SIGNS OF SPUING. 319 



to the metal, and the after effects, strange to say, exactly 

 resemble those of a burn or scald. The ears are the parts 

 most susceptible to frost. In cases of frostbite, the part 

 frozen should be rubbed with snow till circulation returns. 



It is a well-known fact, that men fresh from the old 

 country can staud not only the extreme heat of the tropics 

 but also the extreme cold of northern latitudes, better 

 than the men who have lived a long time subject to 

 these extremes. The men who feel the cold of the 

 Canadian winter least are the freshly arrived immigrants. 



There is much pleasure and much health in the long 

 severe winter, but there is also, in the back settlements at 

 least, much monotony, so when the first flock of geese is 

 heard flying over his ice-bound land the Canadian farmer 

 is not ill pleased. The geese arrive about the 20th of 

 March, and are Nature's first messengers to say that 

 spring is at hand, not that much sign of it is as yet 

 visible; still everything is clothed in white. Early in 

 April people commence daily to scrutinize the ice in the 

 harbours and rivers, and one fine morning the glad sound 

 goes forth that the " ice has started." But it does not 

 give in without a struggle. For days a fierce battle rages 

 between the frozen and the unfrozen element. Sooner or 

 later the ice must give way ; and, with groans, masses of 

 it are piled on the banks. Occasionally it makes a sturdy 

 stand, and then a "jam" ensues, behind which the water 

 rises to a great height ; and then, victorious, bursts forth 

 with fury, carrying the ice along with it, and not un- 

 frequently doing great damage to wharfs and buildings. 

 The great event of the new year to the back settler is 

 the opening of the navigation and the arrival of the first 



