(34»

oh germ ofinvestigation, and as this germ is one of rapid growth, it happens sometimes that a mantel shelfhaving first only a nest egg specimen on it, be- comes, by contagious contribution, quite a little museum; and away sometimes out of the reach of regular communication are found little hordes of-dis- coveries that perhaps the plough or the axe, lias'at one time or another revealed to sight; and who can tell on examining such a little pile, apparently of rubbish, how many home associations may have been awakened?—who can reckon the mileage of a wan- dering mind sent on a thoughtfuljourney by a chance, remembranceP—W-ho can tell what relief, or what deepening pain, what light or what darkness, what aspiration or what depression has been turned up in a farmer’s furrow, by the sight of some relic ofanti- quity—some evidence 01" a preceding generation— some link which. gives ideal history to the wilderness —some clue to-an obliterated civilization, or some likeness to something near an old country home—who can tell what these things reveal? and who, though he had no old associations to awaken, nor new ideas to glean, would rashly discountenance, or rudely destrby such unerring signs of‘ a brighter prospect? Prince Edward Island is said to be an infani'colony, and notold enough yet forthe schoolmaster ofscience. It may be true, perhaps that there are some old children among her sons and daughters, but ifit be meant that Prince Edward Island is yet in nursery attire, it is a meaning that has no application either to the subject ofthe Island’s age, or her power, her progress or her prospects. The study of natural history obviously belongs to a settled state of society, is classed among the pursuits of the intelligent, and is only fully enjoyed by the man of affluent leisure; but there is a taste for natural objects which grows much earlier in a new province, and though this taste may be only an ofl'growth ofcuriosity, or has other paternity, still it exists; and, when the natural history ofa new country is for the first time attempted to be written, this taste rouses itself from dormancy, and