2 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 



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 companion 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 inquiries, and enter into your proposal with de- 

 light. 



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. 

 We will go down to the North bridge, if you please, then 

 after tracing the hard-frozen river until we reach Spafford'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. 



