2 
THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
opportunities, I would propose to you a more regular and 
definite course of investigation. Let us from time to time, 
as circumstances permit, make excursions in forest or in 
field, to watch the progress of Nature through the changing 
seasons, to mark the half-hidden, half-apparent phenomena 
that occur, and to trace the guiding and sustaining hand of 
God, who ruleth over all." 
Charles. — Few things would give me greater pleasure. 
I have often felt the want of a companion in my walks, who, 
by his superior judgment, information, and experience, might 
remove my doubts, gratify my curiosity, and direct my at- 
tention to those subjects which are instructive as well as 
amusing ; for I anticipate both instruction and amusement 
from our inquiries, and enter into your proposal with de- 
light. 
F. — Let us then begin with the year : it is not so cold as 
to be unpleasant, and a few miles' walk will promote health. 
We will go down to the North bridge, if you please, then 
after tracing the hard-frozen river until we reach Spafford's 
bridge, we will return by the village road. 
C. — I have never followed the Coatacook up as far as 
that, and I should like it much : the morning is delightfully 
fine, and the air feels quite exhilarating. I notice that the 
air is full of minute dancing atoms, like the motes of sum- 
mer ; but these sparkle and flash in the sun, and reflect the 
tiny beams that fall on them, with a radiance unknown to 
the motes of dust, 
— It is a common phenomenon on all bright cold days 
in winter. I conceive them to be either small particles of 
frozen moisture floating in the air, or, more probably, minute 
fragments of the fine powdery snow, which have been taken 
up by the wind, and continue to float by their lightness. 
They give a brilliancy to the air, which it would not other- 
wise possess. 
