HOW ON MINERALS FOR THE PARIS EXHIBITION. 25 



found fast in a trap, in eveiy case tempted by the castoreum. 

 The stick was always licked or sucked clean, and it seemed to 

 act as a soporific, as they always remained moi'e than a day 

 without coming out of their houses." 



Such being the ease with which this much persecuted animal 

 was formerly taken, with a prodigious demand for its skin, it 

 would seem a special interposition in its behalf, when a change 

 of fashion in Paris suddenly substituted silk for beaver hats — 

 " thereby," as a writer has said, " possibly altering the physical 

 conditions of a continent." Though from its extreme shyness 

 it retires fast from the neighbourhood of civilization, yet, per- 

 secution having in a great measure ceased, it will still exist in 

 those remoter forest districts, which, from their nature, will 

 probably never be cleared by the settler's axe. May they long 

 remain in undisturbed possession of these their last strongholds, 

 and reward the search of the friendly naturalist by the sight of 

 those wonderful architectural labours and displays of foresight, 

 for which the beaver is so justly celebrated. 



Art. III. Remarks on the Minerals Prepared for the 

 Paris Exhibition. By Prof. How, D. C. L., University 

 of King's College, Windsor. 



{Read Jan. 7, 1867.} 



In making a few remarks on the minerals to be sent to the 

 Paris Exhibition, I may say in the first place, that comparing 

 the present collection with the specimens sent to the last two 

 exhibitions, there is in some directions a decided improvement. 

 This is particularly seen in those minerals which are commercially 

 most important, viz., in gold, coal, and iron ; but it is true also 

 as regards some other minerals which may hereafter be found to 

 admit of application ; and there are interesting novelties, also, 

 in those minerals which are solely of scientific interest. 



The collections made on the present occasion will no doubt 

 interest in a hisfh degree men of science — men whose business 

 is mining or metallurgy — really educated men, and the intelli- 

 gent of those classes which have not had time or opportunity 

 to make their acquaintance with these objects extensive. 

 4 



