and other Animals in Canada. 77 



large extent of country : the fur is nearly as valuable as that 

 of the rabbit. 



In that part of Upper Canada within the 45 degrees of 

 north latitude, and the southern and western boundaries, the 

 climate is nearly the same as that of England, a little hotter 

 a few days in summer, and a little colder a few days in win- 

 ter, agreeable to Fahrenheit's thermometer, which I have 

 paid great attention to for some years, comparing the same 

 with the observations of the English. 



The increase of most animals appears much greater in 

 proportion in America than. in England, mankind not ex- 

 cepted : that of sheep is very apparent to those that pay at- 

 tention to their breeding stock, which gives me hopes, that 

 in a few years we shall be able to pay for our woollen cloths 

 in wool. Finding the effect of soil and climate so salutary 

 to sheep, &c, it may be reasonably supposed, that rabbits 

 will answer the most sanguine expectations, as I understand 

 the wool of the sheep retains all its nature the same as in 

 England, particularly its strength, and felting; qualities 

 among the hatters, which assures me that rabbit wool from 

 those bred in Upper Canada will do the same ; and there 

 are some millions of acres within the latitude and boundaries' 

 which T have before described, suited to the nature of the 

 warren rabbit ; nor do I apprehend that the wolves, 'foxes, 

 8cc, of Upper Canada will be half so destructive as the 

 poachers in England. 



The Guanaco, or camel-sheep of South America, no 

 doubt will be a national object at some future period. This 

 is a tame, domestic animaj, very hardy, and used with 

 much cruelty by the natives in travelling over the mountains 

 with their burthens ; it shears a fleece of wool of from 2lb. 

 to 3lb., which is of dusky r ; ed on the- back ; on the sides 

 inclined to white, and under the belly quite white; its tex- 

 ture is very fine, yet strong ; its felting qualities very 

 powerful, and is worth, when ready for use, from five to 

 fifteen shillings per pouud. This animal would no doubt 

 thrive, and do well in England, Upper Canada, and in par- 

 ticular I should suppose in New Holland. 



The Beaver might be propagated to great advantage in 



Scotland, 



