4 



inowTedgfe necessary to enable a person to examine for liiinself, cannot bo>. 

 l>rocured in this country viitliout gvet^i diiTiGulty. Tlie reason is, that tho 

 books in general circi'.lutiou contain littkc or noinformation concerning the- 

 .species of fossils, animals or i)lants, peculi.ir to, or \vhicli range into this. 

 F'roviuce. The greater number have been described by the scientific men 

 "f other countries, but then these descriptions are scattered through the 

 •louraalo of the diL^'erent learned Societies of Europe and America, or pub- 

 lished in books not easily procured. Without the assistance of such infor- 

 mation, practical observers must be rare in this country — ^yith it, they 

 would abound in every county in the Province. There is no lack of ability 

 in the youth of Canada, but they arc sadly destitute of books which might 

 ouable them to make practical application of their talents in the study of 

 :vny one of the innumerable objects of nature with whicii they are every- 

 where and at ail times surrounded. Men do not take much interest in 

 things they cannot investigate, and hence that universal indifference, of 

 Avhich the several literary societies of Canada so frequently complain. 



The ]\Iagazine proposed to be established will be devoted exclusively 

 to the Geology and Zoology of the British Provinces of North America, and 

 in conducting it, I sliall endeavour to make it as useful as passible to all 

 who may feel interested in the subjects to which it will, be confined. I 

 f^hall collect and compile all the information concerning the fossils and 

 animals of the country within my reach, commencing with the larger qua- 

 drupeds, and more characteristic and common oj-gauic remains, and thence 

 gradually proceeding to those more rare or hitherto undescribed. The 

 'vorks consulted will be the best European and American authorities. In 

 I'txe present number, some of the matter in two of the articles, as will be 

 observed, has been taken from the Reports of the Geological Survey 

 of Canada ; but as I understand that these invaluable documents 

 are about to be re-published for general circulation, I shall confine 

 myself with tliis exception to other sources, and such discoveries as I have 

 made myself. In fact, this journal will consist more of Natural IJistory 

 than of Geology in the restricted acceptation of that term. It is intended 

 principally to be of assistance to the youth of Canada, but as it will also 

 contain many new species, and even several new and very remarkable 

 genera of extinct animals,. I hope that scientific 7\ien will also regard it a» 

 favourably as they can. In conclusion, I would respectfully solicit the 

 public men of the Province, and others who can do so without inconve- 

 nience to themselves, if they think the work worthy of encouragement, ta 

 aid it by subicribiug for. it, and also by using, their, influence in its Aivour. 



E. BILLTNGS. 



