40 Field and Forest Rambles. 



CHAPTER II. 



Backwoods Men— Influence of the Climate on the Anglo-Saxon — Modes 

 of Living — Thoughts on Emigration — French Settlers of Tracadie, 

 Leprosy — Charms of Forest Life — Native and European Myths 

 —The Puma, Lynx, Wild Cat— Sable and its varieties— Mink, 

 Weasel— Fisher Cat, Skunk and Otter— Increase of the Wild 

 Quadrupeds of Nova Scotia — On Species Making — Bear — Influence 

 of Forest Reclamation on the habits of Animals — Fox and its 

 Varieties — Albinism and Melanism. 



BEFORE proceeding to details in connection with the 

 fauna and physical characters of the region, I will 

 record my impressions in relation to the influences of this 

 sub-frigid climate on the European settlers, also certain 

 conditions of living which appear to me to exercise baneful 

 influences on their health. 



To one just arrived from Northern Europe there is as- 

 suredly something disappointing in the outer aspects of the 

 middle aged of both sexes inhabiting the remoter districts of 

 New Brunswick. Where he expected to meet burly, well- 

 nourished farmers, sallow, weather-beaten countenances and 

 spare, sinewy frames predominate among men of forty, while 

 the pallid faces of the women indicate often ten years in 

 advance of their real ages. The question naturally suggests 

 itself, What is the cause or causes of this anomaly ? In exa- 

 mining the sanitary aspect of the question, it soon becomes 

 apparent that several important influences are at work in con- 

 nection with the habits, food, and climate. It is possible I 

 may not have recognized one-half of the causes, but according 

 to what came under my notice, the following seem to produce 



