xu PREFACE. 



only say that mine are as near to nature as I could represent 

 tliem, without any attempt to improve upon what nature has 

 actually done, for so I thought I could be most truthful and most 

 instructive. 



I must here acknowledge my indebtedness to many friends for 

 encouragement and assistance in the preparation of this work, 

 some of whose names will be found in the text. 



Ottawa, III., March, 1877. 



