362 Canadian Record of Science. 



sources of Canada, it was a valuable addition to the scien- 

 tific knowledge of the land, and, doubtless, inspired some 

 of its sons to undertake a more systematic study of the 

 natural history of their native country. 



Looking with longing eyes towards the semi-tropical life 

 of the Southern States, in 183S Philip Gosse left Canada, 

 the only trophy of his struggles there being a large cabinet 

 of insects. The next year he spent in Alabama, teaching 

 a small school for the sons of planters. In his leisure, he 

 continued bis favorite pursuits in the midst of delightful 

 natural surroundings. In a letter of July of that year, he 

 says : — "An eye accustomed only to the small and generally 

 inconspicuous butterflies of our own country, can hardly 

 picture to itself the gaiety of the air here, where it swarms 

 with large and brilliant hued swallow-tails and other pat- 

 rician tribes, some of which, in the extent and volume of 

 their wings, may be compared to large bats. These occur, 

 too, not by straggling, solitary individuals, in glancing 

 over a blossomed field, you may see hundreds, including I 

 think, more than a dozen species, besides other butterflies, 

 moths and flies. 



A rather amusing incident is related as having occurred 

 about this time. " In Alabama the squirrel question was 

 one of great importance in local politics. These delightfully 

 amusing animals are unfortunately wasters of the first order ; 

 they are in the cornfield morning, noon and eve, from the 

 time that the grain is growing in the sheath to the moment 

 when what remains of it is housed in the barn. While 

 Philip Gosse was at Mount Pleasant, a fellow from the north 

 sent round an advertisement that he would lecture in a 

 neighbouring village, and that the subject of his discourse 

 would be to reveal an infallible preventive from the thefts 

 of the squirrels. The announcement attracted great curi- 

 osity, and the planters assembled from all sides. A deputa- 

 tion stained from Mount Pleasant itself, and Philip Gosse, 

 thinking to hear what would be of interest to a naturalist, 

 was of the party. A considerable entrance fee was charged 

 but very willingly paid. At last the room was full, the 



