" and destroyed all, except a few, who repented "and promised the Great Spirit, that they would "live according to his laws, if he would restrain "the devouring enemy: Whereupon he sent forth lightning and thunder, and destroyed the whole "race [of the Mammoth] on this spot, excepting "two, a male and female, which he shut up in "yonder mountain, ready to be let loose again, "if occasion should require."

Such are the ideas which the Indians entertain concerning those surprising animals; and such is the only information that could ever be obtained respecting their existence. From the astonishing size of their bones, it is very evident, that nothing but a singular visitation of Providence could have caused their extirpation: For surely no animal, or herd of animals, at present in being, could have mustered sufficient courage to attack a monster; whose enormous tusks measure upwards of six feet in length. If, however, they were carnivorous,→ and, as I have before observed, it is generally concluded that they were,-their uncommon bulk might render them too inactive to give chace to animals of lighter, and consequently, suppler limbs; and thus,-as some persons have reasoned,

"for want of sufficient subsistence, the species has probably become extinct." But this opinion is so derogatory from the wisdom of God as displayed in the creation, that I dare not presume to maintain it without good data. For it is quite improbable, that He, who, when he contem

plated all the creatures which He had made, and pronounced them "very good," and consequently well adapted to the several purposes for which they were created, would have uttered such approving expressions, if any single animal had been so formed as to incapacitate it from procuring a sufficient supply of that food which He had de-, signed for its subsistence. It is universally allowed, that, whether the Mammoth was carnivorous or graminivorous, he could easily procure an abundance of food, in any part of America, if he were capable of employing the necessary exertion for obtaining it; and if the Indian story, about his leaping over the Lakes at a single bound, has the least shadow of truth, he could not be deficient in this qualification. Besides, an animal which existed so lately as the discovery of America by Columbus, a period of more than 5000 years after the creation, could not then be in danger of perishing for want of subsistence; for, at that time, the country swarmed with all kinds of wild animals, and abounded with inexhaustible supplies of mucilaginous shrubs and nutricious herbage.

The BUFFALO,-Le Boeuf de Canada,-though now unknown in the settled parts of Upper and Lower Canada, is still very numerous in the North Western territory. He is much larger than the domestic bull, particularly about the head, neck, and shoulders. I measured the only one that I ever saw in Canada. He was nine feet six inches long, from the lower extremity of the horn to the

insertion of the tail. The tip of his shoulder was seven feet four inches from the ground: and the circumference of his body, in the widest part, eight feet eleven inches. His head and neck were of a prodigious size, but his hinder limbs in particular were very light and his tail short. The hair on his head, neck, and shoulders, was long and much curled, especially about the forehead.-Their skins are used by the Canadians to shield them from the inclemency of the weather while riding in sledges. They are commonly called "sleigh robes," and sell for about seven dollars each. A full-grown Buffalo will weigh 2,500 lbs.

The FALLOW DEER are exceedingly numerous, even in the most thickly-settled parts of the country. They are much larger than animals of a similar species in Great Britain, weighing generally about 50lbs. per quarter, and often a good deal more. In the months of June, July, August, and September, they resort to the coves and rivers in the night, to escape from the virulent attacks of the flies, which, in the day-time, deprive them of rest and food. At that season of the year, they are in prime order, and are killed with little difficulty in the water. The method of shooting them is rather singular: Two persons, the one armed with a gun, the other provided with a paddle, proceed down the river in a canoe, which has a dark lantern suspended at its bow. The canoe is kept in the middle of the river, and is allowed to drop down with the current. The man who steers, takes care

to make as little noise as possible with his paddle. On arriving within 200 or 300 yards of the deer, they hear him dabbling in the water, and thus ascertain as nearly as possible the spot in which he stands. The canoe is then immediately directed towards him, and, as soon as he perceives the light, he stands immovable, apparently admiring it with the utmost attention. His eyes glisten like balls of fire; and, as the canoe approaches him, his eyeballs seem to increase in magnitude and splendour. The gunner remains still, until the canoe approaches within five or six yards of the deer, when hé discharges his rifle with the utmost certainty of success. He then bleeds his game, and, leaving him on the banks of the river, proceeds down the stream, where, in this manner, he frequently shoots two or three more before morning; at the approach of which, he tacks about, and as he returns homeward, picks up his game, and floats it triumphantly along. This is the only kind of shooting which ever afforded me any profit, or indeed, any pleasure, in Canada; and even this, to any but a stout healthy man, is a very dangerous recreation. You are always sure of getting wet early in the night, and of course you must continue in that plight till morning. The dews are also very heavy at that season of the year; and a month's confinement with a chilling ague, often too heavily counterbalances a night's recreation.

The MOOSE ELK,-Cervus Alces, is now seldom or never seen in Canada; although, from the

number of horns which are found in various parts of the country, it is evident, that these animals were once very numerous. Their horns are of an astonishing size, measuring upwards of five feet from one extremity to the other. The Elk moves very slowly, and is rather inactive, and therefore unable to traverse the woods with that ease and celerity peculiar to the Fallow Deer; in consequence of which, great numbers of them were destroyed in the early settlement of the country.

The CARIBOU, or REIN DEER, distinguished by his branching palmated horns and brow antlers, is found in those parts of Lower Canada which border on the District of Maine. These, as well as every other animal of the Deer kind, feed on wild grass, and the leaves of the most mucilaginous shrubs. In winter, they subsist on nuts and berries, which they obtain by rooting up the snow with their antlers.

The American BEARS, - Ursus Niger, -differ very materially in their disposition from animals of the same kind on the old Continent. Unlike those ferocious monsters, they never attack man, unless when wounded, irritated by dogs, or in the protection of their young. They are, however, a great annoyance to the settlers in every part of Canada. In summer, they range along the edge of the woods, bordering on the settlements, for the purpose of watching the herds of swine, as they enter the forests in quest of nuts, and not unfrequently destroy great numbers of the