Vlll PREFACE. 
edge of many a dark cloud. He does not expect by written 
words to be able to communicate the vividness of those 
impressions which are produced by actual observation ; it 
will suffice^ if an additional source of innocent gratification 
be pointed out^ or an additional testimony borne to the 
wisdom and goodness of our beneficent Creator, 
The plan of the Work consists of a series of conversations 
on the subject of natural history^ supposed to pass between 
a father and son, during successive walks, taken at the 
various seasons of the year : so that it may be considered 
as in some degree a kind of Canadian *^ Naturalist's Calen- 
dar/' As the form of dialogue has of late become somewhat 
out of fashion," the Author feels it to be due to the public 
to explain the reasons which induced him to throw the Work 
into such a shape. He thought that by taking the reader^ 
as it were^ and transporting him into the midst of the very 
scenes and objects represented, a life and a vigour might be 
preserved^ which would be wanting in a formal narrative. 
And many little trifles might be thus touched, which could 
be noticed in no other form, but which, nevertheless, all 
help to make up a true picture. Thus, too, we may ramble 
from one subject to another (as the humming-bird way- 
wardly shoots from flower to flower), often by a transition 
more abrupt than could be permitted in a systematic dis- 
course. If these transitions in any case appear to be too 
