6 Things to be observed in Canada. 



published in our journal an interesting summary of facts on Cana- 

 dian quadrupeds ; and much curious information exists in the 

 work of Mr. Gosse, as well as in the standard works of Richardson 

 & Audubon. I would especially invite attention to the mice and 

 other small rodents, and the shrews. Only a few days ago a fine 

 pair of specimens of the old Black Rat of Europe, which I did not 

 know as a resident of Canada, were procured by Mr. Hunter, beau- 

 tifully prepared by him, and presented by a friend to the College 

 Cabinet, affording an illustration of the curious facts that may be 

 learned even within the limits of our city. 



I had almost forgotten to refer to the reptiles of Canada. The 

 magnificent volumes of Processor Agassiz shew what may be done 

 with one family, that of the tortoises. None of us, perhaps, can 

 enter into the study in the manner in which this great naturalist 

 has pursued it, but many may collect important facts and speci- 

 mens. We do not yet know much about the numerous snakes, frog?, 

 toads and newts of Canada, though many specimens exist in the 

 collections of this Society, of Dr. M'Culloch, and of the University. 

 Even a catalogue of the specimens in these collections would be 

 valuable. Unattractive though these creatures may appear to the 

 popular view, they afford more than most other animals evidences 

 of the wonders of creative skill. 



One little batrachian reptile I regard, as a geologist, with 

 peculiar interest, and would commend to your notice. I refer to 

 the Menobranchus, or Proteus,J a creature most unattractive in 

 aspect, but most singular in its habits and mode of life, and a 

 -representative of the earliest forms of air-breathing life introduced 

 upon our planet. No gift would afford me greater pleasure than 

 a few living specimens of this animal, which might enable me to 

 become better acquainted with its mode of life, and thus better to 

 appreciate the probable habits of some of its extinct congeners, 

 whose bones I have disinterred from the carboniferous rocks. 

 Some time ago a living specimen was procured by Mr. Hodgins 

 of Toronto ; but the few observations of its habits which he has 

 recorded in the Canadian Journal, only stimulate the desire for 

 further information. 



It would be ungracious to leave the animal kingdom, without 

 notice of Ethnology as a field of investigation. The remarkable 

 collection of Mr. Kane, exhibited here during the meeting of the 

 American Association last summer, must have strongly 'impressed 



% Water — >Azard. 



