rich Twin Goldspot of Newfoundland ( Plm^ia 
 Iota ? ) is not uncommon ; nor the Clilden Beauty (Xercne 
 Alhirtllota ) and Spotted Lemon ( Aiiarrona Soxjx'tn), the 
 last a bright-coloured little species, one of which laid a 
 number of oval, green eggs while in my possession. I have 
 also taken several specimens of a delicate P/frojf/tonts, the 
 Drab Plume. I have obtained many caterpillars lately l)y 
 bush-beating ; among which are two f^uite young ones of 
 the Tiger Swallowtail, feeding on Basswood f Tilia (ihihmj ; 
 they are bluish grey at each extremity, and white in the 
 middle; also several of the Vapourer-moth (OnjijUi Anti- 
 qna), from Ash ( Fraxlnns Samlturi/olia), Choke-cherry 
 (Vru)iHs AVro/Z/^rry), and Willows {Sali.rJ. From the Wild 
 Gooseberry (liiU's C'/nushati), I took several spinous cater- 
 pillars, which are light-coloured, with dark transverse spots. 
 One of them has since suspended itself by the tail, and 
 
 i: 
 
 
 If 
 
t , ; ( 
 
 2.50 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATL'RALTST. 
 
 1, ': 
 
 i! ) 
 
 I' 
 
 become a chrysalis of a drab hue, tinged with green in 
 some places ; the pointed projections of the head curving 
 towards each other. 
 
 F. — It is the larva and pupa of the Grey Comma 
 (Grapta C. Arqenteumjy and will probably attain tlie per- 
 fect state in a few days. 
 
 C. — A delicate little Dragon-fly (Agrion ? ) with 
 
 a red body, may be seen in some numbers on fine days, sail- 
 ing slowly over the spring in the pasture, occasionally resting 
 with erect closed wings on the weeds and grass : and I have 
 taken a still prettier species near the village, with the abdo- 
 men banded with black and bright sky blue alternately : 
 (AgrioH PuellaJ. These are elegant little creatures. 
 
 F. — One would suppose that they are incapable of any 
 long continued exertion ; they appear so frail, and fly so 
 languidly. Yet this may not be the case. Once, in coming 
 through the Gulf of Florida, on a calm afternoon, on looking 
 over the side of the ship, I was surprised to see close to the 
 surface of the water, a little Agrion, much like the first you 
 described, now and then alighting on the side of the vessel, 
 then flitting oif, and playing over the surface. We were 
 then twenty miles from the nearest land, and the ship had 
 not been within ten miles of land for many days, having 
 been last lying in Mobile Bay, inany miles from the town. 
 At length it alighted under the counter of the ship, and I 
 did not see it again. 
 
 
 C. — What are these curious excrescences growing on the 
 bark of this old stump ? 
 
 F. — They are a species of Fungus (Bolehis Ignlarius), 
 called the Hoof Boletus, from a resemblance which they often 
 bear in shape to a horse's hoof: they may be seen from the 
 size of a walnut to a foot or more in diameter, varying in 
 
 i % 
 
JULY. 
 
 2.51 
 
 
 / 
 
 i 
 
 colour, above, Irom dull white to bright polished brown, like 
 mahogany. They grow on many trees, but seem chieHy t(» 
 affect the birch : they are also very frequently found on the 
 underside of upturned roots. From the elevated ridges on 
 the surface, forming parts of concentric circles parallel with 
 the edge, it would appear that they grow not by gra- 
 dual increase of the whole, but by additions to tiie outer 
 margin. Let us examine the structure of one of them, 
 which we shall find very curious. Tiie upper part is of a 
 tough leathery consistence, often becoming liard and woody ; 
 the under part consists of a congeries of long capillary tubes, 
 parallel with and close to each other, fixed on the under sur- 
 face of the pileiis or covering, and proceeding downwards at 
 right angles to it. These tubes, though minute, are so 
 straight, that if you cut off a piece of this part, and hold 
 it up towards the light, slowly turning it, the light will sud- 
 denly flash through them, when the orifices come opposite the 
 eye, as through a spy-glass. This mass of tubes is elastic, 
 and capable of taking up and holding a large quantity of 
 water, like a sponge. This Boletus constitutes the food of 
 some beetles ; if we examine more, we may probably find 
 some. 
 
 C. — Here are some ; they are monstrously ugly ; they 
 are nearly square, of a dark earthy brown colour, and 
 covered with rough, irregular prominences and depressions. 
 Some of them have two projecting incurved horns on the 
 thorax ; others have only slight prominences in their place. 
 
 F. — From their roughness, colour, shape, and sluggish 
 motion, I call them Toad Beetles (lioUtophaijusi Cristatns) : 
 when molested, they draw in the antennte and legs, and lie 
 as if dead ; and certainly in that position it would require 
 an experienced eye to tell that they were living creatures at 
 all. 
 
 C. — Here are some large hollows in the porous part of 
 
 'J 
 
 ! 
 
 
 ri 
 
 ' k 
 
■iK 
 
 I • 
 
 Ml ' 
 
 ■1 '1 
 
 
 1 ^n' 
 
 \ i 
 
 f 
 
 :>.-2 
 
 TIIK tANADlAX NATLRALlST. 
 
 tlie fungus, containing white maggots, and one or two impre : 
 Jo these produce the l)eetle ? 
 
 F. — Yes : for I once reared one of these puine to the 
 perfect state; the toad-beetle was produced on the 1 9th 
 of August ; I had taken it in pu|ia on the 5th ; how much 
 longer it had been in that state, I have no means of ascer- 
 taining. The lialtit which some insects have of counter- 
 feiting death, is a singular and inexplicable one. Very many 
 genera of beetles have this practice : when they are touched 
 or disturbed, they suddenly draw in their antennie and palpi, 
 and gather up their legs and feet close to the abdonien : 
 some species have hollows in the abdomen, in which the legs 
 lie on such occasions ; and that so closely, one part fitting 
 in with another, that the eye can scarcely discover them, 
 the whole appearing a smooth surface. The antenna' are 
 generally hidden beneath the ch/jH'/(S, or shield of the head ; 
 but those of most of the Curcnlionida', which are situated 
 on the end of a long rostrum or snout, have the first joint 
 mucli elongated, at the end of which they can be doubled up, 
 the two portions lying parallel with each other, and so close 
 to the side of the rostrum as to be invisible. It has been 
 said that insects on these occasions will allow themselves to 
 be roasted to death over a fire without moving, but my own 
 observation does not agree with this : I have invarialdy 
 found that the application of heat caused them to sprawl out 
 their limbs pretty quickly. It may, however, be difterent 
 in some instances. 
 
 C — Has any motive been assigned or conjectured for 
 this habit ? 
 
 F. — It is thought that it may be for the purpose of es- 
 caping detection ; as the projecting limbs, and still more the 
 motion of insects often cause them to attract notice, when 
 otherwise they would be overlooked. It is true they 
 do not feign death unless they are actually touched, but 
 
 H 
 
 1 
 
.11- 1, V. 
 
 
 tlioy may often lie acciilcntully tomlied l>y biriN, &c. before 
 tlu'V have been oliserved. Vet nineteen times out of' twenty 
 I should think this artitico would tail to deceive the sharp 
 glance of an insectivorous bird. The manis, armadillo, and 
 hedgehog, when alarmed, roll tluinselves up into a ball : but 
 in so doing they protect their vulnerable parts, exposing 
 only a surface of sharp spines, or u coat of mail, which 
 etfectually secures them from injury. Hut I do not kn(nv 
 that the beetle is a whit better defmded from violence, by 
 having its limbs wra}»ped up, than liefore. Heside.s, many 
 other genera, and those fully as subject to attack, are not 
 provided with any such stratagem. On the whole, I can- 
 not but think that the end to bo answered liy this artitice 
 is unknown to us at present ; but that it is intendeil for some 
 useful purpose, and that such object is actually accomjilished 
 b\' it, the acknowledged jiower and wisdom of God Ibibid 
 me to doubt. 
 
 li 
 
 I 
 
 
 but 
 
 C. — Do you not perceive a strong rank smell I 
 F. — Yes : I have smelt it some time : it is the odour of 
 a skunk f McjiZ/itift A)i><'riran<()^ a small animal of the weasel 
 tribe. Its colour is black, with a white stripe down each 
 side ; the tail is large and bushy. The fur of this animal 
 is very soft and valualde ; l>ut its powers of defence are so 
 great that it is seldom molested. These consist wholly 
 in the ejection of a peculiar fluid, so intolerably ofiensive, 
 that neither man nor beast can withstand it. It pervades 
 the whole atmosphere to a great distance around, and where 
 the, animal has been killed, the odour continues to be dif- 
 fused for many weeks. I once contracted a greater inti- 
 macy wath this creature than I desired : I did not then know 
 its powers. He was rather a pretty fellow to look at, but 
 he did not by any means improve on acquaintance. It was 
 standing but a few feet distant from me, on the other 
 
 
 ■A 
 
'i 
 
 2o4 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 I--'' I 
 
 ,y^» 
 
 \''l 'l^ 
 
 ^:wm 
 
 SKINK. 
 
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 H 
 
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 side of a low fence. It did not attempt to ruii, but stood 
 looking away from me, without any appearance of fear, its 
 tail elevated over its back. I did not molest it, but looked 
 at it with curiosity and pleasure, when suddenly a jot of 
 this singular liquid was darted through tlie air from it, over 
 my face and breast. For some moments the effects were 
 insufferable ; the smell is unlike other smells ; not altogether 
 fetid, but so pungent and overpowering as to cause a sen- 
 sation of fainting. I left the scene at once, but wherever I 
 came, I brought the odour with me. By repeated washings 
 I removed it from my face, but no washing could free the 
 bosom of my shirt from the al)ominable taint. Some of the 
 neighbours told me that nothing would remove it, but Iniry- 
 ing the garment for twenty-four hours in the eartli : this I 
 did, but to make assurance doul»ly sure, left it there several 
 days ; on taking it up the smell was eradicated, but the 
 mildew had taken hold of it, and spoiled it. Since then I 
 have avoided intruding on ^he privacy of a skunk. I have 
 been told that they fretjuently haunt cellars, but do not emit 
 the offensive liquid unless irritated : that they are fond of 
 
 t I 
 
J U L V 
 
 2ryr) 
 
 
 
 f the 
 tury- 
 his I 
 everal 
 it the 
 hen I 
 have 
 t emit 
 }nd of 
 
 being caressed, and may be tamed without any bad smt-ll 
 attending them ; but I should tbink them dangerous pets, 
 for a house in which the odour is emitted, is rendered unin- 
 habitable for a long time. I have likewise been informed 
 that if the animal be suddenly seized by the tail, and held 
 up in the air, it has not the power of ejecting this factor, 
 and may be killed without trouble or offence ; liut this I give 
 only on the report of others. It lives on birds, and other 
 small animals ; and often makes great devastation among 
 the poultry. 
 
 ('. — I have just taken a pair of large and very handsome 
 beetles crawling up a tree : the head and thorax and 
 half the elytra are of a brilliant blue ; the fore-half of the 
 elytra, rich golden yellow : the joints of the antennte are 
 large and conspicuous. Is it a connnon species i 
 
 F. — It is the Blue and Gold Ctrambyx ( Dcsmocerns 
 (\i/aHeus), and is described and figured in the " Naturalist's 
 Library," where it is said to be a native of India. U is }>y 
 no means uncommon with us through the autunm. The 
 colours of this large and showy Cerambyx remind me of 
 a very large species of Whame-Hy (TdftdujiH Ajfinix (' ), 
 which I caught in the act of sacking my horse's blood : it 
 was altogether black, except three or fuur segments of the 
 middle of the abdomen, which were l)right orange yellow. 
 I noticed, also, at the same time, another species of the same 
 tribe, strange to me, which was l)lack, with white triangles 
 down the back (Tuliannii Znnalis ? ). 
 
 (\ — I picked up, while you were speaking, this pretty 
 little Clcindela ; it is dark ^ea green, covered with punctures. 
 /". — It is rare and curious : I l)elieve it is VJiij>h,-iix 1 1,- 
 t(>rmt'<ll>is, not a Cicindela. Here is a .led f>f plants, which 
 will l)e the means of increasing your entomological cabinet ; 
 as it is a constant resort of many species of insects, by night 
 and day. This is the Sweet-scented Milkwee«l f .Isclvj/ias 
 
 ! 
 
 i 
 19 
 
 . I 
 
 •t 
 
 
 i; 
 ill 
 
2.")G 
 
 TIIK CANADIAN' NATL'RALIST. 
 
 -Si!,!' .! 
 
 II « 
 
 II' 
 
 I. « 
 
 ♦ 
 
 fl 
 
 ■ > 
 
 ; 
 
 ; 
 
 S/friacn ), a beautiful and fragrant flower. I have observed 
 the first appearance of its blossoms f n- two years on this day. 
 It usually grows in large groups or beds ; and is a tall plant, 
 as you see, with large broad oval leaves ; when broken, a 
 white glutinous fluid exudes, whence it, with other plants, 
 has ac<|uired the name of milkweed. The flowers which, as 
 you perceive, grow in large close heads, are very curious in 
 their structure : the order to which they belong is " known 
 froni all others by the single character of its grains of 
 ])ollen adhering together within a sort of bag, which occupies 
 the whole of the inside of each cell of the anther ; and when 
 it falls out, sticks to glands of a peculiar character occupying 
 the angles of the stigma." Besides this, the anther and 
 the stigma adhere firmly to each other. A large Sjihinx, 
 the Zebra Hawk-moth (Sphinx Knhi/urJ, resorts to tliese 
 flowers in considerable numbers, during the warm evenings ; 
 and many smaller moths. The Zebra Hawk I have invari- 
 aV)ly found as soon as the milkweed is blown, but at no other 
 time, and on no other flowers. You may, no douljt, see 
 some there this evening, soon after the sun has set. The 
 flowers of this jdant are succeeded ]>y large spindle-shaped 
 j)ods, (that is, thick in the middle and pointed at each end,) 
 about three inches long, containing many rows of flat round 
 seeds, lying imljricatcd one upon the other, attached to a 
 pithy substance that runs through the centre, ihv jilarenfc ; to 
 each seed are altixed long silky filaments nf down, wliiih, 
 when ripe, act the part of wings to convey the seeds on the 
 wind, and scatter them in difl'rrent directions. 
 
 ('. — iMany jijants have downy see<ls : those of the com- 
 mon dandelion ( Lroutodon Tamxacnm) are very regularly 
 and beautifully arranged. 
 
 /•'. — The modes by which the seeds of plants are trans- 
 ported about, are exceedingly various, and well worliiy of 
 attention: and perhaps none are more so tlian those ui\o//n- 
 
 I 1. 
 
 i 
 
JULY. 
 
 ■')'■■*- 
 
 !irt)csio)is i.ltvnts, most of wliicli liave a downy ogi-ot, as 
 the dandelion, thistle, groundsel, &c. I do not know a 
 prettier sight than a dandelion seed floating along beneath 
 its feathery plume on a gentle breeze: now erect, now 
 lightly wavhig to one or the other side, yet still keeping its 
 position, like the car of a miniature balloon ; till at length 
 it slowly descends, and fixes itself in some crevice of the 
 earth, then- to be nourished, far enough from its jiarent 
 flower. Some seeds have attaclied to them a broad thin 
 blade, (samara,) as the ash, maple, &c. which forces them 
 obliquely through the a"r, instead of perpendicularly : others 
 are jerked to a distance by a peculiar mechanism in the seed 
 vessel : others are carried h) distances in the stomachs of 
 birds, their vegetative power increased, rather than destroyed, 
 l)y the process of digestion. All show a power at work, to 
 which the wisdom of man is foolislmess. 
 
 ( 
 
 * 
 
 ',( 
 
 I 
 
 III 
 
«■«■■ 
 
 '• i 
 
 I,; ■ I 
 
 258 
 
 XVII. 
 
 AUGUST 1st. 
 
 Zobm Ilawk-nmtli — its roscmhlancc to a Huiiiming-binl. — Oroy ILiwk- 
 mntli. — Beautiful Noctuie. — I'-ggs and Larv;e of Zi'lira Hawk. — Diurnal 
 Inst'CtR. — Conops. — Six-sj)ottcd IJlue Ilawk moth. — (ireat spanpk-d 
 Fritillary. — Camborwcll Beauty. — Arcliippus Butterfly. — Clouded Sul- 
 j)hur. — Canadian Pearl-tly. — llunible-ljee Hawk-moth. — Scarlet- tly. — 
 Sheep (iad-tlj% — Horse Gad-tly. — Humble Bees' Nest. — Hay-making. — 
 A fter-grass. — Meadow Frog. — Bull Frog. — Toad. — Tree Frog. — .lerboa 
 — Becomes torpid in Winter. — Field Locusts. — Rattling Locust. — 
 Wasps' Nest. — Hair Grass. — Virginian Deer — its Grace and Beauty — 
 Wide Locality — Timidity — Artifice. 
 
 » 
 
 ■t ■;• 
 
 CiiAHLRS. — I have found the blossoms of the Milkweed 
 ( Asclc])ias) very productive of lepidopterous insects. The 
 large Zebra Hawk-moths have been very numerous : I 
 caught on one evening eight, and on another seven of them, 
 and saw many more. What a very striking resemblance 
 exists between tiiese hawk-moths and the humming-birds ! 
 their straight, arrowy flight, their sudden arrest in front of 
 a flower, the rapid vibration of their wings, the insertion of 
 their long tongue, the glancing of their bright eyes, their 
 loud hum, their jealous alarms, and even the shape of their 
 bodies, and their size, are so exactly a counterpart of the 
 Huby throat, that at first one is tempted to think it is act-ally 
 a humming-bird protracting his nectar-seeking excursions 
 into the night. Among these flowers, almost immediately 
 after sun?et, we hear a loud luunming, and looking to the 
 
1^ 
 
 AU(.UsT. 
 
 2:>!) 
 
 spot, see the large moth suspended on tlie wing in front of 
 a Itlossom ; presently one is seen in another direction ; then 
 another, and another; and the small moths begin to swanm, 
 and huiTy from flower to flower, seeming to increase with 
 the increasing darkness, until the eye fails to follow them, 
 but still dimly sees the swift-winged hawk-moth, directed by 
 the more acute perception of the ear. They are large and 
 thick, though of a graceful shape, and possess considerable 
 muscular strength ; I have had them actually within my 
 fingers, yet have failed to hold them, as they have forced 
 their way out by the mere strength of their wings. On 
 almost every one that I caught, there were little soft club- 
 shaped filaments, about one-sixth of an inch long, projecting 
 from the head, generally from the eyes : do you know what 
 they are ? 
 
 Father. — They are parts of the milkweed blossom, 
 which adiiere to the head of the insect, when eagerly suck- 
 ing the nectar, and come away with it. I was nuich at a 
 loss myself when I first observed them, but having seen the 
 same substances, in the south, attached to the heads of 
 Swallow-tailed Butterflies (Vojiilio) which I had taken in 
 the act of sucking an allied species, the Orange ^Milkweed 
 ( Asch'pias Incarnata), I had no longer any doubt of their 
 origin. They are the little l»ags of pollen, that I mentioned 
 before, which are found within the anthers. 
 
 C. — Among tViese I have taken another species, some- 
 what resembling them, but not nearly so pretty, the Grey 
 Hawk-moth (Sphinx Ciuerea) ; this appears rare. I have 
 netted also some very beautiful Nortiuc, the Twin Gold- 
 spot, (Plnsia Iota ?) the Gold and Silver, (P. FeMnccp ?) 
 the Green Gold (P. C/irz/^itis ?J, and tiie Spangled Orange 
 
 C ?>) ; the last two exceedingly splendid : the Royal 
 
 Tiger Moth ( Arctia fiiyoj, a handsome Bonili'fx, is become 
 common. 
 
 I 1 
 
 ' ■■ if 
 
^" 
 
 200 
 
 THE CAXADIAN NATURALIST, 
 
 r. 
 
 ROYAL TIGER-MOTH. 
 (Ant ill Virrii.) 
 
 F. — The lustre of the spots and marks on many moths 
 and butterflies, rivals tlie glitter of the precious metals : the 
 silver spots on the wings of the Sj'antrlod Orange moth are 
 exactly like those on some of the Fritillaries. 
 
 C. — Some of the Zebra Hawk-moths, which I enclosed in 
 a box, laid several eggs, which were round, rather Hat, 
 pearly white, of about the size of a small pin's head. They 
 were not deposited all in a place, like those of a Plialccita, 
 but singly, all about the box, slightly stuck on. In about 
 seven days they produced the young caterpillars, which, when 
 hatched, were about one-fourth of an inch long, all white, 
 except the anal horn, which was black, straight, and half as 
 long as the body. Not knowing their food, I tried them 
 with a great variety of leaves, and at length found that they 
 woidd eat those of the ash ; and I afterward found a solitary 
 egg of this kind attached to the leaf of an ash tree. I sus- 
 pect the caterpillars would have very materially altered in 
 form and colour, as they l)ecame mature ; Init I had not the 
 sati^-faction of proving this, as every one di^c in a day or 
 two ailer being hatched. 
 
 I 
 
 M 
 
I 
 
 ■t 
 
 AlCilST. 
 
 2()1 
 
 F. — Have you examined the Milkweed by day, as well 
 as in tlie twilight of evening ? 
 
 r. — Yes; I have found it on sunny days swarming with 
 inseets of all orders ; many day-flying motlis frequent it, 
 and different species of Hies and hees. I took from it a 
 <fij)t(>rou)< fly, very much resembling a Sphex in slui}»e ; the 
 abdomen clulibed, or subglobular, and joined to the alulumen 
 by a slender petiole: the head is large; and the mouth has 
 a projecting tube, like that of a gnat (Couoj)tt Rnfipi'K? j. 
 I also took a little Ccrcunhiix, black, with bright yellnw 
 
 curves on the wing cases (Ch/tiis ? ) : ami a pretty 
 
 little Sjtiiinx, the Six-spotted Blue Hawk-moth {Alojiin 
 Octomaciihila). But it is chiefly the resort of crowds of Init- 
 terflies of almost every species that is now about ; l)ut more 
 particularly the Fritillaries ; of wiiich a large and handsome 
 species is numerous, the Great Spangled Fritillary ( Arin/nnia 
 
 CM')- 
 
 F. — This much resembles the Silver-spot ( Arri'/nnis 
 Aphroi.lik'), and for a long time I supposed it to be the 
 female of that species; but having seen the latter in coitu, 
 I am convinced they are two distinct species : the Groat 
 Spangled being distinguished from the other by its superior 
 size, brighter tint of colour, and liy the less number of black 
 spots on the wings. 
 
 C. — I have seen the Camberwell Beauty {Vaneasd An- 
 tiopa) about, within a few days. This noble butterfly lias 
 not been seen beforj, to my knowledge, since the first days 
 of spring. The Tiger Swallowtails have disappeared a]»out a 
 fortnight. A Grey Comma (Gropta C. Ar<ieiitei()t>J has 
 been evolved from the chrysalis I mentioned to you, having 
 been in pupa thirteen days. I saw, the other day, a very 
 fine l)uttei"fly, the Archippus (Dutniis ArcJiippnx) ; the 
 largest species I have yet seen. It fluttered along slowly 
 
 
 n 
 
 M 
 
 A 
 
 1.1 
 
:^i 
 
 2G2 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 .11 
 
 f; 
 
 ARCHIPPrs. 
 ( Danain Archij)])us,) 
 
 J 
 
 ii 
 
 and fearlessly, often alighting very near me, so that I at 
 length caught it. 
 
 F. — This fine butterfly is said by the American natu- 
 ralists to be unknown north of Virginia; it is rather 
 rare here ; though I have seen as many as half a dozen 
 in a season : in some seasons, however, I have not met 
 with one specimen. They often fly at a great height in 
 the air. 
 
 C. — We spoke some time ago of the habit which some 
 butterflies have of congregating together. I observed, a few 
 days ago, on the public road, great numbers of the Clouded 
 Sulphur (^Colias Ph Hod ice) in flocks of eight or ten, pitched 
 on the patches of wet slushy mud ; they were so closely 
 
A I' or ST. 
 
 2G3 
 
 set together as to make yellow sjtots, visible a long way off. 
 These little flocks continued at intervals for some miles. 
 
 F. — A very large species of Ilemerubius, the Canadian 
 Pearl-fly ( Chauliodcs PectinicornisJ* was given me yester- 
 day : it measures three inches and a half in spread of wing : 
 the jaws are curved and sharp ; the antenna; strongly pecti- 
 nate ; the wings tinged with pale brown, the nervures spot- 
 ted with black ; they are netted, but tlie cross nervures are 
 few. I caught a pretty Sphinx, busily hovering over some 
 
 .JJ£:.J^ 
 
 hat I at 
 
 m natu- 
 s rather 
 a dozen 
 not met 
 leight in 
 
 ich some 
 sd, a few- 
 Clouded 
 I, pitched 
 closely 
 
 CANADIAN rEAUI.-FJ.V. 
 
 (C/iaiiliodcs I'iTtitiiciiDiif; ) 
 
 tubular flowers in a friend's garden, during the heat of the 
 day; the Humble-bee Hawk-moth ( Sesia Pelosgm) ; the 
 Avings are reddish brown, with hyaline disks. It is rare, as 
 I have never met with it before. 
 
 C. — Two or three specimens of a curious Musca ( Ta- 
 
 china ?) have occurred lately: the abdomen is large 
 
 and round, of a scarlet colour, covered with strong upright 
 spines or bristles. I have also taken the Sheep Gad-fly 
 
 * This fine insect, I should state, the only living specimen I ever saw, 
 was not taken in the neighbourhood of Compton, but at Qavbec, on the 
 30th of July, 1»35. 
 
i4^i 
 
 2(n 
 
 Tin: CAXADIAX \ ATI' K \ I.I sT. 
 
 !IUI. 
 
 ((Kstrns (hin) ; and the Horse (iad-fly ( CiaKtrns Eqni ) 
 is quite 'ommon. In hoeing }iotat(»e.s hitely, I laid liare a 
 curious scene of domestic economy. It ^\•as a Humble-bees' 
 nest, about an inch below the surface of the earth, and con- 
 tained two bunches of yellowish oval sacs, each containing a 
 pupa ; about a dozen in all. Twenty or more bees of dif- 
 lerent size and appearance, but I sujipose all of the same 
 species ( BouihuM Tcrricola ? ), llew about, very much 
 alarmed at the destruction of their household. 
 
 F. — All our neighljours are now very busy ; it is the 
 height of the haymaking season, one of the most cheering and 
 pleasing, but one of the most lalj(n'ious of agricultural occupa- 
 tions. It is a fine morning for the mowers ; the grass is cut 
 with far greater ease while wet with dew than in the heat 
 of the day. Our usual ^ Ian is to mow till about nine or ten 
 o'clock in the forenoon, then spread and turn it : and if the 
 day be fine, so hot is our sun, that in the afternoon the hay 
 is ready to go to the barn or stack. Let us walk into the field 
 among the mowers. 
 
 C. — There is the whetting of the scythe : what a pecu- 
 liarly rural sound that is ! how connected with pleasant 
 fields, snug cottages, merry peasants, and bright skies. 
 How beautifully smooth and green the closely shaven 
 meadow looks, from which the hav has been cut and raked : 
 A'ery different from the pasture, Avherc many brown heads 
 and coarse tufts and rank weeds destroy the uniformity of 
 the appearance. 
 
 F. — The short young grass which escapes the scythe, is 
 very agreeable to cattle, and we always turn our stock into 
 the fields immediately after mowing ; a practice which I 
 believe does not so generally prevail in P^ngland, where the 
 ground is usually so level and smooth, that the scythe goes 
 very close to the surface. In our rough fields, much grass is 
 left in the hollows, and about stones, stumps, &c. which the 
 scythe cannot reach. 
 
 . 
 
ALGUST. 
 
 ') 
 
 Go 
 
 Fj/>tiJ 
 liare a 
 e-bees' 
 id coii- 
 ining a 
 of dif- 
 e same 
 much 
 
 is the 
 •hig and 
 occupa- 
 ss is cut 
 he heat 
 le or ten 
 id if the 
 the hay 
 the field 
 
 a pecu- 
 pleasant 
 it skies, 
 shaven 
 i raked : 
 
 n heads 
 trmity of 
 
 cythe, is 
 took into 
 ■which I 
 here the 
 'the goes 
 1 grass is 
 hich the 
 
 C. — I see several frogs hopping aliout among the grass. 
 
 F. — Yes : this species, the Meadow Frog, ( Rana IIo/c- 
 rina ? ) is fond of lurking in the long grass, whence the 
 mower disturbs it : it is very handsome, if we are divested 
 of that nursery prejudice wliich looks on every reptile as 
 ugly and ahominahle ; its limbs and upper parts are whitish 
 with large irregvdar spots of dark olive-brown, and the 
 whole under parts are bright orange red. I have never seen 
 it near water." 
 
 C. — What is this curious circular organ, like a round scale, 
 on each side of the neck ? I observe it in all frogs. 
 
 F' — That is the organ of hearing. Frogs have no exter- 
 nal ear, ]>ut this round membrane wliich you see, is the 
 tympanum or drum of the ear, tightly stretched over the 
 auditory canal. 
 
 C. — What other species of this genus have we ? 
 
 F. — There is the great Bull-frog (liana PijiiensJ, so 
 called from its deep hollow voice, resembling the short bel- 
 lowing of a bull ; it is of a fine green, spotted with black. 
 It resides chiefly in water, and may often be seen sitting 
 in a shallow pool, with its muzzle just out of water ; con- 
 tinuing in the same position without the slightest motion 
 for hours together. Then, I believe, there is another smaller 
 species, inhabiting the marshes, of a dusky brown colour, 
 but whether this is the young of either of the others, I am 
 not certain. ( Ritna Ckuno.tis ? ) 
 
 C. — I have seen in the summer evenings a large toad in 
 the garden, and near the house, covered with large reddish 
 brown warts and excrdscences, adding by no means to the 
 beauty of its appearance {Bk/o Cotjnatus). Its solenm 
 look as it sits ui)on a stone, sucking in its throat, and 
 
 * I am almost sure this is not Ilalecimi, but I cannot find in Dr. Har- 
 l.in's paper on the Reptiles any other to which it bears any resemblance, 
 though it must be found in New England. — P. H. G. 
 
 N 
 
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IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-3) 
 
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 Photographic 
 
 Sciences 
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 23 WEST MAIN STREET 
 
 WEBS1£R,N.Y. MS80 
 
 (716) 872-4503 
 

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 riir. CANADIAN X ATUJIALIST. 
 
 Hi 
 
 »i 
 
 it« awkward attoni[its at ho}iping wlicii it moves, do not 
 tend to rondor it a general favourite, any more than its per- 
 sonal Ijeauty. 
 
 F. — These arc ail the species that I can mention as 
 common ; Init there is another wliich I suppose to be 
 quite rare, or, at least, seldom met with. Ahout this time 
 last year, I saw on a rasjilierry hush a small frog, al»out an 
 inch and a half long ; as near as I can recollect, it was of a 
 pale hrown or drah colour; it was very active, leaping from 
 leaf to leaf. It attracted my attention hy its unusual 
 situation, and l>y the tenacity with which it clung to the 
 leaves, always adhering where it alighted, without any 
 struggling or falling off, however inclined the surface might 
 he. I caught it, and observed that the ends of the toes 
 were furnish* d with round, dilated, membranous suckers ; 
 tiMin which circumstance I have since discovered that it was 
 a IIf//(', or Tree-frog {lb/la J\'rsicolor), While I was hold- 
 ing it in my hand, it leaped to the bush ; and though I 
 searched long and anxiously, I could not again find it. I did 
 not then know that they generally adhere to the hncor sides 
 of the leaves and branches, which may be a reason why 
 they are so seldom seen. 
 
 ( . — See, see ! there is a little animal leaping like a kan- 
 garoo through the grass. 
 
 F. — It is the Canadian Jerboa, or Deer-mouse, as it is 
 called here {Qh'rliiUtis Canaileiisls) ; and a beautiful, agile 
 little creature it is. It is of a bright fawn colour above, and 
 pure white Iteneath : the hind legs are much longer than the 
 fure ones, and it usually moves by long leaps, as tliat wliich 
 you have just seen ; I believe, however, they put their fore 
 feet to the ground when not disturbed : the tail is very long. 
 They are often seen in mowing and in reaping: I have 
 
 4: 
 
nua 
 
 
 AT or ST. 
 
 20: 
 
 Icnown thorn caught in Juno, and as late as tlie last -"'f Sop- 
 tcmber. A friend of mine, once working in liis field, felt 
 something between his trowsers and his tliigh, whioii proved 
 to be a deer-mouse, having run up his log; he caught it, and 
 gave it to me. It appears to become torpid during winter : 
 my friend, Mr. H. Bill, has informed me that once, when 
 digging up earth to cover a potato pit, he exposed two deer- 
 mice in a little cavity, about eight inches below the surface 
 of the ground : they were stiff and motionless, Init were 
 sleek, and did not appear dead. He carried tlu-m into his 
 house, and in the warmth they revived. There was no aji- 
 pearance of a nest, nor any hoard. It was late in the season, 
 as the ground was partially frozen : proljably in the month 
 of NovemlK-r. 
 
 
 ■-■^^^MM 
 
 ^m'^s 
 
 
 ; 
 
 DEEU-MOISE. 
 (Cr'erbil/un Cit/tiuloisin. ) 
 
 ('. — I perceive a large green gi*asshoppor abundant among 
 the grass, which I have not observed before. 
 
 F. — This is more properly a Locust: I bolievc those 
 
 N -J 
 

 2GS 
 
 THE CAKADIAX NATURALIST, 
 
 !/ t- 
 
 n 
 
 •K 
 
 .1'^ 
 
 Grylli with straight ^vingSJ liaving long setaceous antennae, 
 are generally called grasshojipers ; and those with short stout 
 antennae, locusts ; those whose wings are flat on the back, 
 and lap over each other, are called crickets. None of the 
 species are usually seen in the perfect state much before this 
 season ; those which are met with, among the hei'bage, are 
 in the earlier stages. This field locust is a clumsy, thick 
 species, and its motions are rather heavy. It is extremely 
 numerous in our grass fields, and probably the aggregated 
 individuals in one field consume no small quantity of herb- 
 age. In ploughing round a triangular piece of green sward, 
 I have been amused, as I gradually drew near the end, to 
 observe the hosts of these field locusts crowded together on 
 the constantly diminishing little spot of grass in the centre. 
 They would not stay on the furrow, but continually re- 
 tired before the plough among the grass ; Avhich, growing 
 less and less at every furrow, caused the inhabitants of the 
 whole field gradually to collect in this little oasis in the earthy 
 desert, where they kicked, and sprawled, and leaped, like 
 fishes in a net, until the inexorable ploughshare r.t length 
 turned over their last fragment of turf, and obliged them to 
 seek a new home. 
 
 C. — On the road to Compton, I have noticed a large 
 locust, with dusky elytra, and bright yellow wings with a 
 black border ; it was very watchful, not permitting me to 
 approach it, till after many trials and much manoeuvring. 
 It flies short distances, and often remains stationary on the 
 wing over a particular spot ; and while on the wing, makes 
 a noise exactly like that of a watchman's rattle in minia- 
 ture. 
 
 F. — I know it well, and call it the Rattling Locust. 
 ((Edijwda Stdplinrea ? ) It is singular to observe the pre- 
 dilection which some insects have for particular places. A 
 spot on the road to the village, at the foot of a hill, a little 
 
 I 
 
AUGUST. 
 
 '2G9 
 
 I 
 
 beyond SpatTord's bridge, is the " beat " of this Gn/l/ih^. I 
 have occasionally, but rarely, seen a straggler in other places ; 
 but there, on every fine day through the autumn, they are 
 almost sure to be seen and heard, season after season. You 
 may drive them before you a few yards, but they will not go 
 far, neither are they willing to leave the road ; they will pre- 
 sently find means to slip by you, back to their boundary again. 
 
 C. — Why have the mowers left yonder little plat of 
 grass uncut, with a stone in the centre ? 
 
 F. — That is not a stone, although it looks so much like 
 one, as you would find to your cost if you planteil your foot 
 on it. The mowers have cut as near as they durst approach 
 to it, for it is a AVasp's nest ( Fe.ym Mari/inafaJ, and full 
 of very irascible and formidalde subjects, who are not to be 
 assaulted with impunity. These large round nests are gene- 
 rally attached to a stone, often nearly covering it, and can- 
 not easily be distinguished from it. They are made of a 
 tough whitish paper, manufactured Ity the wasp, of the mi- 
 nute })articles which she al)rades from weather-beaten woml, 
 and agglutinates with saliva, spread out into this thin form. 
 This nest consists of several layers, convex above, and pm- 
 jecting at the edges to shoot off the rain from the comb 
 within, wliich is made of the same substance, and contains 
 young and pupoe. You may observe numliers of the wasps 
 coming and going, and crawling l)usily about the nest, the en- 
 trance to which is beneath the edge : they are yellow, with 
 black bands. 
 
 There is a curious grass now in flower, the Hair Grass, 
 (Trichodium Laxijforinn), remarkalile for its delicacy of 
 form ; it is a tall species, and much branched, but scarcely 
 thicker than a hair. See, here are tufts of it ; but it is most 
 abundant in the field by the bridge, affecting a low moist 
 situation. It said to l^e valuable in an agricultural view. 
 
 
■fl 
 
 270 
 
 TFIK CANADIAN XATIRALIST. 
 
 ■:f 
 
 ('. — There is some animal in the oat field : don't you 
 see its brown back a])ove the tops of the grain ? 
 
 F. — Ha! it is a \)(iQ\' ( Cervns Fi)-<ji?iianuiiJ\ they often 
 come out of the woods to feed on the standing grain at this 
 season : but it is not very usual for them to come in the day- 
 time. Let us approach cautiously, and we may get a view of 
 it without alarming it. They are very fond of salt, and I 
 have been told that fanners sometimes sprinkle a little about 
 the place where they have been seen, so that if they return 
 and find the salt, they may be induced to repeat their visits 
 to the spot, while the farmer lies in wait with his rifle. 
 
 C. — It has taken the alarm. How jealously it looks 
 round ! and now, there it goes off to the woods. How grace- 
 ful its motions are ! it does not run, but proceeds by light 
 bounds : — now it is lost in the forest. It is a doe, as it has 
 nu liorns. 
 
 F. — This species is found from the St. Lawrence to tlie 
 Gulf of Mexico. — I once saw a young tame one in the State 
 of Alabama, which was allowed the range of a large field, 
 and would often come to the house, and prance about the 
 lawn. I could not help admiring the beauty of the animal, 
 and the grace of every motion. It would approach me if I stood 
 quite still, stretching out its pretty head, and taper neck, to- 
 wards my hand ; but it was so extremely timid, that at the 
 slightest stir, its whole body and every limb w^ould start, and 
 on the least motion it would ]}Ound away, then stop, and turn, 
 and look again. When standhig still, it would be continually 
 starting in this way, and when it trotted or w'alked, it lit\ed 
 its little feet so high, and bent its slender limbs as if motion 
 itself were a pleasure. It would occasionally stand a few 
 moments, with one fore-leg bent up, the hoof nearly touching 
 the belly. Its long and graceful ears were almost ever in 
 motion, now directed forwards, now backwards, now erect, 
 to catch the slightest sound. The large swimming black eye 
 
 
AUGUST. 
 
 O 
 
 271 
 
 I 
 
 • 
 
 reminded me of the descriptions of that of the ga/elle, ^vl^ch 
 I should think can scarcely be superior in heauty and softnt^ss. 
 It usually carries its neck upright, and there is a fairy liglit- 
 ness and elegance in its whole appearance, which make it 
 the prettiest of pets. 
 
 I have been informed by a neigh]»our that he once shot a 
 deer, which was running up a very steep hill : after receiving 
 the ball, it continued to run twenty or thirty yards, when it 
 gave a vast bound sideways, and dropped dead. On exami- 
 nation, the ball was found to have passed througli the centre 
 of the heart. It is no uncommon thing tor deer, when }iur- 
 sued by scent-hounds, to leap aside from their course into a 
 thicket, in hopes of lying concealed till the dogs pass by. 
 They are said to shed their horns in spring, and to have an 
 additional prong (I believe to a certain limit) every year. 
 During summer the horns are small, and covered with a 
 velvety skin. 
 
 C. — It seems a pity to kill such gentlr, inoffensive ani- 
 mals, as their occasional tres[)asses are not worth mentioning. 
 
 F. — I have known as many as seventy deer killed at a 
 single hunt, in the south : this appears to me a useless waste ; 
 the dominion over the inferior animals l)eing given to man 
 for the supply of his necessities, or for his protection : cer- 
 tainly not for the wanton destruction of animal life. But 
 " might makes right " is too often the maxim acted upon, if 
 not acknowledged. 
 
 a 
 
 'i' 
 
 I 
 
k 
 
 • 1 1 
 
 ^r 
 
 '^M 
 
 ' * 
 
 ^ 
 
 070 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 1 1 ' 
 
 !'l ! 
 
 >< 
 
 <) ! 
 
 ilf 
 
 llf 
 
 t ■ 
 
 I 
 
 t\i 
 
 AUGUST 16Tn. 
 
 Decayed Trees. — Remains of Insects. — Mu'sty Chafer. — Smo.it'i Cliafer. 
 — .Jul lis. — Tnudi-nie-not. — Indian Hen. — Sand- wasp. — K volution from 
 I'upa of Insects with petiolcd alidoniens. — Ueautiful Contrivance. — 
 Ued Fox. — fireen Grass]ioj)per. — Furbdow-nioth. — Green Comma 
 Hiitterriy. — Sirex. — Yellow-belted Ilawk-moth. — Lizards. — Minute 
 Day-flies. — Violet-tip Buttci-fly. — Sjjhinx Caterpillar. — Sex of Larvae 
 and Pup;e. — Fine Keho. — Snakriiead. — Wild Chocolate. — Choke- 
 cherry. — Indian Wickup. — FaUe Sunflower — rklullein. — Rainbow. 
 
 Charles. — Yesterday morning, I took an early walk to 
 the maple woods, where I spent an horn* very pleasantly. 
 There was a large but quite decayed tree, which I almost 
 pulled down piecemeal. The trunk was pierced with many 
 lioles, and in nearly every hole were the remains of a Sirex, 
 almost gone to dust, except the crustaceous skin ; a large 
 black and yellow species, resembling S, Gh/as. I found 
 remnants of many kinds of beetles, some too far gone to be 
 identified ; but I recognised a Bi(prestis, and a shining red 
 beetle. (Plaff/cerus Placidvs ?) There were several oval 
 cases, as large as pigeon's eggs, containing the exuviae of 
 beetles, and in one I found a lamellicorn, complete but 
 decayed. I afterwards took from an elm a living beetle of 
 this species ( Cxi/ntnodus Rii<josus), which in size and shape 
 much reseml)lcs the Rose Chafer (Cetoyiia AurataJ, but is of 
 a dark reddish brown colour : the elytra rough and striated. 
 A strong and oftensive musty smell came from it ; and it 
 made a slight creaking sound when held in the fingers. 
 
A ror. ST. 
 
 
 i; 
 
 I 
 
 Fatiikr. — I lately caught an allied species, l.ut consi- 
 derably larger, of a smooth shining black, but like it in other 
 respects f (i//t/i nodus DnikliJ. It was in tiie dusk vi the 
 evening, \Yhen it came Ijuzzing round the verandah, and 
 at length alighted at my feet. But go on with your tbrest 
 researches. 
 
 ('. — I tound, in another rotten tree, several specimens of 
 a large Julns, or " thousand legs," three inches long, and a 
 quarter of an inch ir^ diameter: it is (jf a dark purplish red, 
 slow of motion, and, when touched, coils itself u]) in a circular 
 form, the head in the centre. 
 
 F. — This insect (Jnlus Mari/inafas) is considered by 
 the American inhabitants as being highly poisonous if taken 
 into the stomach : I have been told of instances in which a 
 person has accidentally bitten one, and has hardly escaped 
 death. 
 
 C. — There were many groups of a pretty flowering plant, 
 bearing numbers of hanging blossoms, shaped somewhat like 
 a cup, with a long curved tube at the bottom, of a bright 
 yellow, with red spots. Hearing a loud hum, I looked round, 
 and saw a beautiful Hunnning-bird poising itself before these 
 flowers, inserting its bill for an instant, then whisking to 
 another like lightning ; while I stood motionless, it approach- 
 ed and sucked flowers within a yard of me, but on the least 
 motion it was off to a distance. 
 
 F, — The flower is the Touch-me-not f Iinpaticns uoli- 
 tamjere) ; it grows in considerable quanl, ics in wet situa- 
 tions, both in woods and in open places, it is a favourite 
 resort of the Ruby-throat, numbers of which may be seen 
 about a cluster of these flowers on almost every bright warm 
 day. They do not blossom much before this period. 
 
 .^J 
 
274 
 
 THE CAXADFAX XATL'R ALI ST. 
 
 .; „! 
 
 \r 
 
 I 
 
 TOICH-ME-XOT, 
 C Imjxttieiis noli-tani/crc. ) 
 
 ( . — I observe a singular bird on the top of that scathed 
 hemlock : do you know what it is ? 
 
 .' , I 
 
■^ 
 
 'athed 
 
 AUGUST. 
 
 07 :; 
 
 /'• — It is tlic Indian Hon, or American Bittern (Ari/m 
 Minor). It looks very small ; l»ut when its wings are ex- 
 tended, it measures nearly tiiree feet and a iialt" from tij) to 
 tip, and three f?et from the bill to the toes : it is, however, uf 
 a slender form ; the neck and legs being long, but the liody 
 small. The head is remarkably flattened, and gives tlie 
 l)ird a very singular appearance : the feathers of the neok 
 are long and loose, and capable of being erected : the general 
 colour is dark brown, spotted with yellow, on tiie back ; and 
 yellowish, spotted with brown, on the belly. As you st-e it 
 
 
 ;^-? 
 
 
 -(\,,- »i;ci£ ' ^t^A. 
 
 \i\. 
 
 'W-l 
 
 m. 
 
 *3"- 
 
 ~i::^m^^ 
 
 
 INDIA HEN. 
 
 (Ardca Miudr.) 
 
 I 
 
 
27 f) 
 
 Tilt: ( ANADIAX XATURALIST. 
 
 ■iHr 
 
 i; 
 
 i\ i 
 
 li 
 
 now, the long neck is drawn back, the head resting between 
 t!io wing-;, its usual mole of reposing ; but it frequently pokes 
 out its neck to see what is going on. It flies with a flagging 
 motion ; and as it slowly rises to flight, and unfolds its 
 great pini(tns, we are startled to see such an expanse of wing 
 displayed ])y what we had supposed so small a bird : it 
 chiefly frequents marshes. A species of liittern is tbund in 
 Newfoundland, whicii I suppose to be this kind. 
 
 ('. — I lately saw a fly, which closely resembles the com- 
 mon Sand-wasp ( AttDiio/ihiJa Sahtdosa), but is a little 
 smaller. A groat difficulty has occurred to my mind with 
 respect to the transtbrnuition of these and similar insects, 
 which I should be glad to have explained. How do those 
 insects, whose al^donicn is joined to the thorax by a long 
 and slender petiole, contrive to draw it through the narrow 
 pupa skin which envelopes that part ? 
 
 F. — The solution of this problem affords a beautiful in- 
 stance of the way in which difficulties are met and obviated 
 in the works of God. I recollect opening the earthy cocoon 
 of a Sphex's nest, a species which has a very slender petiole: 
 the white pupa was lying within, inert, and wrapped 
 in its swaddling clothes ; and the delicate transparent skin, 
 which closch/ enveloped every other part, was stretched from 
 the thorax to the abdomen, like a garment, being as wide 
 around the petiole, as in any part of the swelling abdomen. 
 This sight struck me with pleasure and admiration ; it proved 
 creative design and forethought, better than a dozen lectures 
 could have done. Here was a difficulty foreseen, which the 
 insect had never yet experienced ; occurring in a state of 
 being on which it had not yet entered, and for which it could 
 not possibly have received any instructions, havhig been im- 
 mured from the egg, nay, from the ovary of the parent, within 
 a very close and dark prison, without the slightest communi- 
 cation with the external world. It was removed by a re- 
 
Al'C.UST. 
 
 >: i I 
 
 marka)>le deviation from ordinary circumstances, a contriv- 
 ance beautifully simple, yet perfectly 
 adetjuate to the end required. Does 
 not the conviction come at once, un- 
 sought, irnsistihle, liku the li^'ht of 
 noon upon the open eye, that there 
 was a contriver, an intellic'ent maker > '"""'^•^^ ^^" ^'■'""^"•-^ 
 And who is he but God ? n r.v. 
 
 « 
 
 ■ 1:1 
 
 (\ — Yonder goes a red fox, crossing the road just l»efore 
 us : ho does not seem in a great hurry, leisurely leaping 
 along with light bounds, and occasionally stopping to look 
 at us. — lie has gone out of sight among the young trees 
 in the swamp. 
 
 F. — The fox doL'S not appear very numennis with us, 
 though it is now and then seen. Richardson considers our 
 Red Fox a distinct species from the Kun^pean, under the 
 name of Canis Ftdciis ; but there is so little ditVerence, that 
 Cuvier, a high authority, considers it as only a variety >>t' 
 that species. In Newfoundland, the furriers distinguish 
 three kinds, the common Red or Yellow, the Patch or Cross 
 Fox, of a brindled colour, and the Black or Silver Fox, very 
 rare and valualde. A short time ago I saw a fox, which a 
 young man had taken in spring from a litter that he had 
 found ; he said that it was at that time quite Idack ; wiien 
 I saw it, it appeared to me very closely to resemble the 
 Cross, or Patch Fox. He was an amusing little fellow, very 
 shy and coy : he was chained to a post, and allowed to run 
 under the house : when I went to see him, it was difficult 
 to entice him out ; as it appeared, though familiar enough 
 with his friends, he was averse to making acquahitance with 
 strangers ; however, his master, Vty means of a bone, induced 
 him to appec;-, while I peeped at him round a corner of the 
 
yl 
 
 I 
 
 278 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 ]\ 
 
 I ( 
 
 J ;: 
 
 y 
 
 , tF 
 
 house. He was playful, but did not appear much short of 
 his full size, though not one season old. I was sorry to 
 hear a few days after, that some malicious person had killed 
 poor Reynard, from spite to his master. 
 
 C. — Does the Fox extend far over the continent ? 
 
 F. — Yes ; it is found in high northern latitudes, and as 
 far south as ihe Gulf of Mexico at least ; how much farther 
 I am unable to say. In the south, it is hunted with much 
 avidity by sportsmen, where I have been told of a curious 
 instance of that cunning, for which the animd is proverbial. 
 When pursued through the forest, he will often make for 
 some tree which grows in an inclined position, run up the 
 trunk, and then leap off to a considerable distance, in order 
 to break his trail, and put the hounds at fault. 
 
 (\ — Hei'e is a groen Grasshopper, witii long legs and large 
 wings : it resembles the great green species of England. 
 
 F. — This species (Ph/Uoptenis Mi/rtifolifis ? ) is not un- 
 common in autumn, flying about willows and bushes ; but it 
 does not often alight on the ground. The ovipositor is 
 broader than that of the species you named, and much 
 curved upward. A much smaller and more delicate species, 
 
 ( Locusta ? ) quite a little one, of a bright green, with 
 
 very long ovipositor, may l>e found occasionally among the 
 grass at this season. The ringing crink of some species now 
 begins to be heard at evening, and continues through the 
 night, with such unceasing pertinacity, as to drive sleep 
 from the eyes of a stranger ; yet habit reconciles us to this, 
 as it does to other evils, to so great a degree, that it is, in 
 fact, after a little while, unheard, except when the attention 
 is directed towards it. 
 
 C. — I have lately had a new Nnctiia evolved, the Furbe- 
 low-moth (Cob/ptra LibatrixJ ; it is likewise an English 
 species : its colours are very delicate and beautiful. The 
 Green Comma Butterily fGrapta Proyne ?) is beginning to 
 be numerous. 
 
 ■|i' 
 
Al(;iST. 
 
 279 
 
 ^urbe- 
 Inglish 
 The 
 ling to 
 
 
 F. — A fine male Sirex, with red abdomen (Tronc.v Co- 
 lumha) I met with in the woods a few days since ; I also 
 saw a winged specimen of the Great Ant of Newfoundland 
 Formica PnU'scens ?), and the Falcate Crane-fly {Pciiicit/ 
 ?) so common in that country. It is rare here. 
 
 C. — Are the insects which are resting on this potato 
 plant, wasps i 
 
 F. — No ; if you examine them closely, you will see that 
 they are I.ap'uhqitcru, unlike as they appear. They are a 
 small species of Sphinx, the Yellow-Belted Ilawk-muth. 
 
 (^/Eijeria ?) 1 have myself often mistaken them t()r 
 
 wasps, as the resemblance is very striking ; the alternate 
 black and yellow belts of the abdomen, the shape, the mode 
 of holding the wings horizontally extended at an acute angle 
 with the body, are decidedly icasjiis//. These I have taken 
 in some numbers, chiefly on the willow and the potato ; 
 and two other species somewhat resemljling them, I have 
 met with, but very rarely (])ut one specimen of each) ; the 
 White-Belted and the Gold-Belted Hawk-moth, the latter 
 larger, and much brighter, and 
 more beautiful. I am not cer- 
 tain, however, that these two 
 may not be varieties of the flrst- 
 named. The Gold-belted laid 
 in my box a great many shin- 
 ing, kidney-shaped, dark red 
 eggs. The economy of this di- 
 vision of the Sphinxes is pecu- 
 liar ; the caterpillars are whitish, and usually feed on tlu' 
 pith and wood of trees or shrubs, emerging into daylight 
 only as the perfected moth. They are often destructive tu 
 fruit trees, by their insidious and hidden attacks. 
 
 ('. — I have just turned up a stone, and fjund under it a 
 small, pale- reddish Lizard, which moves slowly ; there is 
 
 (iOl.n-IiEI.TEI) HAWK- MOT II. 
 
 ( /E[iiri<t ^J 
 
 II 
 
 
 ^ 
 
I'lpv 
 
 k. 
 
 '}\ 
 
 rv, 
 
 »' 
 
 I ! 
 
 280 
 
 THE CAXADIAN' NATURALIST. 
 
 something disgusting in these slimy, shiggish lizards, which 
 does not appear in the agile kinds that live among the leaves 
 in the woods, and dart along like lightning on our approach. 
 
 F. — I have taken a pretty kind (^Sdlamandra Rubra ?) 
 in watery situations ; dark red on the back, with bright 
 spots ; the belly orange red with dark spots : it swims 
 nimbly and gracefully. 
 
 ('. — A few nights ago, as I was writing near an open 
 window, a number of very minute Dayflies {Ephemera) 
 not half as large as a gnat, flew in, attracted by the light, 
 and grovelled on the table and paper before me. They did 
 not seem capalile of rising again, but spun round here and 
 there ; they kept on flouncing down upon the paper one after 
 another for some time, so that it was not an accidental 
 thing, for the actions of all were the same. 
 
 F. — Minute flies, I have noticed, will often grovel about 
 a bright surface, such as a book, &c. Ijy candlelight ; pro- 
 bably not aware of the obstruction until they feel it. 
 
 C — About the beginning of this month, I found feeding 
 on the hop, a large, reddish, spinous caterpillar, somewhat 
 resembling that of the Painted Lady {Cynthia Cai-din), 
 which soon after became a gilded chrysalis. It has this 
 morning produced that large and handsome Butterfly, the 
 Violet-tip {Grapta C. Aurenm), after having been eleven 
 
 days in the pupa state. Here is a young sphinx 
 
 caterpillar, feeding on a willow ; it is rough, light green, 
 with yellowish slanting stripes. I presume it is the larva of 
 the Twin-eyed Hawk-moth (Smerinlhus Gemiiiafits.J Is 
 there any means of ascertaining the sex of a caterpillar? 
 
 F. — The sex of insects is not developed until they 
 attain the imago state ; but I have been able to determine 
 in some instances the future sex liy the size of the caterpil- 
 lar, particularly of moths belonging to the division Bomhyx. 
 I have never discovered the eggs in the body of the larva. 
 
 
AUGUST. 
 
 :.^8i 
 
 but notliing is more common than to meet with them in 
 the pupa, sometimes hard, round, and substantial. In the 
 pupa state of moths having pectinate antennae, Ave may often 
 discover the sex by examining the form of these organs, 
 which is easily done by the lines and wrinkles of the pupa : 
 the males have them much broader and larger than the 
 females ; the shape and size of the al.idomen, too, is often a 
 sufficient distinction wliile in this state. 
 
 C. — I was much pleased lately at discovering a fine 
 articulate echo in our orchard -Held, near the first of the large 
 elms in the road. It repeated five syllables with distinctness 
 by day, and probably in the still calm evening would repeat 
 more. 
 
 F. — Echoes formerly were sul)jects of much wonder and 
 admiration : many fanciful and poetical theories were made 
 by the ancients to explain them : they are now, however, 
 well understood. Sound consists of undulations or waves in 
 the air, diffused in every direction from the producing cause, 
 as the circles on smooth water are spread from a stone 
 dropped into it. It is also capable of being driven back on 
 meeting with any impenetrable body, as a ball rebounds 
 when thrown against a wall. All that is necessary to pro- 
 duce an echo is an intervening wall, or other body, at right 
 angles to the course of the sound, without any intermediate 
 object 10 break or destroy it. Such is the case in the one 
 you mention ; the centre or focus is on a rising hill : at the 
 distance of two or three hundred yards, is the end of a large 
 barn, exactly at right angles to the direction. The necessity 
 of this position is shown by the fact that if you go a yard to 
 the right or left, the echo is destroyed ; so it is if you go 
 higher up the hill or come lower ; in the former case, the 
 sound would be reflected lower than your position, in the 
 
282 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 latter, higher, in neitlier case reaching you ; the angle of 
 reflection being always the same as that of incidence. The 
 numher of syllables returned depends on the time occupied 
 in pronouncing them, and the distance ; varying, however, 
 to some extent, from the state of the atmosphere. 
 
 C. — What flowers are these, growing in this marshy 
 place beside the road ? 
 
 F. — The first is called the Snake-head (Chelone Glabra)^ 
 from a fancied resemblance which the flower bears to the head 
 of a snake or a tortoise. It is a large and handsome labiate 
 flower, and the num]>er of white Ijlossoms, growing in a tall 
 spike, something resembling the Foxglove, gives it a striking 
 
 appearance. Here is another plant peculiar to wet 
 
 soils, being found chiefly in marshes, und at the edges of brooks 
 and ponds. It is called Wild Chocolate ( Geion llicakj, 
 from a supposed resemblance of the roots to that substance 
 in taste. The root is long, horizontal, and somewhat thick 
 and solid ; it is of a purplish red colour externally ; has an 
 aromatic flavour ; and, being astringent, is often dug up, 
 washed, and boiled, for the relief of diarrhoea, a complaint 
 to which strangers coming hither are subject for some time. 
 The decoction I have proved to be efficacious, and it is not 
 an unpleasant drink. The flowers are not conspicuous for 
 beauty, of a dull reddish brown ; but the seeds are very 
 curious, being terminated by a bent hooked tail or awn, 
 which, as well as the receptacle and most of the plant, is 
 
 hairy. The Choke Cherry (Pnimis Serotina) is 
 
 ripe : here is a bush on which the fruit is abundant ; taste 
 it. 
 
 C. — It is sweet and pleasant ; but so very astringent 
 that it well deserves its name of choke cherry ; it dries the 
 mouth and throat like the cones of the spruce or oak galls. 
 The glossy scarlet fruit is very beautiful. 
 
 F. — In yonder patches of Indian Wickup ( Epiloblum 
 
AL'C.r.«>T. 
 
 283 
 
 l-atifolhim ) many of the pods have opened, and show the 
 cottony down attaclied to the seeds, which makes it un- 
 pleasant to approach them on a windy day, the down being 
 so fine as to penetrate the mouth and nostrils^ being liorne 
 along in clouds. 
 
 C. — Are not these large Sun-flowers some tluit have de- 
 generated fr<.)m gardens \ 
 
 F, — No : nuidi as they resemble them, they do not cviii 
 belong to the same genus : this is the false Sun-flower 
 ( Helcnlum Antuinnalc), a native of this country. The 
 disk is smaller in proportion to the rays, than in the Sun- 
 flower. Here is another fine, but very common plant, the 
 Great IMullein f Ferdasc/on Nigrum) ; its leaves arc of a 
 very soft and spongy cliaracter : its height is connnanding, 
 and its bright yellow flowers, spotted with scarlet, possess 
 great delicacy and beauty. Some people have a notion that 
 the leaves of this plant, strewn over grain, will prevent tho 
 depredations of mice, but I believe it is unfounded. 
 
 C — See yonder bright rain! tow ; the "bow in the 
 cloud!" 
 
 F. — There is, perhaps, no natural object more lieautiful 
 than a perfect rainljow, 1 tacked l>y a dark cloud, when the 
 sun is low. The real or principal rainl)Ow is always at- 
 tended by another more faint, outside it, in which the 
 colours are reversed, the violet being outward. But I once 
 observed one which was treble. It was at sea in winter 
 time : the colours of the bow were remarkably vivid, and 
 within the main Ijow was another adjoining it, the prismatic 
 colours recurring in their proper order, and not reversed : 
 the violet was succeeded by red, orange, yellow, &c. till it 
 ended in violet ; in fact, making one broad bow, containing 
 two sets of colours. The inner set was fainter, but <|uite 
 
284 
 
 THE CAXADIAN XATIRALIST 
 
 perceptible, the red and green particularly. I am not opti- 
 cian enough to explain it ; perhaps it may have been no- 
 thing strange, Ijut T never saw it before or since. The outer 
 arch was reversed, and at the usual distance. 
 
 !^ 
 
285 
 
 )t opti- 
 en no- 
 e outer 
 
 XIX. 
 
 SEPTEMBER 1st. 
 
 Black Bear — its Food — Appetite for Pork — Aiidi'toti — Mode of Kiuhtiiii,' 
 — Depredations on tlie Indian Com — Farmer's HeveiiKe. — Wnlves, — 
 Everlasting. — ]Mallo\v. — Cherries. — Fire- weed. — !<uniach. — Wild 
 Gooseberr}-. — Canadian Blackberry. — Bugs on Fruit. — Needle Jelineu- 
 
 raon Thistle. — Fields of (irain, — Harvesting Wheat. — Cradling.— 
 
 Frosts. — Climbing Buck-wheat. — Tints of Foliage. — I'igeons. — Larva 
 of Tiger Swallow-tail — Of Muff Moth — Of Puss Moths. — Curious 
 C.iterpillar with cluldjcd Hairs — Other Cateqdllars — < )f C'amberwell 
 Beauty — of Twin-eyed Hawk-moth. — Black Sirex. — Fire- fly. — Fulgora. 
 — Black Crickets. — Cicada-. — Singular P'onns of Insects. 
 
 Charles. — A woman came running to our house last 
 evening, about twilight, almost dead with fright^ saying that 
 a bear had run out of the woods at her, close liy our bridge, 
 and pursued her some distance up the hill ; and some few 
 minutes after, a neighbour going down the road to the mill, 
 smelt a bear pretty close to him, which was probably tlie 
 same individual. 
 
 Father. — Several Black Bears f Urscs Atnericanitit) 
 have lately been seen in this neighbourhood : they do not in 
 general attack a man, unless rendered desperate by hunger; 
 but it is said they will pursue women or children. An 
 instance lately occurred, in which a man, perceiving a bear 
 lying in the road, was rash enough to dismount from his 
 horse, and attack him with the butt-end of his riding- whip ; 
 but, as might have been expected, he met with a formidable 
 antagonist, and had nearly suffered for his temerity. He, 
 
 -.14 ■» V«J*L^^ 
 
28G 
 
 TIIF. (AXADIAX XATrUAIJsT. 
 
 if ■..:■ 
 
 f iU 
 
 lit length, aftiT much struggliiifr, nianagocl to kill tlie beast 
 with a stout club, which he providentially met with. 
 
 C. — Tile flesh of the bear is eaten, I believe ? 
 
 F. — Yes : the hams, in particular, are much esteemed ; 
 a large bear will weigh five hundred pounds, and some have 
 been found of even greater weight. Their skins are thick 
 and warm ; and, dressed with the hair on, are much in re- 
 quest for lining sleighs, as buffalo robes. 
 
 ('. — Does our bear feed on flesh ? 
 
 F. — Not wholly ; indeed it appears to be less carni- 
 vorous than the Ursxs Arctos of northern Europe, and less 
 ferocious. His chief food seems to be of a vegetable nature, 
 grain, fruits, and roots. He has an appetite for pork, how- 
 ever, and occasionally makes a visit to the farmer's hog-sty 
 for the purpose of cultivating an acquaintance with the 
 grunting inhabitants. Some years ago, one of our nearest 
 neighbours was aroused in the night by a commotion in his 
 hog-pen ; suspecting the cause, he jumped up immediately, 
 took his gun, and saw a bear in the act of getting over the 
 fence with a fine hog, embraced very lovingly in his fore- 
 paws. The man fired (while his wife held a light), and 
 killed the intruder. It is difficult to hurt a bear with any 
 weapon but fire-arms ; he fights with his fore-paws like a 
 cat ; and so watchful is he, and so expert at Avarding off 
 every l.>low that is made at him, that it is nei.t to impossible 
 to strike his head, the only part in which he is vulnerable ; 
 for you might almost as well batter a feather-bed as the 
 body of a bear, so encased and shielded by an enormous 
 layer of fat. In our climate, he becomes torpid during 
 winter, generally choosing for his hybernaculum, some large 
 hollow log, or a cavity beneath the root of an overthrown 
 tree. The species is numerous in all the wooded parts of 
 this continent, even to the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. 
 In the southern states, he commits depredations on the 
 
SKPTEMHKR. 
 
 387 
 
 beast 
 
 3emed ; 
 le have 
 e thick 
 I in rc- 
 
 1 carni- 
 md less 
 nature, 
 k, how- 
 hog-sty 
 ith the 
 nearest 
 1 in his 
 ;diately, 
 »ver the 
 lis fore- 
 t), and 
 ith any 
 like a 
 ing off 
 possible 
 erable ; 
 as the 
 lormous 
 during 
 lie large 
 thrown 
 parts of 
 Mexico, 
 on the 
 
 tanner's fields of maize: when tlie corn is in that milky state- 
 culled " roasting ears," so prized for boiling and eating as a 
 table dish, like green peas, or roasting whole on the coli, 
 the bear manifests a singular unity of taste with the farmer, 
 and devours and treads down a large quantity, as he finds no 
 difficulty in climbing over the zig-zag rail fence. I have 
 been told that he repeats his nightly visits U> the same field ; 
 and, what is singular, always, on such occasions, mounts the 
 fence, night after night, at the same spot where lie got over 
 the first time. The planters take advantage of this regular 
 habit, by fastening to the fence a heavily loaded gun at such 
 an angle that it shall point at the bear's Ijreast as he rises on 
 his hind legs. The identical crossing place is easily known 
 by his great tracks in the soft earth. A stick is attached to 
 the trigger, and this is made fast, at right angles, to a trans- 
 verse stick resting on two forks about breast high, a few 
 inches outside the fence. The bear rears up to put his tbre- 
 jiaws on the rails, and in getting over presses with his breast 
 against the transverse stick, whicli drives back the trigger, 
 and poor Bruin instantly receives the reward of liis dishon- 
 esty. Tiie bear is one of those animals called jduntinradi' ; 
 that is, he rests the whole sole of the foot on the ground, not 
 walking on tiptoe^ as a cat or dog does, which gives him a 
 somewhat heavy, shambling gait, thougli he contrives to get 
 along with considerable speed. He makes a peculiar kind of 
 sniffing, or whistling sound, and diftuses a rank odour, per 
 ceptible at some distance. 
 
 C — The wolves are again beginning their autumnal 
 depredations ; one was seen a few mornings ago, crossing 
 one of our fields at dawn of day, and their dismal bowlings 
 are to be heard at night. 
 
 F. — But let us see what Flora has to offer us. 
 
 Here is a simple plant, the Everlasting ( Grnqt/ialiinn Mur- 
 liaritaccuin) ; it should be a type of constancy, for it never 
 
 ;i^ »■/«*•* 
 
2.^S 
 
 Tin: CAN'ADIAX XATTH A I.I ST. 
 
 IJ, )?,i 
 
 i • 
 
 m 'H 
 
 changes ; it is abundant in our grass fields, and i.s of cour?o 
 stored witli the hay, but when "fed out" to the stock hi 
 winter, the blossoms of this G)tnpli(doini liavc precisely the 
 same appearance as when they are growing in the field. 
 Cattle reject this as well as many other weeds, occurring in 
 our rubbishy hay. 
 
 C — The Mallow (Molro Si/hrsf /•/'.'< J is now in flower, 
 with its pretty blue blossoms ; there is a plant growing 
 vigorously near our house, the only one I have seen. The 
 round flat seeds we used to call, when children, chcexe-cakes. 
 
 F. — These are not the seeds, but a compound fruit, 
 called a carcernk, containing the seeds. The fruit of the Wild 
 Black Cherry (Pnuivs Vh-^'mUum) is now ripe, as well as 
 that of the Red (Vrvuns BorealisJ. They are about the 
 size of cun'ants ; the latter are pleasantly sour, of a bright 
 crimson ; this variety is indigenous to Newfoundland : the 
 former are rather larger, less acid, Imt have a Intterness of 
 flavour that is not pleasing ; no doubt both might Ije greatly 
 improved by cultivation. "Wild fruits, which are naturally 
 sour, are more susceptible of amelioration than others ; as the 
 tendency of culture, light, heat, manure, &c. is to increase 
 their sweetness ; but fruits naturally sweet, become insipid. 
 
 C. — What is this tall plant, with deeply notched 
 leaves ? 
 
 F. — It is a species of Groundsel, called Fireweed, or 
 Crenate Milkweed fSenecio Ilicmcifolinsj : the leaves are 
 runcinate, the segments pointing backwards ; the flowers, 
 which are just blossoming, are small and plain, resembling 
 those of common groundsel. A thick milky juice exudes 
 from the leaves and stem when broken, which speedily ac- 
 quires consistence, and becomes a highly elastic substance, 
 resembling Indian rubber. It springs up abundantly in 
 rank luxuriance on newdy cleared land, after it has been run 
 over by fire, whence it has obtained the name of Fireweed. 
 
cour?o 
 ock in 
 L'ly the 
 3 field. 
 liiifT in 
 
 flower, 
 rrowing 
 1. The 
 wcakes. 
 A fruit, 
 he Wild 
 , ^vell as 
 Dout the 
 a bright 
 md : the 
 crness of 
 e greatly 
 aturally 
 ; as the 
 increase 
 insipid, 
 notched 
 
 As-eed, or 
 
 eaves are 
 
 flowers, 
 
 sembling 
 ce exudes 
 
 edily ac- 
 substance, 
 dantly in 
 
 been run 
 
 ireweed. 
 
 SKPTEMRKU. 
 
 2S9 
 
 C. — I have seen a shrul), lately, bearing thick clusters of 
 small berries of a brilliant scarlet, on the ends of the twigs : 
 the leaves handsomely jiinnate. 
 
 F. — That is the Sumach (Rhus T}/])hlii)nn) : it is 
 somewhat rare here ; it keeps its handsome sjiikes of berries 
 all tlie winter, whence it is cherished as an ornamental 
 shrult ; the berries are extremely acid. Sumach is used in 
 tanning the finer kinds of leather. Tlio Wild Goose- 
 berry ( Rihcs C/fuoshatl ) is ripe ; the fruit is dark, dull red, 
 very sweet, but armed with fomiidablo spines. You may 
 have observed at the edge of yon willo\v and po]»lar woods, 
 a thicket of brambles, consisting of long tall shoots so closely 
 entangled, and so beset at every point with exceedingly 
 sharp and strong spines, that there is no penetrating it. It 
 is called here the Blackberry ( Rvhns IIiH])iihisJ : the fruit 
 is sweet, but dry, and rather insipid ; and by no means 
 worth the pain and toil of procuring it. 
 
 C, — The wild raspberries are now in full ripeness and 
 flavour ; the bushes are crowded with them. Numbers of 
 bugs, shaped like a tortoise, with a convex back (SrtitcUeraJ, 
 and other kinds, resort to them ; and we often take these 
 into our mouths with the fruit ; but the horribly pungent 
 smell and taste soon discover to us the difterence between a 
 Vtug and a raspberry. 
 
 F. — I once saw a largish Chnex (Core^is Onl hiatus ? ), 
 which, when molested, suddenly ejected so powerful an 
 effluvium, that the water ran out of my eyes, and they 
 smarted as if an onion had been cut under them. Thii^ 
 power is, I suppose, their means of defence. 
 
 C. — Here is a curious Ichneumon ; it is of a polished 
 black, the abdomen is very long, the first five segments being 
 each one third of an inch in length. 
 
 F. — It is the Needle Ichneumon fPelecinits Poli/cera- 
 
 
 
*, / 
 
 290 
 
 Tin: CANADIAN' N'ATIU ALIST. 
 
 NEKDI.E If HXEl'MON. 
 Pilcciuiis J'oli/ccrufur. 
 
 tor) ; its fliglit is ra- 
 ther heavy and slow ; 
 the stiiij,' or ovipositor 
 is concealed, hut tlie 
 last segment of the 
 body is pointed, and 
 when held in the hand 
 it strives to wound, by 
 striking blows with the 
 
 point of the abdomen : it is capable of giving a slight punc- 
 ture, attended with only a transient smart. The long abdo- 
 men is usually carried in a curve, the end bent under : the 
 hindmost shanks (tihi(i') have a remarkable swelling. It is 
 found from Canada to Alabama, but does not appear to be 
 numerous anywhere. 
 
 C. — The down of the Canada Thistle begins to be home 
 about on the wind, filling the air at intervals with clouds of 
 the little feathery aeronauts ; especially when a flock of the 
 brilliant little Yellow-birds ( FrhifjWa Tristis) are busily 
 engaged in a bed of these plants, pecking away at the downy 
 heads, to get at the seeds beneath, and dispersing whole 
 hosts of the egrets at every touch. On those flowers of the 
 thistle which have not yet ripened, the Pearl-border Fritil- 
 lary fMelifaa Mp-hia) is numerous, frisking to and fro, 
 and opening and shutting its tessellated wings in the sun. 
 
 
 v(f 
 
 f I 
 
 F. — Here is a sight which ought to open the heart with 
 gratitude : our fields of ripe golden grain ; the bright-yellow 
 feathery oats, waving lightly in the breeze, which plays over 
 their changing surface, as over a summer sea ; the more so- 
 ber-coloured and heavier, but not less valuable, wheat, the 
 " staff of life ;" the buckwheat, a plant having considerable 
 claims to beauty, with its deep green, heart-shaped leaves. 
 
 'S-' 
 
SKI'TK.MniTR. 
 
 2i)\ 
 
 
 not yet withered and scorcheil by tlie fiost, and its pvettv 
 little white hlossonis ; the bristling l»arley ; the full pods 
 depending from tlie tangled peas ; all the object of the 
 farmer's hopes, and the end of liis ct-aseless labours. <' Tiiuu 
 crownest the year with thy goodness, and thy patiis drop 
 fatness. Tlu , Irop upon the pastures of the wildeniess, and 
 the little hills rejoic p on every side. The pastures are clnthfd 
 with flocks ; the vallevn also are covered over with c<an : 
 they shout for joy, they also sing." 
 
 We have begun rt-aping wheat, as yu see : when there 
 is an anticipation of bad weather, we have a mode of pro- 
 tecting the grain which, I believe, is not adopted in the 
 upper province, f.)r want of which much is sometimes lost. 
 We put ten sheaves together, six to stand against each 
 other, in three pairs, and a single one at each end ; then 
 we take the two remaining ones, the largest having been 
 selected for this puq^ose, and opening the heads, draw them, 
 ears downward, over the ends of the standing ones, so as U> 
 meet each other in the middle, covering all like caps (as in- 
 deed they are called). The projecting ears and straws of the 
 caps shoot off any rain, and protect the insides of the sheaves 
 from moisture. The caps are kept in their place, by a few of 
 the longest ears on each side of one being brought round the 
 other in a band, and tied. In fair weather, the bands are 
 untied, the caps taken off, and the sheaves ojiened a little with 
 the hand to admit the sun ; all being ready to put up again 
 in less than a minute. This whole bundle is called a stook. 
 
 C. — I see a labourer cutting wheat with an instrument 
 called a cradle-scythe ; what advantage has this mode over 
 reaping ? 
 
 F. — Many farmers doubt of any ; the grain is cut much 
 more quickly, but as it has to be raked together in bundles, 
 and to be bound by hand, there is little ultimate saving of 
 labour, and perhaps even this is counterbalanced by the num- 
 
f'i 
 
 
 
 292 
 
 THE CAXADIAX NATURALIST. 
 
 r' ■ 
 
 hers of ears which arc necessarily left on the ground, and the 
 irregularity of the sheaves. We have been favoured this 
 season ; the protracted fair weather allowing of a general 
 ripening of the com before the severe autumnal night-frosts, 
 which I have known to occur as early as the 12th of 
 August ; killing the grain when yet in " the milk," blight- 
 ing the hopes of the fanner, and causing in many parts of 
 the country distress little short of actual famine. 
 
 C. — We have had some frosts already ; but not of suffi- 
 cient intensity to injure plants, for even the delicate scarlet 
 I'cans in the garden are not withered. 
 
 F. — I have heard it asserted by an intelligent practical 
 friend, who has passed many years of sagacious observation 
 in this country, that grain may be (imdnalb/ inured to a 
 severity of cold which would kill it if it were exposed to 
 its violence without any such preparation. For example, if 
 frostS come, light at first, but every night gradually increas- 
 ing in intensity, al^eavy frost may be then sustained without 
 any injury; whereas if a frost of the same severity had come 
 suddenly, after mild weather, the grain would have been 
 inevital>ly killed. I cannot give any personal opinion on 
 the matter, nor am I physiologist enough to debate the proba- 
 liility of such a variation ; his opinion is drawn from observa- 
 tion of facts, not from any theoretical principles. 
 
 C. — 1 see in the field, among the grain, a slender, climb- 
 ing plant, whose leaves resemble those of buckwheat : the 
 seeds are of the same shape, of a deep shining black, enclosed 
 in a light skin ; the flowers are small, and pale pink. It 
 climbs spirally around the stalks of wheat, and is not un- 
 common. 
 
 F. — It is a wild weed ; a native plant of the same 
 genus as Buckwheat (Vuhjijonum Convolvulus ?). Do you 
 observe that the elms are beginning to put on their yellow 
 autumnal dress ; and that patches of crimson begin to appear 
 
 '•[\ 
 
SEPTEMBER. 
 
 293 
 
 among tlie foliage of the maples ? an earnest of that splendid 
 livery which will clothe all the forest in a few weeks. 
 
 C. — What birds are those which are hovering in a cloud 
 a1)0ut yonder field of buckwheat ? 
 
 F. — They are the common Passenger Pigeon (Cohnnha 
 Migratoria) ; they devour a great quantity of that grain, in 
 seasons when they are numerous with us. It is, I believe, 
 the only mischief we sustain from them ; and the gun takes 
 ample revenge. 
 
 C. — While the leaves of the trees are yet gi'een, I am dili- 
 gent in beating them for lepidopterous caterpillars : I have 
 had much success in obtaining these lately, some of which I 
 will mention to you. I have taken several of the fine green vel- 
 vety caterpillars of the Tiger Swallowtail (Pupll'io Tnrnuif), 
 with violet spots on the body, and two eye spots. It spins a 
 bed of silk so tightly stretched from one edge of a leaf to the 
 other as to bend it up, so that a section of it would represent 
 a bow, the silk being the string. On this elastic bed tlie 
 larva reposes, the fore parts of the body drawn in so as to 
 swell out that part, on which tlie eye spots are very conspi- 
 cuous. I have taken it from willow, poplar, and basswood, 
 but chiefly from brown ash. Before it spins its button and 
 suspending girth, it gradually changes colour to a dingy 
 purple. The chrysalis is brown, with many darker blotches. 
 The caterpillars of the Muff Moth (Lophocauijxi Tcsscloris) 
 are also numerous on ash, willow, poplar, and apple trees ; 
 these are very pretty, covered with a tliick, soft, long fur 
 generally bright yellow in the middle, and black at each 
 end ; but i" many the yellow, and in others the black, 
 predominates, to the almost total exclusion of the otlier 
 colour. They spin oval cocoons, slight and thin in texture, 
 being in a great degree composed of the hairs of the cater- 
 pillar ; these are found attached to the under sides of stones, 
 tko.. in spring. I find caterpillars of that division called 
 
/•' 1 
 
 Eli I J ■* 
 
 ^94 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 ./ I 
 
 Puss-moths {Centra), of all ages, on the willows ; some re- 
 cently hatched, with the douhle tail sticking out in the air 
 unreasonably long; some larger, the tail much shortened, 
 handsomely coloured with bright green and brown ; others of 
 the same size, differing in having the back white ; they 
 spin close cocoons, abrading particles of the wood from the 
 box in which they are kept, and mixing them with the silk. 
 
 F. — One of these produces the Griseous Moth f Centra 
 Hast itl If era), 
 
 C. — A little warty caterpillar, of a bright pellucid green, 
 feeds now on the apple tree, which spins a cocoon in an angle, 
 
 and produces the Apple Moth (Tctliea ?). I took, 
 
 from a rose-bush, a handsome and singular caterpillar, black, 
 with large oval spots of bright yellow down the back : from 
 every segment proceeds a hair on each side, which is dilated 
 at the end into a stout knob. Do you know it ? 
 
 F. — I have taken it likewise from the hop, but never 
 succeeded in rearing it. I once took from an ash, a small 
 caterpillar, black and white, with two or three knobbed 
 hairs, projecting over the head ; this afterwards moulted, 
 when the whole back became brown, and the clubbed hairs 
 proceeded from each segment, as in this species ; I suspect 
 it might have been the present, in an earlier moult. ' 
 
 C. — In beating willows, a very beautiful and large cater- 
 pillar, of a bright green, with circles of short bristles, pro- 
 ceeding from orange-coloured tuljercles, resembling that of 
 the fine Emperor Moth of England, fell into my umbrella, 
 but was unfortunately killed by the fall. It was no doubt 
 that of Satitrnia Luna. I found suspended from a stalk of 
 Golden Rod ( Solidago), one of the large spinous caterpillars 
 of the Camberwell Beauty f Vaxeom Antlopa); it was just 
 ready to become a chrysalis, which it accordingly did soon 
 after, on the floor of its cell ; for I had disengaged it from its 
 button of silk, from a curious desire of seeing whether it would 
 
SErTKMKER. 
 
 Q9o 
 
 spin another, but it did not attempt it. The caterpillar was 
 dull black, with large red spots down the back ; the chry- 
 salis brown, with rusty marks ; neither of them handsome. 
 
 F. — I lately observed a larva of the Violet Tip Butterfly 
 (Grapta C. Auronn) attached by the tail to a growing 
 stalk of grass, and, of course, hanging parallel to it, as yours 
 just mentioned : one would suppose they would prefer to 
 hang from a horizontal plane. 
 
 C. — From the willows, I have lately obtained many of 
 those handsome caterpillars wiiich produce the Twin-eyed 
 Hawk-moth ( Smerinthm Geminatus), in different stages of 
 growth. When full gi'own, they are very rough, pale green, 
 with diagonal light-yellow stripes on each side : the anal 
 horn is small, curved, and blue ; the head has two yellow 
 stripes down it. In some that sloughed their skins, I ob- 
 served that for some time before the moult, the new head 
 was seen bulging out the neck ; and these yellow lines on it 
 appeared distinctly through the skin. One that I took from 
 the same trees, differed from the others in this particular, 
 that it had two rows of reddish purple spots on each side, 
 one of which contained the spiracula ; but for this, they were 
 exactly alike ; I doubt it is not specifically distinct. One of 
 the largest is, this morning, l)ecome a pupa, not very large, 
 naked, deep brown. Many other kinds of caterpillars have 
 occurred : I have described only the more remarkaijle. The 
 plan of shaking or beating branches of trees over an um- 
 brella is a most productive one, yielding to the practical 
 entomologist a great number and variety of species, that 
 might otherwise elude his keenest research. 
 
 F. — Going to the village a few days since, T made an 
 addition or two to my stock of entomologic lore. Standing in 
 a house there, I observed a large insect, flying backwards 
 and forwards before the door, and on going out succeeded in 
 catching it with my hand ; it proved to Ije a female of the 
 
 ii!] 
 
w 
 
 *■'> 
 
 29G 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 ■i ' \. 
 
 )! '■ 
 
 ■i; •" 
 
 Black Sirex of Newfoundland (Sirex Jnvencm). Then, in 
 the evening, returning after dusk, I found among the grass 
 by the road-side, a flat grub, much resembling an Oniscus ; 
 from which proceeded a spark of greenish light, by which I 
 discovered it. I suppose it was the larva of our summer 
 fire-fly fLampyris Contra J. 
 
 C. — Your speaking of fire-flies reminds me of a small 
 
 Fulgora that I have lately taken (Otiocerus ?) ; our 
 
 specimen, however, has none of that luminous radiance 
 which characterises the fine foreign species, the Peruvian and 
 Chinese Lanteni-flies. It is a pretty little insect ; the head 
 is curiously elongated, the wings are very delicate, trans- 
 parent w^hitish, with a pink stripe through them ; but what 
 is most remarkable, the antennae are triple on each side. 
 
 F. — The ugly Black Crickets ( Acheta Campestris) now 
 begin to swarm about the fields, especially under stones : 
 except in colour, they strikingly resemble the house cricket. 
 We find many little frog-hoppers, with prominent thorax ; 
 but here is a singular species which I have just caught, 
 C Membracis BelUgera ? ) having the thorax projecting like 
 a curved horn, far over the head. — How wonderful the 
 variety in fomi alone, which appears in insects ! what 
 strange shapes, endlessly diversified, we see every day, 
 which would command our constant admiration, but that 
 their minuteness makes us in some measure blind to their pe- 
 culiarities ! Yet no variation of foim is made, we may be 
 assured, without some determinate and wise pui*pose, not 
 only proposed, but effected. 
 
our 
 
 297 
 
 XX. 
 
 SEPTExMBER 10th. 
 
 Excursion to the Bois Bnile.— A " Slash."— IiulianWickup.— Old Mill.— 
 Fniits and Berries.— Aphis. — Scarlet Stoneberry. — The Bnile.— Swamp 
 Plants,— Indian Cup.— Character of the Woods.— Origin of this place. 
 — Return hy another Route. — Arched Lane. 
 
 Father. — A few days ago, I accompanied a friend to a 
 singular place, of which I had often heard, and about which 
 my curiosity was excited. It is the Bois Brule, a large tract 
 of land, lying at no great distance, but so hidden in the 
 recesses of the woods, and so out of the way of any travelled 
 road, that it is not often visited, except by the trapper. 
 
 Charles. — I should have liked to be with you ; but, as it 
 is, you would gratify me by a brief account of your walk. 
 
 F. — We proceeded up Bradley's Brook, on the steep 
 bank of which I found a thistle in flower, with crenated 
 leaves (Cnicus Altissimus ? ) which I have not observed 
 elsewhere. The first quarter of a mile lay through a very 
 rough slash, 
 
 C. — Excuse the interruption ; but what is a slash ? 
 
 F. — Sometimes a person wishes to cut down the timber 
 from a piece of land, when he has not time to trim the trees, 
 pile the brush, or cut the logs ; he, in that case, fells all the 
 trees, letting them lie promiscuously on the ground, as they 
 fall ; this is called a slash, and the plan is chiefly followed 
 in the thickly-timbered evergreen swamps. After the trees 
 
 i 
 
 1^ 
 
298 
 
 THE CANADIAN XATL'UALIST. 
 
 1, / 
 
 \, 
 
 , , 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 S I 
 
 
 
 : 
 
 I 
 
 ; 
 
 ; 
 
 '•\ 
 
 
 1 I ' 
 
 ! 
 
 ii 
 
 
 ! 
 
 ■H 
 
 t ' 
 
 ^ ; 
 
 t: 
 
 1: 
 1 
 
 have lain for a longer or shorter period, exposed to the influ- 
 ence of the sun, at sonrie convenient time fire is put among 
 them, which often consumes the principal part, and the rem- 
 nant is collected, and re-burned. Such a labyrinth of fallen 
 timber we had to penetrate, climbing over the trunks, and 
 scramVjling through the dry branches of the prostrate trees, 
 often falling through ; and, to make the matter worse, these 
 were concealed by the tall Indian Wickup f Ej/ilo/jtHin Lati- 
 fol/HmJ, with which the ground was absolutely covered ; 
 and as the long seed-pods were just bursting, our every move- 
 ment dispersed clouds of the light downy cotton, which, getting 
 into our mouths and nostrils, caused us considerable inconve- 
 nience. Presently we descended the steep bank, and walked, or 
 rather scrambled, up the rocky bed of the stream, by means 
 of the stones which were above water ; though, as they 
 were wet and slimy, we occasionally wetted our feet. Thus 
 we went on, sometimes in the stream, sometimes among the 
 alders and underwood on the banks, for about a mile and a 
 half We were much surprised in going up this brook, about 
 a mile up, at coming upon a ruined building, which had been 
 erected over the stream at a craggy fall, of which the timbers 
 had fallen down, and some of them had been carried a con- 
 siderable distance downwards by the freshets. I supposed it 
 must have been a mill, but wondered at its situation, so far 
 from any road. I have since been informed that it was a 
 saw-mill which had been built by Messrs. Spaftbrd, and 
 that there was a good road to it, which went through 
 what is now P. Barker's south-west field ; but being now 
 overrun with bushes and young trees, this road had escaped 
 our notice. The mill has been disused nearly twenty years. 
 On the borders of the brook, I met with the seed- 
 vessels of the Touch-me-not (^Impatiens noli-tangere), the 
 handsome subconic scarlet fruits of the White and the Red 
 Death ( TrilHum Pictum, and T. Fa'tidam), the large um- 
 
 i 
 
i 
 
 I 
 
 SEPTE^IBEIl. 
 
 299 
 
 belled bright blue berries of Smilacina Boyealii^, and many 
 others. In pressing through the brush, we got our clothes 
 bedaubed with a nasty su])stance, which we discovered to 
 proceed from thousands of the Ajtliis Lanata (?) which we 
 had crushed ; they were so thickly clustered round the 
 branches of the alders as to make a solid mass, half an inch 
 thick, covered with ragged filaments of white down. The 
 Insects were much larger than most species of this genus, of 
 a lead-gray colour. ^Ve were getting nearly tired of the 
 ruggedness of our path, when we suddenly came upon a new 
 and very good bridge across the brook, made of round (that 
 is, unhewn) logs, which connected a good broad patli, from 
 which the fallen trees and incumbrances had been cleared 
 away, and which had evidently been used for the purpose 
 of drawing out mill-logs in winter, with sleds. As its course 
 seemed to be nearly parallel with that of the brook (about 
 south-west), we preferred pursuing it, as being mucli more 
 pleasant and easy of travel. The sides of the road were 
 lined with the stumps of large spruces and hemlocks, whicii 
 had been felled the previous winter ; and the road itself was 
 strewn with the chips of the axemen. The course lying 
 through a cedar swamp, the ground was mossy, and in some 
 places wet ; here the Scarlet Stoneberry was abundant, as 
 well as the berries mentioned before. The former {Cor mis 
 Canadensis) is a low and pretty plant, having a white 
 flower, resembling that of a strawberry, and four large oval 
 green leaves on the ground. At present they were crowned 
 with the little cluster of bright red berries, which were ripe, 
 and we ate many : they are farinaceous and agreeable. This 
 plant is common in Newfoundland. I found an Orchis, con- 
 sisting of two very large oval leaves, deeply plaited, but it 
 
 had no flower. We continued to follow this path till 
 
 it appeared almost interminable, though its tedious uni- 
 formity made it seem longer than it really was, as I suppose 
 
 ^ 
 
 M 
 
300 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 I 
 
 we did not walk move than a mile and a half on it, when I 
 perceived Ity the increasing light among the trees that we 
 were approaching a large opening. 
 
 We now pressed eagerly on, and found that we had reach- 
 ed the borders of the Brule, which was not a clearing, as I 
 had expected, but was covered with a stunted and ragged 
 growth of moss-grown spmce, from eight to twelve feet in 
 height, exactly resembling the small woods of Newfound- 
 land, on the borders of the large marshes. I found also the 
 same plants that inhabit such situations in that country, 
 and which I now saw for the first time in Canada. The 
 ground was covered with the same spongy moss, with shmbs 
 of Indian Tea (Ledum Latifolium), Sheep Laurel (Kalmia 
 An<p(stifolki,), Swamp Laurel (Kalmia GlaucaJ, and other 
 Newfoundland plants. The last two are there called Gould; 
 they bear bundles of pretty little pink flowers, nearly circu- 
 lar, the stcmens radiating very regularly, and their anthers 
 forming a circle within the edge of the corolla : — the first, 
 whose leaves, bent downwards at the edge, are thickly clothed 
 on the under surface M'ith a close yellow fur, is often infused 
 and drunk as tea : the infusion is bitter, but is relished by 
 many. I also recognised numbers of another old acquaint- 
 ance, an exceedingly curious plant, the Indian Cup, or Pitcher 
 Plant ( Sarracenia Purpurea) : the leaves of this plant 
 have their edges united together, each one forming a deep 
 and capacious cup, always filled with water, not, I think, 
 collected rain, as is generally supposed, but distilled from 
 the marsh, through the pores of the plant : minute flies 
 and other insects are often found drowned in these natural 
 reservoirs. The leaves are sometimes green, but more com- 
 monly dark red, always with the nerves ramified in an infi- 
 nite numl)er of red veins over the surflice ; their bases are 
 crimson, each one partly sheathing the next, but this part is 
 usually concealed among the moss. From the bed of leaves 
 
 •n! 
 
SETTEMnER. 
 
 .■301 
 
 arises an upright stem, about eighteen inclies liigh, bent at 
 the top, bearing a somewhat leathery flower, of Hve reddish 
 petals ; the stigma of the pistil is dilated into a broad convex 
 shield, almost concealing the interior of the corolla. — But 
 
 '<« 
 
 i 
 
 
 IXniAN CrP, OR I'lTCHER PLANT, 
 
 ( Sanrweniu Puqmred. ) 
 
 to proceed. The road by which we had approached did not 
 enter the Brule, but merely touching its edge, went straight 
 
 
 ki 
 
 : %:•' 
 
hi 
 
 
 
 \il\ 
 
 i 
 
 
 ' 
 
 ■1 
 I 
 
 ^1' 
 
 1] 
 
 
 iB *^ 
 
 " i 
 
 IM.-J 
 
 i fi> 
 
 i 
 
 i 
 
 302 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 on, entering the tall woods on the other side, and emerging, 
 as I understand, about a mile farther, into the stage road 
 from Compton to Hatley. We penetrated a few rods into 
 the Brule, to see if there were any clearing, but could per- 
 ceive no change in the ugly, dead, half-burnt spruce ; and, 
 therefore, returned. This singular piece of ground contains 
 some thousands of acres, and is said to owe its origin to the 
 beavers, which were formerly numerous, damming up the 
 streams, which, overflowing and spreading over the flat lands, 
 killed the growing timber. It is a resort of wolves, bears, 
 and other wild animals, though we perceived no sign of life 
 in the stillness which pervaded the solitude ; nor indeed in 
 the whole journey, with the exception of one or two little 
 birds, Avhich were not near enough to be identified ; and a 
 few insignificant insects, in the forest. — Having satisfied our 
 curiosity, we began to return as we came, until w. arrived 
 at the bridge, when, instead of retracing the course of the 
 stream, we crossed the bridge, and continued to pursue the 
 road, which for some distance led us through towering spruces 
 and hemlocks, as before. On a sudden the character of the 
 woods changed : we found the sides lined with young maple, 
 birch, beech, &c. which met overhead at the height of about 
 twelve feet, forming a very perfect tri regular continued 
 Gothic arch, or rather a long series of arches. This long 
 green avenue was the most pleasant part of our walk ; and 
 the more so, as it was quite unexpected. We presently 
 opened into a large field, which had been just mown ; and 
 here we were rather laughably bewildered : the place was a 
 terra incognita ; we had never before seen it, nor could we 
 recognise any object, so as to guess at our " whereabouts." 
 There appeared to be no outlet through the woods by which 
 the field was environed : — in one part was the skeleton of 
 an old log-house, without a roof; and a portion of the field 
 was planted wdth potatoes. We at length saw a path through 
 
SEPTEMnKR. 
 
 3113 
 
 these potatoes, on which we walked till w. c-ame tn tie 
 brow of a hill, from whence we perceived I'u niliar ohi- ^s. 
 It commanded an extensive view : the beautiful and windiitg 
 Coatacook was at our feet, with its bridge. Smith's mills, an.i 
 all that neighbourhood ; beyond a broad belt of the forest 
 was visible Tildon's tavern, and the road leading from Hatley 
 to Sherbrooke, and the forest again behind all. We now left 
 the path, taking a short cut over the hill, coming down by 
 Bradley's mill, and so home, much pleased, notwithstanding 
 the little disagreeables, with our excursion. 
 
 maple. 
 
,i 
 
 " 
 
 
 
 f " 
 
 
 
 I* 
 
 / 
 
 / 
 
 1 
 
 304 
 
 XXI. 
 
 SEPTEMBER 20th. 
 
 Autumniil Frost«. — Thresliinir Buckwheat in the Field. — firiiuling.— 
 Butterflies. — ilummiiig-hird. — Fiuling of the Leaves of Trees. — Brown 
 Ash. — Other Trees. — Seeds of White Ash. — Crimson Beetle. — Beetles 
 in Earth. — Warblers. — Finches. — 'Rough Caterpillars oi (iaomi tra; — 
 of ButY-leopard Moth — of a large Sphinx — handsome one from Wil- 
 low — very beautiful one oi Situr/iin I'fjh/j)/icmu.i. — Summer Duck. 
 — Hooded Merganser. — Anecdote of a Brood of Black Ducks, — 
 Waterfowl. — Migration of Aquatic Birds, — Bryant's Lines to a Wa- 
 terfowl. 
 
 Father. — The autumnal frosts have now cut off tlie 
 increase of many of our plants. Tlie beans and potatoes are 
 turned black, the leaves and stalks looking as if they had 
 been plunged into boiling water ; that part of the buckwheat, 
 which is not yet cut, is of a rusty brown colour ; pompions 
 and squashes, and many garden plants and flowers, are de- 
 stroyed : — the wheat and oats were happily ripe before tlie 
 frost, so as to be beyond the reach of injury. 
 
 Charles. — What are those men about in yonder field ? 
 
 F. — They are threshing buckwheat on the ground : we 
 have some slovenly customs, and this is one of them. When 
 this plant is ripe, the grains are so tenderly attached to the 
 branches, as to be shaken off by a very slight shock ; espe- 
 cially in the heat of the day, when the stems are brittle from 
 dryness. On that account we usually mow this plant early 
 in the morning, ceasing as soon as the dew is evaporated. 
 Notwithstanding this precaution, a great quantity of grain is 
 
SF.PTKMHKU. 
 
 305 
 
 ding. — 
 - Brown 
 
 Ultra: — 
 om Wil- 
 T Duck. 
 Kicks. — 
 ,0 a Wa- 
 
 off the 
 toes are 
 ley had 
 kwheat, 
 ompions 
 
 are de- 
 ifore tlie 
 
 field ? 
 md: we 
 
 When 
 idi to the 
 
 ; espe- 
 Lttle from 
 ant early 
 aporated. 
 f grain is 
 
 lost in tills operation, and in that of turning it to dry in the 
 sun when cut. As I have said, the drier it is, the more 
 seeds are shed, so that in cartinp and removing it to the ham, 
 very much is unavoidably wasted. To obviate this in some 
 degree, many farmers thresh it on the ground where it grew, 
 either on a moveable flooring of boards, or on the bare earth, 
 tho'iqh of course much earth and dirt must be mixed with it. 
 
 ( — Do not the seeds that remain on the ground spring 
 up in the succeeding summer i 
 
 F. — So much so, that a good crop may be obtained from 
 merely this unintentional sowing. But tliis fact, the ditti- 
 culty of getting the soil clear of the plant, is, with many, an 
 objection to the raising of it, notwithstanding its productive 
 return. If, however, the land be stocked down with grass- 
 seed at the time buckwheat is sown, it will be rather an ad- 
 vantage than an injury ; as whatever plants might spring 
 the succeeding year, would of course be mown down with the 
 grass, before the seed was perfected, and tend to increase the 
 herbage, cattle being very partial to the plant. It is an an- 
 nual, so that one mowing would effectually eradicate it. 
 
 C. — Is this grain ground in the same manner as wheat :* 
 
 F. — Yes ; but in a separate hopper : it is bolted, and 
 what remains consists of two parts, the three-sided brown 
 husk, and a pale yellow skin, which enveloped the flour ; 
 the latter is called the bran ; mixed with boiling water, it 
 foiTns a glutinous, bitterish mass, which is eagerly devoured 
 by hogs, and proves nutritive. The husk is throw^n into the 
 mill-stream as totally useless. The American housewives 
 chiefly use buckwheat flour for making pancakes, eaten pip- 
 ing hot, and agreeable to many palates. 
 
 C. — Though the nights are frosty, the days of this month 
 are very pleasant ; the sun has much power yet, and many 
 Lepihptera are abroad enjoying it. Vanessa Antiopa, and 
 the different species of Grapta, in particular, are numerous 
 
306 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 \]f'l{ 
 
 H! 
 
 and active. I was much surprised to see the Banded Purple 
 again ( Limonitis ArtJunnisJ, on the Ith of this month, after 
 it had so long dis ippeared : but I conclude it was only an 
 occasional straggler, or one of an unusually late hatching. 
 
 F. — The Ruby-throat humming-bird, not deterred or 
 driven away by our frosts, is still courting the remaining 
 flowers. He will soon, however, take his departure for a 
 sunnier region. 
 
 C — I have observed that the Black CheiTy leaves are 
 turning yellow. 
 
 F. — The Brown Ash is the first tree that feels the effect 
 of the season : it cannot withstand the breath of winter. 
 The very first hard frost that comes denudes the ash, not 
 only causing its leaves to fade and become yellow, as those of 
 other trees, but blackening and shrivelling them up, so that 
 they fall in showers, with the least breatli of wind. ]\Iost 
 of the ashes are already as bare as in winter. 
 
 C. — The ash is about the last that leafs in spring : can 
 any parallel be drawn between the times of the expanding 
 and the fading of the leaves of forest trees ? 
 
 F. — No ; they show no regularity in this respect. The 
 ash, butternut, bass wood, and beech, leaf about the same 
 time, very late in the season : the ash and the basswood 
 fade early ; the former first of all ; but the butternut main- 
 tains its foliage late, and the beech continues brightly green, 
 long after many other trees are faded. The maple is late in 
 expanding, but it fades gradually, and loses its leaves nei- 
 ther very late nor very early, — about the same time as the 
 birch, which also leafs with it ; but the elm, which leafs 
 likewise at the same time, is denuded long before either. 
 The pojtlar and willow loaf early and fade late : the black 
 cherry leafs and fades early ; and the tamarack buds very 
 early, and remains jjraving the autumnal stomis the latest 
 
1 Pai-ple 
 th, after 
 only an 
 hing. 
 [;rred or 
 imaining 
 ire for a 
 
 aves are 
 
 he effect 
 f winter, 
 ash, not 
 3 those of 
 », so that 
 1. Most 
 
 ing : can 
 xpanding 
 
 ct. The 
 the same 
 basswood 
 lut main- 
 tly green, 
 is late in 
 ;aves nei- 
 ae as the 
 liich leafs 
 re either, 
 the black 
 buds very 
 the latest 
 
 SEPTEMRKR. 
 
 
 of all the deciduous trees. But the close alliance of this 
 tree with its evergreen congeners, may account for this. 
 
 C — About a week ago, I saw a White Ash ( Fraxin>is 
 Acuminata) which was thickly covered with seeds, dropping 
 them very fast ; the ground underneath was strewn with 
 them. The seed is curiously enclosed in the end of a long, 
 
 flat wing. Here is a specimen of the beautifully 
 
 coloured Crimson Beetle, crawling on this stump. It is of a 
 singular shape, being so thin and flat. 
 
 F. — It is a Cucujus fC. Rnfus) ; it is not uncommon, 
 crawling on logs, trunks of trees, beneath bark, Sec. In 
 ploughing now, we often turn up the soft, inert, Chestnut 
 Chafer {R//i^ofro(ja Fervc/is), the Copper- spot {Calosoma 
 Calidum), and the Purple Carab {Carabus Catena), and 
 other beetles. Most of the soft-billed, insect-eating birds, 
 the pretty warblers, &c. are now gone from us : it is true 
 they have been withdrawn from our observation for some 
 months, but they were occasionally seen. Owing to this 
 habit of retirement, it is difficult, without very close researcli, 
 to note the time of their departure ; but we find that most 
 species appear in the State of Pennsylvania, on their soutliern 
 migration, during the months of September and October ; 
 fron\ which we may conclude that they leave our land a 
 little before that time. Many of the seed-eaters, the Frin- 
 
 gilliB, &c. remain, however, with us. Have you 
 
 procured any more lepidopterous caterpillars lately ? 
 
 C. — I have obtained some ; but the season is ])ecoming 
 too far advanced for much success in bush-beating. Many 
 large geometric caterpillars are found on the willows, near 
 three inches long, and as thick as a goose-quill, very rough, 
 and full of knobs and irregularities, mostly dark brown ; 
 they take a firm grasp of the branch on which they rest, 
 with the two anal pairs of feet, and rear the rest of their 
 
 I 
 
 Jl 
 
;^^^ 
 
 .308 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 bodies up into the air in a stitf attitude, which they main- 
 tain a long time without the shghtest motion, so as to have 
 a very close resemblance to a knotty twig. They become a 
 naked pupa, with a mucronate tail, without any spinning. 
 
 F. — I suspect one of these, for there are different kinds 
 much alike, produces that large and beautiful Geometra, tlie 
 Grandee Moth {Geometra Clematarki) ; but I have never 
 reared it. 
 
 C. — The hairy larv?e of the Buff-leopard Moth (Arctia 
 Isabella) are numerous among grass and bushes. Their hair 
 is close, but rather short and stiff, all black, except on the 
 three middle segments, which are rust-red. They undergo 
 the change to pupa within a cocoon. A few days ago, be- 
 fore the frosts had denuded the brown ash, I shook from one 
 of these trees a large and beautiful caterpillar of a Sphinx, 
 larger and thicker than those of the Twin-eyed Plawk- 
 moth. It was smooth and velvety, light pea-gi*een, with 
 slanting white stripes, and triangular red spots on the sides ; 
 the anal horn was rough, green and pink : the fore parts 
 much more slender than the hind. 
 
 F. — I have seen a representation of this larva, in a fine 
 collection of coloured drawings, made by Mr. Titian R. Peale, 
 of Philadelphia, an eminent and zealous lepidopterist ; but I 
 could not ascertain to what moth it belongs. 
 
 C. — Mine went beneath the earth in its breeding-box 
 in due course ; but after a few days I accidentally dis- 
 covered that it was dead, with a large hole in its side, the 
 viscera corrupted. My suspicions are strong against a dipte- 
 rous larva which I had turned up in the ground ; a long, 
 white, cylindrical fellow, with a taper head, which I put 
 into the same box, not suspecting any danger. 
 
 F. — Many of the subterraneous dipterous larvre are 
 fierce and ravenous, and often prey upon caterpillars. You 
 have bought wisdom Uy experience. 
 
 :\\ 
 
main- 
 ;o have 
 ■come a 
 ning. 
 it kinds 
 tra, the 
 2 never 
 
 (Arctia 
 leir hair 
 t on the 
 undergo 
 ago, be- 
 rom one 
 Sphinx, 
 Hawk- 
 in, with 
 le sides ; 
 »re parts 
 
 in a fine 
 R. Peale, 
 t ; but I 
 
 iding-box 
 tally dis- 
 side, the 
 t a dipte- 
 a long, 
 ich I put 
 
 arvre are 
 Urs. You 
 
 SEPTEMBER. 
 
 309 
 
 C. — A catei7iillar of very singular appearance, I shook 
 from a rough-leafed willow. It was about two inches and a 
 quarter long, very soft, the belly flat like that of a leech ; 
 all smooth, except a tuft of white hairs on each segment at 
 the edge of the belly ; the head downy. The colour was 
 light grey, beautifully mottled and chequered with black ; 
 the third segment was separated from the second and from 
 the fourth by bands of bright orange, which appeared only 
 when it crawled ; the whole under surface Avas mottled with 
 black and tawny. It has since spun a slight cocoon. Per- 
 haps it was a Catocala. But the largest and most beautiful 
 caterpillar that I have yet seen, is one of the great Saffo--- 
 nicB, which I found about a week ago, resting on a Choke 
 cherry bush {Prnnns Serotina). It is of a most brilliant 
 light green, nearly transparent ; each segment of the body 
 rising into two roundish humps, each ending in a little brigh*^ 
 yellow tul)ercle, bearing two or three short hairs ; two rows 
 of similar tubercles run down each side, which are joined liy 
 a diagonal yellow line on each segment, just behind which 
 are the spiracles, which are scarlet. The head and legs are 
 light brown ; the anus is terminated by a line of purplish 
 brown. It is rather inactive, and slow of motion. Its 
 length, when crawling, is two inches and a half, and its dia- 
 meter aljout liplf an inch. 
 
 F. — It is the larva of an exceedingly large and fine moth, 
 ( Saturn hi PoIt/]»ltc)n a.<) . 
 
 I'll 
 
 'I 
 
 I.AIUA OF SATIRMA rol.YI'lf EM IS. 
 
--i-J.! — . n. • 
 
 
 
 / 
 
 S 
 
 f: 
 
 ■ i 
 
 
 
 l> 
 
 . 
 
 \ 
 
 
 f 
 
 
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 w \ 
 
 1 1 . ; i 1 ■'-I 
 
 310 
 
 THE CAXADIAX NATURALIST. 
 
 C. — A few days after, I took another not quite so large, 
 from an elm : I perceive they eat the leaves of either plant 
 indiscriminately. They are now spinning cocoons. I met 
 with a large Dragonfly {JEsIdiu), handsomely spotted and 
 V)anded with bright gi'ass-green, on a brown ground : 1 caught 
 it in my hand. 
 
 F. — Here we open on the smooth river. Do you see 
 those two birds flying along under the bank, close to the 
 water's edge ? 
 
 C. — Tliey are ducks, by their straight, swift, but very 
 peculiar flight, and l)y the whirring of their wings. Do you 
 know of what particular species they are ? 
 
 F. — I suspect them to be the lovely little Summer Duck, 
 or Wood Duck {Anas Sjimisa), which haunts the borders of 
 our wooded streams. This is the most beautifully orna- 
 mented of any species of duck that I am acquainted with. 
 Its hanging crest, and its beautiful colours, have made it a 
 favourite in Europe, where it appears to be half naturalised. 
 I am little acquainted with our water birds, but I think it 
 probable that in our lakes and rivers most of the fresh- water 
 ducks that inhabit tlie United States may l»e found. One 
 of our neighbours shot on the Coatacook, where it runs 
 through the meadows, a few days ago, a smnmer duck, and 
 some Pied ducks, as he calls them, with sharp pointed l»ills, 
 Imt which, from his description, I take to have been no other 
 than the Hooded Merganser {Merpus CucidlatHs). The same 
 person has told me of an attempt he once made to rear a 
 brood of wild ducks of some sort, which he calls the Black 
 Duck (possibly Anas Ohscura). About the end of May 
 he found a black duck sitting on a nest, containing ten eggs ; 
 happening, at the same time, to have two hens in his yard 
 contending for the possession of one nest, he placed the duck's 
 eggs by the side of the hen's nest, and was gratified to ob- 
 serve that one of the hens took to them. In due time the 
 
SEPTEMBER. 
 
 311 
 
 ducklings were hatclied, and grew well through the summer. 
 One night, in October, he heard them making a great tumidt, 
 and flying about ; and determined on securing them in the 
 morning : when morning came, however, he could find only 
 three or four, which he caught, and clipped their wings : the 
 others had got away, but one of them was seen on the river 
 for some days. Before this, they had manifested the native 
 wildness of their disposition, roaming to a distance : he once 
 thought he had lost them, having missed them for some 
 hours ; and suspecting that they might have got into a brook 
 which runs through his farm, and joins the river a short 
 distance, in which direction they had last been seen, he 
 went to a little sand-beach, which, in such case, they must 
 have crossed, and there he found their tracks ; by following 
 which he discovered them in the brook, the old hen terribly 
 alarmed on the bank, and loudly calling tliem out. 
 
 C. — The ducks, in general, appear to be inhabitants of a 
 cold climate. 
 
 F. — By the thickness of their plumage, which is remark- 
 ably soft and compact, they are protected from the eilects of 
 the inclemencies to which they are exposed. There is pro- 
 bably no warmer covering in nature than the soft, close, 
 downy plumage of v/aterfowl, resisting the transmission and 
 consequent abstraction of the animal heat, most ettectually. 
 Accordingly, we find them abundant in the high Arctic 
 latitudes, during the short summers ; the species being, in 
 many instances, common to the northem regions of both con- 
 tinents. This fact, the community of species of Arctic birds, 
 seems a strong argument in favour of the existence of a polar 
 continent, or arcliipelago of islands, which would allow these 
 birds food and rest during their summer excursions across 
 the Pole, suppose from Spitzbergen to Melville Island. The 
 geese, it is true, are capable of long Hights ; but the fresh- 
 water ducks, though of swift wing, do not appear to be com- 
 
 
 I: 
 
u 
 
 
 i 
 
 
 I i::! 
 
 :^f. 
 
 312 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 petent to a long-continued flight, such as across the narrow- 
 est part of the Atlantic ; tliough the distance from the Ferro 
 Isles to Iceland is proV>ably not more than three hundred 
 miles. But this is merely a conjecture, and perhaps a 
 groundless one. 
 
 C. — I presume you know Bryant's fine stanzas " To a 
 Waterfowl." 
 
 " Wliitlior, midst falling dew. 
 
 While glow the heavens with the last steps of day, 
 Far through their rosy depths dost thou pursue 
 Thy solitary way ? 
 
 Vainly the fowler's eye 
 
 Might mark thy distant flight to do thee wrong, 
 As, darkly painted on the crimson sky, 
 
 Thy figure floats along. 
 
 Seek'st then the plashy brink 
 
 Of weedy lake, or marge of river wide. 
 Or where the rocking billows rise and sink 
 
 On the chafed ocean-side ? 
 
 There is a Power whose care 
 
 Teaches thy way along that pathless coast. — 
 The desert and illimitable air, — 
 
 Lone wandering, but not lost. 
 
 All day thy wings have fanned, 
 
 At that far height, the cold thin atmosphere ; 
 
 Yet stoop not, weary, to the welcome land. 
 Though the daik night is near. 
 
 And soon that toil shall end ; 
 
 Soon shalt thou find a summer home, and rest. 
 And scream among thy fellows ; reeds shall bend 
 
 Soon o'er thy sheltered nest. 
 
SEPTEMBER. 
 
 318 
 
 Tliou 'rt gone ; — the abyss of heaven 
 
 Hath swallowed up thy fonn : j-et on my heart 
 
 Deeply hath sunk the lesson thou hast triven. 
 And shall not soon depart. 
 
 He, who from zone to zone. 
 
 Guides through the boundless sky thy certain flight. 
 In the long way that I must tread alone. 
 
 Will lead my steps aright. 
 
 I 
 
 ; si 
 
 
 H. ,y 
 
 I if 
 
814 
 
 XXII. 
 
 OCTOBER 1st. 
 
 Beautiful Hues of the Forest in Autumn. — Cause of tlie fall of Leaves — 
 Leaves as Manure — Parasites on Leaves. — IJutternut. — !^hrc\v. — Bul- 
 rushes — Sin<;ul;ir downy Heads — T,\ed to make Beds. — Wild (Jeese — 
 RlifXratiou. — N'egetation of a Head of firass. — Snov in September. — 
 Crimson Uiulcrwing. — Fire-tiies. — Brood of Bugs. — Beetles. — Cater- 
 pillars. 
 
 I', i; 
 
 Father. — Plow gorgeously is tlie forest now adorned 
 with the most splendid colours ! our woods in autumn have 
 a glory that perhaps no part of the old world can boast. 
 
 CiiARLKs. — I had often read of the splendour displayed 
 by the American forests in autumn, but the reality exceeds 
 my expectation. Every part of the woods is glowing in an 
 endless variety of shades : brilliant crimson,, purple, scarlet, 
 lake, orange, yellow, brown, and green ; and looking from 
 this hill over the tops of the trees, as far as the eye can reach, 
 the same bright hues are to l)e seen ; the shadows of the 
 passing clouds, playing over the vast surface, now dimming 
 the tints, now suffering them to flash out in the full light of 
 the sun ; here and there a large patch of sombre evergreens, 
 making the dark parts of the picture : — the whole forest is 
 become a gigantic flower-garden. 
 
 F. — By far the greatest proportion of the more glowing 
 colours is the production of the sugar maple, and other species 
 of the same genus ; the leaves of these display all shades of 
 red, from deepest crimson to bright orange ; which generally 
 occurring in large masses, not in individual detached leaves. 
 
OCTOHKR. 
 
 .01.5 
 
 
 prevents anything tawdry or little in the etTect. On the 
 contrary, wlien the full Iteams of the sun shine on them, the 
 warm and glowing colours possess a great ileal of grandt.'ur. 
 The poplar leaves often assume a crimson hue ; the elm, a 
 Ijright and golden yelhiw ; liirch and hecch, a })ale, sulior, 
 yellow ochre ; ash and Itasswood, different shades of In-own ; 
 the tamarack, a huff-yellow. The lieech, the ash, and the 
 tamarack, do not, in general, hear much part in this glittering 
 pageant ; the ash is mostly leatless at the time, and the glory 
 has passed away hefore the other two have scarcely l>egun 
 to fade. Indeed, the glossy green of the beech is perhaps 
 more eftcctive than if it partook of the general change ; and 
 even the gloomy l.ilackness of the resinous trees, hy relieving 
 and throwing forward the gayer tints, is not without eiTect. 
 This beauty is not shown to e<[ual advantage every year : in 
 some seasons the trees fade with very little splendour, the 
 colours all partaking m^.e or less of dusky, sordid brown ; 
 early frosts seem to lie unfavouralile f jr its developement : 
 and even at its best it is a melancholy gli:»ry, a jtrecursor of 
 approaching dissolution, something like the ribl)ons and gar- 
 lands with which the ancient [lagan priests were accustomed 
 to adorn the animals they destined for sacrifice. 
 
 C. — What is the cause of the fall of leaves ? 
 
 F. — The severity of the weather is doubtless the cause 
 of the death of leaves, since we find that only those survive 
 the winter which are }>rotected by a resinous varnish, as the 
 fir, laurel, &c. But Wu^fall of the leaf does not necessarily 
 follow its death, for if a branch be cut off from a tree in full 
 leaf in the midst of sunmier, the leaves will not be shed ; 
 they wall dry up and l)ecome brittle, but it will l)e found 
 that their connexion with the stem is as strong, and their 
 hold as tenacious as when they were in vigour and green- 
 ness : so that we must look to other causes for the denuding 
 of a tree. Every bud is formed in the axilla of a previous 
 
 II 
 
 ill 
 
 i 
 
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 P 2 
 
1 1 
 
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 3U) 
 
 THE ( AXADIAM XATURALIST. 
 
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 1 
 
 
 
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 \ \ 
 
 leaf, or the angle made by the foot of its stalk and the 
 branch : all the summer this bud continues very small and 
 inconspicuous, but by the autumn it has increased so much 
 as to force apart the junction of the old loaf with the stem, 
 and separate it by an articulation which did not originally 
 exist there, but whicii has been gradually formed since the 
 developement of the leaf Its footing being destroyed, it 
 either falls in obedience to the laws of gravity, or but 
 waits the passing breeze to convey it to its grave. 
 
 C — Would not forest leaves make a good manure ? 
 
 F. — In favourable situations, such as where they have 
 accumulated in great numbers, and where the ground is 
 sufficiently open to allow of the passing of carts, &c. I 
 have no doubt they might often Ijo applied with profit. I 
 have myself collected some quantities, and applied them 
 in the proportion of about sixteen loads to the acre, with 
 good efiect ; they readily decay, and contain nmch fertilising 
 matter. 
 
 C. — The beautiful coloured foliage, I perceive, does not 
 look so perfect when you examine It leaf by leaf, as it does 
 viewed from a little distance as a whole : numberless 
 scratches, spots, and discolorations deface the surface, which 
 were altogether invisible before. I have often observed 
 round black spots on the surface of leaves beginning to 
 decay ; maple leaves, I see, have them plentifully. 
 
 F. — It is a species of fungus which parasitically fixes 
 itself there, and draws its support from the substance of the 
 leaf, thus forming a rapid agent in its decomposition. 
 
 C — The fruit of the butternut is now ripe, and falls 
 from the tree. It resembles the walnut of Europe, but is 
 much inferior. 
 
 F. — The nut is not in its best condition until it has lain 
 some time to dry, and the frosts of winter have matured it. 
 Then its taste is agreeable ; but its shell is hard to break, 
 
OCTOBER. 
 
 817 
 
 and wliat is commonly calloJ tlie fruit, (hut is hotanically a 
 seed,) is so divided by the internal cells of the shell, as to he 
 much less in bulk than the waliuit, and difficult to extract. 
 It is best cracked by holding it perpendicularly on a stone, 
 and striking the base with a liammer, when the shell gene- 
 rally flies in pieces without crushing the seed. 
 
 
 C. — Here is a little strange-looking mouse, lying dead. 
 
 F. — It is not a mouse ; it docs not even belong to the 
 same order ; this is a Shrew C Sorer Brei'icandii^ ? ) belong- 
 ing to the order Fercp, whereas the mouse is placed in (i/irrs. 
 I believe this genus is the smallest of the Carnirnra, to 
 which its teeth claim affinity ; its usual food is, however, 
 insects, worms, &c. It is not commonly seen hero. This 
 has probably been killed, and rejected by one of the house 
 
 cats. Have you ever examined any of that large 
 
 patch of Ijulrushes (Tiipha T Ait {folia ) which grow in the 
 bottom of this field ? it is difficult to get at them, as it is a 
 complete bog all around, Itut they are so curious that they 
 repay the trouble of obtaining them. The thick cylindrical 
 head appears like a fine, but very closely set Vn'ush, radiating 
 from the axis or stalk, which it covers for about six inches. 
 On picking out a lump of what we may call the l)ristles of 
 this brush, we are surprised to see that we have a handful 
 of the softest down, that which before was not bigger than 
 one's thumb, now, on l>eing freed from the stalk, filling one's 
 hand ; and the hiatus made by the loss is filled up by the 
 expansion of the remainder, so completely as scarcely to be 
 perceiva1)le. In short, the whole head is composed of this 
 very expansive down ; and I am told that poor persons 
 sometimes collect quantities of it to make l)eds, which are 
 said to be soft and elastic. 
 
 C. — Yonder goes a flock of Wild Geese {Anas Confi- 
 
 rl 
 
 
'ii. V 
 
 ' . !^ 
 
 31S 
 
 TlIK ( ANADIAX NATLIlALIsT. 
 
 
 h > 
 
 t/('?if^is) on tlieir aorial voyarje from the frozen regions of 
 B"jotliia Felix to the " Father of Waters," Chesapeake Hay. 
 I have observed several other flocks lately, all pursuing the 
 same southerly course. 
 
 I'\ — What a mysterious instinct is that whicli impels 
 these and similar ])irds to seek, at a certain season, over thou- 
 sands of intervening miles, such apparently inhosiiitahlo 
 climes, to remain but a few weeks, then t<j retrace tlie same 
 journey ! And this, year after year, with such undeviating 
 uniformity, " knowing the times and the seasons." ^V'hat 
 is the motive of so toilsome a pilgrimage i Is it to pro- 
 cure food ? one should suppose that the sedges and grasses 
 of our coasts, our marshes, our rivers, the shell-fish of our 
 beaches, and the worms of our meads, would afford these 
 birds fully as abundant and as suitable food as the regions 
 of Hudson's Bay. Do they seek those impenetrable recesses 
 for the sake of bringing up their young in security, their 
 jealousy being of so filfnr a character, that the very pos- 
 sibility of intrusion is intolerable ? Or is their Ijlood of so 
 high and heated a nature, that they cannot bear the tem- 
 perature of our summers ? ^\'hat do we know, with all the 
 researches of modern science, concerning the nature or causes 
 of migration in general ? It is a suljject yet enveloped in 
 much darkness, which v/e are not able to penetrate. '' Doth 
 the hawk fly by t//// wisdom, and stretch her wings towards 
 the south ? " 
 
 Here is a curious specimen of vegetation ; this was a sheaf 
 of timothy grass, which was reaped with others al>out a 
 month ago, to be threshed for grass seed, but this one being 
 overlooked has lahi upon the ground ever since. The warm 
 rains of the past month have caused the seed to germinate ; 
 and now, see what a host of little straight green sprouts 
 arise from every stalk, and what a matted mass of fibrous 
 roots is the underside, which has lain on the earth ! 
 
()( TO Hi; 11. 
 
 iJlJ) 
 
 ('. — Xutwitlistaiidiiig a few pretty smart frosts, we have 
 had some very ideasant weather lately ; and though the 
 days are warm, the midges, musquitoes, and such like pesti- 
 ferous insects, have ceased to niulest us. 
 
 F. — In the autumn of 18;JJ, though hy no means a 
 cold season, we had, on the LiOth of Sejitember, a fall of 
 snow, which continued without intermission throughout the 
 day ; so that \\\ some places in the neighi)Ourhood it stood 
 on tlie ground to the dei)th of fifteen inches. \\\\ were dis- 
 mayed with the anticipation of an early and severe wiiiter, 
 but the snow vanished almost as ra})idly as it had fallen, 
 and the winter did not set in for many weeks afterward, 
 though it proved unusually severe in ])eceml.>er and Fel«- 
 ruarv. 
 
 ('. — I caught lately in tl;e house, a fine Xoriuo, the 
 
 Crimson Underwing (Cotitcal" Y ) ; and on the 2jth 
 
 ult. late in the evening, I saw several Hreflies in the grass 
 at intervals, but none in Hight : one, which I secured, proved 
 
 to be a larva. Oh ! look what a family of young bugs 
 
 on this decaying stick ; some in larva, others in pupa : the 
 abdomens ot all are scarlet. How closely they are congre- 
 gated together ! 
 
 F. — I have often discovered broods or nests of this 
 kind, and invariably find them thus associated together : I 
 suppose they are the young of a small species, which is 
 l»lack, with a scarlet transverse line on the thorax, and two 
 scarlet spots on the scutellum (Ci/dnus B'dincatd ? ). A 
 few days since, I took, on a dunghill, a Slajtht/linus, which I 
 had not met with before : the licad horn coloured ; thorax 
 and elytra brown and black, mottled ; abdomen silvery- 
 black, with a tawny central line, the fourth and fifth seg- 
 ments grey ( Staplit/linus Clirz/i^orejiliabis '^ ). A little black 
 Chafer is numerous, the thorax [irojecting like a horn over 
 the head, much more prominent in some than in others 
 
 ; 
 
 < i 
 
 I;' 
 
 i' 
 
 

 .'. 
 
 
 
 !? 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 r»' 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 ^. 
 
 ' 
 
 (n; 
 
 f; 
 
 J'M 
 
 320 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 ( Pathophagus Latibrosus). I presume caterpillars have dis- 
 appeared. 
 
 C — I have obtained only one worth note, for some time ; 
 a large plump one, shaped like that of the zigzag moth, deli- 
 cately varied with white and pink, procured from the sugar 
 maple. Few remain now. 
 
 M ! 
 
 I 
 
e dis- 
 
 time ; 
 , deli- 
 sugar 
 
 321 
 
 XXIII. 
 
 OCTOBER 16th. 
 
 Indian Summer — Peculiar Weutlier— Supposed Cnx\f^o%.—L<j»''lo/>fnr,.— 
 Freezing of the River. — Winter Wren. — ^Va.sps. — Ne.,t of Leaf-cuttinu' 
 Bee. — Moths. — Snake. — Insects on fallen Leaves. — Pearltly. — (irakles. 
 — Ignorance of Natural History hurtful to the Fanner. — Anecdote. — 
 Crossbills. — Day-Hies. — Caddis-Hies. — Torpidity. — Blue Bird. — Frozen 
 Apples. — Effect of Frost in loosening Leaves. — Beech Nuts. — Fruit of 
 the Maple — Of the Birch — Ash — Basswood. 
 
 Charles. — The weather, for a few days past, has heen 
 dehghtful, and more like summer than autumn : if it were 
 not for the nakedness of the leafless trees, we might easily 
 fancy ourselves removed a month or two back in the ca- 
 lendar. 
 
 Father. — Have you not noticed, since tliis warm wea- 
 ther commenced, a peculiar haze around the horizon, a misti- 
 ness in the atmosphere, which is not common in sunmier • 
 there is an indistinctness about distant objects which, in or- 
 dinary weatiier, are clearly seen ; the sun is " sliorn of his 
 beams," and the air appears filled with a light tliin smoke. 
 This characterises the " Indian summer," a very remarkalile 
 phenomenon, and peculiar, I believe, to North America. It 
 never appears till after the summer has yielded to coM wea- 
 ther, and generally follows a series of wintry days, and often 
 pretty severe frosts. It is hailed with pleasure when it 
 comes, as a slight and brief relaxation from tlie horrors cf 
 
 m 
 
322 
 
 THE CAXADIAN XATT'RALIST 
 
 I ! 
 
 i : ,. 
 
 I 
 
 I ' 
 
 winter ; for in our frigid clime, we are glad of any shorten- 
 ing of our winter of half tlie year. I do not know that this 
 little mimic summer ever fails of its appearance, though in 
 some seasons it is much more brief in its duration than in 
 otliers. Sometimes it continues, a course of beautiful and 
 serene weather, for two or three weeks ; at others, we have 
 only as many days, hastily snatched from the sway of Boreas, 
 just to remind us of balmier times. 
 
 C. — It is a pleasant variation, and as curious as it is 
 agreeable. Pray what is the cause of the phenomenon ? 
 
 F. — I believe no adequate cause has yet been assigned, 
 though many conjectures have been hazarded. Some have 
 supposed the heat and mist to be evolved by the fermenta- 
 tion of those immense masses of vegetable matter, leaves of 
 trees, wild herbage, &c., which are deposited at this season, 
 over the vast forests and wildernesses of this continent. 
 13ut it appears to me that fermentation would take place to 
 a nmch greater extent in the ensuing spring than in the 
 autumn, the heat of that season being likely to have a 
 greater effect on these masses, especially after their having 
 been saturated with moisture from the melting snows, which 
 have lain upon them through the winter. Others conjecture 
 that the heat and haze are caused by the fires which at this 
 season are kindled on almost every farm to consume logs, 
 Virush, &c., after the drying of summer. This cause, at first 
 sight, seems very incompetent to the production of so general 
 an appearance ; but the burnings appear to be very widely 
 spread, and I have myself observed at other times, when 
 large brush fires have been burning in the neighbourhood, 
 that the srnoke will be diffused and rest in the air for several 
 days, if there l)e no wind, causing an appearance very simi- 
 lar to the present. Still, however, I incline to think that it 
 owes its origin to natural, rather than to artificial causes. 
 C. — The lepidopterous insects seem glad to avail them- 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 I/! 
 
OCTOHER. 
 
 n o o 
 
 it IS 
 
 selves of this intermission of winter, for tliey are sportinc 
 joyously in the sunshine ; the moths are hurrying to and tVc 
 among the leafless bushes and dead weeds, and even butter- 
 flies, more emphatically children of the sun, are enjoying tlic 
 Indian sunmier. I have seen the Compton Tortoise, anil 
 Camberwell Beauty (Vaiiessa J. Alhinn, and /'. Anftnjxi j 
 about the house and orchard: and the Violut Tiji ( Gn(]if<i 
 C. AuroAou), and Clouded Sulphur fColiax Pliilinllr,')^ are 
 quite numerous. Indeed, I had a specimen of the former, 
 (the Violet Tip) produced from the cln-ysalis in my nurse- 
 boxes, this very morning. 
 
 F. — Ice was formed al.>out the margins of the Coata- 
 cook a week ago, but the warm weather since lias malted 
 it. The edges of a river always freeze some time before 
 the centre, on account of the greater stillness, the attrac- 
 tion of the banks resisting the current, and preventing it 
 from having that force whicli it has in the middle. Fur 
 a parallel reason, bends or sudden turns in a river iwv 
 often dangerous, when all appears covered with solid ice : 
 the eddies formed in such places tending to prevent the 
 freezing. 
 
 C. — There is a wren hopping about the logs at the edge 
 of that swamp. What a cunning little fellow he looks, 
 creeping about with erected tail ! he seems the veiy essence 
 of activity. 
 
 F. — I suspect it is the Winter Wren ( Si/lria Tr<i;ilo- 
 >h/teii), which Wilson supposes to be the same with the 
 common European wren ; but I judge only from the sear-on, 
 tiie other species leaving for the south mucii before this time. 
 All the wrens are too much alike to determine the species 
 without actual examination. 
 
 ('. — Yonder goes a large wasp with black and yellow 
 rings : it is late for wasps to appear ; but I suppose the new 
 summer has revived it from its torpidity. Looking at the 
 
 n 
 
A 
 
 
 i 
 
 .'J24 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 nest, which we found in the liay field in mowing time, 1 
 found the wasps benumbed and unable to fly, as it was one 
 of those cold frosty days, a week or two ago. 
 
 F. — I found, a few days since, in a cavity in a piece of 
 timber, several of the thimble-like cases forming the nest of 
 the Leaf-cutting Bee (Apis Centnncnlaris) ; they were 
 made of round pieces cut out of rose leaves, most snugly 
 compacted together ; the llthnblcs fitting each into the other, 
 and each containing a maggot. 
 
 C. — Would they have produced the perfect bee this 
 season ? 
 
 F. — No, I should think not ; but it is probable, as the 
 maggots were considerably grown, they would have gone into 
 the pupa state, if left undisturbed, and have produced the 
 imago early in spring. 
 
 C. — I have taken some new moths lately, particularly 
 a beautiful Gcomcfra, and some pretty Noctiup. 
 
 F. — A friend of mine told me that he observed, about 
 five days ago, in a potato field, a young snake of the com- 
 mon chequered kind (Coluher ?). It was about six 
 
 inches long, and as thick as a tobacco pipe ', it was very ac- 
 tive, and darted out its tongue quite vigorously. I have not 
 met with any myself for many weeks. 
 
 C — These heaps of fallen maple leaves are quite teeming 
 with life: here are great num])ers of the little crimson-striped 
 Froghoppers (Tcttli/OHia Qua<lricittata ) ,\\o^\nwgViho\A right 
 merrily ; and some of a green species, still more minute 
 ( Tetti(jo)na Mullipes). Here is also one of those fan-wing- 
 ed locusts, with the thorax elongated into a sharp spine, 
 reaching to the anus, whose delicate net-work wings reflect 
 every tint of the rainbow ( Avnjdiiim Ornatum). And 
 this reminds me of another very delicate insect, the little 
 Pearl-fly ( Uemcrobit(s Fasciatas? ), which I found last 
 evening on a wall within the house. Several flocks of black 
 
orTonEii. 
 
 'l*^"! 
 
 »>•*.•> 
 
 me, 1 
 
 IS one 
 
 ece of 
 lest of 
 
 were 
 snvigly 
 
 other, 
 
 ;e this 
 
 as the 
 ne into 
 ;ed the 
 
 icLilarly 
 
 , about 
 le com- 
 out six 
 ery ac- 
 ave not 
 
 teeming 
 i-striped 
 ut right 
 
 minute 
 in-wing- 
 p spine, 
 Ts reflect 
 ;. And 
 he little 
 LUid last 
 
 of black 
 
 birds have been liovering and alighting about the ploughed 
 fields all day, and yonder is a large flock now. Are they 
 Grakles ? 
 
 F. — There is no doubt but they are : from what I can 
 distinguish, I judge them to be the Rusty Grakle (Grncvla 
 Ferriujinea), which are searching for worms and larvie of 
 insects, on which they probably depend for subsistence as 
 much as on grain. They will soon retire to the south, as 
 they lire migratory. It is stated by Bonaparte, in his Or- 
 nithology., wlien treating of the Great Crow Blackbird ( Qnif- 
 rahis Major J, a closely allied species to this, that " when 
 the first European settlements were formed in North Ame- 
 rica, the havoc made by these l>irds [the Grakles] and 
 the Troopials, in the grain fields, was so great, that a pre- 
 mium was given for their heads. Their destruction was 
 easily effected, as they are not shy, and are more easily 
 approached as their numbers decrease ; but t!ie evil which 
 resulted from exterminating so many of these birds was as 
 imexpected as irremediable. The corn and pastures were 
 so devoured by worms and insects, that the inhabitants were 
 obliged to spare the birds, in order to avert a scourge whicJi 
 had been previously unknown." How short-sighted is man ! 
 and into what disastrous calamities would he plunge himself 
 had he but the power, as he has too often the will, to alter 
 the decrees and arrangements of Providence ! To no man is 
 the study of natural history of more practical benefit than 
 to the agriculturist, that he may learn wiiat are his real 
 enemies, and how to distinguish friends from foes. I once 
 saw a gentleman of wealth and intelligence in tlie South 
 ])usily engaged in picking oft' from his cotton and destroying 
 the Ladybirds (('orcinelhfj. On my inquiring tiie reason, he 
 informed me that the cotton was infested with hosts of IMant 
 lice ( A])hi(le)^), and that they were produced from these 
 beetles. He was confirmed in this opinion by the two being 
 
 J *'i 
 
r.A. / 
 
 326 
 
 THE CANADIAN* XATIRALIST. 
 
 II 1 
 
 always associated together : wherever the Hce were, there 
 was the ladybird. He was quite astonished when I in- 
 formed him that the apliidcs constitute the regular and sole 
 food of the ladybird, which seeks them out and devours 
 them continually ; and that he had been promoting the breed 
 of a pernicious insect, by blindly destroying another race, 
 which God had appointed to keep them down. 
 
 C. — Our friendly little winter visitants, the Crossliills 
 (('urvii'ostra Aniericana), are come. I observed a flock of 
 them yesterday, hopping about, behind the house, where the 
 washings of the kitchen are thrown. They were all in 
 mottled plumage. 
 
 F. — They are northern birds: I do not conceive that 
 they breed even in this latitude, but retire to their native 
 regions of snow and ice, the solitudes of Hudson's Bay, in 
 summer. Perhaps we may consider, with respect to all 
 birds that seek cold latitudes in smumer, that those are their 
 natural regions, from whence they are driven by the incle- 
 mencies of winter to seek a temporary shelter with us, lait 
 return to those countries again as their homes ; which may 
 be as delightful to their feelings as the tropical islands to the 
 Birds of Paradise. 
 
 C — Here are some little flies flitting along : I have 
 caught one, and find it to be a delicate Day-riy (E}>lteine- 
 ra). Flies of this genus appear early in spring, and con- 
 tinue all the summer through ; that is, a succession of them ; 
 for they are proverbially short-lived. The Caddis-flies ( Pln-//- 
 t/tDwaJy however, seem to ha^e a much longer range ; jier- 
 haps the longest of all insects, except some of the Muscidc, 
 and a few beetles ; for they flit to and fro in the woods, be- 
 fore the earth has put off its mantle of snow, and withstand 
 the approaches of winter for some time, if I may judge from 
 last fall, when I used to observe Pln->/(iane(c in the evenings 
 until November was considerablv advanced. 
 
o{ toukr. 
 
 
 F. — The frogs have not yet ivtired to their donnitories 
 beneath the mud ; to spend the'v half-year in sleep, or a 
 state still nearer death than even sleep itself. A curious 
 state is that of torpidity ! in which the respiration, diges'ioii. 
 circulation, and all the vital functions are suspended f tr sd 
 long a time, and yet, that time heing past, resume their sway 
 with the same precision and regularity, as if they had never 
 been hitermittcd. We may say of these animals that their 
 life is all summer : since during winter they can scarcely he 
 said, with propriety, to live at all. — Those little dancing 
 motes, the Tipulidan Gnats, are playing over the lirooks, and 
 may occasionally be noticed in the sheltered woods, in fine 
 days, even in the depth of winter. They must have a groat 
 power of resisting the effects of cold. 
 
 C. — I saw a flock of Blue-birds (Si/Iria Sialln), a few 
 mornings ago, perched on the fence of the garden, close to the 
 house. It was a cold morning, and they might have lioon 
 attracted by the hope of picking up some of the minute 
 cruml)s and scraps, &c., which might Ite lying aliout : for I 
 suppose insectivorous liirds can upon occasion feed on farina- 
 ceous substances, such as bread, !kc. 
 
 F. — The severe frost on the night of the 4th spoiled my 
 store of apples, by freezing most of them on the trees. The 
 etVect of frost on this fruit is singular ; the pulp of the apple 
 seems to be all turned to juice, which may be squeezeil from 
 it in abundance at every pore, after it is thawed : I supjiose 
 the cellular texture has in some measure been broken and 
 destroyed by the expansive power of the frost, so that the 
 juices which l)efore were held in minute cells now lie loose 
 as it were among them, like a saturated sponge. They very 
 soon rot, Ijut it is said, that if they are pressed immediately, 
 they are as suitable for making cider as unfrozen apples. A 
 very slight covering will often protect fruit from the effects 
 of frost : I have known a number of apples to be preserved 
 
 

 328 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 « $ 
 
 from injury by merely a linen cloth thrown loosely over 
 them, while others lying in the same chamber, and beside 
 them, but uncovered, were hard frozen. 
 
 C. — On the morning succeeding that frosty night, I was 
 amused to observe the leaves falling from the trees : at every 
 stir in the air, which was very still and calm, they descended 
 in showers. Our old butternut in particular, I noticed ; it 
 had been in almost full leaf, but the crisped and brown 
 foliage fluttered down in a continual stream, so that in an 
 hour or two it was almost completely leafless. I never saw 
 so great a change in so short a time. 
 
 F. — A cliange nearly, though not quite as great, was 
 made in the general woods ; most of the deciduous trees are 
 now bare ; even the poplars are turned, and fast defoliating. 
 The gi'ound in the hardwood forest is now covered with sere 
 leaves, and strewn with beech nuts. These are numerous 
 this year, affording a plentiful supjtly to squirrels, mice, blue 
 jays, &c. Squirrels mostly remain within the woods, in 
 winters when nuts are plentiful, and fare well ; but in sea- 
 sons of scarcity they come very short ; many resort to the 
 farmer's barn, and live by theft, and often die by the aveng- 
 ing gun, but very many more are starved to death : so that 
 after a season in which the beech-mast has failed, we see 
 but few squirrels for several years. The fruit of the beech 
 is called by botanists a <jluns ; it is at first tightly enclosed in 
 a strong and tough envelope, covered with flexible prickles : 
 this is the c?fjj/ik', a form of the im'olucrum ; its bracts are 
 four, enclosing two triangular nuts, which face each other ; 
 they resemble the chestnut in some particulars, but are much 
 smaller, and the angles are sharper : like it the kernel or 
 seed is enclosed in a shining coriaceous pericarp or shell, of 
 a dark brown colour. The bracts separate when sufficiently 
 ripe to allow the nut to fall to the ground, but occasionally 
 an empty cupule, and sometimes an unopened one, is found 
 
OfTOHKR. 
 
 329 
 
 on the gi'ound. The nuts are sweet and agreeable, but are 
 too small to be worth the labour of collecting. Among them 
 are great numbers of the fruit of the sugar maple : it is a 
 samara, and very much resembles the wing and tliorax of a 
 large hpmnopterons insect : the wing being full of longi- 
 tudinal veins adds to the likeness : they usually grow in 
 pairs, and might be taken for a pair of wings, Imt that the 
 thorax is likewise double. This part is hollow, and contains 
 the seed, the cotyledons of which are green, smooth, and 
 long-oval : these, though more than an inch in length when 
 unfolded, are so curiously convoluted and wrapped together, 
 as to occupy a space little larger than the head of a large 
 pin ; and this too is enclosed in a skin. Its taste is like that 
 of the beech nut. The seeds of the birch are very small and 
 flat, inserted beneath the scales of cones much like those of 
 the pine family : like the seeds of most forest trees, they are 
 almost confined to the topmost branches. The fruit of the 
 ash is long-oval, thin, and flat ; it is a samara : the seed 
 runs through the middle, but towards the lower end. One of 
 the most curious of our forest seeds is that of the basswood : 
 you may see one yonder slowly descending through the air : 
 it whirls round horizontally with great rapidity, as it falls, 
 as if on an axis or pivot. Take it up and examine it : here 
 is a long lance-oval leaf (hradca) transversely bent in the 
 middle : from th*^ angle on the under side proceeds a slender 
 stalk, at the end of which is fixed a round body like a pea, 
 which looks, as it descends, as if it hung \>y a thread from 
 the leaf-like wing. This contains the seed. 
 
 I; 
 

 330 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 NOVEMBER Ut. 
 
 Clear brifilil Woatlior of Aiit\imn unlike th.it of Siiiumcr. — ncautiful 
 Forms of Frost. — Hoar Frost on Grass. — Ski'lt'ton of Leaves. — 
 Mijiratory Uirds. — Tamarack. — Insects. — Autunnial Flow of ^aj). 
 — Resort of Buttei-riies. — Firefly. — Criiiking of (.iriiHi, — Carab. — 
 Motlis. — Ichneumon. — ^nake. — Frous. — UulVcd (irouso — its nnide 
 of Flight — Food, (Sec. 
 
 !(!■; 
 
 iff 
 
 Father. — This is a deliglitful Jay ; tlie air is clear, 
 fresh, and bracing ; the sunshine is bright and unclouded ; 
 yet how totally unlike summer ! its character is exclusively 
 its own, but yet we cannot readily tell in what it consists ; 
 we feel and see intuitively the great difference, Ijut do not at 
 first see what causes it. The pleasant breeze, the bright 
 blue sky, the warm sun, are the same ; the ground dry and 
 hard with frost, has the same solidity and appearance as if 
 parched with heat j — yet if we consider minutely, Ave shall 
 find its peculiarity consists in the stillness that prevails ; there 
 seems to be a general death pervading the woods, the fields, 
 and even the very air. If we call or shout, our voices seem 
 unnaturally loud, and a hollow echo is all the sound returned ; 
 then the same death3' stillness prevails again. In summer 
 the woods are full of little twittering musicians, glancing 
 trom bough to bough, which, even when they do not sing, 
 continually, by their unceasing activity, break the still silence. 
 The quivering leaves, with the light ever glittering through 
 
 Cm > 
 
XOVEMiniR. 
 
 031 
 
 tlic'ir pveen transparency ; the liinn of liees^ ; tlie crinkini,' ot" 
 grasshopi»ers ; the arrowy thfflit ot' the dragon-fly ; the hright- 
 winged luitterfly ; tlie Httle poarly moths hurrying tVoni Ini^h 
 to bush ; and the thousands of little insects, too minute for 
 enumeration, almost too minute for vision, which throng the 
 air, reflecting tiny flashes of light in every direction from 
 their filmy wings, make the sunnner full of life and joyous- 
 ness. Now, all this has ceased : the fields are deserted by 
 the husbandman ; no insects flit to and fro ; no leaves glit- 
 ter in the sun; — now and then the quick rattle (if the red 
 squirrel is heard, or a few crows caw as they sail over the 
 woods, or a Idue jay raises a discordant scream as he flies 
 from one tree-top to another, or the black-cappeil titmouse 
 twitters a few moments from the branches of some thick 
 balsam, or a sere beech-leaf slowly rustles to the ground ; — 
 but all these are casual interruptions, only heard at inter- 
 vals, and seem to make the intervening silence still more 
 dead. 
 
 CiiAiiLKS. — The solitude, however, is not unpleasing ; the 
 brightness of the sun and the freshness of the morning air 
 prevent anything like a tendency to melancholy. 
 
 F. — How extremely beautiful are all the forms of conge- 
 lation ! whether we examine the filmy star-like flakes of 
 snow ; the needles shooting across the surface of freezing 
 water ; the curled and fantastic leaves traced upon the win- 
 dow-pane ; the curious spongy masses of columnar ice formed 
 among the furrows of ploughed land, or the delicate hoar 
 frost on the lowly herbage ; each forms a volume in itself, 
 and each is a monument of skill and wisdom. Look at this 
 stalk of grass : how elegantly is it decorated ! a thick series 
 of white crystals, like glassy feathers, stand out at right an- 
 gles from the stalk, radiating in every direction, and extend- 
 ing not only all up the main stem, but even to the remotest 
 extremities of the panicle. 
 
 M 
 

 l' ■ ! ) 
 
 
 i 
 
 m 
 
 I IN 
 
 'I i 
 
 tr 
 
 
 i; 
 
 in 1 
 
 
 t-l * 
 
 llll^ 
 
 'Ji 
 
 i! 
 
 332 
 
 TICK CANADIAN' NATI'RALIST 
 
 C. — AVliut is tlie cause of these crystals called hoarfrost ? 
 or, rather, in what maTiiier are they i»r(j(luc'f<l ? 
 
 F. — They are never found except after those nights in 
 which the floating vapours are condensed and ['recipitated in 
 the form of dew : a cold stratum of air resting on the earth, 
 freezes the minute drops as they are deposited, and they 
 shoot into these slender crystals. Hoar frost is fro/en dew : 
 its delicacy is owing to the minuteness of the drops. 
 
 C. — Here is the skeleton of a maple loaf, which has been 
 macerated in water till the substance has l>een dissolved, 
 leaving nothing but the veins. What a lal)yrintli of net- 
 work is here ! 
 
 F. — The veins or nervures of leaves are not put out at 
 random, but ramify in a perfectly regular arrangement, differ- 
 ing very widely in different plants. This mode of arrange- 
 ment is important, as upon it the foi*m of the leaf depends. 
 In the maple, you see several main veins nuniing from the 
 junction of the leaf with the foot-stalk, and proceeding to the 
 points or lobes of the leaf; these send out smaller side-veins, 
 and these finer still, till such an immense number of ramifi- 
 cations is produced as we here see. When perfect, the inter- 
 stices were filled with a cellular green substance, called pa- 
 renchyuia^ enclosed between two transparent skhis. But all 
 this has disappeared, and left only the framework, a specimen 
 of lace of nature's own manufacture. 
 
 C — The Robin ( Tunlxs Mir/mtorhis), the Snow-bird 
 (Friuifilla Nii'ulis), and the Sparrows, ( F. Meh/la, Sec.) 
 appear to have retired to the south : they were to be seen 
 almost every day, up to about a week ago, but since that 
 time I have not seen them. 
 
 F. — There is much more difficulty in observing the de- 
 parture of migratory birds than their arrival : as the first 
 
N'OVF.MRF.U. 
 
 33.} 
 
 •frost? 
 
 ^lits in 
 atetl in 
 ! earth, 
 d they 
 1 dew : 
 
 las been 
 
 ssolved, 
 
 of net- 
 
 out at 
 t, dit!er- 
 iirrange- 
 Aepends. 
 roni the 
 g to the 
 k-veins, 
 
 raniili- 
 le inter- 
 lUod pa- 
 
 But all 
 pecimen 
 
 iiow-bird 
 
 Ua, &c.) 
 
 be seen 
 
 ince that 
 
 the de- 
 the first 
 
 siglit of a spLcies naturally strikes the attention, and makes 
 a stronger impression on tiie mind, than the ceasing to see 
 it. ^^'e can scarcely arrive at any very definite data on this 
 subject, without the tedious process of making a list, and 
 marking the s})ecies tiiat we have seen day l)y day. The 
 birds that you have mentioned, however, l)eing more fami- 
 liar, are more readily missed than those which remain in 
 the bosom of the woo<ls, and only occasionally fall under our 
 oljservation. 
 
 i\ — The pojilar and the balm of Gilead have now become 
 almost leafless, and tiie tamaracks have put on their bright 
 yellow dross. — As we look over the adjacent valley, we can 
 easily trace the patches of tamaracks, wherever they occur, 
 and even individual trees ; the bright colour strongly con- 
 trasting with the sombre hue of the other cntiifi'rcc, among 
 which they grow. It does not a]»pear to be a common tree 
 with us, though on the borders of the river there are some 
 patches of considerable size. — The tops of the hardwood 
 forests have a reddish appearance, the terminal twigs of se- 
 veral species having that colour, particularly those of the 
 maple and the liasswood. 
 
 F. — We may consider the " Indian sunmier " as over : 
 the present agreeable day being altogether of a different cha- 
 racter. It has been a protracted one, lasting to the frosty 
 night of the 28th, in which a slight shower of snow fell. 
 Many occurrences worthy of notice marked the mildness of 
 the time ; among which, not the least remarkable was the 
 appearance of Dragon-fliies (u'Esltna), which I observed 
 hawking about up to the 27th. The Winter Moth (C/n'1- 
 matobia I't'lf/arisJ, and little Autumnal Case-fly, ( Phriiifd- 
 
 nea ? ) both Newfoundland insects, have also appeared, 
 
 but these are rather indicative of cold weather than of mild. 
 
 C. — A young maple tree was cut down a week or two 
 ago ; from the stump of which the sweet sap exuded just as 
 
 /# 
 
.i. 
 
 334 
 
 THE CANADIAN XATUUALIST. 
 
 i ! 
 
 it does in spring from stumps of the trees felled during win- 
 ter. This showed, what I Avas not previously aware of, that 
 there is an ascent of sap in autumn as well as in spring. 
 The weather was very similar to that considered favourable 
 to the flowing of the sap in spring, — slight frosts at night and 
 pleasant warm days. But I was going to allude to another 
 curious circumstance : this stump was thronged day after 
 day by great numbers of insects, busily engaged in sucking 
 the saccharine juices which exuded. Besides beetles, bugs, 
 ichneumons, and multitudes of flics, of various kinds, there 
 were many NocitKc and butterflies (chiefly of the Camber- 
 well Beauty and Violet-tip species ; the former of which Avas 
 quite numerous). 
 
 F. — I observed the larva? of the firefly shining in the 
 grass as late as the evening of the i22nd of October. It may 
 be possible we have more than one luminous species o{ Lam- 
 pf/ris : this is a subject worth some examination. Perhaps, 
 what I have supposed to be larvic, may be an apterous spe- 
 cies, allied to the glow-worm of Europe. Mr. Knapp, in his 
 Journal of a Naturalist, mentions the appearance of the 
 glow-worm about the end of September, as unusually late ; 
 and that in the mild climate of England. It is true our 
 brief return of summery weather may have re- vivified these 
 beetles, so far as to induce them to emerge from their In/ber- 
 nacida, as well as the butterflies and dragonflies, which have 
 lately appeared : the last, especially, seem as exclusively 
 summer insects as the fireflies. 
 
 C. — I observed a winged Aithls in the house a few days 
 ago : and the crinking of the (ir>iHi has not yet ceased, for I 
 have heard it at intervals, since we have been aln'oad to-day. 
 I have within a few days met with several groups of a very 
 beautiful little Cdrahns ( Aiiotiuni i'lipr'ijtonuc ) ; at first 
 sight you would hardly know it from the ])olished l)rown 
 sort that r ms so swiftly among gardens, which, from their 
 
N'OVEMBER. 
 
 S35 
 
 g win- 
 )f, that 
 spring. 
 >urable 
 rht and 
 mother 
 y after 
 sucking 
 3, bugs, 
 s, there 
 'amber- 
 ich Avas 
 
 ; in the 
 It may 
 
 Perhaps, 
 •ous spe- 
 p, in his 
 of the 
 lly late ; 
 true our 
 icd these 
 ir In/heV' 
 ich have 
 clusively 
 
 few days 
 sed, for I 
 d to-day. 
 of a very 
 at first 
 id brown 
 rom their 
 
 rank smell, children call foxes; but these have the olvtra of 
 a brilliant crimson, that changes to as bright a green, if the 
 light falls on it from a different angle. 
 
 F. — Here are two other insects of different orders; a 
 pretty Tortriv, and a large female black Ichneumon, wliicli 
 emits a strong and peculiar smell. But the effects of the 
 late weather are not confined to insects : three days ago I 
 was surprised to see a full-grown Chequered Snake swiftly 
 gliding over the fallen leaves, beneath the maple grove : the 
 frogs, too, are still to bo seen in the marshy pools and 
 springs. 
 
 (\ — Ila ! what is that { 
 
 F. — h is a partridge, the Ruffed Grouse of Wilson (Tc- 
 trao UinlicUtis). It remains with us, I believe, all the year, 
 and at this season freipiently skulks about old logs, near the 
 borders of woods, where it might lie concealed, if it would keep 
 its own counsel; but an approaching footstep flushes it, and otV 
 it goes, with a loud whirring noise that is cpiite startling : its 
 flight is widely different from the silent motion of the Owls. 
 It is a large and handsome bird, mottled with various shades 
 of brown and black ; and the delicate flavour of the flesh is 
 equal to its beauty. It is in excellent condition at this sea- 
 son, having fed on mast, berries, ^c. ; Itut though common 
 with us, it is not much pursued. Our farmers are )>y no 
 means sportsmen: if a partridge were to come ^) their doors, 
 I suppose they would kill it, but in general the destruction 
 of a few pigeons when eating their buckwheat, or a few 
 grakles at their corn, is the height of their attainments in 
 this way. The partridge, or pheasant, as it is calleil farther 
 south, breeds with us : I have frequently flushed tlio coveys 
 in July and August : they will suffer you almost to tread 
 on them before they will fly ; but then they fly fast and far, 
 before they alight. 
 
;f 
 
 *>.'< 
 
 336 
 
 XXV. 
 
 DECEMBER 1st. 
 
 'fl i ' 
 
 Uses of Winter. — Our Feelings an insufficient Criterion of Temperature. 
 — Cause of this. — Thickness of Animals" Coats in Winter. — Effects 
 of Change of Climate. — Hair of Catei pillars. — Termination of Agri- 
 cultural Occupations. — Hutchering. — Freezing of Carcases. — Hyl)er- 
 nation of Reptiles, — Case-Hies. — /'(x/iira; — various Modes of Loco- 
 motion. — Freezing of the liiver. — Winter Condition of Fishes. — 
 Sul)a(iiieous Sensations. — IJetlectinn from the .Surface of Air. — Yel- 
 low-bird. — Canada Jay. — Downy Woodpecker. — Blind Prejudice. — 
 Tempest in the Forest — its Effects. — CJrandeur of Ciod. 
 
 Father. — The rains of autumn have now fairly yielded 
 to the frosts of winter : our long season of cold weather has 
 set in : — 
 
 " And skies tlieir wintry sternness wear." 
 
 Charles. — How dreary and desolate an appearance the 
 face of Nature now presents ? no longer smiling in loveli- 
 ness either in forest or in field. The trees, stripped of their 
 rich foliage, stretch their naked and contorted anns abroad, 
 like gaunt skeletons ; the streams and l)rooks, where the sun- 
 beams played in the sparkling waters, are sealed up and 
 still ; and the verdure of the field is exchanged for a wide 
 and unbroken waste of snow ; and animate nature is as 
 dead and silent as inanimate : nothing Tinves but the 
 tops of the leafless trees in the wind : nothing is heard but 
 the sighing of the gale through the boughs. Oh ! I do not 
 love whiter : it is cheerless and depressing : give me the 
 
DECEMBKR. 
 
 837 
 
 orature. 
 - Effects 
 of Apri- 
 Hybcr- 
 nf Loco- 
 ishes. — 
 . _ Yel- 
 udico. — 
 
 yielded 
 ;her has 
 
 mce the 
 W loveli- 
 of then- 
 a\)road, 
 Ithe sun- 
 up and 
 Ir a wide 
 lire is as 
 but the 
 leard but 
 1 1 do not 
 me the 
 
 smiling spring, or the glorious summer, with their thousand 
 gladdening accompaniments, that make our blood dance, and 
 our hearts leap ! 
 
 F. — But it would not do for summer to last always. 
 Nature requires a season of comparative rest, as well as of 
 action. Important purposes in vegetation are fulfilled in 
 winter, which, tliough they are unseen, are not unfelt in their 
 consequences ; juices are elal orated and modified ; recently 
 developed parts acquire strength and consistency ; and plants 
 are prepared to shoot out fresh buds, the rudiments of an- 
 other verdure. Yet winter is not altogether cheerless ; by 
 searching we may yet find a few subjects wortliy of investi- 
 gation, and capable of affording amusement and instruction 
 to the mind ; nature is never barren of lessons of wisdom, to 
 him who possesses a mind willing to receive them. 
 
 C. — Tiie wind blows keen, although, when we set out, 
 the thermometer indicated rather a mild temperature. How 
 is this ? why shall one day to our senses be quite warm, 
 and the next keenly cold, though the mercury stands at 
 the same degree on botli ? I know it is caused by the pre- 
 sence or absence of wind, but I do not see why the wind 
 should have so sensible an effect on our feelings, and yet 
 make no corresponding alteration in the state of the thermo- 
 meter. 
 
 F. — Our senses do not give us a true estimate of the real 
 temperature of the atmosphere. Cold is not a positive qua- 
 lity : it is merely a negation, the absence of heat : the sen- 
 sation of cold is caused by the animal heat being abstracted 
 from the surface of our bodies faster than it can be generated 
 internally. It is the property of heat to equalize itself by 
 passing out of one body which has more, into another in 
 contact with it, which has less, until the temperature of both 
 is alike : but some substances abstract heat more rapidly 
 than others, whence they are called good conductors of heat. 
 
 Q 
 
 
•JOO 
 
 TIIK CAXADIAX NATURALIST. 
 
 I' f'i 
 
 These facts lieing preniiscJ, we see the cause of the difference 
 l)etween our feehngs and the height of the thermometer. 
 \\'hen the temperature of the atmospliere hecomes colder, the 
 surrounding air abstracts the heat remaining in the mercury, 
 until the instrument and the atmosphere are exactly alike. 
 After this, it may blow a hurricane without aftecting the 
 thermometer, for wind being notliing but motion communi- 
 cated to air, no more heat is abstracted, as it has already 
 been equalized. But a living body has a power oi fjenerutiug 
 iieat, which passes in due course into the circumjacent air: 
 if the air be still and undisturbed, the portion immediately 
 around us becomes in some degree saturated, as it were, and 
 no longer abstracts the heat so fast ; perhaps not so fast as it 
 is generated, in which case we feel the sensation of warmth. 
 But let tlie air be put in motion, and the stratum of heated 
 air which enveloped the body is blown away, and new and 
 cold portions are every moment brouglit in contact with it, 
 which, abstracting the heat faster than it can be generated, 
 cause a sensation of cold that increases in proportion to the 
 force of the wind ; that is, to the rapidity with which fresh 
 particles are presented to the surface. This too explains the 
 use of clothes : they hwcji, but they do not make us warm : 
 they are made of substances wliich conduct heat slowly, and 
 so maintain a stratum of heated air around the body, parting 
 with the heat less readily than it is re-supplied. 
 
 (.', — I suppose the thickness of animals' fur in winter 
 answers the same purpose : I observe tiie horses and cattle 
 have tlieir coats much thicker than in summer. 
 
 /'. — Yes ; that is an admirable ordination of Divine 
 Providence, for the comfort of the inferior animals. No 
 sooner does winter approacli, than the coat of our domestic 
 creatures (and I believe the wild ones too), which before 
 was thin and sU'ek, becomes tiiick, shaggy, and somewhat 
 erected, and [lartakes more of the nature of fur than of hair: 
 
 I 
 
DECEMBER. 
 
 3S9 
 
 irence 
 
 neter. 
 
 ;r, the 
 
 rcury, 
 alike. 
 
 ig the 
 
 imuni- 
 
 Iready 
 
 'rating 
 
 it air: 
 
 diately 
 
 re, and 
 
 ist as it 
 
 k-armth. 
 
 ' heated 
 
 evv and 
 
 with it, 
 
 nerated, 
 to the 
 
 ch tVesh 
 
 lains the 
 
 warm : 
 
 ,ly, and 
 
 parting 
 
 winter 
 nd cattle 
 
 Divine 
 
 Us. No 
 
 domestic 
 
 eh hcfore 
 
 omcwhat 
 
 n of hair : 
 
 m spring, when its puqiose is answered, and wlien it would 
 be no longer an advantage but an encumbrance, it is shed in 
 thick matted masses, and got rid of by rubbing, &c. the coat 
 becoming thin and smootli as before. A similar change takes 
 place in those anhnals which are clothed with fur in sum- 
 mer ; on the arrival of cold weather, the base of tlie fur is 
 filled with a very tliick and soft down, like that of birds, whidi 
 disappears in spring, as may be seen in the hare, racoon, &c. 
 It is the same if we alter tlie climate of any animal : the 
 hair of the dog becomes wool or fur in very cold climates, 
 and the ^s'ool of the sheep becomes hair in torrid ones. It is 
 this circimistance that makes the furs of cold regions so much 
 more valuable than those of warmer ones ; tlio texture is 
 thicker, softer, and more downy ; the same species which 
 produces fur at Hudson's Bay producing little else than hair 
 at the Gulf of ^Mexico. 
 
 C — Here is a caterpillar of the Buft* leopard Moth 
 ( Arctia IsaU'il<(J, coiled up in an auger-hole in this maple 
 tree : he too is prol)ably protected from the cold by his tufts 
 of thick bristly hair. 
 
 F. — IVrhaps so : and yet I am not quite certain that 
 animal heat is generated by insects, or that they need exter- 
 nal covering. — All the operations of agriculture have now 
 ceased : the digging out c»f the potatoes was the last of the 
 processes l>elonging to the crops of last season ; which was 
 generally completed two or three weeks ago. The potato is 
 perhaps the greatest lilessing which America has given to 
 the world ; its consumption is already spread over tlie civil- 
 ized world, and its cultivation is yearly extending, on both 
 continents. 
 
 C. — iVfter the potatoes are stored, you begin to plough 
 for next year. 
 
 F. — Yes, and before: immediately after harvest, we 
 plough at intervals when the weather will not admit of any- 
 
 u -2 
 
,' 
 
 i 
 
 340 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 n I 
 
 li i 
 
 If' 
 
 ) ' ; 
 
 thing else. Our season for preparation in spring is so short, 
 that we are anxious to open as much land as we can in the 
 fall, before the frosts set in and render it impracticable ; we 
 therefore plough early and late, both stubble land and green- 
 sward. Besides this, the effect which the severe frost of 
 winter has on ploughed ground, in expanding, pulverizing, 
 and rendering it mellow, is so great an advantage as we 
 spare no exertions to obtain. 
 
 C — "What occupies the farmer's attention when the fro- 
 zen ground will no longer permit him to plough ? 
 
 F. — He then kills his fatted cattle and hogs, either for 
 market or for domestic consumption : this is a business of a 
 good deal of bustle and activity, and attended with no small 
 merriment and congratulation from one to another; the num- 
 ber, weight, fatness, and description of animals butchered, 
 forming inexhaustible subjects of conversation for some time 
 after. Some, especially of the pork, is salted down, but a good 
 deal of the beef and mutton, and part of the pork, is kept 
 throughout the winter, perfectly sweet and fresh, by being 
 frozen in carcases. Many sled-loads of frozen sheep, pigs, 
 cSrc. may be seen during the season, going to market, so hard 
 and solid that they can be divided only by the axe or saw. 
 The lean part of meat, when frozen hard, is more difficult to 
 saw than oak plank, and makes a quantity of saic-diist. If 
 much mild weather occurs in the winter, the meat thaws, and 
 these repeated thawings and freezings deprive it of much of 
 its juices, and make it rather dry. 
 
 .t: 
 
 C. — All the cold-blooded animals seem to have retired 
 to their winter quarters. 
 
 F. — Tlie reptiles have, no doubt : on the 1 6th of No- 
 vember, I saw some young frogs dart from the bank and dive 
 amongst the mud of a spring, which was the last time I ob- 
 
DECEMBKR. 
 
 ;jn 
 
 served them ; and I suppose, as a fall of snow took place 
 during the ensuing night, most of those which remained active 
 retired on that day. A few insects, however, are still to be 
 met with; I found a living Case-fly ( VhrtKjanea) on the 
 surface of that snow I have mentioned, on the morning after 
 it had fallen, and small M/fscce and Ti}»iUc still fly about 
 the woods, and in sheltered situations. 
 
 C. — Here are some hopping atoms, on the surface of the 
 snow on the road side. I observe they are a minute species 
 of Springtail, of a dark bluish grey colour. 
 
 F. — This tribe of insects, the Springtails (Podin-n ), 
 minute and insignificant as they appear, have not been too 
 mean to be the exclusive object of one instance of the in- 
 ventive wisdom of the Deity. These little creatures have a 
 mode of progression peculiarly their own, and ditVering widely 
 from that of any other animal I know of. The tail termi- 
 nates in two setaj, or bristles, which are usually bent up 
 under the belly, but when the insect wishes to move, these 
 fly out straight, and by the elastic force, throw the insect 
 forward by a vast leap. Whether the spring is kept bent by 
 muscular effort, and flies out of itself when relaxed, or whe- 
 ther its natural and unconstrained position is bent, and it is 
 driven out by an exertion, I cannot affinn. It is singular 
 that this species generally appears on the surface of snow, just 
 after it has fallen ; whence coming, I know not. 
 
 C. — I have observed several other species : one swarms 
 on little pools of water in summer, sometimes so thickly as 
 completely to hide the water, showing only a surface of lilack 
 dust, resembling a parcel of gunpowder. Another, a little 
 larger, and lighter in colour, abides in crevices of posts, and 
 particularly of hot -bed frames, in spring. 
 
 F, — The different modes by which locomotion is perf trmed, 
 constitute a very curious su1»ject of investigation : they are 
 far more varied than cursory observers would supprtse. Some 
 

 
 *'0^^^m -^ -^attm 
 
 342 
 
 THE CANADIAN XATURALIST. 
 
 animals proceed by running, as the horse, the partridge, the 
 Cicindela ; — some by leaps, made by tlie elastic force of the 
 hind feet, as the kanguroo, the jerltoa, the frog, the grass- 
 hopper, the flea ; by a spine entering into a cavity with a 
 jerk, as the Elaters ; by a bifurcated anal spnng, as the 
 Podio-a just mentioned ; — some by flight through the air, 
 performed by very different organs, the feathered wings of 
 the swallow, and the skinny flaps of the bat, the transpa- 
 rent filmy wings of insects, the lengthened fins of the flying 
 fish, the cottony down of the Apltis iMuata, the airy gossa- 
 mer of the spider : — some hop, as the spaiTOW ; some walk, 
 as the crow: — some move on the ground, by altemate ex- 
 tension and contraction of muscular rings, as the earth woito ; 
 by imbricated scales, as the snake ; by a sucker at each 
 extremity, as the leech ; by an application of all parts of the 
 under surface to the ground, as the snail : — some swim 
 through the waters, by means of fins, as fishes ; by an ejected 
 stream of water, as from a forcing pump, as the grub of the 
 dragon-fly ; by a serpentine motion of the abdomen, as that 
 of the Ephemera ; by oary feet, as the DiftiscKS and Noto- 
 necta; by the impulse of the tail, as the lobster; by contrac- 
 tion and dilatation, as the Medime: — some glide on the surface 
 of the water, as the water-measurers, and some spiders : — 
 some float on the surface, as the waterfowl and the Portu- 
 guese \x\va\-o{-\\iix ( Pliysalis): — and some slowly change 
 their position by the projection of a muscular tongue-like 
 organ, as the cockle, and some other Tet^tacea. Here is great 
 variety ; but doubtless there are many other contrivances for 
 the same end, with which I am unacquainted. 
 
DF.CKMHER. 
 
 S4-i 
 
 
 C. — The Coatacook is now frozen over, and I suppose 
 will not open again before spring. Do the fishes become 
 torpid ? or how do they sustain the severity of the season, 
 when the water is covered with " thick ribljcd ice ?" 
 
 F. — I apprehend that fishes in general do not Itecome tor- 
 pid, and I do not know that any species does : the tempera- 
 ture of the lower parts of the water probably does not ditVer in 
 a very great degree, at the different seasons of the year. The 
 very ice that is formed at the surface contributes to preserve 
 the equality of its temperature, and we know tluit as long 
 as it remains fluid, it cannot be lower than 32° of Fahren- 
 heit, whatever that of the air may be. Tiiere is another 
 question, however, which may be raised : fishes cannot sub- 
 sist, any more than terrestrial animals, without an absorp- 
 tion of oxygen ; when the connexion of the water with the 
 external air is cut oft' by a solid crust of ice, will they not 
 sooner or later arrive at a point, when the water will part 
 with no more of its oxygen ? That this is not an imaginary 
 difticulty is proved by the fact, that fishes in a bowl of water 
 placed beneath an exhausted receiver, soon die, although the 
 water still contains much oxygen, or it would no longer be 
 water, but hydrogen gas ; though perhaps it refuses to part 
 with any more. I once saw in Newfoundland a case in 
 point : a little brook had been enlarged in one part into an 
 oval fish-pond, containing perhaps two hundred square feet, 
 in which the water connnonly lay about eighteen inclies 
 deep ; a few trout lived in this little pool, tiiat usually con- 
 tinued open in the middle, through which the brook ran ; 
 but one severe winter it was quite frozen over, and the fishes 
 in the ensuing spring were found to be all dead. In tlie 
 case of this river, however, the edges always communicate 
 with the air, the ice breaking by friction, so that a stick may 
 often be thrust down between the bank and tiie ice ; and 
 were it otherwise, it would seem that the vast supply of 
 
 

 H 
 
 344 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST, 
 
 fresh water continually flowing down beneath the ice would 
 afford oxygen enough to support the comparatively few fishes 
 tliat inhabit it. 
 
 ('. — I should think a life under water must be a dull 
 kind of existence, confined to a very limited sphere ; for I 
 suppose tlieir senses can give them very little, if any, inform- 
 ation respecting the world above them. 
 
 F. — I am not so sure of that ; as we can distinguish ob- 
 jects clearly in pure water, when the rays from them strike 
 our eyes in a direction pei-pendicular to the surface, or nearly 
 so, it is not improbable that fishes may be able to see with 
 some distinctness those objects in the air, which are immedi- 
 ately above them ; such as the trees on the bank, the insects 
 and birds that fly over the water, the blue sky, clouds, sun 
 and stars : though of the green face of the earth they must 
 of course be as completely ignorant as we are of the caves of 
 ocean. Here, however, they have variety enough, and I 
 should not think their life dull for lack of objects, though it is 
 doubtless a very different world from ours. I have some- 
 times tried to picture to myself the scenery of the water, 1 lut 
 can form very little idea of it : the bottom is probably as plen- 
 tifully clothed with vegetation as many parts of the land, 
 and contains hills and dales, rocks, and caverns, and bright 
 sands, in profusion. There is an interesting fact, which is 
 familiar enough to the fishes, but of which you are probably 
 not aware. It is, that the surface of air which touches the 
 water possesses the power of reflection as perfectly as that 
 of water ; but of course in the opposite direction : so that 
 could we stand under water and look obliquely towards 
 the surface, we should see every object beneath reflected 
 from it ; the diversified bottom, fish swimming, floating 
 weeds, &c, would be as truly imaged, if the top were smooth 
 and unruffled, as the skies and trees are on the surface of 
 the still pond. Any one may prove this, by filling a glass 
 
 I 
 
Di;rj:.Mni:u. 
 
 
 tumller with pure water, and putting tlierein a tew wati-r- 
 insects, or any sul)stances tliat would float just l)eneatli the 
 surface; a globe containing gold fish is a good illustration, 
 and the illusion caused by the fish's occasionally coming up 
 and meeting its image has a pretty apjiearance. Of course, 
 the observer must look through the side of the glass, obli([uely 
 up to the surface. 
 
 C. — Yonder are two little birds singing on a cherry 
 tree. 
 
 F. — Their song and their colours show that they are 
 Yellowbirds ( Frin^illa Trii^tixJ, but in their sober winter 
 plumage. It is very late for these birds to be here ; I should 
 think they would hardly retire at all, since they have de- 
 ferred it so long. — The Canada Jay (Corais ('an(i<k'it.<(.t) 
 is quite numerous now : it appears with us al)Out the middle 
 of October, hopping aViout in fields and pastures, and at the 
 margins of woods. Wilson appears to have liad a very slight 
 acquaintance with this species ; it is by no means a Itird of 
 solitary habits, almost always appearing in parties of three 
 or four : neither does it, with us, confine itself to " unfre- 
 quented shaded retreats," as his infonnant reports, but, on 
 the contrary, seems to be a saucy, fan)iliar, fearless bird, 
 often coming about the house, and playing about till one gets 
 very near it. In Newfoundland, where they are com- 
 mon, they live in the woods, but are very often found in the 
 paths, feeding on the crumbs of bread, dropping^;, ike. which 
 are met with in frequented places. A winter or two ago, 
 there were several Canada jays that used to come and j'lay 
 about some fir trees on the banks of the Masuippi, close to 
 a village school, unterrified by the uproar of the boisterous 
 boys. I observed a party of them a few days ago, around 
 
 u. ■) 
 
;*.•'• 
 
 
 ■ t 
 
 . i 
 
 4 . 
 
 ! 
 
 1 
 
 
 ' 
 
 ' 
 
 
 f 
 
 1-J 
 
 846 
 
 TirK ( ANADIAN KATIRALIST. 
 
 the house, paying particular attentions to a sheep-skin wliich, 
 having been recently taken ott', was spread on the fence close 
 to the house to dry. They liopped upon it, close up to the 
 window, where I was looking at them, tugging at the bits oi" 
 fat which remained on the skin, large pieces of which they 
 tore off, and swallowed. I then observed that the white on 
 the crown, chin, throat, &c. is of the purest and brightest tint, 
 and not "a dirty, brownish white," as described by Wilson. 
 These birds, from their carnivorous habits, are here called by 
 the common people " Carrion-birds ;" hi Newfoundland, it is 
 known as " the Jay." But the wind is rising and the 
 clouds indicate an approaching stonn : we had better re- 
 turn. 
 
 C. — Tiiere is a little bird hopping about the trunks and 
 branches of those willows : he has all the appearance and 
 manners of the woodpeckers. I presume it must be the 
 little Downy Woodpecker ( Picus Puhescens). 
 
 F. — Yes : it is a pigmy species, scarcely larger than a 
 warbler ; a woodpecker in miniature, yet in every respect 
 a very complete representative of liis tribe. He very strongly 
 resembles his Itrother, the Hairy Woodpecker (P. J'illosi(^) 
 in everything but size : the present is not so common as 
 that species, but has received in common with it the ridicu- 
 lous name of " Sapsucker," a name which is undeservedly, 
 slanderously, affixed to these useful birds, throughout the 
 whole of the United States, from Canada to the Gulf of 
 Mexico. That they bore our apple trees is undoubtedly 
 true ; but it is for the purpose of dislodging the hidden mag- 
 got, which is rioting unseen on the juices of the tree ; and it 
 is as just to accuse the woodpecker of the injury which the 
 tree sustains, as to accuse the surgeon who probes the wound 
 for the purpose of extracting the assassin's ball, of hiflicting 
 the wound, and of being himself the assassin. But preju- 
 
dece.mpp:!!. 
 
 'J-t I 
 
 dice is, I fear, too inveterate, and too deeply rooted, to l-e 
 removed l»y reason. 
 
 ('. — Hark to the wind! how it howls and whistles 
 shrilly thruugh the tops of the trees, like a close-reef gale 
 through the shrouds and ropes of a ship at sea. Now it 
 sinks to a hollow moan, then sings again, uttering sounds 
 whicb one might fancy those of an immense ^ilolian harp. 
 The leaves fly from those few trees which still retain any, 
 and the long grey moss streams from the tops of the scathed 
 hemlocks, stretching fur out upon the blast, like signals of 
 distress. 
 
 F. — Ha ! do you hear that crashing roar ? Some mighty 
 tree has bowed to its destiny. We are in danger until we 
 can get out of the proximity of the forest. Yonder is one 
 prostrate across the road, which has fallen since we passed 
 an hour ago : see how it has crushed the fence, and torn up 
 the ground of the field on the opposite side ! There thunders 
 another! they are falling now on every side ; and the air is 
 thronged with pieces of bark, shreds of tree-moss, and broken 
 branches, descending. It is appalling to hear the shrieking 
 of the gusts, and the gi'oaning of the trees as they rock and 
 chafe against each other, while they toss their naked arms 
 about, as if in agony. 
 
 (\ — Now we are out of immediate danger, we may 
 breathe more freely. But see! here is another scene of de- 
 vastation ; the wind, acting with full force on these rails, 
 has laid the whole fence ])rostrate witli the road, for nearly 
 the whole length of the field. And look at yonder hay- 
 stack ; the gusts of wind insinuate themselves under, near 
 the top, and tear off great bunches of hay, which go sailing 
 over the fields. 
 
 F. — It is well these tempests do not often occur ; tor 
 they do much mischief, unshingling, and sometimes blowing 
 
■J*' 
 
 mmmmf 
 
 't^ ' 
 
 . '1 ' 1, 1 
 
 ,» 
 
 11 ■ 
 
 ']48 
 
 THE CANADIAN' XATUIIALIST. 
 
 down houses and bams. — How great is the power of God ! 
 who can arm with such resistless force an agent so impal- 
 pable, so invisible, as the air : so that a substance which 
 in ordinary circumstances is not only pleasant and inno- 
 cent, but absolutely indispensable to the continuance of our 
 existence, may become the swift messenger of our destruc- 
 tion. Well may we say with Elihu, " with God is terrible 
 majesty ! " 
 
 M 
 
 n * 
 
 ■ 1 
 
 ! i 
 
 •'I 
 
 mi 
 
 'Hit 
 
3t9 
 
 XXVJ. 
 
 DECEMBER 31st. 
 
 ) 
 
 Drifted Snow, — Inconvenience of intense Cold little felt — KtVcct> iiitirc 
 external than internal. — Frozen Fi-et of Poultry, — ?>enii-conLrelation 
 of Water. — Sleij,di-ridin^r. — Occupations of Winter. — Tending Stock. 
 — Threshing. — Cutting Fuel — Kails. — Hrown Creeper. — (irubs of 
 Beetles. — Winter Gnat. — Snow-bunting. — Yellow-liirds [ I'ine-tiiicli, 
 note], — Gleam of the Woodman's Axe, — A rriat/x. ^In-^ixts. — /fiir- 
 pohiisra. — Blue Jay. — Size of Trees. — Structure of Tri'cs. — Death liv 
 Girdling'. — Excrescences. — Close of the Year. — Conclusion. 
 
 Charles. — What curious and boautitul forms tlie drifted 
 snow assumes ! here it Hes in gentle undulations, swelling 
 and sinking ; there in little ripples, like the sand «»f a sea 
 beach ; — here it stands up like a perpendicular wall; there 
 like a conical hill : — here it is a long deep trench ; there a 
 flat overhanging table; but one of the prettiest sights is that 
 which is presented by a lumber-shed hung with cobwebs, 
 after a drift. The snow in greater or less masses has at- 
 tached itself to the cobwebs, and hangs from the rafters and 
 walls, and from corner to corner, in graceful drapery of the 
 purest white ; but of such fantastic shupes, as we don't 
 readily see. 
 
 Father. — The heavy masses of snow which rest on tlie 
 flat horizontal boughs of the spruces and hemlocks after a 
 fall, are striking and beautiful : but these must jje gontly 
 deposited, or they will not rest ; they are not drifted ; a very 
 slight wind is sufficient to shake ihem oft". 
 
,i. ^ 
 
 ^^-,0 
 
 ').)\ 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 If ■. 
 
 C. — We have had some severe weather durinti this month, 
 yet I liave not felt nearly so much inconvenience from the 
 intensity of the cold, as one would expect from the tempera- 
 ture of the atmosphere. There seems to be something enli- 
 vening and bracing in our air, v/liich prevents our becoming 
 so much affected by it. 
 
 /'. — Our cold weather is generally clear and uniform, and 
 our bodies become inured to its severity. After having spent 
 many winters in Newfoundland and Canada, I passed one 
 in the State of Ala])ama. I had congratulated myself on the 
 thought that now I siiould not know cold weather ; that 
 after Canada, the winter of Alabama could he nothing to me. 
 But I found that slight frosts, and wet windy days, inter- 
 rupted by warm ones, seemed to me almost as cold to tlip 
 feelings as the severity of Canada. Before the winter was 
 over, I sailed for England, and although the thermometer 
 was on only one day as low as 36', I felt the inconveniences 
 of extreme severity, my feet becoming covered with the well- 
 known annoyances called chilblains, and my whole frame 
 shivering with cold : this was, no doubt, owing to the sud- 
 den transition from a climate of 76" to that of 36''. — We 
 here find the intensity of the cold as much manifested by colla- 
 teral circumstances as by our bodily sensations. The creak- 
 ing of the snow beneath oiu" feet : the adhesiveness of door- 
 latches, or any metal, to our hands, if there l)e the slightest 
 moisture on them ; the clouds of steam which pour from our 
 mouth and nostrils when we breathe ; the accunudation of 
 frosted leaves on the windows of rooms in which great fires 
 and close stoves are kept ; the fringe of ice round the edges 
 of our pillows and blankets, from our breath having fro/en 
 while we sle})t ; the piercing pang felt by the lungs on sud- 
 denly emerging from a warm room, and inhaling the cold 
 air ; the pricking sensation in the ' heeks ; the whitening of 
 the whiskers, hair, and eyebrows ; the icicle at the nose ; 
 
 ii 
 

 DECEMBER. 
 
 351 
 
 the freezing together of the tips of the eyelaslies, during the 
 momentary twinkhng of the eye; — these Avarn us of the 
 real state of the atmosphere, and of the danger of remaining 
 long exposed, even when it does not feel very unpleasant to 
 the senses, 
 
 C. — We yesterday found one of the fowls in the ham in 
 an awkward predicament : it was lying on the lloor, unalde 
 to stand : and on taking it up we perceived that l>oth feet 
 were frozen hard, so as to he perfectly stiff, and chinking, 
 when struck, like stones. \\v lirought it to the house, and 
 put it to lie with its feet in a howl oi^ cold water, wlicre it 
 remained very contentedly for a considerable time, until its 
 feet were thawed, and they seemed perfectly restored. 
 
 F. — They are for the present, hut after having once been 
 frozen, they are peculiarly lialjle to a recurrence of the acci- 
 dent, and rarely survive the winter. 
 
 n 
 m 
 
 I 
 
 (', — I observed a curious circumstance a short time ago : 
 I had taken a bowl of water into niv room tn wash my 
 hands, but something delaying me, it remained for an hour 
 untouched. Then, when I dipped my hands in it, it was 
 perfectly fluid, and altogether free from any incipient crystals 
 of congelation ; but in an instant it became a semi-sulid 
 mass, tilled with minute particles of ice. 
 
 F. — I have often viltserved the same fact, and at one 
 time mentioned it to my friend, Mr. \V. C. St. .John, of 
 Harbor Grace, Newfoundland, whose ac(iuaintance with 
 the science of chemistry led me to ask him for an explana- 
 tion. He told me that, as "water couls below 32 , the 
 particles of it aj)proach one another ; but in conse(|uence of 
 its behig still, i.e. unagitated, those })articles, although they 
 approach, remoin equidistant from each other: — that is to 
 say, the repulsive power (alias, the matter of heat) and thi- 
 

 
 i ( 
 
 352 
 
 THE CANADIAN XATUll AI.IST. 
 
 attractive power acting cfjnalh/ upon every individual par- 
 ticle, no set of particles can overcome that repulsive force, so 
 as to form themselves into a new arrangement, viz. into an 
 angle of GO''. Therefore, the water remains in a fluid state ; 
 but as soon as it becomes agitated, the equilibrium is imme- 
 diately destroyed ; the motion, which is impressed on the 
 particles, is the means of bringing some of them nearer to 
 some than to others A union is the consequence ; and when 
 two particles are thus united, of course their si)here of attrac- 
 tion is enlarged, and other particles will be soon drawn into 
 contact, and that soft, half fluid, half solid rnass, is the '*esult." 
 Some time after, he showed me the following passage in 
 Parkes's Chemical Catechism, not as attem])ting a solution 
 of it, but showing that the fact had been noticed before : — 
 " If, when the air is at 22^, we expose to it a quantity of 
 water in a tall glass, with a thermometer in it, and covered, 
 the water gradually cools down to 22° without freezing, 
 though 10° degrees l»elow the freezing point. Things being 
 in this situation, if the water be shaken, part of it instantly 
 freezes into a spongy mass, and the temperature of the whole 
 instantly r/'.'tes to the freezing point." The question has 
 difi^iculties which are still unexplained. 
 
 C. — There go the sleighs ! how merrily they slide along 
 with their jingling bells ! I think there is no motion, not 
 even that of a swift boat upon a smooth sea, so pleasant as 
 the riding in a sleigh on a bright sunny day, or moonlight 
 night. Protected from the cold by the warm bear-skins, or 
 buffalo robes, we glide noiselessly along, and see the fences 
 and trees shoot by us, without a jolt or shake to remind us 
 that it is ourselves who are movhig ; while the tinkling of the 
 bells on the horse's neck pleases the ear, and all is gratifica- 
 tion ! Oh ! it is the beau ideal of travelling ! 
 
 F. — Sleighing-time is a season of general festivity : most 
 farmers possess these vehicles ; and as the agricultural ope- 
 

 DKCK.Mnr.R. 
 
 
 rations have now ceased, and they are not inimediati'ly 
 pressed with work, some time is devoted to excursions of 
 friendship and pleasure ; ami even the travelhng wiiich 
 business requires is made an agreeable recreation. 
 
 ('. — Huw do the farmers employ themselves during the 
 winter season generally ? 
 
 F, — The feeding and tending of their cattle and other 
 stock, a daily employment, consumes much of the short days, 
 and the supplying of the immense fires which we are compel- 
 led to keep up, makes considerable inroads vipon the residue. 
 The grain is threshed, and ck-ancd, and carrieil to market, 
 with otlK-r produce. — After this, or at intervals, the great- 
 est portion of the winter's labour is performed in the forest, 
 in felling and splitting cedars for fencing-rails, cutting hard- 
 wood for the twelvemonth's supply of fuel, (which, with the 
 drawing it to the homestead on large sleds, forms no small 
 part of u winter's work,) and cutting and drawing logs tor the 
 saw-mill. So that no part of a Canadian farmer's time can 
 be considered without employ. nent, though in winter he does 
 contrive to snatch a few days from toil, to devote them to 
 amusement. 
 
 (\ — I see a little bird creeping up the perpendicular 
 trunk of a maple tree ; it looks just like a mouse in size, 
 colour, and manners : is it a species of Nuthatch ? 
 
 /'. — No: our Nuthatches are all of a light blue colour 
 above ; this is the Brown Creeper (Cerfhid Fdmiliorit^j, a 
 bird much resem])ling that family in appearance and habits, 
 but with a slender curved bill. It does not ai)p»_'ar to be 
 common with us, or if it is it must be very shy, as I have 
 seldoni Seen it. It crawls about the trunks an<l limbs in 
 every direction with great agility, in search of small insects, 
 which are lodged in crevicfs of the bark, and similar situ- 
 ations. 
 
■^MMMMH 
 
 •A 
 
 .i ■I 
 
 J 
 
 1 
 
 I 
 
 354 
 
 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
 
 C. — In cutting u[) a partly decayed birch tree a few days 
 ago, I found it bored witii long cylindrical passages, in seve- 
 ral of which I found white flat grubs, with large brown 
 lieads, and six feet ; in one I found a Buprestis alive, a dark 
 brown species with lighter marks. The larva; probably 
 belonged to this species. 
 
 F. — I should not think that our little Certhia can cap- 
 ture such insects as these, its bill not being at all calculated 
 for boring ; these constitute the appropriate prey of the 
 Woodpeckers, whose sharp, steel-like bill tears away the 
 wood, and digs into their hidden recesses ; the bird perceiv- 
 ing, by unfailing instinct, tlie direction in which they lie 
 concealed. 
 
 C. — I have lately seen the Winter Gnat ( Tricliocerc 
 Hiemalis), with pretty plumose antennoe, playing in the 
 windows of our house. 
 
 F. — Yonder is a flock of Snow Buntings ( K)iil)eri;^(i 
 Nicalis) in their white winter plumage. They are not un- 
 common, though in some winters I do not recollect liaving 
 seen any : they fly in flocks, and often flit aljout the or- 
 chards and barn-yards : when a flock of them is perched on 
 a tree, their bright plumage in the sun presents a very beau- 
 tiful appearance, looking like a number of silver ornaments 
 sparkling among the boughs : they also show to advantage 
 in flight, seen against a black, clouded sky, full of snow and 
 storm ; at which time they are very active. They are rest- 
 less birds, never long in a place, and when one moves, all 
 follow. In Newfoundland, they are rather common. 
 
 C\ — Yesterday, a flock of Yellow-birds ( Fi-'DujUUi. Trls- 
 tis) was hopping about the barnyard and house at intervals 
 all day, picking \\\^ oats, and seeds of grass and weeds. 
 
 F. — I have seen several flocks in the woods, and about 
 the borders, lately, flitting from tree to tree, a? d twittering 
 
DKCI'.MIir.H, 
 
 ,1 - " 
 
 their sweet, Imt weak song.* 
 
 Some wooks arri^ I 
 
 found a inanimal, which I cannot find descrihod in Dr. God- 
 man's American Quadru}»eds, and which may possil>ly !»»• 
 unknown. I took it tor a species of Arrimht, rcsembhntj 
 the common sliort-tailed field-mouse, liut with a shorter tail, 
 and the head much rounder and more MutV; the ears were 
 large ; it was of a dark iron grey colour. It ha<l prohaMy 
 been caught by a cat, for it was lying dead on the earth, 
 near the house. It may possibly lie Arriroln UiitlKoiiins, 
 or perhaps a G('imi>/x. 
 
 ('. — I see, at a great distance, at the margin of the 
 forest, a sudden bright gleam of light recurring at regular 
 intervals of two or three seconds. Do you see it :" or do you 
 know what it is ? 
 
 F . — It is a woodman chopping ; he is too far off to i)e 
 distinguished among the l)uslies and underbrush ; Ijut ew^ry 
 time he lifts his axe above his head, the polisheil steel re- 
 flects the sun's light, and makes those fitful flashes. It has 
 a singular appearance, unconnected, as it seems, with any 
 apparent cause. 
 
 ('. — ■ The insect world I have found tit be not altog(.'ther 
 so shut up from observation as I had imagined. On Christ- 
 mas-day, I took a walk into the woods ; and examining the 
 stump of an old decayed hendock, I f "und in it two minute 
 Cliri/sonieliiUc, a small black Catilliaris, and two specimens 
 
 * At till' timi' "f makiiiu' the oli^-iTvatioiis on wliicli tin- almvi' ri'iiiark^ 
 ari' fmindi'il, I liail no (Imiht at all tlial tlirsi' wimc Yi'llou-hird--. tVoni tlii'ir 
 mode of riiulit. MHiu, cnlcinr, and manners. Miit 1 have since hcfii indutiMl 
 to bidii'vc that tliey niiylit ])eilia|)s liave hecn the I'ine Kinih ( /'////.///A/ 
 J'inmj^n winter liird ; and wliich, I t'uid hy rd'erenre to W'iUnn. has a 
 very rcmiirkabk' n-senililance tn ilie yelliiw-liinl in all thes,- resjiect-., |.arti- 
 ciilarlv ill imte and pliiina^e. 'I'lie same remark will a|i|ily to the dh-i rva- 
 tion made in XXV. DecemlxT 1st. pane 'M'u P. II. (I. 
 
wmm 
 
 l!i,i 
 
 4 
 
 i't 
 
 i 
 
 J t 
 
 3oG 
 
 THE ("AXADIAN' NATURALIST. 
 
 of a pretty Ivhnenmotii which is shining black, exa-pt the 
 middle of the antennae, the scutelluni, one ring of the abdo- 
 men, and the anus, which are yellow. These were inert 
 and torpitl, but soon became lively on exposure to warmth. 
 I took among the wool of a sheei), near the roots, among 
 which it insinuated itself forwards, backwards, and sideways, 
 so nimbly, that I could with difficulty get hold of it, a small 
 apterous Hippoho^ea. I also observed, suspended from the 
 wall of a house, a chrysalis of !\(/ie,m( Antiopa. 
 
 F. — The Blue Jay (Corvus Cristatns) continues as nu- 
 merous and as noisy as ever. His harsh screaming voice 
 may be heard above that of all the other feathered inhabit- 
 ants of our groves, all the year through. A Ijeautiful bird he 
 is, with his bright violet, white, and sky-lilue coat, long tail, 
 and pointed crest ; and by his airs and grimaces he appears 
 to have no mean idea of his own personal attractions, and 
 probably he may think his voice as charming as his plumage, 
 as he so continually gives us the benefit of his nmsic. He 
 appears to tyrannise over his bretliren occasionally. I once 
 saw, in the south, a blue jay in close and h«)t pursuit of a 
 sunnner Red-bird (Tanai/ra /T.sticu), and Wilson records a 
 parallel incident. He has other notes, besides his common 
 loud squall, some of which are difficult to recognise. In the 
 clearing, tho parties of these birds, for they are hardly nu- 
 merous enough to be called flocks, generally fly high, and 
 alight about the summits of lofty trees ; but in the woods, 
 particularly in spring, they as frequently choose a lower alti- 
 tude. They are wary, and rather difficult of approach. 
 
 C. — These tall, but comparatively slender elms, remind 
 me of an observation that struck me on my first entering a 
 Canadian forest ; that the trees, individually, are by no 
 means of that gigantic size that my fimcy had pictured 
 them. The general height of the forest does not perhaps 
 fall short of my expectations, but though the trees are most 
 
DECEMBKR. 
 
 
 of tliem nf frooil size. I have seen none of those giants which 
 one would look for in a jirinieval forest. 
 
 F. — I have made the same reflection ; I have read of 
 very enormous trees occasionally occurring in the woods of 
 Upi»er Canada, l>ut in this province, certainly, they do not 
 generally surpass mediocrity. The largest holes with us 
 appear to lie those of elm, birch, and heudock, none of which 
 I have seen that would measure more than five feet in dia- 
 meter, at ahout a yard from the ground. I have heard of 
 large logs of white pine, but the trees of this valualile species 
 have been all cut away in this neighbourhood. Possiliiy, in 
 other parts of the province, the timber may grow to a larger 
 size, but I have never heard such a fact hinted. 
 
 ('. — What is the cause of the coarse furrows and corruga- 
 tions of the bark in many trees ? 
 
 I\ — Let us examine the structure of a tree : here is a 
 recently-cut maple log, which will serve our purpose, ^\'e 
 perceive several manifest divisions, the exterior of which is 
 the bark ; this, however, is not homogeneous in its texture ; 
 the outer part is called the rind or ejji<ler)nls ; in some, as 
 the birch and beech, this is thin ; in others, as the majile, 
 elm, and basswood, it is thick, dry, and rough ; in others, as 
 the ash and spruce, it is scaly. The inner part is the liU'r, 
 or true bark ; and is the seat of life in the tree, the origin of 
 the new buds ; in some trees it resembles the rind in ajipear- 
 ance, as in the ma}tle, but in others is widely diflerent, and 
 may be separated, as in the elm and birch. It apjiears that 
 the bark does not increase so rajiidly as the wood of the tree, 
 the increasing diameter of which forces and tears apart the 
 rind, causing these furrows ; which process is well exem- 
 plified in the stringy rind of the cedar, which is torn into 
 lozenge-shaped divisions, like the meshes of a net. In maTiy 
 trees the outer layers of the rind are being continually thrown 
 oft' by exposure to the weather, and their jilace as constantly 
 
358 
 
 Tin-: (ANADIAX XATIHALIST. 
 
 i ' 
 
 supplied by the outer layers of the Hl>rr, .«(» that however 
 diverse in appearance, it apjtears that tlie structure of these 
 two is alike. In the lieech, fir, &ic. I conceive the cpulevviis 
 is not thro vn otf. I'.eneath the hark, wo perceive tiie wood, 
 whicii likewise consists of two parts ; the outer is the oUmr- 
 nuiu, or soft wood ; the interior, the ^hiriDneu, or heart- 
 wood ; the latter is usually darker in tint, and more compact 
 in texture. These parts are composed also of strata or 
 layers, which are very visijile, as each layer exhihits two 
 structures, the inner side of it heinfj composed of cellular 
 tissue, the outer of ducts and woody fibre ; they do not 
 increase in size, but a new one is formed every year, between 
 the libi'f and the allinriDnii. If we strij) the lihcr from a 
 tree in .Time, we find that it rci'.dily separates, and that a 
 nmcilaginous fibrous sul "stance is deposited between it and 
 the trunk, which appears to form a layer o^ (tlhunnim on one 
 side, and a layer of Hhcr on the other. In the centre of the 
 tree we see a ring, or a section of a tube, called the medul- 
 lary sheath, or coroim, whence proceed radiating lines to all 
 parts of the circumference, forming, when the tree is split, 
 those shining satiny bands, so beautiful and conspicuous in 
 the maple, beech, and birch. These are medullary rays, and 
 serve to connect the medullary sheath with the leaves ; the 
 water taken up by the roots passing up the spiral vessels 
 and ducts of the sheath, through he rays into the leaves. 
 Within the corona is the medtdla, or pith, which is composed 
 of cellular tissue slightly compressed : it never increases in 
 diameter after it is formed, and therefore its bulk depends 
 not on the size of the tree, but in some measure on the size 
 of the twigs ; the ash, butternut, elder, &c. which have 
 thick large twigs, having more pith than the maple, beech, 
 or elm, whose twigs are slender. In some full grown trees, 
 its presence is indeed scarcely to be distinguished, the cells 
 having been gradually filled up by the juices of the tree. 
 
DECEMHI.H. 
 
 359 
 
 lowcvcr 
 of these 
 
 lill'I'tHiH 
 
 le wood, 
 
 V heart - 
 
 compact 
 
 trata or 
 
 lits two 
 
 cellular 
 
 di» not 
 
 l»etween 
 
 • from a 
 
 d that a 
 
 n it and 
 
 // on one 
 
 re of the 
 
 ? medul- 
 
 nes to all 
 
 is split, 
 
 icuous in 
 
 rays, and 
 
 ves ; the 
 
 il vessels 
 
 e leaves. 
 
 composed 
 
 reases in 
 
 depends 
 
 I the size 
 
 ich have 
 
 [e, beech, 
 
 wn trees, 
 
 the cells 
 
 tree. 
 
 ('. — Why does a plant die if its hark he cut round ? 
 
 /•'. — ficcause the vegetative lifi' resitles in the tilior, and 
 if this he divifled, as in girdled tret'S, so that the uj^por part 
 has no contact with the lower, n<i more lunls nr K-aves can 
 be put forth, these beinj,' produced from tlu.' iniuT surface of 
 the lihi:)'. Dut if it be tlivided in part, that siile of the tree 
 whose connexion is unhroken will continue to fli.urish, while 
 the portion innnediately above the separateil l)ark, withers 
 and dies, as may be seen in a hundred instances in our 
 forests. 
 
 (\ — I have often wondered at the hui/e globular excres- 
 cences that stand out from the trunks of some trees, such as 
 the maple, but more especially tlie l>ireh ; sometimes as large 
 as a hogshead. Do you know the cause of them ^. 
 
 F. — I do not, aceurately ; on being cut, they jiresent 
 the regular structure of wood, surroundi'd by bark, Imt re- 
 markably twisted and gnarled in the grain : in the centre is 
 alwavs some cavity or defect. I suspect thev are either a 
 diseased growth of the tree, like wens in animals, or the 
 accumulated lavers of ayes around the l»ase uf some broken 
 
 lindj. 
 
 But we have finished a year ; the seasons have completid 
 their annual course, since we connnenced our wild wood- 
 land rambles ; many subjects of interest have fallen heneatli 
 our observation ; many phenomena, more or less oljvious, 
 have occurred to our notice, calculated, I trust, to make us 
 wiser and better. If they have tended to enlarge our inform- 
 ation, to increase our cheerfulness, to calm and elevate our 
 minds, to enforce a merciful onsideration towards inferior 
 animals, to open l)efore us a wider display of the power, wis- 
 dom, providence, and benevolence of Him who is essential 
 Love, — ^vhy, we have not wasted our time. But we have 
 seen but a small portion of the mysteries of nature; inex- 
 haustible stores yet remain to be unlocked ; interesting and 
 
IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-S) 
 
 A 
 
 
 
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 I.I 
 
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 1-25 1.4 1.6 
 
 
 „— 6" 
 
 ^ 
 
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 y 
 
 /A 
 
 Photographic 
 
 Sciences 
 Corporation 
 
 33 WEST MAIN STREET 
 
 WEBSTER, N.Y. H580 
 
 (716) 872-4503 
 
 # 
 
 '•<i 
 
 :\ 
 
 iV 
 
 \ 
 
 
 
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.*.:' 
 
 860 
 
 THE CAXADIAK NATLRALIST. 
 
 unexpected facts, hidden from the unobservant, are continu- 
 ally disclosed to him who walks through the world with an 
 open eye. We may possibly undertake another course of 
 investigations similar to the one just concluded ; new beau- 
 ties will present themselves to our admiring gaze ; no season 
 is so barren but that it possesses charms, either inherent or 
 associated, peculiar to itself; and every clime affords ample 
 opportunities for the prosecution of these studies. " Day 
 unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth 
 knowledge : there is no speech nor language, where their 
 voice is not heard." These, too, " declare the glory of God," 
 and these " shew forth His handy-work." This fact cannot 
 be too strongly impressed : it should never be forgotten that 
 we must not rest in the creature, but Ije led up to tlie 
 Creator; and not only perceive His hand, but fear Him, 
 trust in Him, and love Him. 
 
 1 1 ■:• 
 
I 
 
 GENERAL INDEX. 
 
 Agarics, !!(». 
 Antfi. tJl, (U, -JTy. 
 Apple, 140. 327. 
 Ash. 1(), 1()!!. '.m], 
 Aurora Boroalis, 4(). 
 
 B, 
 
 Balm of Giload. 17, 138, 15". 
 Biisswood, 14, 175. 
 Bat, 127. 
 Bear, black, 285. 
 Beaver, -i'.i. 
 Beech, 14, 140, 18i;. 
 Beetles, 5, 78. »4, KK), 184, 224, 230, 
 232,272,310, 334_. 
 
 Carrion beetles, 7(), 130. 
 
 Whirlbeetle, 102. 
 
 Purple Carab, 107, 150, 185, 307. 
 
 Crimson lieetle, 122, 307. 
 
 Silver beetle, 1 22. 
 
 Copper-spot, 122, 150, 185, 307. 
 
 Tiger- beetles 137. 
 
 Oil-beetle, 185. 
 
 Toad- beetle, 251. 
 
 Blue and gold beetle, 255. 
 Birch, 10', 73, 140. 
 Blackberrv. 289. 
 Blackflv, 100. 
 Bluebird, 241, 327. 
 Bois brule, 297. 
 Boletus, hoof, 250. 
 Bot-flv, 135. 
 Buckwheat, 290, 304. 
 
 Bulnish, 317. 
 Bunting, rice, 130, 1G7. 
 
 snow, 54, 8IJ, 1554. 
 Butchering, 340. 
 Buttercup, 87, 185,211. 
 Butterflies — 
 
 Tiger Swallowtail, 183, 194, 223, 
 249, 293. 
 
 Black Swallowtail, 1 84. 
 
 Clouded Sulphur, 184, 223, 247, 
 2()2, 323. 
 
 Grey-veined White, 123, 247. 
 
 Archippus, 2(il. 
 
 Pearl-border Fritillarv, 192, 290. 
 
 Pearl-crescent Fritillarv. 219. 
 
 Baltimore Fritillarv, 227. 
 
 Silver-spot Fritillarv, 228. 
 
 fireat spangled Fritillarv. 2Ct\. 
 
 Green Comma, 84, 9(), 278. 
 
 Grange Connna, 1 74,22 l,22(i,24(;. 
 
 Grey Comma, 250, 2(il. 
 
 Violet tip, 2)i0, 295, ;i23, 334. 
 
 Camberwell Beautv, W, 201, 294, 
 305, 323, 3;U. * 
 
 Forked, 107, 221, 22(;, 247. 
 
 Compton Tortoise, 9(!, 247, 323. 
 
 Banded Purplc,22 1 , 22(), 248, SOO". 
 
 Eved Brown, 247. 
 
 Pi'arly Kye, 241). 
 
 Copper, 21!>. 
 
 Spring Azure, 123, 150, 247. 
 
 Black Skipper, 1 84. 
 
 Che(piere(l Skijiper, 219. 
 
 Yellow-spotted Ski|iper, 193,228. 
 
 Tawny-edged Skijip.T, 228. 
 Butternut, "l(i, 73, 174, 31 (i. 
 
 R 
 
362 
 
 GENERAL INDEX. 
 
 ;! !' 
 
 c. 
 
 Caseflies, 8(), 224, 326, 341. 
 
 Catl)ird, 1G». 
 
 Cedar, 12. 
 
 Codar Bird, 212. 
 
 Clierrv, black, 16, 126, 2»8, 306. 
 
 red, 127, 2»8. 
 
 choke, 282. 
 Cleariiifr, 216. 
 Clover, 87,211. 
 
 Coatacook river, 91, 151, 202, 323, 343. 
 Creeper, 3.53. 
 Crossbill, common, 53, 326. 
 
 white winged, 52. 
 Crow, 8(;, 167. 
 Currants, 149,244. 
 
 D. 
 
 Dandelion, 162, 256, 
 
 Dayflies, 85,150,196,224,231,280,326. 
 
 Deer, Virginian, 22, 270. 
 
 Deennouse, 266. 
 
 Dewberry, 244. 
 
 Dolphin, white, 171. 
 
 black, 171. 
 Dragonfly, 79, 196, 224, 231, 250, 
 
 310, 333. 
 Duck, summer, 310. 
 black, 310. 
 
 E. 
 
 Eagle, bald, 120. 
 
 Echo, 281. 
 
 Elder, 112, 185. 
 
 Elm, 14, 101, 125, 140, 144. 
 
 Emigration, 108. 
 
 Evening, 151,202. 
 
 F. 
 
 Finch, pine, 53, 355, (note.) 
 
 purple, 148,213. 
 Fir, balsam, 7, 10. 
 Firefly, 204, 235, 29G, 334. 
 Fishes, 170,203, 343. 
 Flowers : — 
 
 Coltsfoot, 1 1 2. 
 
 Dogtooth Violet, 123. 
 
 \\'hito and red Death, 159, 298. 
 
 Flowers : — 
 
 Violets, 161. 
 
 Breeches-Flower, 162. 
 
 Orange Lily, 176, 245. 
 
 Pur))le Wake-robin, 210. 
 
 Indian Wickup,222,245,282,298. 
 
 Poke, 233. 
 
 Blue Iris, 234. 
 
 Scented Milkweed, 255, 258. 
 
 Touch-me-not, 273, 298. 
 
 Snake-head, 282. 
 
 Wild Chocolate, 282. 
 
 Sunflower, 283. 
 
 Mullein, 283. 
 
 Everlasting, 287. 
 
 Mallow, 288, 
 
 Fireweed, 288. 
 
 Stoneberry, 299. 
 
 Swamp Laurel, 300, 
 
 Pitcher Plant. 300. 
 Flycatcher, Pewit, 112. 
 
 Canada, 132,213. 
 Foot-marks in Snow, 32. 
 Forest, appearance of, 214. 
 
 gloom of, 6, 218. 
 
 autumnal splendour of, 314. 
 Fox, red, 277. 
 Freshets, 103. 
 Frog, piping, 94. 
 
 meadow, 114, 265. 
 
 bull, 116,26.5. 
 
 tree, 266. 
 
 cackling of, 115. 
 
 ova of, 125. 
 
 hybernation of, .327, 340. 
 Frost, ettects of, 3, 45, 292, 304, 327, 
 331, 350. 
 
 G. 
 
 Gadfly, 76, 264. 
 Gallflies, 182, 196. 
 Golden Eye, 54. 
 Goose, Canada, 76, 317. 
 Gooseberry, wild, 289. 
 Grakle, purple, 132,213. 
 
 rusty, 133, 325. 
 Grass, 2 f 1,234, 24 i, 269. 
 Grasshopper, 278. 
 Grosbeak, pine, 52. 
 
 evening, 93. 
 Grouse, rutfcd, 86, 335. 
 
GENERAL INDEX. 
 
 3G3 
 
 .1. 
 
 210. 
 
 24.5,28-2,208. 
 
 155, 2.58. 
 298. 
 
 of, 3U. 
 
 ,340. 
 
 192, 30.1, 327. 
 
 59. 
 
 H. 
 
 Ilaro, American, 54. 
 Harvest, 290. 
 Hatley, view of, 105. 
 Hawkmoths — 
 
 Twin-eyed, 222, 248, 280, 295. 
 
 Zebra, 2.)(j, 258, 2(i0. 
 
 Grey, 259. 
 
 Six-spotted Blue, 261. 
 
 Humble-bee, 263. 
 
 Belted, 279. 
 Haymalcinp, 2()4. 
 Hemlock, 7, 9. 
 Hop, 90. 
 Humming-bird, 162, 244, 273, 306. 
 
 I. 
 
 Indian Hen, 275, 
 
 Indian Summer, 321, 333. 
 
 Indians, 151. 
 
 Jay, blue. 54, 90, 356. 
 Canada, 54, 345. 
 
 King-bird, 133,213. 
 Kingfisher, belted, 117. 
 
 L. 
 
 Lark, meadow, 120. 
 
 Leaf, skeleton of, 332. 
 
 Leather-plant, 1 25. 
 
 Leaves as manure, 316. 
 
 Leek, wild, 115. 
 
 Ley, sidts of, 143. 
 
 Lichens, 8, 65. 
 
 Light, singular marine, 208. 
 
 Lights, Nortliern, 46. 
 
 Lizards, 279. 
 
 Locomotion, various modes of, 341. 
 
 Locust, field, 267. 
 
 rattling, 268. 
 
 fan- wing, 122, 185, 324. 
 Luminosity of ocean, 206. 
 Lynx, 41 . 
 
 M. 
 
 Maple, sugar, 13, 73, 14t), KiH, 215. 
 
 soft, 73, 147, 157. 
 Marmot, Maryland, 121. 
 Martin, puri)le, 104. 
 Maskilonge, 90, 170. 
 Masuippi river, 54, 92, 170. 
 Midget, loo. 
 Mists, summer, 239. 
 Moose, 22, 56. 
 Moose wood, 175, 185. 
 Moss, 6(). 
 Moths, 51, 19,3,235. 
 
 Buir-lcop;ml, 78.174,221,308,339. 
 
 Muff, 97, 221, 293. 
 
 Panther. 
 
 •T.).1 
 
 !45. 
 
 Brindled, 222. 
 Streaked Hook tip, 194. 
 Lemon beauty, 1 94. 
 Pea-green, 194. 
 Grandee, 194, 308. 
 Rhinoceros, 194. 
 Belle, 195. 
 Ru}»y tiger, 195. 
 Rose-breasted, 195. 
 Snowy, 222. 
 Angleshades. 222. 
 Orange-band, 222. 
 Veneer, 222, 229. 
 Silver-spotted butf, 228. 
 Gamma, 229. 
 Royal tiger, 245. 259. 
 Dragon. 248. 
 Ovrulean. 249. 
 Pink Arches, 249. 
 Twin Goldspot. 249, 259. 
 Clifden Beauty, 249. 
 Spotted Lemon, 249. 
 Drab Plume. 249. 
 Vapourer, 249. 
 Gold and Silver, 259. 
 Green Gold, 259. 
 Spangled Orange, 259. 
 Furbelow, 278. 
 Griseous, 294. 
 Apple, 294. 
 Green Emperor, 294. 
 Eyed Phu])eror, 309. 
 Crimson I'nderwing, 319. 
 Winter, 333. 
 Mould, 229. 
 
K 
 
 J'l' i 
 
 ! 
 
 ^v 
 
 1 
 
 jH 9 
 
 '! 1 
 
 '1^ 
 
 t 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 ij 
 
 ' I 
 
 (i 
 
 i '■ 
 
 364 
 
 Mousi', field, 32, 127. 
 
 unknown, U.55. 
 Muscles, 70". 
 Mushroom, MV.I. 
 Musknit, 44. 
 Musquito, Iiy, 203. 
 
 N. 
 
 Xigluliawk, 213. 
 Nutluitch, 5i). 
 
 O. 
 
 Oak, white, I4f{. 
 Orford mountain, !}7. 
 Oriole, Baltimore, 243. 
 Utter, 41. 
 Owl. snow, .54. 
 
 horned, 170. 
 
 barred, 2(13. 
 Owl's Head, H7. 
 
 1'. 
 
 Pigeon, passenger, 19,0, 21)3. 
 Fine, white, 7. 
 Pitcher-i)lant, 300. 
 Pophir, K;, 7.), 138, 333, 
 Puff-balls, 230. 
 Puma, 39. 
 
 a. 
 
 Rainbow, 2}i3. 
 Raspberry, 12G, 233, 244. 
 Raven, 1()7. 
 Red-poll, 90. 
 Reindeer, 22. 
 Robin, 9(;, 332. 
 
 S. 
 
 St. Francis river, 92. 
 Sandpiper, 234. 
 Siiw-whettjr, 92. 
 Seals, 171. 
 Seeds, 32». 
 Sonice, 148. 
 Shrew, 317. 
 Silver thaw, 1 9. 
 
 GENERAL INDEX. 
 
 Singing of birds, 82. 
 
 Skunk, 2,)3. 
 
 Slash, 297. 
 
 Sleighing, 3.')2. 
 
 Sliding banks, lO'.i. 
 
 Snake, che.juered, 1 1 3, 324, 33.5. 
 
 Snow, blueness of, 4. 
 
 beauty of, 30, 32, 349. 
 crystals of, 26. 
 opacity of, 3. 
 uses of, 30. 
 Snow-bird, 82, lt)8, 332. 
 Sparrow, fox-coloured, 24.5. 
 song, 82, 1(18, 332. 
 tree, .54. 
 
 white-throated, 235. 
 Spiculie, rioating, 2. 
 Spiders, 158. 
 Springtailr., 341. 
 Spruce, 7, 8. 
 Squirrel, black, 1 80. 
 Hying, 180. 
 grey, 180. 
 ground, 178. 
 red, 32, 178, 328. 
 Starling, red- winged, 119, 213. 
 Strawberry, 87, 185, 233. 
 Sturgeon, 'l 70. 
 Sugaring, (J7. 
 Sumach, 289. 
 Summer, 191,201. 
 Sundog, 50. 
 Sunset, 45. 
 Swallow, barn, 91. 98. 
 
 Tamarack, 7, 11, 125, 333. 
 Tanager, scarlet, 134, l(i7. 
 Tempest in the forest, 347. 
 Thistle, Canada, l05, 240, 290. 
 Thorn, 139. 
 
 Thrush, ferruginous, 12('. 
 Thunder-stonn, 238. 
 Titmouse, 23, 54. 
 Toad, 20"5. 
 Torpidity, ()2, 327. 
 Tortoise, 188. 
 Trees, fo ra of, 1 3. 
 
 roots of, 1 45. 
 
 age of, 218. 
 
GENERAL INDEX. 
 
 3G.> 
 
 Trees, decay of, 225. 
 
 fading of, 30(J, 315. 
 
 size of, 35(>. 
 
 structure of, 357. 
 
 ornamental, 217. 
 Turtle-dove, 20 1. 
 
 Warbler, Blackburn, 131. 
 
 bay-breasted, 132,213. 
 
 black-poll, 1(j8. 
 
 black and yellow, 131. 
 Wasps, 195, 269, 323. 
 Water, semi-congelation of, 351, 
 Waterflies, 79, 224, 231. 
 Weeds, 240, 28», 292. 
 Whame-flics, 19(j, 255. 
 
 Whip-poor- Will, 214. 
 Willows, 75, 150. 
 Winter, uses of, 337. 
 
 occupations of, 340. 
 
 ofl»37-», 31. 
 Wolf, 33, 287. 
 Woodpecker, gold- winged, 5, 1 If!. 
 
 red-headed, 5, 1 1 9. 
 
 hairy, 4, 34(1. 
 
 plicated, 5, 1 1 9. 
 
 downy, 5, 340'. 
 
 northern, 5. 
 Wren, winter, 323. 
 
 Y. 
 
 Yellow-bird. 8G, 133, 213, 290, 345 
 354. 
 
 290. 
 
,1 I 
 
 li'l 
 
 'H': 
 
SCIENTIFIC INDEX. 
 
 A. 
 
 Acarus AnuTicamis, 107, 
 
 Acur Saccliarimim, 13, 73, 146, 215. 
 
 Rubrum, (j.5, 146. 
 
 Eriocarpon, 73. 
 
 Striatmn, 175. 
 Acheta Campcstris, 2.96. 
 Acipenser Sturio, 1 70. 
 Acrydium Ornatiim, 122, 185, 324. 
 
 iEgeria ? 1.93,27.'). 
 
 ^shna ? 310, 333. 
 
 Agaricus Campcstris, 1 89. 
 Agomim Cupripeniio, 334. 
 Agrion Virginica, 137. 
 
 Puella, 250. 
 
 3 O^ 
 
 0. 
 
 Agrostis Vulgaris, 234, 245. 
 Alauda Magna, 120. 
 Alcedo Alcyon, 1 1 7. 
 Allium Vincale, 115. 
 Alypia Octomaculata, 261. 
 Animophila .Sabulosa, 276. 
 Ampelis Americana, 212. 
 Anadonta.'^ 76. 
 Anas Clangula, 54. 
 
 Canadensis, 76, 317. 
 
 Sponsa, 310. 
 
 Obscura, 310. 
 Angerona Sospeta, 194, 249. 
 Anoplis Rusticonim, 232. 
 Antilope Furcifer, 22. 
 Aphis Lanata, 299, 342. 
 Apis Centuncularis, 324. 
 Arctia Isabella, 78, 174, 221, 308, 339. 
 
 Virgo, 223, 245, 259. 
 
 Arctomys Monax, 121. 
 
 Anica Elinor, 275. 
 
 Argvnnis Aphrodite, 228, 2()1. 
 
 'Cybole, 261. 
 Arum Atropurpureum, 210. 
 
 Macuhitum, 210. 
 Arvicola Pennsylvanicus, 32, 1 27. 
 
 Zibethicus, 44. 
 
 Iludsoiiius ? 355. 
 Ascli'pias 8yriaca, 255, 258. 
 
 Incarnata, 259. 
 
 B. 
 
 Betula Papyracea, Id", 73, 140. 
 
 Populifolia, l4l. 
 Biston Ilirtarius, 222. 
 Bittacomorpha Crassipes, l.'id". 
 Boletus Igniarius, 250. 
 Bolitophagus Cristatus, 251. 
 Bombus Terricola, 2()4. 
 Boml)ycid«, 221, 229. 
 Boreus Hyemalis, 51. 
 Brachynotus Bennettii, 78. 
 Bufo Cognatus, 2()5. 
 Buprestidic, 5, 224, 272, ;j.^ ;. 
 Byrrhus Varius, 107. 
 
 Calosoma Calidum, 122, 150. 185. 3(»7, 
 Calyptra Libatrix, 278. 
 Canis Nubilus, 34. 
 Lupus, 34. 
 
 Fulv 
 Cantharis 
 
 us. 
 
 J77. 
 
 -y 35 
 
 oo. 
 
,*, ' 
 
 368 
 
 SCIENTIFIC INDEX. 
 
 ii lb i 
 
 I 
 
 Caprimultnis Amoricanus, 213. 
 
 VdcittTus, 214, 
 Carabidas 24, H4, IH."). 
 Caratnis Catt-iia, 1(17, 150, 105, 307. 
 
 Catocala y 3 1 .'». 
 
 Corambycida", 5, 224. 
 Certhia Faniiliaris, 353. 
 Cemra Ilastulifera, 2f»4. 
 CervTis Virginianus, 22, 270. 
 Alcos, 22, 5(;. 
 Taraiulus, 22. 
 Wapiti, 22. 
 Chauliodes IVctinicomis, 263. 
 Cheimatobia ^'ul;,^'^^is, 333. 
 Chelone Glabra, 282. 
 
 Chiloconi«( y 122. 
 
 Chionea Aranooides, 51. 
 
 Chlorissa Putataria ? 194. 
 
 Chrvsis Cyaiica, 224. 
 
 Chrysomeiina, 24, 84, 122, 184, 185, 
 
 355. 
 Chrj'sops Sopulchralis ? 107. 
 CicadcUa;, 78. 
 Cicindela Sex-giittata, 137. 
 
 Proteus, 137. 
 Ciinbex 1 0-maculata, 198. 
 
 Sylvatica, 198. 
 Cimbicida;, 74. 
 Clupea Alosa, 1 70. 
 
 Clytus :- 224, 2G1. 
 
 Cuiciis Arvensis, 105, 240. 
 
 Altissimus ? 297. 
 Coccinella 5-notata ? 233. 
 Coccinellidae, 185, 233, 325. 
 Coenomyia Pallida, 198. 
 Colias Philodice, 184, 223, 262, 323. 
 
 Coluber ? 113, 324. 
 
 Columba Aligratoria, 199, 293. 
 Carolinonsis, 201. 
 
 Colymbotes ? 85. 
 
 Conops Uufipes i' 261. 
 Coreus Ordinatus ? 289. 
 Comus Canadensis, 299. 
 Corvus Corone, 86, 167. 
 Cristatus, 90, 356. 
 Corax, 167. 
 Canadensis, 345. 
 Corvdalis Cucullaria, 161. 
 Crambus, 222, 229. 
 Crataegus Coccinea, 1 39. 
 Crioceris CoUaris ? 84. 
 Ctenucha Latreilliana, 249. 
 
 Cucujus Rufus, 122, 307. 
 Culox, 99. 
 Curculionidai, 252. 
 Curvirostra Leueoptera, 52. 
 
 Anieriaina, 53, 326. 
 Cydnus :- 97. 
 
 Bilineata, 319. 
 Cynips, 182. 
 Cynthia Ciirdui, 280. 
 
 D. 
 
 Danais Archippus, 26 1. 
 Delphinus Canadensis, 171. 
 
 Delphis, 171. 
 Desmoccrus Cyaneus, 255. 
 Dirca Palustris, 126. 
 Dryocampa Rubicunda, 195. 
 Dyticida', 342. 
 
 E. 
 
 Elaphrus Intcrmedius, 255. 
 Elateridae, 5, 24, lf!5, 231, 342. 
 Elephantopus Scaber, 78. 
 Emberiza Nivalis, 83, 354. 
 
 Orvzivora, 130. 
 Epbemeridfe, 85, 150, 185, 196, 202, 
 
 224, 231, 280, 326, 342. 
 Epilobiura Latifolium, 222, 245, 282, 
 
 298. 
 Erythronium Americanum, 123. 
 Esox Estor !■' 170. 
 Eumolpus Bigsbyana, 122. 
 
 F. 
 
 Fagus Ferruginea, 14, 186. 
 Falco Leucocephjilus, 120. 
 Felis Concolor, 40. 
 
 Canadensis, 41. 
 Formica Pubescens, Go, 279. 
 Formicida;, 61. 
 
 Fragaria Virginiana, 87, 185, 233. 
 Fraxinus Acuminata, 16, 169, 307. 
 
 Sambucifolia, 16, 169, 249. 
 Fringilla Arborea, 54. 
 
 Pinus, 53, 355. 
 
 Melodia, 82, 168, 332. 
 
 Nivalis, 82, 168, 332. 
 
 Tristis, 86, 133, 213, 290, 345, 
 354. 
 
1, 
 
 5. 
 
 95. 
 
 to. 
 1, 342. 
 
 B5, 190', •20-2, 
 
 [■2. 
 
 2-2, 245, 282. 
 
 n, 123. 
 
 I). 
 
 279. 
 
 185, 233. 
 , 1G9, 307. 
 j9, 249. 
 
 $32. 
 32. 
 
 >13, 290, 345, 
 
 SCIENTIFU INDF.X. 
 
 369 
 
 Friiiirilla Linaria, .'Ml. 
 Vi'>|)t'itiii!i, !'.■{. 
 I'yaiiea, 137. 
 Piirpiiiea, 14I>, 213. 
 Alliici.llis. 235. 
 Until. 245. 
 
 (I. 
 
 (ial("i)j)^i> Tftrahit, 240. 
 < 'ullicoku. 1 '.hi. 
 (iastrus K'lui, 135, 2(14. 
 Geonietridii'. 97. 122, 13(;, 194. 
 Oeoiuetra (.'leiiuitaria, i;)4, 30!{. 
 
 Gfiiniy^ y ;'j.'i,i, 
 
 Gerbillus Caiiadciisi-;, 2()()'. 
 
 Gerris y 1(17, 1-J2. 
 
 Gc'uni Uivali', 282. 
 (inaphalium MiU',i,'aritacfiiin, 287, 
 (ioinphus Viiliratis^iina, 224. 
 Urapta ? 84, 305. 
 
 Pro^riK- .■' .'»(i, •_>7H. 
 
 C. All)um, 174,221, 24(). 
 
 C. ArireiUi'uin, 250, 2(i'l. 
 
 C. Aiireimi, 280, 295, 323. 
 GymiiDchis Kujfobus, 272. 
 
 Drakii, 273. 
 Ciyrimis /Eueiis. 1(»2. 
 
 II. 
 
 llalictus GramiiiL'us, 19(). 
 Heleiiium Autiimiialo, 283. 
 Hemerol)iu.s Perla, 197. 
 
 Fa^ciata, 324. 
 Hepialus Argeiuco-inaculatu.s, 248. 
 
 Hermes ? 23 1 . 
 
 Henniiiia ':■ 194. 
 
 Hesperidiu, 193, 247. 
 Hipparchia An(ln)ma(.lia, 24')'. 
 
 Transmontaiia, 247. 
 
 Hippoljosca ? 35(). 
 
 Hiruiulo Americana, 91, 9ii. 
 
 Pui-j)urea, 104. 
 Hister Ilarri^ii, 13(). 
 Hamulus Lupulus, 90. 
 Hyla Versicolor, 2()G. 
 Ilypiium :^ ()'j. 
 
 I. 
 
 Icliiu'uniiiniiln', 24, 97. 122. I>5(!. 
 Iiupatieiift iioli-taiiLtere. 273, 29l>. 
 Ipi (^uaiiriiiuuctata, 122. 
 Iris Versicolor, 234. 
 
 Juulaiis ('iiieri'a. I'i. 7;'. 174. 
 .Julus Mariiiiiatu>. 273. 
 .luiiuermaiiiiia ':■ il'i. 
 
 K. 
 
 Kalniia An,i.aistitolin. it'll*. 
 Glauca, 3iM». 
 
 L. 
 
 Lampyris Corusca. 2ii4, 2IHi, 334. 
 
 Noctiluca, 205. 
 Ledum Latitalium. 3ii0. 
 I..eonto<lou Taraxacum, 1'p2. 25(1. 
 Lepus Americanus, 51. 
 Libellula, 79. iDi;. 
 Lilium Cana(loii>e. 17*i. 245. 
 Limeuitis Anlifuiis, 22(1, 22(i,248,3<i(; 
 Limuepliilus ? 224. 
 
 Locusta 
 
 "8. 
 
 Lojiiiocampa Tesselaris, : 
 Loxia Knudeator, 52. 
 Lutra Canadensis. 41. 
 Lycfena Phleas. 219. 
 Lycus Reticulatus, 23<l. 
 Terminalis, 2."ll. 
 Lyda Circumcinctus f 1 85. 
 
 M. 
 
 Maiva Sylvcstris, 288. 
 Medusa', 342. 
 
 Mejrachile \Villu«lil)iclln. 231. 
 Melitiea Mvrina, 192. 29(i. 
 Tharos, 21 !l. 
 
 222. 2!l3. 
 
 Phaeton, 
 
 >o- 
 
 Meloe Proscarab;eus, 1 85. 
 Melolontha !' 01. 
 
 Membracis ? 1 85. 
 
 Belligcra, 29(). 
 Mephitis Americana. 253. 
 Merirus Cucullatus, 31 <i. 
 
-'•r- 
 
 4 ' 
 
 370 
 
 SCIENTIFIC INDEX. 
 
 Microsctia 'f 21^. 
 
 Miiiiania Kaliniuna, UiS. 
 Mils Lfucii]>iis !' 1 ■_'((. 
 MuHcirajm Niiiiciola, 11"2. 
 
 CaiiacU'iisis, 1 ."VJ, 211}. 
 
 Tvraiimis, 1 ."JIJ, '213. 
 
 Huticilla, 2i;i. 
 Mustidiu, UO, 71), 1»7, 32(5, 341. 
 
 N. 
 
 NocvocU'S Siirinnnionsis, 1 3f>. 
 Nephropis (.'aiiadciisis, 224. 
 Noctuida;, H4, 13*), l.')3, 229. 
 Noniada Anicricaiia, IjU. 
 Notonecta, 342. 
 
 0. 
 
 Odontoinis Trinervia, 224. 
 (Edipodu Sulpliurea i-' 2li8. 
 (Estrus Bovis, 7(i. 
 Ovis, 2(J4. 
 
 (Jmaliuin ? 76. 
 
 Opliiou LuU'imi, 107. 
 Orgyia Anti(pia, 249. 
 Oriolus Haltiiui>riis, 243. 
 Ostrya Virgiuica, (i()'. 
 Otiocerus i' 29(j. 
 
 P. 
 
 l'.ach^'ta 
 
 18.5. 
 
 !i 
 
 Pamphilu Peckius, 193, 228. 
 
 Paniscus 'f 219. 
 
 Cenics, 2215. 
 Panoii)a Fasciata, 224. 
 Panorpidiv, 51. 
 Papilio Tunuis, 183, 194, 223, 293. 
 
 Astcrius, 184. 
 Panis Atricaiiilliis, 23. 
 Pathophagns Latibrosus, 13G, 319. 
 
 Pedicia ? 279. 
 
 Pelecinus Polycerator, 289. 
 
 Pentatoma :- 184, 223. 
 
 Perla Clio, 79. 
 
 Cydippe, 184, 224. 
 Phleum Pratenso, 211, 244. 
 Phlogophora Meticulosa, 222. 
 Phraffinatobia Fuliginosa, 195. 
 PhrvganidiB, 78, 8(j, 107, 224, 326, 
 333, 341. 
 
 :59. 
 259. 
 
 Phyllodfcta Vitcllina, 185. 
 Pli'yllDptt'nis Mvrtitolius 278. 
 Pliysiilis, .342. 
 Phytolatca Di-candria, 233. 
 Piciis Aiiratus, 5, 1 18. 
 
 Krytlinici'plialiis. 5, 
 
 VillD^jiis, 4, 5, 34(i. 
 
 Pileatus 5, 11.9. 
 
 Puhcsceus, 5, 346. 
 
 Varius, 5. 
 
 Caroliiiiis, 5. 
 
 Tridactylus, 5. 
 Piniis J5trol)iis, 7. 
 
 C'aiiadens,is, 7, 9. 
 
 Nigra, 7, 8. 
 
 ^Vllia, 7. 
 
 Halsixnu-a, 7, 10. 
 
 Pcndiila, 7, 125. 
 Platycerus Placidus, 272. 
 Platypteryx Kro^a. 194. 
 Plusia Gaiunia, 22!). 
 
 Iota? 249, 259. 
 
 Ft'stucne r 2 ' 
 
 Chrj-sitis '^ 
 Podura, 341. 
 
 Polia -^ 174. 
 
 Pcedems Riparius, 84. 
 Polygonum Convolvulus, 292. 
 Polyomniatus Lueia, 123, 150. 
 Pontia (Jleracea, 123. 
 Populus Trunmloidt'S, Ki, 75. 
 Balsaniifera, 17, 138. 
 
 Dilatata, 75. 
 Grandidentata, 138. 
 Laevigata, 138. 
 Prumis Virginiana, 16, 126, 288. 
 Borealis, 127, 288. 
 Serotina, 249, 282, 309. 
 Pteromys Volucella, 180. 
 Pteronarcys Regalis, 231. 
 Proteus, 231. 
 
 Pterophonis ? 249. 
 
 Pulex Penetmns, 197. 
 Pulmonaria, 66. 
 PygcXTd Gibbosa, 228. 
 
 Pyralis •' 222. 
 
 Pyrus Arbutifolia, 148. 
 
 Q. 
 
 Qiicrcus Alba, 148. 
 Quiscalus Versicolor, 1 32. 
 
 ! I 
 
 i 
 
 In a 
 
SCIENTIFIC INDEX. 
 
 371 
 
 85. 
 
 S -27 a. 
 
 »33. 
 
 (juiscaliH Ferrucincus, 133, 3"2.j. 
 Majt)r, 3"Jj. 
 
 R. 
 
 Kana Ilalocina ^ 114, 2f>5. 
 
 Pipiens, IKi, ^(io. 
 
 Clainatis !- '2iui. 
 RanuiiculiH Acris, 1(7, 1R.5, 21 1. 
 Rhizotro;.ra Fervons, 10(i, 307. 
 Rhus Tyiihimiin, 2«9. 
 Ribcs FlDiiduni, 149. 
 
 AlhiiuTviimi, I4f). 
 
 CyiinslKiti, 14!>, 241), 289. 
 
 Hinuciis ? l.)0. 
 Rubus Idii-us, ]2(;, 223, 244. 
 
 Frocumbens, 244. 
 
 Ilispidus, 289. 
 
 Sphinx Cinoroa, 2.')9. 
 ^piloMmia Acria, 97, 222, 24.'). 
 Virgiiiica. 19,"). 
 
 •> OO.) 
 
 Staphyliiiidjf, 84, 13(). 
 ytaphylimiH Villosiis, 13(). 
 
 C'hrysiinis, I3*>. 
 
 Chrysoiu'phaliis, 319. 
 Stcmiris Divjiricata, 2;VJ. 
 btrix Xyctaa, .Vt. 
 
 Vir>riiiiana, 17'). 
 
 Ni'liidosa, •2<)'A. 
 Stimuis Pivdutorius, 119,213. 
 Sylvia Hiackbunii.i', 131. 
 
 Matrnolia, 131. 
 
 C'astatu'a, 1.32. 213. 
 
 Striata, 1(18. 
 
 Troglodytes, 323. 
 
 „ 292. 
 3, loO. 
 
 (>'. 75. 
 38. 
 
 8. 
 
 12(>, 288. 
 
 ", 309. 
 
 0. 
 
 Jl. 
 
 9. 
 
 32. 
 
 S. 
 
 Salamandra Rubra, 280. 
 Salix, 75. 150, 249. 
 Sanibucus I'ubcsccns, 112, 185. 
 
 Canadensis, 1 1 3. 
 Saraus :■- 174. 
 Sarracenia Purpurea, 300. 
 Saturnia, 74, 235. 
 Saturnia Polyphemus, 75, 309. 
 
 Luna. 75, 294. 
 Saxicola Sialis, 241, 327. 
 Sciums Iludsonius, 32, 178. 
 
 Leucotis, 180. 
 
 xXiger, 180. 
 Scutcllera, 289. 
 Senocio Ilieracifolius, 288. 
 Sesia Pelasgns, 263. 
 Silphida?, 137. 
 
 Simulia ? 100. 
 
 Sirex, 5, 272. 
 Sirex .luvencus, 296. 
 Sitta Varia, 60. 
 Smerinthus (jccollatus, 222. 
 
 Geminatus, 222, 248, 280, 295. 
 Smilacina Boroalis, 299. 
 
 Solidago y 183,294. 
 
 Sorox Brevicaudis, 317. 
 Spargula Arvensis, 241. 
 Sphecodes Rubida, 196. 
 Sphinx Kalmiae, 256. 
 
 T. 
 
 Tabanus . 
 
 •\ffinis 
 
 , 255. 
 
 Zon; 
 
 li^,:- 2 
 
 .').'). 
 
 Tabanida' 
 
 , 19f). 
 
 
 Tachina - 
 
 
 263. 
 
 Tamia Striata, 178. 
 Tanajjra Rubra, 134. 
 j^stiva, 356. 
 
 Telephorus ? 125. 
 
 Tenthredinet.-e, 122, 184. 
 Tennes Fatale. 197. 
 Terrapenc Clausa, 188. 
 
 Tethea ? 294. 
 
 Tetrao I'inbellus, 86, 335. 
 Tettigoiiia 4-vittata, !)8, 324. 
 
 Mollipes. '(8, 324. 
 Thanatoiiliilus Maruinalis, ]'M>. 
 Thuja Oecidentalis, 12. 
 Thvatini Seripta, 249. 
 Thvniele Rrizo y 184. 
 TiliaCilabra, 14, 17.5, 24!). 
 Tillandsia Usneoides, 9. 
 Tineid:v, 84, .97. 
 Tipulid.X', .5, 51, 79, 185, 341. 
 Tortricida', 51, 84, 122, 3,r). 
 Tremex Coluniba, 279. 
 Trichocera Hyenialis, 354. 
 Trichndium Laxiflonim, 269. 
 Trifolium Pnitense, 87, 211. 
 
 Repens, 212. 
 
I 
 
 r i,; 
 
 :,1 1 
 
 
 
 ii: 
 
 :i 
 
 
 iiV' 
 
 , ; 
 
 '!<;! 
 
 ' f 
 
 I 
 
 ' 
 
 1 ' ' 
 
 1 
 
 •I I 
 
 ^n '■ I'i 
 
 ■I 
 
 ' If i H " 
 
 
 m 
 
 a \ 
 
 '\ ' ' ! 
 
 372 
 
 SCIENTIFIC INDEX. 
 
 Trillium Fnti'lum, IfiO, 29«. 
 
 rictuni. KiO. 'lun. 
 Trinpa Scmipalniatii. 234. 
 
 Pusilla, -l-.U. 
 Trocl)ihi> C'ohihris, l(i3. 
 
 Rufus, lliS, 
 Tiit'du* Micnitorius, f)(), 332. 
 
 Kuf'ii>; 1-20. 
 
 l-\;liv(.x. Klii. 
 Tu-oilauo Fari'ara, 112. 
 Tvplia Latifolia. 317. 
 
 V. 
 
 T'liniis Americana. 14, 140. 
 Ursus Amoricami^. 21!.j. 
 
 Ursus Arctos, 28(). 
 Usnca f 9. 
 
 V. 
 
 Vanessa J. Alljum. f»fi, 247. 323. 
 
 Ami<.pa. Jh;. 2(il, 2fi4, 30.% 32.3, 
 
 3.v;. 
 
 Furcillata. 107,221,24!',. 
 \'pi-atrii!ii \'iri(le. 233. 
 Verljatsfuiii Niurum, 2ii3. 
 Vespa Marpinata. 19(i, 2().'). 
 Vibiinumi Laiitanoides, 175, 18.5. 
 
 X. 
 
 Xorcnc Albicillata. 249. 
 
 THF END 
 
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 1(17,221,24}!. 
 ■. 233. 
 uni, 2!!3. 
 I. 19(1. 2(;.'». 
 moides, 175, 18.5. 
 
 ta. 24<». 
 
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