Natural History of Canada. 59 



Downing Street. 



28tli June, 1860. 



Sir, — With the view of ascertaining what materials may have 

 been collected, or what works published, descriptive of the Natural 

 History of the British Colonies, and relative also to some other 

 Scientific subjects, I shall feel obliged to you to furnish me with 

 such answers as you may possess the means of giving, within your 

 Government, to the questions contained in the enclosed paper. 



In any of the colonies where Scientific Societies are constituted, 

 it will be advisable to make use of any aid which they may be 

 so good as to contribute towards answering these enquiries. 



I have, &c., 



(Signed,) Newcastle. 



Governor, the Rt. Hon. Sir E. Head, Bart. 



1. Have any works been published on the Botany of the Colony, 

 and if so state the title of each work, the name of the author, 

 and the year of publication adding, if requisite, any remark on 

 the esteem in which it is held ? 



2. The same question as to Zoology. 



3. The same question as to any works or published reports on 

 Geology. 



4. Does any public botanical garden exist in the Colony, and if 

 so, briefly state the authority under which it is superintended and 

 funds by which supported ? 



5. Is there any Zoological Museum, or any collection of living 

 animals in a Zoological Garden, or any accredited set of correct 

 drawings of the chief animals of the Colony ? 



6. Is there any Geological Museum, or any well known private 

 collection of Geological specimens or unpublished records of 

 Geological Surveys by competent observers ? 



T. What are the best known records, if any, of the Meteoro- 

 logy of the Colony, and are they published and easily procurable? 



8. Are there any well known records of the phenomena of the 

 tides, and if so, by what observers, and at what date ? 



9. The same question as to magnetical phenomena. 



10. Have the latitude and longitude of the principal places on 

 the coast been determined by careful celestial observations, and if 

 so, by what observers and at what periods ? 



