Flora and Fauna 



was a large block of stone containing considerable sulp. of Stron- 1826 

 tium, but the greediness of collectors has demolished it. I picked clm,on 

 up a little coarse agate, snowy gypsum, brown spar, dog-tooth 

 spar and blende. 



1829 



Head, Sir GEORGE. Forest scenes and incidents, in the wilds of North 1829 

 America ; being a diary of a winter's route from Halifax to the Canadas, Head 

 and during four months' residence in the woods on the borders of Lakes 

 Huron and Simcoe. Lond. : John Murray. 1829. Pp. 329-334. 



I was scarcely out of the town [Fort George] , when I was sur- 

 prised and pleased at the totally different appearance of the coun- 

 try, to that of any part of North America I had yet visited. That 

 the road to the Falls of Niagara is one of considerable traffic, 

 and better, in consequence, than other roads in the country, is 

 not to be wondered at: but I could really fancy myself transported 

 to a cultivated country in Europe, and on the high road towards 

 some opulent city. As I rode parallel to the Niagara river, which 

 rolled its course on the left hand below me, through a rich ravine, 

 whose elevated banks were covered with ornamental trees and 

 shrubs, I called to mind the banks of the Garonne in the south 

 of France, to which the country bore a striking resemblance. The 

 rich diversity of foliage which prevailed on every side, was a 

 kindly relief to the eye, long overwhelmed by the prevalence of 

 the dismal black pine, and now dwelling with grateful delight 

 on the abundant variety of nature, disposing in tasteful succession 

 the wild peach, cherry, sassafras, hickory, aspen, sycamore, etc. 



I rode on till I came to the inn where I was to leave my horse, 

 and taking a guide with me, proceeded on foot. We descended 

 towards the river, crossing some fields covered with high dry 

 grass, with a rich bottom of clover and thyme. My guide cau- 

 tioned me to beware of rattlesnakes, which he said were numerous 

 just where we were. None, however, did I see or hear. 



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