(12 GILPIN — OX NOVA SCO PI AN MAMMALS. 



fn not ridding Meriones (Jaculus) Aeadica, (Edn. New Phil. 

 'Joui'iial, 1856,) to the I'st, I o^ve it to so learned a naturalist as 

 Dawson to explain that the specimens upon which he founded 

 his new species, and which ho obtained from Mr. Winton, 

 Halifax, were prepared tor nij'self, and described as the young of 

 J. Iludsouius, (Zimm.,) in a lecture before the Mechanic's Insti- 

 tute, Halifax, about 1850, and that though being unwilling to 

 differ from him, arid still more unwilling to lose a mammal 

 from our Province, I still retain my opinion. Of animals not 

 identified by myself, but sometime to be found in the Province, 

 I think the Virginian deer (Gervus Virginianus) v/iii be found 

 in the Cobequid hills, as I persojially knov,^ they have been taken 

 at Dorchester, N. B., near the boundary line. There is a tradi- 

 tion of a wolverene (Gulo luscus^ having been taken in the same 

 wild country. A large black squirrel skin (Sciurus Carolinensis) 

 with nigritism, was given me from Cumberland, Of the Pinni- 

 pedia or seals and Cetaj or whales, I have identiiied none. 

 From the lahonrs of Dr. Gill vi'e msexpectedly learn that our 

 common seal is identical with the European, (P. Vitulina,) and 

 the harp (P. Grooniandica,) and the grey seal (H. Griseus 

 Neilson,) are all common to each continent. This identity run- 

 ning through the fish, amphibious manimaiS, the sea birds, and 

 larger land mammals, seems a good proof of our common glacial 

 period and gradual emergence. Of extinct species, during 

 historic time, v.o may cnunierate the v/alrus, with its companion 

 of another class, the great auk. Of prehistoric remains, I only 

 know the solitarj^ gigaiiiic thigh bon.es of a huge mammal found 

 at Cape Breton. Of those whose early extinction, perhaps in 

 our own times wo may reason.ably expect, we may enumerate 

 the fisher, (M. Pennanti), now veiy rare, and next the marten, 

 (M. Americana). Both these great tree weasels require dense 

 cover. The beaver, twenty-live years ago nearly extinct, is 

 lapidly recruiting. The less value of his skin since velvet hats 

 have been patented is not sufficient to account for his re-appear- 

 ^lice. The few or iio Indians now trapping in our forests is 

 perhaps another cause. With these exceptions, allowing the 

 same influences to exist, I see no reason why wc should not 

 retain our present fauna for centuries, including the large 



