Medicinal plants.

Forest animals.

The bear.

The fox.

Hares.

Small fur-bearers.

The mice.

Sarsaparilla, ginseng, and a number of medicinal herbs, grow among the woods, where the curiosity of the botanist would have ample range. A variety of herbs and roots are used by the inhabitants, instead of tea. The indian tea, or labrador shrub, is grateful to the taste, and considered an effectual antiscorbutic. The vine, called maiden hair tea, has a simple agreeable taste; and a decoction of a root, called chocolate root, is used by the indians as a certain remedy for the severest attack of the cholic.

CHAPTER III. Wild animals lpp. 24-34l

The principal native quadrupeds are bears, loup-cerviers, foxes, hares, martins, otters, masquathes, minks and squirrels.

The bear is of a jet black colour, and of the same species as on the continent of America. For many years after the settlement of the colony, these animals were extremely mischievous and hurtful to the inhabitants, destroying black cattle, sheep, and hogs. Their numbers are now much reduced, and a bear is rarely met with. Although bears are carnivorous animals, they feed indiscriminately on berries, or any thing in the shape of food. They are particularly fond of ant hills, and are dexterous in catching smelts, a species of small fish that swarm in the brooks. Their strength and dexterity are astonishing, and the largest and most spirited bull is soon vanquished and killed by a full grown bear. They seldom attack a horse, and unless provoked, will rarely encounter a man. They are frequently caught in strong wooden traps . Indians and others commonly lay in wait to shoot them, near the remains of some large animal killed by a bear the preceding night, to which it generally returns either to devour it or carry it off. Spring guns are sometimes set with a bait, which, as soon as the bear lays hold of, fires the gun. If a bear catch a calf, sheep or pig, it carries either at once to some distance. An ox or cow seems to heavy a burden, and a part is devoured, where it is killed. The fur of the bear, if killed in season, is very valuable.

Foxes are numerous . They do not however kill sheep, nor do they often destroy poultry, as they generally procure sufficient food at less risk in the woods or along the shores. They are caught in traps, or inveigled by a bait to a particular place, where they are shot by a person lying in wait . The fur is much finer than that of the English fox: its prevailing colour is red. Some foxes are jet black, others patched, and a few are of a beautiful silver grey colour.

Hares are in great abundance, and turn white in winter . Their flesh is very fine, at least equal to the English hare.

The marten is a beautiful animal . Its fur is valuable. The musquash, or musk rat, is a black animal, about twice the size of a large rat. Otters are of the same species as in Europe, but the fur is rather finer.

The mink is a small black animal, with fine fur. It resembles the otter, and lives in the same manner.

There are three varieties of squirrels, the striped, the brown, and the flying squirrels. Weasels and ermines, although native animals, are not numerous.

Formerly, mice were in some measure so numerous, as to destroy the greater part of the corn, about a week before it ripened. Within the last twenty years however, little

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