( xxiv ) 
perfons below the South of Canada*. The Opefium common among 
us, and long known for fingularities, is yet unexplored in the greatcit 
of all—to wit that the female breeds her young at her teats within the 
falfe belly; many perfons in diftant quarters affert that they have feen 
them adhering to the teats when {mall as a pea. The vait Mahmot, is 
perhaps yet {talking throughthe weftern wildernefs ; but ifhe is no more; 
let us carefully gather his remains, and even try to finda whok fkeleton 
of this giant, to whom the elephant was but a calf. 
The great herds or buffaloes in the Weftern country, are a valuable 
national poffefiion; a wanton deftruction of them fhould be checked 5 
and trial of domeftication would perhaps be both practicable and ufeful. 
The greater number of birds in the old fettlements have been defcrib- 
ed; but many equivocally: and our knowledge of their habits is in 
general very fmall. We fhould not indifcreetly deftroy thofe deemed of 
no value; who knows what part is afligned to them in the economy of 
nature? perhaps our numerous tribes of woodpeckers fave many trees 
from deftructive worms? as to the ufeful and ornamental birds, they 
demand our protection againit licentious and greedy tyranny: the beau- 
tiful and melodious birds diminifh faft; and the Turkeys once fo abun- 
dant, have long ago been drove into the remote woods. 
General knowledge of our fifhes isvery limited and confufed: of thofe 
in the weftern waters we have here only reports; I never had even from 
eye witnefles a tolerable account of the cat-f/b that weighs 70 a 100 
pounds. Thofe proper in fifh ponds cannot be fele€ted without knowing 
what kind of water, food, &c. they require. 
Natural hiftory demands more efteem from our feminaries of learn- 
ing: the principal among them fhould immediately form botanical 
gardens, on a plan fo liberal as gradually to receive all the trees, fhrubs, 
and plants moft valuable in every refpect. Mufeums are alfo very im- 
portant, for exhibition of both native and foreign productions}. Fin- 
ally, itis neceflary to fix general names for every vegetable and animal 
of public utility, that great numbers may receive and impart information. 
5th 
® Some years ago one was exhibited in Philadelphia: it isa large animal with very high 
forelegs, a fhort neck, &c. On the American Elk fee Jefferfon’s Notes on Virginia. 
+ Great quantity of his bones are found on the Ohio: fee Jefferfon’s Notes. 
¢ That of Mr, Peale in Philadelphia, commenced a few years ago, is by his laudable care 
coming into reputation both at home and abroad, and merits the public patronage. 
