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IMaps, platas. charts, ate, may ba filmad at diffarant raduction ratios. Thosa too larga to ba antiraiy included in ona axposura ara filmad baginning in tha uppar laft hand cornar, laft to right and top to bottom, as many framas as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Lea cartas, planches, tableaux, etc., pauvent ttra filmfe i dee taux da riduction diffirenta. Lorsque le document eet trcp grand pour Atra raproduit en un seul clichA, 11 est film* A pertir de Tangle supArieur gauche, de gauche A droite, et de haut en bas. en prenant le nombre d'imegea nAcaesaire. Laa diagrammee auivanta illustrant la mAthoda. rata lelure. 3 32X 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 ^ n E N C K C..1fl.iiwm HriHid J. '^H'vt % • t ' k;- \i "•"■MBnaMM ,■•■11 *7 HAND BOOK OF TBB GEOGRAPHY AND NATURAL HISTORY "^•' Of THE PROVINCE or NOVA SCOTIA. . I JOB THE USE OF SCHOOLS, FAMILIES, AND TRAVELLERS. By J. W. DAWSON. /0iirt|| (BHtl0)t, Hevtsrlt. IB^v. PICTOU: : PUBLISHED BY JAMES DAWSON & SON. •t-'-'-' ,?^' ■>^'.'-^-' " 1855. :/> |- '- ^f-V|-' • Ti'-"i<"iMli--i ' Ttrawn hii'.T.Vt. Dmv.ioh "I" »!\ Published bj J. Dawson IHibLished by .T.Dawmuii &• Son. o If* .->* '1 t ■'■>'- ' •I am - ; : . .tj- ' -" j» Entered for Copyright, according to the Act of the As- sembly, on the 31st day of July 1852, by J. \V. Dawson, of Pictou. ' :. ' v.im -1- ^tK ^Jf fi 5344^9 0 I, 1 •'If i t \\1 t » X t '^^ , PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION. The importance to the young of a knowledge of their own country, the meagre and inaccurate accounts of Nova Scotia contained in the ordinary books of Geography, and the difficulty of obtaining cheap and suitable means of giving instruction in this department, induced the writer in 1847 to compile a cheap School Map of the Province, and in the following year to pre- pare a Hand Book of the Geography of the country to accom- pany it. The sale of the latter has now rendered necessary a third edition, which has been carefully revised and somewhat enlarged, and it is hoped gives a tolerably correct view of the natural features and present condition of the Province. The Section on Natural History, introduced into the first edition with the view of promoting the love and study of Na- ture, and of exciting a well directed spirit of inquiry into the natural resources and productions of our country, has in the present edition been somewhat simplified, and additional ex- planations have been added. Considerable pains have also been taken to ensure accuracy in the nomenclature and descriptions. The statements of temperature, &c., in the article on Climate, are based on the observations of Henry Poole, Esq., of the Albion Mines, Piotou, The population and other statistical details have been cor- rected according to the census of 1851. With the view of rendering the work more useful as a School Book, and of adapting it to improved methods of teaching, some changes have been made in the arrangement, and a few intro- ductory lessons have been prefixed. It 'f not necessary that the words of the book should be commit, lo to memory by the pupils. When they are acquainted with the names and facts, ana more especially with the Map of the Province, and can ex- press their knowledge correctly in their ovm words, the end is attained. In the Natural History department, it is not intended that the scientific names enclosed in brackets () shall bo com- mitted to memory, at least by junior classes. Their principal use is, to enable the teachers and advanced pupils, desirous of further information, to refer with certainty to the descriptions in larger works, and to obtain general views of the arrange- ment of the objects composing the great kingdoms of nature. Some knowledge of the nomenclature, as well as the facts of Natural History, is however, in the present day, a necessary element in an advanced or liberal education. The value of this edition is much enhanced by the neat Map Prefixed to it, and which is a reduced copy of Dawson's School lap of the Province. PiCTOU, 1852. .".,..■-:.,;, ■;• •■;*;':• •-;-/■ CONTENTS. Section I.—Geoobathy, ■ r • -■ -^ Page General Description of Nova Scotia 7 Nova Scotia Proper. 7 Cape Breton 10 Civil Divisions of Nova Scotia 11 Counties of Nova Scotia Proper 12 Digby 12 Yarmouth 14 Shelbume 16 Queen's 17 Annapolis 19 King's 22 Lunenburg 23 ; Hants 26 Halifax 27 Colchester 30 Cumberland 32 Pictou 33 ' Sydney 36 Guysborough 37 - Counties of Cape Breton. \, -^ Richmond .....'....89 Inverness 40 - ' Cape Breton 41 Victoria 4$ v Sable Island 44 • Political and Judicial Institutions. The Executive 45- Legislative Bodies 45 Judicial Institutions.... 46;^ : Religious Denominations 47. ^~"^^^ Section II. — Natural Histoby. ' ' ' '{' " JC Climate 50. 'i Gkology ..53 ": Zoology , 62;: Botany. , 85i ■^- ^::2 '-^a ij^ifci. ^^■ 'mr^jfisiip-jy^^f^m-^'- Roads and Distances ....92; Pronunciation of Proper Names 94 Industrial Sbitistics 95 GEOGRAPHY AND NATURAL HISTORY 'bi: . A * .' • ' X ^ -. 1 1- ;», «f ;■ •' ,r.-«'V, ^1,, 1^ \ . \ NOVA SCOTIA. \:k . t. .'■■ ' ' ' ..' ,' • , SECTION L-GEOGRAPHY. •'■;.'.--v-^>;';;':; V: INTRODUCTORY LESSONS. LESSON L ••i' [In teaching children the geographv of their ebuntry, with the aid of this manual, the firat step snould be to ascertain how much geographical knowledge of this kind they already possess. This the teacher may effect by a series of questions such as the following : ] In what place are we ? In what county is it ? Of what pro- vince is that county a part ? What roads are near ? To what places do they lead ? What other places in Nova Scotia do you know? What rivers are near? What places do they flow through or near ? Where do they empty ? What bays or har- bours do you know ? What mountains or hills ? In what direc- tion is ? (naming places which have been mentioned.) At what distance ? What do you know of them ? [The teacher may now refer to the map of the province, lay- ing it down on the floor or on a table, as nearly as possible m its true position, in reference to the cardinal points, and point- ing out, or requiring the scholars to point out, the places men- tioned, if they are marked on the map, and asking them to esti- mate tiie size of the whole province from the known distances between the places which they have visited or heard of.] 6 GEOGRAPHY LESSON II. [May tako a wider range, and refer to neighbouring and re- lated portions of the world. The children, with a map of the world or of America before tliem, may be asked the following questionB : ] Of what empire is Nova Scotia a province ? What other pro- vinces of that empire are near it? With what continent is Nova Scotia connected? What part of that continent? On which side of the continent is it ? What ocean lies eastward of it ? In about what latitude does it appear on the map to be ? In about what longitude ? (The process of finding these on the map gives a favourable opportunity for explaining the mode of reckoning latitude and longitude.) In what direction from Nova Scotia is Newfoundland ? Labrador ? Prince Edward Island ? New Brunswick ? Canada ? The United States ? Is the size of Nova Scotia large or small as compared with Newfoundland ? Prince Edward Island? New Brunswick? Canada? The United States? America? [The teacher may here explain that as all maps are very much smaller than the countries they represent, so some maps are on a mueh smaller scale than others ; and will contrast the appearance of the province in the map of Nova Scotia, and in the map of America or of the world. He may also explain the manner in which portions of the spherical surface of the earth are represented on the fiat surfaces of maps.] , LESSON in. [May consist of the counter in which the school is situated, as given m the book, with the aid of the map.] ^ ^ ^. .r;.- *- [The pupils may then go regularly through the book, the teacher in every lesson using the map, questioning the children, and giving such explanations as he can, where they are re- quired.—The matter may be divided into lessons to suit the convenience of teacher and class.] /, ,-;/«< ..•'■ r :.'V'.'- .'•->._■' . ,' •■ ,fc. •.•"■■• .''■•'.-• v;-\--A^''4^ ■;,* ■■;••.'•'-•'-«• ■■ - ■ '\ - <-M ■■i\-.^i' ). 1* ■.••v;:->-<^?jftjJ;' /•: \::. :.,• '; - . •' • ,■ ■■-■':■■■-' : .,r;f^^r-' j ■■•'• OP KOVA BCOTIA. M '■■■^;\ i GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE r ■ 4s PROVINCE. i' J The Province of Nova Scotia is situated on the eastern side of the continent of North America, between North latitude 43° 25' and 47°, and between West longitude 59° 40' and 66° 25'. It is one of the Provinces of British North America. It was first colonized by the French, by whom it was called Acadie or Acadia. It was finally ceded by France to Great Britain in 1713. Its principal natural divisions are Nova Scotia Pro- per and Cape Breton. Its area is about 18,600 square miles; its population 276,117, according to the census of 1851. . . . ... - V .: NOVA SCOTIA PROPER. \ \^ | Nova Scotia Proper is a peninsula of a somewhat triangular form, connected with the mainland of North America by an isthmus sixteen miles in breadth. It is bounded on the north-east by Northu'nberland Strait, St George's Bay and the Strait of Canseau ; on the south and south-east by the Atlantic Ocean ; and on the north-west by the Bay of Fundy, Chiegnecto Bay, and the Province of New Brunswick. Northumberland Strait is a part of the Gulf of St liawrence, separating Nova Scotia from Prince Edward Island. - ' St George's Bay is an arm of the Gulf of St Law- 8 • . r ■ >, -■A OEOQRAPHY m-: rence, included between the eastern part of Nova Scotia and the western part of Cape Breton. The Strait of Canseau is a passage about one mile in breadth, separating Nova Scotia from Cape Breton, and connecting the Gulf of St Lawrence with the At- lantic. ^?-.^ "^ The Bay of Fundy is an arm of the Atlantic, par- tially separating Nova Scotia from New Brunswick. It is remarkable for the great height of its tides. Chiegnecto Bay is an arm of the Bay of Fundy. It is divided into two branches, Shepody Bay and Cumber* land Basin. The first of these branches terminates in New Brunswick, and the last in Nova Scotia. The length of Nova Scotia Proper is 256 miles ; its greatest breadth is 100 miles ; and its area about 15,600 square miles. Its surface is generally undulating or uneven, but not mountainous ; it luis numerous small lakes and rivers, and the coast abounds in bays and harbours. The scenery, though not grand, is varied and often beautiful. The most important rivers are, the St Mary's, the La Have, the Liverpool, the Annapolis, the Shubena- cadie, and the East Hlver of Pictou. The principal ranges of hills are the Cobequid Moun- taios, the hills extending from Cape St George through Sydney and Pictou Counties, and the sou^h and north Mountains of King's and Annapolis Counties. The highest of these is the Cobequid chain, which attaiiis an elevation of about 1100 feet. Its prmcipal capes and headlands are. Cape St George, Cape Canseau, Cape Sambro, Cape Sable, Digby Neck, Cape Split, and Cape Chiegnecto. The principal bays and arms of the sea are, Cum- ■V , OF NOVA SCOTIA. 9 berland Basin and Minas Channel and Basin, connected with the Bay of Fundy ; St Mary's Bay, Mahone Bay, Margaret's Bay, Chebucto Bay or Hfdifax Harbour, and Chedabacto Bay, opening to the Atlantic ; and St George's Bay, Tatamagouche Bay and Bay Verte, on the coast of the Gulf of St Lawrence. The population is 221,239. '■pr ' Exercise. — Where is Nova Scotia situated? Its latitude? Its longitude? Of what country is it a province? By whom first colonized ? What named hy them ? When ceded to Great Britain ? What are its natural divisions ? Find Nova Scotia Proper on the Map. Find Cape Breton. What is the form o* Nova Scotia Proper ? With what con- nected? By what? Point out the Istnmus. How hounded on the N. E. and E. ? How on the S. md S. E. ? How on the N. W. ? Point out Northumberland Strait. Trace its coast. What countries does it separate ? Point out St George's Bay. To what gulf does it belong? Trace its coasts. Be- tween what coasts does it lie ? Point out the Strait of Canseau. Trace its coast. What countries does it separate? What waters does it connect? Point out the Bay of Fundy. Trace its coasts. Of what ocean is it an arm ? What countries does it separate ? For what is it remarkable ? What is Chieg^ecto Bay? Its blanches? Point out Ghiegnecto Bay. Shepody Bay ? Cumberland Basin ? What is the length of Nova Bco- tia ? Its breadth ? Its area ? How many acres are in a square mile? What is the character of its surface? What is the meaning of undulating? Are its mountains high or numerous as compared with those of some other countries ? Has it many lakes or rivers ? Are they large or small ? With what does its coast abound? What is the character of its scenery? Name one of its ranges of hills. Trace it and name the conn- ties through which it passes. Another. Trace it. Another. Trace it. Another. Trace it. Which is the highest of these ? What is its elevation? From what is the height of hills meas- ured? {the level of the sea). How much less than a mile are 1100 feet? Name and point out one of its principal bays. Another, &c. What is the population of Nova Scotia? [The above is given merely as an example. To append an exercise to every lesson would unnecessarily increase the bulk of the book. The Teaeher can easily ftreat every lesson in a similar manner, allowing the children to answer in their own words, or in those of the book, and explaining any words of a novel or difficult character.] 4' ■,'.'■ 10 QEOGRAPHY t CAPE BRETON. Cape Breton is an island of a very irregular form, lying on the north-east of Nova Scotia Proper. It is bounded on the north-west by the Gulf of St Lawrence, on the south-west by St George's Bay and the Strait of Canseau, and on the north-east and south- east by the Atlantic Ocean. Its greatest length is 100 miles, its greatest breadth 72 miles, its area about 3000 square miles. Its surface is in general similar to that of Nova Scotia Proper. In the northern part of the island the surface is elevated and uneven ; in the southern and eastern parts it is undulating, with some ranges of low hills. The eastern coast is very much indented by arms of the sea, while on the western coast harbQurs and inlets are rare. ■'■'■^'■■^' The most important rivers arei the Margarie, Inhab- itants, and Mir^. The principal capes and headlands are Cape North, Cape St Lawrence, Cape Egmont, Cape Enfumd, Cape Dauphin, Cape Murgain, Cape Breton, Cape Mabou. The most important bays and arms of the sea are the Bras d'Or Lake, which nearly divides the island into two parts, and communicates with the sea by two chan- nels, fhe Great and Little Bras d'Or, Aspy Bay, Sydney Harbour, St Ann's Bay, Mir^ Bay, Gabarus Bay, and St Peter's Bay, all opening to the Atlantic. The population of Cape Breton is 54,878. '/»* vr OP NOVA SCOTIA. 11 CIVIL DIVISIONS OF NOVA SCOTIA. The principal civil divisions of Npva_ Scotia are, Counties and Townships. Counties are the most important of these divisions. Each county sends representatives to the House of As- sembly, has a Sheriff and a bench of Magistrates, has two Sessions of the Supreme Court in each year, and has the power of levying taxes within its limits. There are eighteen Counties ; fourteen of which are in Nova Scotia Proper, and four in Cape Breton. Their names are : Digby. Colchester. . Yarmouth. Cumberland. Shelburne. Pictou. Queen's. Sydney. Annapolis. Guysborough. King's. Inverness. Lunenburg. Richmond. Hants. Cape Breton. Halifax. Victoria. %sr'^ ■■' «r* . Townships are subdivisions of Counties. ' Most of them were originally tracts of land granted to Com- panies or Associations for the purpose of settlement. Townships can assess themselves for the support of the poor ; some of them have the privilege of sending Members to the Assembly. [The teacher should require the pupils to point out the coun- ties on the map and trace their forms.] s.r 12 GEOGRAPHY ■^^^i^ COUNTIES OF NOVA SCOTIA PROPER. 1. — THE COUNTY OP DIGBY. Digby is bounded on the north-west by the Bay of Fundy ; on the west by the Atlantic ; on the south by the County of Yarmouth ; on the east by the County of Annapolis and Annapolis Basin. The largest indentation in its coast is St Mary's Bay, which is separated from the Bay of Fundy by the nar- row peninsula of Digby Neck and the islands, at its ex- tremity. The islands of this county are Long Island and Briar Island, separated from each other by the strait named Grand Passage, and from Digby Neck by the Petit Passage. Briar Island is the most western part of Nova Scotia. Its principal river is the Sissiboo, a stream of con- siderable size, running into St Mary's Bay. It is navi- gable to the distance of four miles from its mouth, and forms a good harbour. Its chief towns and settlements are Digby, the county town, on the west side of Annapolis Basin ; Weymouth, at the mouth of Sissiboo River; Westport, on Briar Island ; and Clare, on the western coast The townships of this county are Digby and Clare. The soil of this county is of various quality. On Digby Neck it is dark-coloured and fertile, but stony ; on the isthmus between St Mary's Bay and Annapolis . Basin, usually reddish and generally fertile ; in the re- mainder of the county it is of moderate fertility, though often hilly and stony. At the head of St Mary's Bay there is an extensive tract of marsh land. '-^r' OF NOVl SCOTIA. 13 The principal exports of Digby are fish, agricultural produce, lumber and cordwood. The first settlers of Digby were loyalists from the United States, and French Acadians. The former occu- pied the northern part of the county. The latter, who were part of those expelled from the province and after- wards permitted to return, settled in 1768 on the shores of its southern part, now the township of Clare. The population of Digby in 1838 was 9269. It is now 12,252. The coast of the township of Clare is low. The French Settlements form an almost continuous belt along the shore ; and the small vessels by which they trade with the United States are sheltered by piers erected at several points along the coast, which is desti- tute of good harbours. Near the Sissiboo River, the country is very agreeably diversified ; and in this part of the coast, St Mary^s Bay and the opposite high land of Digby Neck present a fine appearance. The town of Digby is prettily situated on a steep slope facing the east ; and the high cliffs on either side of Annapolis Gut, the shore of Granville, the expanse of Annapolis Basin, and the uneven grounds of the Joggins and Bear River, afford many fine views from the town and its vicinity. The town of Digby exports smoked herring, cordwood, fruit, and farm produce, and carries on much trade with St John, to which place steamers ply regularly. Anna- polis Gut, the only outlet of the Basin of the same name, is a very picturesque strait, the trappean cliffs on either side rising to a great height. The tides of the Bay of Fundy rush through it very rapidly. .*►-.. ^-^i 14 GEOGRAPHY 2.--THE COUNTY OF YARMOUTH. Yarmouth is bounded on the north by the county of Digby; on the west and south-west by the Atlantic; and on the south-east by the county of Shelburne. Its principal harbours are, Yarmouth, Jebogue, Tus- ket, Pubnico, and Abuptic. Its principal river is the Tusket, whose sources are at Lake Wentworth in the county of Digby, and whose course is through a chain of lakes. Its main branch is named Salmon River. The lakes of this county are very nuiperous, occurring along the courses of all the rivers and streams. The largest is Lake George. On its coast are numerous small islands. One of these, Seal Island, is the most southern land belonging to Nova Scotia. The principal towns and settlements are Yarmouth, the county town, on the harbour of the same name; Tusket, on the east side of Tusket River ; Jebogue, Pub- nico, Kempt, Carlton, &c. The townships of this county are Yarmouth and Ar- The surface of Yarmouth is, though low, agreeably diversified by its numerous lakes, streams, and inlets. The soil is generally rocky, but most of it is susceptible of cultivation. Near the rivers there is some marsh land, productive of grass, but inferior to the marshes of the Bay of Fundy. The people of this county are chiefly employed in the fisheries and navigation ; agriculture and the lumber trade are also pursued, though less extensively. The principal exports are fish, lumber, and dairy produce. The trade of Yarmouth is extensive and prosperous ; >^ OP NOVA SCOTIA. 15 and a larger amount of shipping is owned in the town of Yarmouth than in any other port of the province, Hali- fax excepted. The first settlers of Yarmouth were French Acadians from Annapolis. They were expelled by the British Government in 1755 ; but in 1763 were permitted to re- turn ; and their descendants still occupy a part of the county. Their principal settlements are on the coast of the township of Argyle. The first British settlers were a few families from New England, who settled at Jebogue in 1761. The town of Yarmouth was founded a few years afterward. The population of the county was in 1838, 9189. It is now 13,142. The town of Yarmouth forms one continuous street, extending almost two miles along the east side of the « harbour. Its northern extremity, at one time a separate village, is named Milton. Yarmouth is the most im- portant town in the western part of Nova Scotia, and contests with Pictou the Honour of being the second town in the province. — Shipbuilding and the carrying trade are the principal foundations of its prosperity. There are several good agricultural settlements in thi^ county, and the soil is generally cultivable ; but the comparatively large trading and seaiaring population causes the price of provisions to be high. Tusket is a thriving little village on the east side of the river of the same name, which has in some parts of its course much pretty and picturesque scenery. 16 GEOGRAPHY 3. — THE COUNTY OF SHELBURNE. Shelbu^ue is bounded on the west by the county of Yarmou h ; on the north-east by Queen^s County ; and on the south by the Atlantic. Its principal harbours are Barrington Harbour, Port La Tour, Cape Negro Harbour, Shelbume Harbour, Jordan River, Ragged Islands Harbour, and Port Hi- bert. Of the last of these one side only is in Shelbume. Its largest rivers are the Barrington, Clyde, Shel- bume or Roseway, and Jordan ; the most important of these are the Clyde and Roseway. Its principal islands are Cape Sable Island, Cape Negro Island, M'Nut's Island, and Lockers Island. The principal towns and settlements are Shelbume, the county town, at the head of Shelbume Harbour ; Barrington, on the harbour of the same name ; Locke's Island, in Ragged Island Harbour ; and Clyde River. The townships of this county are Barrington and Shel- bume. The surface of this county is low and uneven in the vicinity of the coast ; but in the interior there are higher Vmds. The soil is generally rocky, and in many places there are large barrens and peat-bogs. Even in the vicinity of the coast, however, there are patches of good land ; and in the interior there are tracts of fertile soil producing valuable timber. The principal branch of industry pursued in this county is the fishery, which is carried on by the inhab- itants of all the harbours on the coast. Shipbuilding and agriculture are also pursued to some extent, and oak timber and plank are exported. The first settlers in Shelbume were a few French fiimilies. The first British settlers were eighty families OF NOVA SCOTIA. 17 from Nantucket and Cape Cod^ who arrived in 1761, 1762, and 1763. The town of Shelbume was founded in 1783, by a large number of refugee loyalists from the United States. It afterwards greatly declined, but recently its popula- tion and trade have considerably increased. The population of this coimty in 1838 was 6831. It is now 10,622. The town of Shelbume possesses a very fine harbour, and has an agreeable appearance, but its growth is by no means rapid. The settlement on Locke's Island is a thriving little village, whose inhabitants are actively en- gaged in the herring and cod fishery. The finest agri- cultural district appears to be that of Clyde River, where the soil is less stony than in most other parts of the county, and there are also very large tracts of bog, which when drained will form valuable soils. At Bar- rington the land is exceedingly rocky, and the settle- ments are scattered along the shores of the harbour and of Cape Sable Island, and do not form a town or village. The people of Barrington ave active and skilful fisher- men and navigators. The county of Shelbume posses- ses large quantities of fine and valuable granite, which is not however as yet extensively quarried. 4. — queen's county. Queen's County is bounded on the north-west by the county of Annapolis ; on the south-west by the county of Shelbume ; on the south-east by the Atlantic ; and on the north-east by the county of Lunenburg. The principal bays and harbours on its coast are Port Joli, Port Mouton, Liverpool, and Port Medway. B 19 GEOGRAPHY The principal rivers are the Liverpool and Port Medway. The first of these is one of the largest in Nova Scotia, and is connected with numerous lakes, one of which, Lake Rosignol, is the mpst extensive in the province. The Port Medway is also a large river, and receives the surplus waters of many considerable lakes. The principal towns and settlements are Liverpool, the county town, which is well built and carries on an extensive foreign and coasting trade ; Milton, on the Liverpool River; Mill Village and Port Medway, at the mouth of Port Medway River ; and in the interior of the county, Brookfield, Pleasantfield, Northfield, and Caledonia. The townships of Queen's County are Liverpool and Gruysborough. The soil in the vicinity of the coast is very rocky and unproductive ; but in the interior of the county there are tracts of good soil, and thriving agricultural settlements. The exports of Queen's County are fish and sawed lumber. The trade in these is carried on in all the harbours on the coast ; especially in Liverpool and Port Medway. The first settlers were emigrants from Massachusetts, who founded the town of Liverpool in 1760. The population in 1838 was 5798. It is now 7256. The town of Liverpool is built on a very rocky site, on the west side of the entrance of the Liverpool River. It consists principsdly of one long street, which in the central part of the town is agreeably ornamented with shrubs and trees planted in front of the houses. This street has but little of a business aspect, the trade of the t OP NOVA SCOTIA. 19 place being principally carried on at the wharves. In the rear of Liverpool, a large building has been erected for a seminary in connexion with the Independent Church. Large quantities of fish are seined on the shore of this county ; and timber is brought from great distances in- land, to be sawed at the mills in Liverpool and Port Medway Rivers. The northern district is a fine agricul- tural country. 6. — THE COUNTY OF ANNAP0U8. Annapolis is bounded on the west by the county of Digby ; on the north-west by the Bay of Fundy ; on the east by King's County ; on the south-east by Queen's and Lunenburg Counties. Its only natural harbour is the beautiful sheet of water named Annapolis Basin ; there are, however, breakwaters on the coast. Its principal river is the Annapolis, a large stream running nearly parallel to the northern shore of the county, and receiving the waters of several considerable tributaries from the south. The principal towns are Annapolis, the county town, which was at one time the capital of the province, and is the oldest settlement in Nova Scotia; Bridgetown, at the head of the navigation on Annapolis river, and the principal seat of trade ; and Laurencetown. The townships of Annapolis are Annapolis, Granville, Clements, and Wilmot. Its surface is varied and beautiful. It may be divided into three districts, differing in their soil and appear- ance. The first of these natural divisions is the elevated ridge of the North Mountain, extending along the coast, 20 OEOORAPUY and fonning the promontory of Granville. The foils on the flanks of this ridge are generally excellent. The second comprises the valley of the Annapolis River, the uplands of which, though light, are often fer- tile, and adapted to the culture of fruit. It also includes extensive tracts of diked marsh on the margin of the basin and rivers. The third extends from the valley of the river to the south line of the county, and comprises more than b-^if its surface. It is in general hilly and in some parts ^ ' vy rocky, but includes much fertile soil. The most valuable mineral found in thi<; county is iron ore, which occurs, in a large bed, near the Moose and Nictaux Rivers, and extends between these plnces. A company was formed in 1825 for working this ore, but the enterprise was afterwards abandoned. The working of the ore at Nictaux has recently been recom- menced. The people of Annapolis county are employed chiefly in agriculture ; and the most important exports are farm and dairy produce. This county was first settled by the French, who in 1605 founded the town of Port Royal. Port Royal was destroyed by an expedition from the British colony of Virginia in 1613. In 1629, an unsuccessful attempt at settlement was made by the English, iai 1 iiie province being shortly afterwards ceded to ••'ra'i'.a. iort Ko^al again became a French colony. It was retaken by the English in 1656, and again ceded to France by the ^eacG of Breda. In the war which commenced in 1689, ^v iral contests between the French and English oc- C'^J.Cvl at Port Royal; but in 1697, it was again restored to France b)' treaty. War having been declared in 1701, Port Royal, after two unsuccessful attacks, was . Hf,.. I ^ OF NOVA BCOTIA. 21 I taken by a force from MaRsachuBettB, and at the peace in 1713, it wu. with th« rest of Nova Hcutia, finally ceded to Great Britain ; its nanie was then changed to Annapolis. The French colonists were expelled by the British Government in 1755, and the lands which they had left were occupied in 1764 and 1765 by emigrants from the older British Colonies, now the United States. The county afterwards received a considerable number of American loyalists and disbanded soldiers. The population of the county in 1838 was 11,989; It b now 14,285. The town of Annapolis is pleasant; y situated on a small and highly cultivated peninsuUi between the mouth of a small stream called Allen River and the Annapolis River. It is a compact little town, but has not increased rapidly. A village called '^^aledonia, has sprung up on the opposite side of the river, and appears to be thriving. The old fort, originally erected by the French, still remains, and is garrisoned by a company of soldiers. It form's an agreeable promenade to the inhabitants of the town. Bridgetown is a prosperous town about ten nules eastward of Annapolis, and has much the ispect of a New England village. Laurencetown is a snail village. The finest and most populous part of thi county is the large valley of the Annapolis River, which through- out its whole length is thickly settled and cultivated. As an agricultural district, its most marked character- istic is the number of fine orchards, and the extent of the cultivation of Indian com, which is greater than in any county of Nova Scotia except King's. ■^v. 22 GEOGRAPHY 6.-— king's county. 4 I King's County is bounded on the west by Annapolis County ; on the north by Minas Channel ; on the ea&t by Minas Basin ; and on the south-east by Lunenburg and Hants Counties. Its principal rivers are the Gaspereaux and Cornwallis, both running into the basin of Minas. The estuaries of these and some smaller streams are the only harbours of the county. The principal towns and settlements are, Kentville, the county town, on the banks of Cornwallis River; Lower Horton, Cornwallis, and Wolfville. /^ The townships of this county are Horton, Cornwallis, and Aylesford. , j At Wolfville are situated Acadia College, an institu- tion under the control of the Baptist Association of Nova Scotia, and the Horton Academy. The surface of this county is beautiful and diversified, and, like the county of Annapolis, may be divided into three natural districts. The first of these is the elevated ridge of the North Mountain, terminating in the lofty promontories of Blo- midon and Cape Split. It contains much valuable soil of a very fertile quality, but the surface is often preci- pitous and stojiy. The second district is the broad and highly cultivated valley of Cornwallis, in which the soil is a red sandy loam, generally fertile. At the mouths of the rivers running through this valley, and on the neighbouring shore of Horton, there are about 7700 acres of diked marsh land of excellent quality. The third district lies to the north of the valley of i ^-V'.« t--«'* JtA '.< >' OF NOVA SCOTIA. 23 ■ V \ Comwallis, and is hilly and elevated, but contains much fertile soil, and is in many places thickly settled. The narrow valley of the Gaspereaux River, which runs through this district, is of great beauty. King's County was first settled by the French, who built in Horton a village named Minas, and diked much of the marsh land of the county. They were expelled with the other French Acadians in 1755. The first English settlers were emigrants from Con- necticut, who arrived in 1764, and took possession of the lands formerly occupied by the French. The principal branch of industry in this county is agriculture, and the farms are generally well cultivated and productive. The population of this county was, in 1838, 13,709. It is now 14,138. ^ < . :^?-^ ' The broad valley between the north and south moun- tains of King's County is one of the most beautiful parts of the province. Its gently undulating surface, its great breadth of cultivated land and marsh, its fine orchards, and the slopes and precipices of the hills bounding it, all contribute to the attractiveness of its appearance. This valley is the principal seat of the population ; but there are good settlements in New Canaan, and other hilly portions of the southern half of the county. Kent- ville is a pretty village in a low and sheltered vale, sur- rounded by woods and hills. ;1- i 7. — THE COUNTY OF LUNENBURG. Lunenburg is bounded on the south-west by Queen's County ; on the north-west by Annapolis and King's Counties ; on the north-east by Hants and Halifax Coun- ties ; on the south-east bv the Atlantic. 24 GEOGRAPHY r The principal bays and harbours are Mahone Bay, a large indentation in the coast, containing numerous islands, Lunenburg Harbour, and the estuary of the La Have River. - The largest rivers are the La Have, Petite, and Gold Rivers. The first of these is a large river connected with several lakes, the most important of which is Sher- brooke Lake. . The principal towns and settlements are Lunenburg, the county town, on the harbour of the same name ; Chester, on the shore of Mahone Bay ; Bridgewater, on the La Have River ; New Dublin ; and New Germany on the La Have River. The townships of this county are Chester, Lunenburg, and New Dublin. In this county is the promontory of Aspatogon, whose elevation, though not above 500 feet, is greater than that of any other headland on this coast, and makes it a noted landmark to navigators. The surface of Lunenburg is- in general undulating, but not elevated, and the soil is somewhat stony ; but on the shores of Mahone Bay, in the vicinity of .the town of Lunenburg, and of the La Have River, and in many other places, the soil is good and well cultivated. The principal exports are fish, lumber, and cattle ; and the shipping employed in carrying these is in great part owned in the county. .- ^. Lunenburg was first settled by Germans and Swiss, invited by the British Government, who foimded the town of Lunenburg in 1751. In 1782, Lunenburg was greatly injured by being taken and plundered by Ame- rican privateers, who took or destroyed property the value of which was estimated at £13,000. Chester was settled in 1760 by emigrants from New England. i- fl .Sv »:. f OP NOVA SCOTIA. The population of this county in 1827 was 9405 ; in 1838, 12,058. It is now 16,395. . : „ >:mJ. The town of Lunenburg is situated on a peninsula on the east side of the harbour, on ground rising some- what abruptly from the water's edge. The town and shores of the harbour have, from several points of view, a fine appearance. Chester is a pretty village, present- ing from some points fine views of the shores of Mahone Bay, and the numerous islands which stud its surface. Bridgewater is a thriving little village, and the advan- tage of being at the outlet of the La Have Biver en- ables it to carry on a large trade, chiefly in lumber and cordwood. The Petite River and other agricultural districts have also a pleasing appearance. This county has a large surface of cultivable soil, and a considerable part of the population is engaged in agriculture. ' ^' Si' i \ , ■, >■ V . ) 8. — THE COUNTY OF HANTS. y.-v^ Hants is bounded on the north-west and north by King's County and the Basin of Minas ; on the east by the Shubenacadie, which separates it from Colchester ; and on the south by Halifax and Lunenburg Counties. The only large indentation in its coast is the estuary of the Avon River, which receives the waters of most of the rivers of the county. The principal rivers are the Kennetcook, St Croix, and Avon; and the Nine Mile and Five Mile Rivers, tributaries of the Shubenacadie. In consequence of the low level of the greater part of this county, and the height of the tides of the Bay of Fundy, the first three of these rivers and the Shubenacadie River are 26 GEOGRAPHY I remarkable for the length of their tidal estuaries, which form the only harbours of this county. • . The most important towns and settlements are Wind- sor, the county town, on the east side of the Avon estuary ; Hantsport, on the west side of the same es- tuary; Newport, on the Kennetcook River; Maitland, at the mouth of the Shubenacadie, Falmouth, Noel, and Nine Mile River. The most important educational institutions arfe King's College, near Windsor, conduq^^d on the princi- ples of the Church of England ; and the Windsor Colle- giate School. The townships of Hants County are Windsor, Fal- mouth, Newport, Kempt, Rawdon, and Douglas. The surface of Hants County is in general low and gently undulating. In the southern part of the county, however, there ere more hilly districts, the most ele- vated part of which is Ardoise Mountain. The soil is, in all the lower parts of the county, good and often very fertile ; and on the estuaries of the Avon and St Croix there are 2544 acres of diked marsh of the best quality. In the hilly districts the soil is often stony and unproductive. The useful minerals of Hants are gypsum, commonly called plaster, and limestone. The first of these is large- ly quarried, especially near Windsor and the Shubena- cadie, and forms the chief export of the county. The occupation of the greater part of the people is agriculture, and the country in the neighbourhood of the rivers, and on some parts of the shore of the bay, is well cultivated; but in the interior of the county much valuable land is still unoccupied. The first settlers in Hants were the French, who occupied part of the township of Windsor. Their lands, OP NOVA SCOTIA. 27 ries, which are Wind- the Avon ) same es- Maitland, Noel, and itions arfe the prin el- isor CoUe- idsor, Fal- as. il low and lie county, most ele- mty, good the Avon marsh of oil is often immediately after their expulsion, were granted chiefly to persons residing in Halifax. The other parts of the county were settled between the years 1759 and 1784, by emigrants from New England and the North of Ire- land, and by loyalists from the Carolinas and disbanded soldiers. The population in 1838 was 11,399. It is now 14,330. Windsor is a rather well buUt town, situated in a beautiful agricultural district. In its close vicinity there are large gypsum quarries and fine tracts of marsh land. Hantsport and Newport are small villages, the former inhabited chiefly by seamen and shipmasters ; the latter an agricultural place. — Maitland is a small village, and is the principal seat of the trade of the Shubenacadie River. It carries on a considerable trade in ships, lumber, and gypsum. The County of Hants includes a very large breadth of fertile soil, not sur- passed by any in the province. Agriculture is, how- ever, in many of the settlements in a rather backward state, the soil having been much impoverished by sup- plying hay to the Halifax market. commonly se is large- Shubena- people is urhood of f the bay, he county inch, who heir lands. 9. — THE COUNTY OF HALIFAX. Halifax County is bounded on the west by Lunen- burg ; on the north by Hants, Colchester, and Pictou ; on the east by Guysborough ; and on the south by the Atlantic. Its most important bays are Margaret's Bay, and Chebucto Bay or Halifax Harbour; but besides these there are numerous safe harbours and inlets along the whole coast. The principal rivers are the Musquodoboit, which is the largest river in the county; the Middle River of .:.t'. . ^i.. 28 GEOGRAPHY %ii; Sheet Harbour; the Sackville River; and the Shu- beiiacadie, which rises inlkhis county, and after passing through a chain of lakes, runs for some distance along the boundary between Halifax and Hants. Halifax has numerous lakes, of which Ship Harbour Lake and Grand Lake are the largest. The principal towns are Halifax and Dartmouth, both on the harbour of Halifax. The most important agricultural settlements are those of the Musquodoboit and Sackville Rivers. On the coast are numerous set- tlements, the people of which are chiefly employed in the fisheries. The city of Halifax is the capital of Nova Scotia, and the principal naval and military station in the Lower Provinces. It was incorporated in 1841. Its popula- tion is about 26,000. The townships of this county are Halifax, Dartmouth, Laurencetown, and Preston. The surface of this county is generally uneven and rocky, and in many parts very sterile. On the mar- gins of the rivers, however, especially of the Musquo- doboit, there are tracts of good soil ; and near the town of Halifax, very stony soils have been rendered productive. The trade of Halifax is extensive, as it is the principal depot for the importation of British, European, and West Indian goods, and for the export of the produce of the fisheries. The principal public buildings in Halifax are, the Province Building, containing apartments for the Le- gislative Council, House of Assembly, Supreme Court, and various provincial officers ; the Government House, occupied by the lieutenant-governor; Dalhousie Col- lege ; the Temperance Hall ; and a number of churches and other ecclesiastical edifices. f ■^'Tv, '■-•'), "'<"• ■ ;n. I .. Wt , "■■».'■ OF NOVA BCOTIA. 29 The British Government have erected at Halifax an extensive dockyard for refitting ships of war ; barracks for the troops stationed at Halifax ; and a strong forti- fication on Citadel Hill, overlooking the town. The city of Halifax was founded in 1747 by English, Irish, and German emigrants, brought thither at the expense of the British Government. Dartmouth was founded in 1750, but in 1756 it was destroyed by the Indians. In 1784 it was again settled by emigrants from Nantucket, most of whom removed in 1793. Since that time its population has gradually increased. The population of Halifax in 1838 was 28,570. It is now 39,112. X The county of Halifax extends for about eighty miles along the rocky and barren south coast of the province ; and with the exception of the valley of the Musquodoboit River, contains little fertile soil. Many parts of its coast are, however, of great value for the prosecution of the fisheiy. The city of Halifax is situated on the west side* of the harbour, on the slope of an eminence crowned by the citadel. It presents a fine appearance from the water, and its harbour is one of the best in the world. The appearance of its prin- cipal streets has of late years been much improved, and it has been supplied with water led in by pipes, gas, communication by electric telegraph, and other conve- niences proper to large towns. A railroad leading into the interior of the Province, and intended ultimately to connect it with the other Provinces and the United States, has been commenced. A canal which will con- nect the city with Cobequid Bay, is also in progress. Dartmouth on the east side of Halifax Harbour is a large village, and may be viewed as a suburb of the capi- tal, with which it is connected^by a steam ferry. ^ 'tLdi *i^\ tii- i ;^-^5ii- '■■ijJi^-rv 30 GEOGRAPHY . 10. — THE COUNTY OF COLCHESTER. ; , j Colchester is bounded on the north and west by Tatamagouche Bay and Cumberland County; on the south-west by Cobequid Bay and the Shubenacadie River ; on the south by Halifax County ; and on the east by Pictou County. Its principal hills are those forming the eastern part of the Cobequid chain, and extending westward from Earlton along the whole length of the county. Its bays are Cobequid Bay, the extremity of the southern arm of the Bay of Fundy, and Tatamagouche Bay on the shore of Northumberland Strait. These bays are the only harbours of the county. Its principal rivers are the Stewiacke, a large trib- utary of the Shubenacadie ; the Salmon, North, Chiga- nois, De Bert, Folly, Great Village, Portapique, and Economy Rivers, running into Cobequid Bay, French and Waugh's Rivers, running into Tatamagouche Bay. The principal towns and settlements are Truro, the county town, at the head of Cobequid Bay; Tatama- gouche on the shore of Northumberland Straits ; and the settlements of Onslow, Londonderry. Economy, Stewiacke, and Earlton. " ": The townships of Colchester are Truro, Onslow, Londonderry, and Stirling. The surface of Colchester is very diversified, and has a great variety of soils. The northern part, bordering on Tatamagouche Bay,. is low and level or gently undulating, and the prevailing- soil is a fertile sandy loam. The hilly districts, extending from Earlton along the Cobequid chain, present a succession of ridges and valleys, in their natural state clothed with hardwood forests. The soils are often stony, but in some places are of great fertility. -;: ,.-.\:i>.vK . i:*./.:.; OP NOVA SCOTIA. 31 The part of the county south of the Cobequid ridge has an undulating surface, generally susceptible of cul- tivation, though in some parts light and gravelly. It includes much river intervale, and valuable marsh lands on the shore of Cobequid Bay. The most valuable minerals of this county are iron ore, a large deposit of which occurs in the rear of Lon- donderry township ; coal, of which there are small beds in various places ; gypsum, and limestone. The principal occupation of the people of Colchester is agriculture ;' ship-building and the lumber-trade are also carried on, especially at Tatamagouche. Colchester was first settled by Acadian French, who cultivated the marshes of Londonderry, Onslow, and Truro. After their expulsion, these townships were occupied by emigrants from the north of Ireland and Massachusetts. ' ; The population of Colchester in 1838 was 11,225. It is now 15,469. .; . Truro is a scattereij but beautiful village, in the centre of a very fine agricultural district. The Stewiacke River in the southern part of the county possesses an extent of mtervale probably greater than that of any other river in Nova Scotia. The belt of country ex- tending along the south side of the Cobequid Hills is a thickly settled and flourishing district, and its import- ance has recently been much increased by the opening of the valuable iron mines of the LondondeiTy Hills, and the discovery of marble, sulphate of barytes, and copper ores, at the Five Islands. Tatamagouche on the north- ern coast carries on an extensive trade in ships and lumber ; and on the banks of the French and Waugh's Rivers, and the hills of New Annan and Earlton, there are fine agricultural settlements. d2 GEOGRAPHY >i' •t - ll.—THE COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND. Cumberland is bounded on the north by Northum- berland Straits ; on the north-west by New Brunswick, Cumberland Basin, and Chiegnecto Bay; and on the south and south-east by Minas Channel and Basin, and the county of Colchester. , Its principal harbours are Pugwa&h and Wallace on the north coast ; Cumberland Basin, Apple Kiver, Advocate Harbour, and Partridge Island, on the coast of the Bay of Fundy. Its largest rivers are the Hebert, Maccan, aiid Napan, running into Cumberland Basin; the Partridge Island River, running into Minas Basin ; and the Wallace, Philip, and Shinimicas, running into Northumberland Straits. Its principal range of hills is the Cobequid chain, which extends eastward from Chiegnecto till it enters Colchester County. It forms a I/road and rather ex- tensive tract of broken and elevated lard. The principal towns and villages are Amherst, the county town, near Cumberland Basin ; Pugwash and Wallace, on the shore of Northumberland Strait ; Mill Village and PaiTsborough, on the Minas Basin. . .v{ . :' The townships of Cumberland are Amherst, Wallace, and Parrsborough. ..i,? The surface of the northern part of Cumberland is undulating, and nearly all the land is susceptible of cultivation, though much of it is light and sandy. The best uplands are those near the shore of North- umberland Straits, but near Cumberland Basin there are valuable and extensive tracts of diked marsh. The southern part of the county, including the hilly districts of the Cobequid chain, and the coast of the Minas Channel and Basin, is generally uneven and stony, but contains some fertile land. The most valuable minerals of Cumberland are coal, ; .'"jt'iA J* j^ S.^-jL*^. ■ OF NOVA SCOTIA. 83 /A' which occurs at the Joggins, Maccan River, and Spring Hill; gypsum, limestone, and sandstone. '■ ' -^ -- The principal branches of industry pursued in this county are agriculture, shipbuilding, and lumbering, which are extensively carried on, especially on the northern coast ; and the quarrying of grindstones and coal mining, which are pursued at the Joggins. The first settlers in Cumberland were French emi- grants, some of whose descendants still remain in the county. The earliest British settlers were emigrants from the New England States, Yorkshire, and the north of Ireland. The population of Cumberland in 1838 was 7572. It is now 14,339. Cumberland is a large county, thickly settled along its shores, but having large tracts of uncultivated land in its interior. Amherst is a neat village, on a level plateau overlooking the extensive marshes at the head of Cumberland Basin. Pugwash and Wallace are ra- pidly growing and considerable villages, carrying on an extensive trade in ships and lumber, and surrounded by large agricultural settlements, the principal of which are those of the Gulf Shore and Wallace River. River Philip, Maccan River, Hebert River, and Minudie, have good agricultural settlements. The settlement of the Joggins derives considerable importance from its coal mines and grindstone quarries. Advocate Harbour and Mill Village are the principal seats of shipbuilding, lumbering, and the coasting trade, on the south coast. ■ ?'■ 12.— THE COUNTY OF PICTOU. Pictou is bounded on the south-west and west by Colchester ; on the north by Northumberland Strait ; on the east by Sydney County; on the south by Halifax and Guysborough Counties. C 34 GEOGRAPHY Its principal harbours are River John, Carriboo, Pic- tou, and Merigomish. Its largest rivers arc River John, the East, Middle, and West Rivers of Pictou ; Sutherland's, French, and Barney's Rivers. The principal towns and villages are Pictou, the county town, on the north side of Pictou Harbour; New Glasgow, and the Albion Mines on the Jiast River ; Bellevuo on the River John, and Durham on the West River. The agricultural settlements are numerous and extensive. Pictou Island belongs to this county, and is occupied by several families. . • * > The principal educational institution is Pictou Academy, founded in 1816. It is under nO denominational control. The townships of this county are Pictou, Egerton, and Maxwellton. - The surface of this county is in general undulating or rising into low hills. In the western part of the county is a group of hills which are outliers of the Cobequid range ; the principal of these are Mount Thorn, Mount Ephraim, and Mount Dalhousie. In the southern part of the county there is a more extensive hilly district, which, though not very elevated, often has a broken and rocky surface. The soil in the lower parts of the county is generally of good quality, and everywhere capable of cultivation. In the hilly districts it is often stony ; but these districts also contain some of the most fertile soils of the county. Pictou contains no marsh lands, but there are valuable intervales on the margins of all the rivers. The useful minerals of this county are coal, iron ore, freestone, gypsum, and limestone. .• .. The principal exports are coal, ships, and lumber ; agricultural produce, especially oatmeal ; pork and but- ter; grindstones and freestone. . / OF NOVA SCOTIA. 35 ore, The coal exported from Pictou is procured at the Al- bion Miues on tlie Kast Uiver. The quantity shipped in 1860 was 67,382 chaldrons. In 1851 it was 59,500 chals. The iirst settlers in Pictou were emigrants from Maryland, who arrived in 1765. They were joined, eight years afterward, by thirty families from the High- lands of Scotland. The greater part of the present population consists of Scotsmen and their descendants. The popuktiou of Pictou in 1838 was 21,449. It is now25,593. Pictou has a larger agricultural population than any of the other counties, and in its older settlements the art of farming is in a more advanced condition than in most other parts of the province. The town of Pictou is closely and somewhat irregularly built, on a slope facing the south, on the north side of Pictou Harbour. . Its site is agreeable, and its streets and buildings have recently been much extended and improved. Several of the latter are of stone. Shipbuilding is extensively carried on at the town of Pictou and other places in the harbour ; and agricultural produce, lumber, and buildhig stone are exported. New Glasgow is a large and thriving village, exporting lumber, ships, and agri- cultural produce. The Albion Mines are surrounded by a considerable population, engaged principally in the mining and transport of coal. The excavations at the Albion Mines are very extensive, and are drained and worked by steam-engines. A large part of the older works was destroyed in 1850 by the falling of the roof; but two new pits have since been opened. The coal is conveyed by locomotive engines on a rail- road five miles in length, to the extremity of a long Wooden pier on the south side of Pictou Harbour, for shipment. Durham and Bellevue are small villages. Shipbuilding is largely carried on at the latter place. 36 GEOGRAPHY 13. — THE COUNTY OF SYDNEY. Sydney is bounded on the north and east by North- umberland Strait, St George's Bay, and the Strait of Canseau ; on the west by Pictou County ; and on the south-east by Guysborough. . ^, The principal harbours are Antigonish, Pomket, Tracadie, Harbour au Bouche ; there is also a pier for the shelter of small vessels at Arisaig. The largest rivers are i.iie South, West, and Right's fiiver, running into Antigonish Harbour; and Pomket River, running into the harbour of the same name. The principal range of hills is that extending west- ward from Cape St George, and connected with the hills of Pictou County. The only considerable lake is Lochaber or College Lake, a beautiful sheet of water five miles in length. The most important towns and settlements are An- tigonish, the county town, situated at the confluence of the Right's and West Rivers, Arisaig, Tracadie, South River, and Lochaber. The townships of Sydney are Dorchester or Anti- gonish, Arisaig, Tracadie, and St Andrews. The surface of Sydney presents a large and fertile valley of a triangular form, occupying the centre of the county, and bounded on two sides by broken and hilly districts which meet in the western part of the county ; these hills are not of great elevation, and contain many tracts of good soil. , > .. -* The useful minerals of Sydney are gypsum and lime- stone ; the former of these is exported, though not in large quantity. .' : ..-tu^ii The principal branches of industry are agriculture and the fishery. The principal exports are cattle, grain, and fish. OP NOVA SCOTIA. 37 The first British settlers in Sydney were disbanded soldiers who were located there in 1784. The greater part of the present population of the county consists of emigrants from the Highlands and Islands of Scot- land and their descendants. The population of Sydney in 1837 was 7103. It is now 13,467. In natural beauty and fertility, Sydney is inferior to none of the other counties ; and it contains many fine agricultural settlements. Antigonish is very prettily situated on a raised intervale, at the base of some pic- turesque eminences, forming a spur of the Antigonish mountains. A population of Scottish origin predomi- nates in the large settlements of the Gulf Shore, Cape St George, West River, Ohio, Lochaber, South River, and in other parts of the north and centre of the county. Tracadie in the south is chiefly settled by the French. - 14. — THE COUNTY OF GUYSBOROUGH. Guysborough is bounded on the south-west by the county of Halifax ; on the north by Pictou and Sydney Counties ; on the north-east and east by the Strait of Canseau and Chedabucto Bay; and on the south by the Atlantic' Its principal harbours are Milford Haven and Crow Harbour, in Chedabucto Bay; Canseau, Whitehaven, Country Harbour, St Mary's River, Liscomb Harbour, Marie Joseph Harbour, and numerous others of smaller size on the Atlantic coast. • ^ - ^ **-&^ ~^-^ Its principal rivers are the St Mary's, a river not inferior in magnitude to any in the provmce ; County Harbour River ; and Liscomb River. ^ ^r r ; ^^ t i^? '■ The principal towns are Guysborough, the county town, Sherbrooke, at the head of the tide on St Mary's ]■■• 38 GEOGRAPHY River ; and Canseau or Wilmot, at the extremity of the peninsula of Cape Canseau. The townships of Guysborough are Manchester, Guysborough, and St Mary's. The surface of this county is in the northern part generally cultivable, and in some parts, especially on the east and west branches of the St Mary's River, and on the north side of Chedabucto Bay, both beautiful and fertile. The southern half of the county, including the Atlantic coast and the south shore of Chedabucto Bay, is rugged and uneven, but has some useful soil on the borders of the rivers. This county was first settled in 1784, 1785, and 1786 by loyalists . and disbanded soldiers from the United States. Most of these earlier settlements were not very prosperous, and the county made few permanent advances till a later period. The population of Guysborough in 1827 was 5657 ; in 1838, 7447. It is now 10,838. The south coast of Guysborough is in most parts rocky and barren, and inhabited by fishermen. The villages of Canseau and Sherbrooke, however, in this part of the county, are very thriving and prosperous. The northern half of the county, though in many places hilly and rocky, contains much fertile soil, and some fine agricultural settlements. The harbour of Guys- borough or Milford Haven has much natural beauty, and the town is picturesquely perched on a steep rising ground on its western side. Granite for building and millstones abound in the southern part of the county ; and there are large beds of limestone near the town of Guysborough. '..-.fnt^ ] OF NOVA SCOTIA. 39 COUNTIES OF CAPE BRETON. 1. — THE COUNTY OF RICHMOND. Ml Richmond is bounded on the north-west and north by Inverness County and the Bras d'Or Lake ; on the south-west and south by the Strait of Canseau, Cheda- bucto Bay, and the Atlantic ; on the north-east by Cape Breton County. To this county belong Isle Madame and Janvrin's Island, both situated on the soutl coast. Its principal bays and harbours are the T>'3st Bay of the Bras d'Or Lake, St Peter's Bay, and Arichat Harbour. -. Its principal rivers are the Inhabitants and Grand Rivers, both running towards the Atlantic coast. The principal towns and settlements are Arichat, the county town, in the Isle Madame; L'Ardoise, St Peter's, Grand River, and West Bay. Its townships are Arichat, Maitland, Lennox, and Hawksbury. ■ The surface of Richmond is generally low, with some slight elevations at the eastern and western extremities of the county. The soil is generally cultivable, the best tracts being on the shores of Bras d'Or Lake and the margins of the rivers. The inhabitants of this county are employed chiefly in the fisheries and coasting trade. The agricultural settlements are, however, iuCTeasing in importance. The principal export is fish, which is sent to Europe, the West Indies, and the Brazils. Richmond was first settled by the French, and a great part of the present population consists of their descendants, — the remainder of the people are chiefly emigrants from the Highlands of Scotland. The population of Richmond in 1838 was 7667. It i8nowlO,38L - -i^^ »< 40 GEOGRAPHY The most remarkable natural feature of this county is the Isthmus of St Peter's, which connects the eastern and western divisions of Cape Breton. It is less than half a mile in width, and boats passing between the great Bras d'Or Lake and Arichat are frequently drawn across it by men and oxen. It has been pro- posed to connect the Bras d'Or with the Atlantic, by a canal crossing this isthmus. The scenery near St Peter's, and at some points on the shores of the West Bay and the Bras d'Or, is pleasing; but the greater part of the county is bare and uninteresting. Arichat consists of a long and irregular street, extending along the shore of the commodious and very accessible har- bour of the same name. Its principal trade is the export of fish and furnishing supplies to fishermen. Many coasting vessels are owned at this port. There are valuable beds of gypsum on the northern side of Isle Madame ; and coal measures, not apparently of a very productive character, in the western part of the county. Limestone abounds in many places. 2. — THE COUNTY OF INVERNESS. Inverness is bounded on the north-west by the Gulf of St Lawrence ; on the west and south-west by St George's Bay and the Strait of Canseau; on the south- east by Richmond County and the Bras d'Or Lake; on the east by Cape Breton County. ; < Its principal bays and harbours are Whykokomagh and Basin St Denis, on the Bras d'Or Lake ; Ship Harbour, in the Strait of Canseau : Port Hood, MaboU)^ Margarie, and Cheticamp, on the coast of the Gulf of St Lawrence. The largest river is the Margarie, which issues from Ainslie or Margarie Lake, the largest body of fresh water in Cape Breton, and runs into the Gulf of St Lawrence. OP NOVA SCOTIA. 41 The principal towns and settlements are Fori Hood, the county town; Mabou, Margarie, and Cheticamp, on the coast of the Gulf of St Lawrence ; Ship Har- bour, in the Strait of Canseau ; and Whykokomagh. The townships of Inverness are Port Hood, Ctoseau, Margarie, and Ainslie. The surface of this county in the northern part, be- tween Cape St Lawrence and Margarie, is generally elevated and unproductive. The southern part of the county is lower, and the soil everywhere valuable. ^ - The greater part of the population is employed in agriculture; but the fisheiy is also pursued to a con- siderable extent, ^c r The first settlers in Inverness were French, but the greater part of the present population consists of emigrants from the Highlands of Scotland and their descendants. The population in 1838 was 13,642. It is now 16,917. The county of Inverness presents much bold and ro- mantic scenery ; and the soil iff he vicinity of Mabou, on the Margarie River and Lake \.inslie, the shores of the Bras d'Or Lake and the Rive Inhabitants, is not surpassed by any in the province. In these districts there are fine agricultural settlements, usually exporting considerable quantities of cattle and farm produce. Port Hood and Ship Harbour are small villages ; and these, with Plaister Cove, Mabou, and Margarie, are the prin- cipal seats of trade. Coal occurs at Port Hood ; and limestone, gypsum, and freestone are found at Mabou, Port Hood, Plaister Cove, and several other places. -— . * j* - iii^i' e 3. — THE COUNTY OF CAPE BRETON. Cape Breton is bounded on the north-west and west by Victoria and the Bras d'Or Lake; on the south- 42 GEOGRAPHY west by Bras d'Or Lake and Richmond; on the east by the Atlantic. Its principal bays and inlets are Little Bras d'Or, Sydney Harbour, Mir^ Bay, Louisburg Harbour, and Gabarus Bay, on the Atlantic coast ; and East Arm on the Bras d'Or Lake. Its largest islands are Boulardarie Island, between the Great and Little Bras dOr and Scatari, which is the most eastern part of the province. Its principal river is the Mir^, which resembles a long and narrow lake. The surface of this county is generally undulating, and often very fertile. The valuable minerals of Cape Breton County are coal, gypsum, and limestone. The first of these is extensively worked at North Sydney, by the General Mining Association. 53,000 chaldrons were raised in 1851. The principal towns and settlements are Sydney, the county town, on the harbour of the same name ; the Bar and coal mines at North Sydney; Boulardarie, Bridgport, Mir^, Louisburg, &c. The townships of Cape Breton are Sydney, St Pat- rick's, and St Andrew's. In this county are the ruins of Louisburg, founded by the French Government in 1720, as their principal naval and commercial station on the coast of North America. It was taken by the British Provincial troops in 1745, restored to the French in 1749, and retaken and destroyed in 1768. The first settlers in this county were French. The greater part of the present inhabitants are emigrants from Scotland and Ireland, and their descendants. The population is now about 17,r00. The return in 1838 was 14,111, including Victoria. OF NOVA SCOTIA. 43 The town of Sydney is agreeably situated on the eastern side of the south-west arm of the harbour ; and the neighbouring country, on both sides of the arm, has a pleasing appearance. The Bar at North Sydney is a rapidly growing village, being the place of the ship- ment of the coal, and the seat of the largest mercantile establishments in the harbour. The coal is conveyed from the mires to the Bar by a railway. The mines are situated at the very mouth of the harbour, on a rounded promontory, on one side facing the Atlantic, and on the other the harbour. The natural features of this county are very varied and often of great beauty, and its mineral resources are not inferior to those of any other county in the province. . '' • 4. — THE COUNTY OF VICTORIA. * Victoria is bounded on the north-west by Inverness ; on the east by the Atlantic ; and on the south-east and south by Cape Breton County and the Bras d'Or Lake. Its principal bays and harbours are Aspy Bay, St Ann's Bay, and Great Bras d'Or, opening to the At- lantic ; Baddeck Harbour, and St Patrick's Channel, in the Bras d'Or Lake. ^ ^ *■ ' ' Its principal rivers are the Bedeque and Middle, both small streams, but with fertile soil and fine agricultural settlements on their banks, * In this county are the promontories of Cape Nortli and Cape Enfum^ or Smoky Cape, the former the nortliem extremity of the province, — the latter said to be the highest headland in Cape Breton - The principal towns and settlements are Baddeck,* the county town, Bedeque River, Middle River, Boul- ardarie, St Ann's, Inganish, and Aspy Bay. * So spelt in the Act establishing the county ; in maps mxiaWy Bedeque, v , ,' v. -1 I 44 GEOGRAPHY The inhabitants of this county are chiefly emigrants from Scotland and their dejcendants. Their principal occupation is agriculture. The population isabout 10,000. The north side of Boulardarie Island, the peninsula of Washabok, and the country near the mouths of Be- deque and Middle Rivers are low and fertile. The remainder of the county consists of wooded hills and elevated table-lands, with belts of low and very fertile soil in the valleys and along the coast. The north side of the Great Bras d'Or, the coast extending toward Cape North, and the hills in the interior of the county, present much bold and romantic scenery. SABLE ISLAND. * Sable Island is a dependency of Nova Scotia. It is situated between north latitude 44° and 43° 54', and between west longitude 60° 12' and 59° 40'. It is dis- tant from Cape Canseau about 87 geographical miles. Its breadth varies from 1 to 2 miles, and its length is 25 miles. It consists of sand thrown up by tho sea and wind, and forming hillocks, fiome of which are 100 feet in height. The greater part of its surface is covered with coarse grass, and cranberry and whortleberry bushes; and this vegetation supports a few herds of wild horses and great numbers of rabbits. . • . , : :i* Sable Island is best known as the scene of numerous shipwrecks ; its position in the usual track of ships sailing between Britam and Nova Scotia, and the shoals by which it is surrounded, causing it to be extremely dangerous to navigators. , .j>/ For this reason there are stationed on the island a superintendent anii several men, who are supported at the joint expense of the governments of Nova Scotia and Great Britain, for the purpose of rescuing and aiding shipwrecked seamen., 4 •ut ^, ..v.:.i: „: .---ii*.-.4'r..-t-- .■ ■ OF NOVA SCOTIA. 46 POLITICAL Ax,D JUDICIAL INSTITUTIONS. THE EXECUTIVE. The chief executive officer is the Lieutenant-governor appointed by the crown, of which he is the immediate representative in the colony. He administers the government with the advice of an Executive Council, usually consisting of nine mem- bers, appointed by the crown ; but whose continuance in office depends on the wishes of the people as ex- pressed by their representatives. The gov3mor has the pow^er of appointing the judges of the Courts of Common Law, the Custos and Magis- trates of the Counties, and generally all such officers as are not usually appointed by the British government. These last he can also appoint temporarily, till the ap- pointments in Britain are made known. He can pardon criminals, except in cases of murder or high treason, and has the power of calling General Assemblies. The governor may also act as commander-in-chief, in which capacity he has the command of the militia ; and, if a senior officer, of the army within the province, i^- .'uP/r- ■ti ■V. LEGISLATIVE BODIES. The le^slature of the province consists of two branches — the Legislative Council and the House of Assembly. .The Legislative Council consists of members ilJ)pointed for life by the crown. It has the power of rejecting or amendiog bills sent to it by the House of , Assembly, and also of originating bills, which must, however, be submitted to the Assembly. It cannot ori- - ginate money bills. The House of Assembly consists of members ^ elected every four years by the counties and town- ships. It has the power of investigating the public 46 GEOGRAPHY accounts, appropriating the provincial revenue, levying taxes ; and in general of legislating (m any of the inter- nal affairs of the colony, which may be brought under its notice by the government, its own members, or the petitions of the people. . r The acts of the legislative bodies are subject to the approval or rejection of the government of Great Britain. JUDICIAL INSTITUTIONS. The principal courts of justice are the Court of Clian- cery, Court of Error and Appeals, Supreme Court, Court of Vice- Admiralty, Probate Court, Court of Marriage and Divorce, Court of General Sessions, and Justices' Courts. In the Court of Chancery the Lieutenant-governor is chancellor ; but the Master of the Rolls is the acting and responsible judge. The duty of this court is to decide causes which cannot be justly settled by the strict rules of common law. An appeal lies from the decision of the Master of the Rolls to the chancellor and the judges of the Supreme Court, and from these to the Queen in Council. The Court of Error and Appeals is formed of the Governor and Council, before whom judgments amount- ing to £300 and upwards may be reviewed. An appeal lies from it to Her Majesty in Council. " ,, r;.;^, ^ The Supreme Court consists of one chief-justice and four assistant judges. Its jurisdiction extends to all criminal and civil suits, not including debts under £5, ex- cept in cases of appeal from Justices' Courts. Its proceed- ings are regulated by the forms and rules of common law. The Court of Vice-Admiralty has one judge, holding a commission from the governor. It decides maritime causes and the disposal of prizes taken in war, and has jurisdiction over capital offences committed upon the high seas. o OF NOVA SCOTIA. 47 The Court of Probate relates to the disposal of the estates of deceased persons. The governor is the head of this court ; but surrogate judgea in each of the coun- ties are appointed to transact its business. The Court of Marriage and Divorce consists of the governor and council, and has jurisdiction over all matters relating to prohibited marriages, matrimonial rights and divorce. "' The General Sessions are local courts held in each county by the justices and grand jury for the regulation of county taxes and other local affairs. Justices' Courts have power of adjudication on debts not exceeding ten pounds. When the debt does not amount to three pounds, they may be held by one jus- tice ; when it exceeds that amount, two justices are required to form the court. An appeal lies from them to the Supreme Court. The justices have also power to investigate trespasses committed upon lands where the titles to the lands do not come in question ; they are also empowered to in- stitute process at the suit of the crown against persons committing an assault and battery, and at their discre- tion to bind parties oyer to appear at the next sitting of the Supreme Court, or to fine them in any sum not exceeding two pounds, with costs. From this decision no appeal lies to the Supreme Court, except by a writ of that court ordering the cause to be brought before it.* ;i^, ■•/?■ RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS. In the present work, religious denominations are noticed only in reference to the geographical distribution of then* adherents. The people of Nova Scotia, in reference to their re- * Technically called a Writ of Certiorari. ^ . ; s V 48 aEOORAPIIY < t ligious profession, may be included under the two general heads of Protestants and Uoman Catholics ; the former being much more numerous than the latter. , . PROTESTANTS. • .; V 1. The Established Church of England. — The adher- ents of this church are scattered through all parts of the province, being most numerous, however, in the central and western counties. This church had, in 1850, settled clergymen in 35 of the towns and settlements, under the control of a bishop, who exercises ecclesiastical ju- risdiction over this church in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Number of adherents, 36,482. 2. The Presbyterian Church. — The majority of the people of Pictou and Colchester belong to this church ; and its adlierents are very numerous in the island of Cape Breton, and the counties of Cumberland, Guys- borough, Halifax, and Hants. In the other counties they are comparatively few. The Presbyterians are subdivided into, — 1st, The Established Church of Scot- laud, having five settled ministers ; 2d, The Free Church of Nova Scotia, having fifteen settled ministers; and, 3dly, The Presbyterian Church of Nova Scotia, having thirty settled ministers. There are a few congregations not connected with any of these bodies. Number of adherents, 72,914.* /. - ^r ';:i; io uHvC .i'A^O ul 3. The Associated Baptist Churches. — The adherents of this denomination are most numerous in the western counties, in several of which they form the majority of the Protestant population. It has forty-'eight settled ministers, twenty -two of whom are in the counties of King's, Annapolis, and Digby. Number of adherents, in- cluding the bodies mentioned in next paragraph, 42,243. * Established Kirk, 18,867 ; Presbyterian Church of Nova Scotia, 28,767 ; Free Church, 25,280. OF NOVA SCOTIA. 49 There are, in the v^eslem part of the province, four Kinaller bodies of Baptists, not connected with the As- sociation, and having in all seventeen ministers. 4. The Wesleyan Methodist Church. — The adherents of this body are most numerous in the central and west- em counties. It has twenty-four missionaries. Number of adherents, 23,596. ♦ 6. The Congregational or Independent Church. — The adherents of this body are most numerous in the town- ships of Queen^s, Yarmouth, and Halifax. It has only six ministers in the province. Number of adherents, 2639. 6. The Evangelical Lutheran Church. — ^A considerable part of the German population of Lunenburg belongs to this body. Number of adherents, 4087. ^ There are in the province members or societies of several other Protestant denominations, but their num- bers are comparatively small. «v ROMAN CATHOLICS. The majority of the people of the county of Sydney, and of the townships of Clare and Argyle, belong to this church. Its adherents are also very numerous in the city of Halifax, and in the island of Cape Breton. In other parts of the province they are comparatively few. It has two bishops, two vicars-general, and thirty priests. Number of adherents. 69,634. r - .. f :■■ ,' Greenstone and porphyry are igneous rocks generally less perfectly cryctalline tnan syenite. The first is a mixture of felspar usually white, and hornblende usually black or greenish. The second consists of a base of hornblende rock or compact felspar, with crystals of lighter coloured felspar dispersed through it. The fossils of the silurian system in Nova Scotia are marine shells, Crustacea, and corals, all of which appear to belong to the upper or newer portion of the system. In. Nova Scotia Proper, the silurian system and its igneous rocks occupy two long and irregular belts, one extending along the Cobequid chain of hills, the other extending through the centre of Digby, Annapolis, and King's, the south of Hants, Colchester, and Pictou, and the hills of Sydney. These two belts include the highest hills of the province. In Cape Breton the sil^irian system probably occupies a considerable space, but its general limits are not yet well ascertained. -^ r^ r; : h .^ .i> v f-.r^?»-^.;. ^vThe useful minerals of this system are iron ore, which occurs in large quantity at Nictaux and Clements, at Folly Mountain in Londonderry, and at the East River of Pictou ; limestone, which does not, however, abound in this system. ; and roofing slate. Copper ores have also been recently discovered in it. - ; ■■■^- - The surface where the rocks of this system prevail is generally hilly and often stony, but affords soils which are always much superior to those of the piimary dis- tricts, and are often very fertile. 1 ^ •♦ THE CARBONIFEROUS SYSTEM. The carboniferous system is newer than the silurian, and in most parts of Nova Scotia rests immediately 68 NATURAL HISTORY y^ upon it. The rocks composing this system in Nova Scotia are red and gray sandstones, shales, conglomer- ates, gyp£" li, limestone, and coal. All of these are stratified or bedded, and alternate with each other. Conglomerate consists of gravel or rounded fragments of stone cemented together, and foniiing a rock often of considerable hardness. - " /.im ' Sandstone is silicious sand cemented into stone. It varies much in colour and hardness. In Nova Scotia its usual colours are red, buff, and gray ; and some varieties are so soft as to crumble in the fingers, others nearly as hard as quartz rock. The coarser and pebbly varieties approach the conglomerates in their texture, and the finer, composed of fine sand intermixed with clay, pass into shales. The shale of the coal formation consists of clay of various degrees of hardness, and often divisible into thin layers. Its prevailing colours are reddish, brown, gray, and black. Gypsum is the sulphate of lime. Two species are found in Nova Scotia — common gypsum or "plaster," which contains about 21 per cent, of water, and is so soft that it can be scratched by the nail, and anhydrous gypsum, or "hard plaster," which contains no water, and is much harder than the common variety. Botli varieties of gypsum abound in the carboniferous system of Nova Scotia, forming in some places very thick beds. Limestone is the carbonate of lime. Numerous beds of this rock, varying much in colour and quality, occur in the carboniferous system of Nova Scotia. ,^; ;-,. . The coal of Nova Scotia is of the bituminous variety. The beds hitherto discovered are not numerous, but some of them are very large and valuable, and are ex- tensively worked. The aggregate thickness of the carboniferous system in Nova Scotia is very great; and it may be usefully %^ z.^A.: OF NOVA SCOTIA. 59 of ■v< divided into three Bubordinate groups, named respec- tively the older, middle, and newer. ' .'V.' In the older carboniferous series, the prevailing rocks are reddish sandstones, shales, conglomerates, and marls, including beds of gray and dark shale, limestone, and gypsum. This series includes all the most important beda of limestone and gypsum, and in some places its iissures contain valuable deposits of brown hematite, a variety of iron ore, and sulphate of barytes, a substance used in the manufacture of paints. The middle carboniferous series includes the coal measures, properly so called, which contain productive beds of coal. The prevailir^ rocks in this group are gray and dark coloured sandstones and shales, with a few reddish beds. It includes all the valuable beds of coal in the province, and also layers of clay ironstone and beds of freestone and grindstone. In the newer carboniferous series reddish sandstones, shales, and conglomerates, again prevail, though there * are numerous gray beds. This series contains a few beds of coal, limestone, and gypsum, but they are gen- erally of little importance. It aft'ords, however, valuable beds of freestone and grindstone. V':* v<-' -i * The fossils of the carboniferous system are numerous and highly interesting. The limestones of its older part contain great quantities of shells, corals, and scales and teeth of fish, often in a very perfect condition, as well as a f€w fossil plants ; its middle and newer parts, be- side large quantities of vegetable matter in the form of coal, include a great variety of leaves and trunks of plants, havmg their forms and sometimes their internal structure very perfectly preserved. All the ibssil remains of the carboniferous system are of species now extinct. The carboniferous system occupies a small part of the east of King's County; the north and middle of ii 60 NATURAL HISTORY Hants ; the greater part of the lowlands of Colchester ; the lowlands of Cumberland, Pictou, and Sydney, and part of Guysborough. In Cape Breton it occupies much of the eastern part of Cape Breton County, and a great part of Richmond and Inverness. The localities of valuable beds of coal are the north- ern part of Cumberland, especially the Joggins and Spring Hill ; the East Biver of Pictou, where the thick- est bed yet discovered in the province occurs ; the eastern part of Cape Breton County, especially at North Sydney; the northern part of Colchester, where some small beds have been discovered ; and probably the south of Inverness County in Cape Breton. The localities of the iron ores of the carboniferous system are the mouth of the Shubenacadie and the East River of Pictou, where veins of hematite occur in the older carboniferous system; and the coal measures of Cumberland, Colchester, I'ictou, and Cape Breton, which contain beds of clay ironstone. The principal localities of beds of gypsum are the north and middle of Hants, various places in the south and middle of Colchester, the northern part of Cumber- land, and Wallace in its eastern part; the East River of Pictou, the neighbourhood of Antigonish in Sydney County; various parts of the northern shore of Bras d'Or Lake in Cape Breton ; and Plaster Cove, Mabou, and Lennox Passage. — Useful beds of limestone occur in all the localities of gypsum above mentioned, and in many other parts of the carboniferous districts. The surface of the carboniferous system is undulating. and sometimes rises into elevations of 500 feet in height. Its soils vary from sandy loams to stiff clays, but are almost universally capable of cultivation, and include the most valuable uplands in the province. OF NOVA SCOTIA. 61 *r St ( ■► THE NEW RED SANDSTONE. >V:, The new red sandstone is a much later deposit than the carboniferous system, and probably corresponds with the Permian System of Europe. In Nova Scotia it con- sists entirely of red sandstone and red conglomerate, and is associated with great masses of trap. Trap is a dark-coloured rock whose principal constit- uent mineral is augite. It is similar in composition and appearance to the lava of modem volcanoes; and has like it been ejected in a melted state from the interior of the earth. In Nova Scotia extensive erup- tions of this rock have occurred during the period of the deposition of the new red sandstone. ' ^ - The new red sandstone occupies the isthmus con- necting Digby Neck with the mainland, and the long valley extending from Annapolis to Minas Basin ; it skirts the shore of Cobequid Bay, from the mouth of the Shubenacadie to Truro ; and extends along the north side of the bay, in a narrow though continuous belt, from Truro to Moose River, and beyond that river in isolated patches as far as Cape d'Or. ,, The trap associated with the new red sandstone forms the range of hills extending from Cape Blomidon to Briar Island ; and on the opposite side of Minas Channel and Basin several isolated patches between the Five Islands and Cape Ghiegnecto, the Five Islands, Two Islands, Partridge Island, Spencer's Island, and Isle Haut. In most of these localities the trap rests on the new red sandstone. Neither useful minerals nor fossils have yet been found in the sandstone of this system. The trap connected with it affords abundance of agates, jaspers, and other forms of quartz, which might be used for ornamental purposes. It also contains veins of magnetic iron ore and copper ore. ; 02 NATURAL IHbTOttY The soils of the new red sandstone are light and some- times gravelly, but in general fertile. Those of the trap are rich, though the surface of the hills of this rock is often too precipitous to admit of their easy cultivation. Tn addition to the formations above described, there are superficial deposits of two kinds — drift or boulder clay, and river and marine alluvium. The Drift is spread over a large part of the surface of the province. It consists of clay with stones and boulders, or of beds and mounds of gravel. Tliis de- posit marks the last change which the surface has under- gone by the agency of water. The Alluvium consists of fine mud deposited by the, tides and rivers, and wlioso deposition is in many places still proceeding. Of this nature are the large and val- uable tracts of diked marsh, and the intervales on the margins of most of the rivers of the province. III.— ZOOLOGY. V Zoology treats of tlie natural history of the animal kingdom, which consists of four great divisions or sub- kingdoms. ' . . ^ I.— THE VERTEBRATED ANIMALS, ^-..a^ .Forming the first great division of the animal kingdom, are distinguished by possessing an internal bony skel- eton. They may be arranged in four classes, let. Mammals, or those which brmg forth their young alive and suckle them with milk. 2dly, Birds. 3dly, Rep- tiles. 4thly, Fishes. ' ' CLASS 1. — MAMMALS. The animals of this class indigenous to Nova Scotia belong to the following Orders : t ■ ■\ • v"^ OF NOVA SCOTIA. 63 ■•ji-' Ist, Carmvora, or flesh-eating animals. ! t 2d, i2oc?ew/ia, or gnawing animals. \' 8d, i?wmiwaw^, or ruminating animals. »' " 4th, Cetaeea, the whale tribe; , '* ' V , Order!. — Camivora. 1. The Bat {Veipertilio). — The bats are distinguished by the broad membrane stretched over their legs and the lengthened jftngers of their fere feet, and which en- ables them to fly. They prey on insects, which they take on the wing ; they are active only ir the summer evenings, spending the day in hoi ow tr 'js and similar places of concealment, and passing the winter ii i state of torpidity. A small species is not uncomrao; i ai Nova Scotia. ' ^' -• ^ ' "'^ -< :V'/::-. 2. The Star-nosed Mole {Condylu. a Larujicaxidata) is a burrowing animal, spending the greater part of its life underground, and feeding on worms and grubs; a mode of life for which its broad shovel-like forefeet, its firm and thick fur, its small and deeply wunken eyes, and the delicate feelers surrounding the point of its nose, admirably fit it. It spends the winter in a state of tor- pidity. / . - ^ ;-* 3. The Shrew Mouse (/So*-''^).— There are two species of shrew mice in Nova- Scot: IfOth very small animals, one of them being the smallest 'quadruped in the pro- vince. They are noctum«il animals, and prey on insects. 4. The Bear {Ursvs Americamis). — This is the largest carnivorous quadruped in the province. It frequently destroys sheep, but is not dangerous to man, unless when attacked by him. In summer it subsists in part on berries and other vegetable substances. In the depth of winter it becomes torpid. The bear in Nova Scotia sometimes attains the weight of 400 pounds ; its flesh is valued for food. ^ - * ^ ;. ■ ^ 64 NATURAL HISTORY p. The Raccoon {Proeyon Lotor). — ^This animal much resembles the bear in its structure and habits, but is much smaller, being usually about three feet in length. It subsists in part on the flesh of small 31 animals, and in part on nuts and fruits. It becomes torpid in -winter. It is a nc'.tumal animal, and during the day conceals itself in hollow trees and similar places. Its fur is used, but is of small value. 6. The Wolverene or Glutton {Gulo Luscus).— This is a rare animal in Nova Scotia. It is sly, cunning, and voracious, but its strength and ferocity have been much exaggerated. It feeds exclusively on the flesh of animals. ^ 7. The Weasel Family (Mtistelidae). — Of this fam- ily seven species are found in Nova Scotia, viz. : the Ermine {Mustela Etimineo) ; the Weasel {M. Commu- nis) ; the Marten {M. Maries) the Fisher {M. Cana- densis) ; the Skunk {Mephitis Americana) ; the Mink {Mustela Vison) ; the Otter {Lutra Canadensis). All these species are very active and voracious, and destroy great numbers of the smaller animals. The two last named frequent the water and prey on fish. The furs of all the species are useful ; those of the marten (called sable in Europe) and of the otter are very valuable. The ermine is brown in summer and becomes white in winter. 8. The Lynx or Wild Cat, and the Loup Cervier or Lucifee {Felis CanadensiSj Felis ). The lynx, like other animals of the cat family, is exclusively car- nivorous, and secures its prey by springing upon it. It subsists on hares, partridges, and other smaller animals. There appear to be two species in Nova Scotia, known respectively as the wild cat and lucifee. The skins of both are used as furs. 9. The Wolf {Canis Lupus Americanus) is rare in ■ \ f- OF NOVA SCOTIA. (^5 I f ~ I » r Nova Scotia, and was not known to exist in the proi^nce till 1835, when a few individuals made their appearance, and are supposed to have migrated from New Brunswick. Their numbers appear to have increased since 1845, and in some settlements they have destroyed considerable numbers of sheep. The shyness and cunning of the wolf and its nocturnal habits render its capture very difficult. 10. The Fox {Cants Fulvus) is rather abundant in Nova Scotia, and subsists on small quadrupeds and birds, occasionally destroying domestic fowls. The Cross {Canis Decussatus) and the Black or Silver-grey Fox (C Argentatus) are varieties of the same species, but are comparatively rare, llie fur of the fox is valuable, but that of the red is much less so than that of the cross or black. •■ • '- ■ • -'■- '.W'---..;--^-vrt> 11. The Seals (Phocidae). — Several species of seals are found on the coast of Nova Scotia, and are pursued for the sake of their skins and blubber. They are all carnivorous, feeding on fish, and spend the greater part of their lives in the water, though at some seasons they are fond of reposing on the shore or on ice. The Sea- Co w or Morse {Trichecus Rosmarus), which belongs to this family, cannot now be included among the animals of Nova Scotia, but is said formerly to have been found on Sable Island. ■ Order 2. — Rodmtia. >-" »" > ,!V;* T 'i-.-r"f' ' 1. — The Hare {Lepus Americamis) is usually named in Nova Scotia the " Rabbit." They are very numerous, especially in young woods of the second growth, and great numbers are taken by wire-snares in winter. The colour of the hare changes in winter from brown to white. Its flesh is palatable, and its fur is used by hatters, though it is of little value. - , . >• > -^r ^^^? 2. The Marmot or Wood Chuck (Arctomys). — This 8 NATURAL HISTORY is a burrowing animal, rather smaller than the hare, and of a dull brown colour. It subsists on roots and leaves, and becomes torpid in winter. Its flesh is eaten by the Indians. 3. The Porcupine {Hystrix Dorsata) is remarkable for the strong and sharp spines intermixed with its hair, and which serve as a defence against the attacks of dogs and other carnivorous animals. It feeds on bark, buds, and nuts, and prefers rocky and secluded localities. Its flesh is eaten by the Indians, and the spines or quills, after being dyed with gay colours, are used for orna- menting baskets and other articles of Indian man- ufacture. 4. The Squirrels. — Of these, three species are common in Nova Scotia : the Ground Squirrel {Sicums Listen), the common or "Englibh" Squirrel {Sicurus Iludsonicus), and the Flying Squirrel {Pteromys Sabri- nvs). All these species feed principally on nuts and seeds, and make their nests or burrows in the roots or hollow parts of trees. The flying squirrd is nocturnal in its habits, and remarkable for the expanded skin of its sides, which forms a broad surface supporting the animal in the air, and enabling it to make extraordinary leaps.. 5. The Beaver {Castor Fiber Americanus) is a social or gregarious animal, and inhabits the margins of brooks and ponds, v^ere it subsists on aquatic plants and the bark of young trees. Families of beavers unite in making artificial ponds in the courses of lakes and streams by constructing embankments of wood and mud; and in these ponds they build neat and strong winter habitations of the same materials. Their remarkably strong and large incisor teeth enable them in the execution of these works to cut down trees of twelve inches in diameter. The value of the beaver's fur, wb'-ly :^ u^ ed by hatters, and ■■ ■*'• ^1: »I\i ^-'4 OF NOVA SCOTIA. # its stationary mode of life, have caused it to be extirpated from all the settled parts of the province, and it is now rare even in the most secluded localities. - 6. The Musk Rat or Musquash {Fiber Zibethicus) much resembles the beaver, but is considerably smaller. It inhabits the banks of rivers and lakes, and constructs a house of mud for its winter habitation. Its food is roots and other vegetable substances, and it occasionally eats shell-fish. Its flesh is eaten by the Indians, and its fur is used by hatters, though it is less valuable than that of the beaver. 7. The Burrowing Field-mouse (Arvicola Penn- sylvanloa). This animal, which is much larger than the domestic mouse and more clumsy in its shape, is very abundant in the woods as well as the fields ; it excavates burrows, in which it constructs a warm nest of hay. In winter it burrows under the snow, and subsists on the roots of grass. 8. The Leaping Field-mouse {Meriones Labradori- cus) is more rare than the last species. It is a pretty little creature, of a light brown colour above and whitish beneath, and has a long tail and strong hind limbs, which enable it to leap with great agility. ■"^' Order 3. — Ruminanlia. " - 1. The Moose or Elk {Alces 4»wmcawa).-— This is the largest quadruped indigenous to Nova Scotia. It is a majestic animal, though of rather clumsy form. Its principal food is the leaves and twigs of trees ; its flesh, when in good condition, is excellent. Moose are still numerous in some parts of Nova Scotia ; and in winter, when the snow is deep and they are unable to advance rapidly, they are pursued by men on snow-shoes and killed. 2. The Caribou or Reindeer {Cervus Tarandus) ij.h'I^'ifi^fi^^^i&M,' .i.' m -*5?; ■■ 68 NATURAL HISTORY is much smaller than the moose, but is of more elegant shape and greater swiftness, and its flesh is of superior quality. It is probably identical with the reindeer of Lapland, and might like it be domesticated and rendered useful to man. It is now rare in Nova Scotia. Order 4:. — Cetocea. v> : v; The Cetacea or Whale Tribe, though they somewhat resemble fishes in their external form, are true mammalia, breathing by means of lungs, and suckling their young in the same manner with land quadrupeds. The species most frequently found on the coast of Nova Scotia are the Whalebone or true Whale (Balaena Mysticettta), the Finner {B. Physalm), the Grampus {Phocaena Orco)^ the Porpoise {Phocaena Communis), the Sea Porpoise {Del- phinits Delphis). CLASS II. — BIRDS. Note. — The birds of Nova Scotia are too numerous to admit of an account of each species in a work of this nature. I shall therefore merely notice the different families in which they may be naturally grouped, and give examples of each. Birds may be divided into Six Orders, viz. : Ist, i?aptoreff, or birds of prey. 2d, /?weMore5, perching birds. 3d, ^Scawsores, climbing birds. ' 4th, -R^ores, scraping birds. , \ 5th, Grallatores, wading birds. 6th, iVototores, swimming birds. ^ ,u, ; , . . Order 1. — Birds of Pr^. '-■^'■^- >;; 1. The Falcons (Falconidae). — This family includes all the diurnal birds of prey, or those which fly and foed u: /«<^ OF NOVA SCOTIA. 69 ^l"k' *V.i 3 s e e e IS is - It d by day. The bald eagle, the fish-hawk, hen-hawk, and sparrow-hawk, are examples of this family. 'i;M'A 2. The Owls {Stn^idae) comprise the nocturnal birds of prey, or those adapted for hunting in the evening or by night. All the species found in Nova Scotia are known by the name owl, as the common grey owl, homed owl, &c. Order 2, — Percher$. -Tj.-r 1. The Shrikes {Laniadae) much resemble the hawks in their habits, but are smaller and less powerful. They prey on small birds and insects. Only one species, the American shrike or butcher-bird, is found in Nova Scotia. 2. The Thrushes {Memlidae) feed on insects, es- pecially grubs, caterpillars, and worms, and are also fond of fruit. As destroyers of injurious insects they are of incalculable ser\ice to the farmer, and the song of many of them is pleasing. The common robin, the cat-bird, the woodthrush, and the blackbird, belong to this family. .-; •.-.• ■ .y r ^ .,v:' v^-^i ■^.„v^ ■. :;^,k,;k^!:_ ,,, 3. The Warblers {Sylviadae) are all small birds,, whose food consists of insects, which they hunt with great activity among the branches of trees and bushes. They are often brightly coloured '"ud many of them sing agreeably ; they are very useful lu ridding gardens and orchards of insects. - The wrens and titmice, the garden yellow birds, the black cap, and a number of other spe- cies of our sm.r' ' birds, belong to this family . 4. The Fly Catchepn (Mmcicapidae), like the M';a:blers, are small insectivorous birds ; tl ^ ly catch- ers, however, feed on winged insects which they take in the air. Among the most common species fo i in Nova Scotia are the king-bird, redstart, and wood pewee. fm* 70 NATURAL HISTORY l"! V 6. The Chatterers (Ampelidae). — These are larger birds th^*n the warblers, and feed on fruits and insects. Only one species is found in Nova Scotia, r,e chorry- bird, cedar-bird, or wax-wing. It is well known as % devourer of cherries and of the bloi soms >f IruiC-rrec j. 0. FiT^cuES {FrimjilUdae) are ref 'lily kiiown by their short and conical bill ; they si'»3ist cli icily on grain and seeds, and are numerous and common in every country. Among the numerous species fouiid in Nova Scotia, are >thG Rong-spanow, Savannah finch, s^now-bird, re<' "innet, and j^mi grosl>eak. 7. The CKoysBTLL-; (Loxiadae). — The species of this family to'r*\d m Nova Scotia are the American and wbitG-wingcd crossbills, which are both small birds, and much resemble each other in appearance. .They are re- markable for the singular structure of their bills, whose cun/ed mandibles cross each other at their points. This fojm of bill enables these birds to extract the seeds of spruce and pine cones on which they feed. 8. The Crows {(.Wvidae) are active, shy, and wary birds, and are nearly omnivorous, feeding on nearly all kinds of edible substances. The raven, crow, blue jay, and Canada jay, belong to this family. They are ail highly useful as destroyers of carrion and of noxious insects. 9. The Creepers {Certhiadae) are small insect- ivorous birds, and obtain their food in the crevices of the bark of trees, along the trunks and branches of which they climb in the manner of woodpeckers, using their bills to remove portions of the 'ark which con- ceals their prey. Two speciesj con v; in the woods of Nova ^: tia, are the white-V-'Tli( authatch and the brown cr^ " r. . • 10. The Humming Birds (Trt/- :?i^). — This family includes the smallest of birds; .ue ;"ecies only, the OF NOVA bOOTIA. ruby- throated humming-bird, ia found in Nova Scotia. Tt subsists on insects and honey, which it extracts by means of its long slender bill and tongue from tlie in- terior of flowers. The humming sound produced by these birds is caused by the rapid motion of their wings. '- :■ 11. The Kingfishers {Halcyonidae) are remarkable for the great length of their bill, and the shortness of their feet. Only one species, the belted kingfisher, is found in Nova Scotia. It froquents the shores of har- bours and streams, and preys on small fish, in pursuit of which it dives into the water. 12. The Swallows {Hirundinidae) are remarkable for the great length of their wings and the rapidity of their flight. They pursue and capture insects on the wing. The. republican, bam, chimney, bank, and blue swallows, are found in Nova Scotia. 13. The Night-hawks {Caprimulgidae). — These resemble the swallow in their manner of capturing in- sects on the wing. They are however nocturnal in their habits, coming forth in the evening and returnmg to rest before morning. The night-hawk, sometimes called Musquito-hawk, and tiie whip-poor-will are found in Nova Scotia. "^-•' ' ' " ' ' ■ -:^-V''''"--^^^->^;P:^«- Orders. — Climbers. The Woodpeckers (^Picidae) subsist on the grubs or larvae foimd in the wood and bark of decaying trees, and which they extract by means of their strong wedge- shaped l)ill and extensile barbed tongue. The species foiind in Nova Scotia are the downy, hairy, golden- wing* 1 yellow-bellied, three -toed, and red -headed woodpeckers. Order 4. — Scrapers. 1. The Grouse {Tetraonidae). — The species of this family found in Nova Scotia are the rutfed grouse, com- im -Tr-.H JHIfflWl'i ■I*-.' '^^■V"^*'U=a.-- 7t ::. TTJRAL HISTORY monly called the birch partridge, which inhabits the hardwood forests, and feeds on various seeds, leaves, and berries; and the spotted grouse, or spruce partridge, which subsists on the leaves of spruce and fir. 2. The Pigeons {ColumUdae). — The only species of this family found in Nova Scotia is the passenger pigeon, usually named the wild pigeon, which in sum- mer is found in the woods and burned barrens. Its food is grain, seeds, and berries. . . ' ^f Order 5. — Waders. 1. The Herons (Ardeidas) are the largest and most beautiful of the wading birds found in Nova Scotia. They subsist on fish, which they capture when wading in ponds and estuaries, by means of their strong and sharp bill. The best known species is the great blue heron, often called " crane," which frequents many of the harbours of this province. 2. The Snipes {Scolopaddae) are characterized by their weak and slender bill, with which they bore in the mud in search of worms. This familv includes the American snipe and woodcock, as well as the various species of sandpipers and curlews. 3. The Phalaropes {Phalaropidae) somewhat re- .. semble in their habits the sandpipers, but have their toes fringed with a membrane which enables them to % swim. The hyperborean or brown phalaropc is found ■; in Nova Scotia. •; 4. The Plovers {Charadriadae) are less aquatic in their habits than most other families of this order, and often frequent fields and pastures, v^Here their food consists princ'aally of worms. The goldf j lover, ring plover, and black-bellied plover, are amon^:; . .3 speciCiS occurring in Nova Scotia. ,• ' . OF NOVA SCOTIA. 73 ■ V Order 6. — Smmmera. ■■ si- 1. Tlie Ducks and Geese (Anatidae),— Of thi<« well- known family, numerous species frequent ithe shores and lakes of Nova Scotia, especially in spring and autumn. Among these are the wild or Canada goose, the brent, the black duck, eider duck, wood duck, pintail, teal, buffel-headed duck, harlequin duck, &c. 2. The Divers {Colymbidae) in form resemble the ducks, but have a straight and strong bill, adapted to capturing fish, and are altogether marine in their habits. The great northern diver or loon is the most generally known species. 3. The Auks {Alddae). — These are marine diving birds, which use their wings as well as their feet for propelling them throng) i the water, and fc i exclusively on fish. To this family belong the birds n^n- ;d guil- lemots, auks, puffins, and sea doves. ^ ' 4. The Gulls {Laridae) are long-winged birds, fly- ing to great distances, and feeding on all kinds of garbage and on small fish. The terns or sea-swallows, the various species of gull, and the petrel, belong to this £amily.rJ'''''-Mti ^ ■ '■^•••r' '-"' '• ^ ; w.,-,, _,.■_„.,, . .,,., ^ ,,^.. 5. The Gannets {^elicanidae), — These are large, voracious, and wandering birds, preyirv., s fish and spending the greater part of their lives en. the sea. The gannets and cormorants are the principal species. 6. The Grebes (Podicqndae) are swimming birds of small size, wiiose toes are not united by a membrane, but aerely broadiy fringed by it ; they are expert divers, and f:;^ d on small Ay, insects, seeds, &c. Of this family, the red-necked grebe and the dobchick or waterwitch are found in Nova Scotia. VViiS"^" fej::£v-*,- •«! iM ;* j; 74 NATURAL HISTORY '! 'i vl >ii CLASS III. — REPTILES. The rcptia^b / Nova Scotia are uot numerous, and neither ot larj3e size nor injurious to man. The prin- cipal arc the fresh- water Tortoise (Emya), found in the rivers and Htreams, a few species of Snakes, and some small Lizards. There are also several species of frogs, toads, and newts, whica, uiough Uoaally included in a separate class (the Amphibia), may be mentioned here. CLASS IV.— PISHES.* The animals of this class are numerous, and very important to man ; it will therefore be proper to notice particularly the principal species found in the waters of No /a Scotia. Divis'ion 1 . — Fishes having a hony skeleton and ^(rrny scales. 1. The Yellow Perch {Perca Flavescens), a beautiful little fisli, yellowish, Avith dark transverse bands. It in- habits lakes and streams. Its flesh is much esteemed. 2. The Bass {Labrax Limatus) is a large and beau- tiful species of perch, easily distinguished by the broad stripes of white and brown extending along its whole length. It is found in many harbours and estuaries, especially those of the Bay of Fundy, It is a bold and active fish, tvud readily t«kes a bait. Its flesh is excel- lent, and it sometimes attains the weight of forty or fifty pounds, though usually n^uch smaller. - ... 3. The White F; 'CH ( Labrax Pallidm). — This little fish abounds in laL.o. an I may be taken with bait or fly. It is excellent ^br the table. ; i., r.. 4. The Stickleback or Pinfish {Gasterosteus Bia- * For some of the additional facts in the present edition, the writer is indebted to Perliey's Report on the Fishes of New Brunswick. y KjJt" NOVA BCOTIA. 76 T^ I adeahia), a very small but active and voracious fish, found in creeks and estuaries. It feeds on small cms- tacea and other minute aquatic creatures. It is used only for bait. jj, 6. The Mackarel {Sc(ymber Verrmlis) is found on all parts of the coast of Nova Scotia, and sometimes appears at particular points in immense shoals, whose appearance is not, however, very regular or certain, as this fish is very irregular in its migrations. Large quantities are annually taken by the fishermen of Nova Scotia. Several other species of mackarel occur on our coasts. 6. The Albecore or Tunny {Thynnm Vulgaris) is a large and powerful fish, sometimes attaining the length of ten feet. It is found on the Atlantic coast of the province, and is occasionally harpooned by fishermen. It is sometimes called "horse mackarel." 7. The Wolf-fish {Anarrhicas Lupus). — This is a large and voracious fish, remarkable for its powerful teeth and jaws. It feeds chiefly on Crustacea and shell- fish ; and in the Bay of Fundy and Atlantic coast it is often taken by fishermen. On account of its hideous appearance it is seldom eaten, though said to be excel- lent food. ^ • '>■ V ' . -T ^ ' • rV 8. The Monk-fish {LopMus Americanu^), sometimes called " Sea Devil" and " Fishing Frog," is a creature of most unsightly form. It hai^ a huge »nouth armed with numerous long points teeth, its body is short and broad, and its pectoral fins project like arms. It devours large quantities of herrings and other small fish, which it is said to attract by waving the slender worm-like appendages attached to its head. 9. The Blue Perch {Crenilabrus Coeruleus). — This little fish, often called simply the perch, is found in great abundance in all the harbours and estuaries, usually in I . =- i.»2k; -?v .'. 76 NATURAL HISTORY the neighbourhood of rocks and wharves. It is oflcn caught by boys, but it is almost valueless for food. 10. The ScuLPiN (Cotttis) is very common in har- bours and estuaries, where its voracity and hideous appearance are sources of great annoyance to juvenile anglers. It is not used for food. 11. The Sucker {Catoat&mm) is a fresh- water fish, distinguished by the peculiar form of its mouth, whose lips project beyond the jaws, forming a semi-cartilagi- nous ring, by which the animal fastens itself to rocks and stones, a habit which has given origin to its com- mon name. It is useless to man. There are more than one species. 12. The MuMMACHOGS {Fandulm). — These little fishes abound in creeks and estuaries, and are some- times taken for bait. ■ ■'] 13. The Salmon (Salmo Salar) is found in most of the large rivers of Nova Scotia, and is also taken on the coast in spring before it has entered the rivers, which it does annually, for the purpose of depositing its spawn, returning to the sea after this purpose is accomplished. The salmon is usually taken in nets or speared, and in Nova Scotia considerable quantities are preserved by pickling and smoking. 14. The Trout {Salmo Fmtinalis and Trutta). — At least two species are common ; the salmon trout, which inhabits harbours and estuaries, and ascends rivers and brooks for the purpose of spawning; and the common trout, found in all the rivers, brooks, and lakes, and varying very much in size and colour according to the nature of its food. 15. The Smelt {Osmerus Eperlanus). — This pretty little fish abounds in all the inlets of the coast, and is especially plentiful in spring, autumn, and winter. In harbours which are frozen at the latter season, great i/V> 1*1 li) OF NOVA SCOTIA. 7T •%/ ^ numbers are caught, through the ice. The flavour of the smelt is very delicate, and in the seasons when it is abundant it is much used. ■ 16. The Capelin {Malhtua Villoam).— This is a pretty little fish, smaller than the smelt, and more slender in its form. It is a northern fish, and is more abundant in Greenland and Newfoundland than on our coasts. It is taken as bait for cod ; and in Newfoundland large <[uantities are dried and exported. ■ ,. ^n. The Herring {Clupea Elongata). -^This highly useful fish is found abundantly in spring and autumn on the coast of Nova Scotia. It is taken in seines and nets, and its capture and curing form a very important branch of industry. The herring, like most other migratory fishes, prefers sliallow water for the deposition of its spawn ; and this is the reason of its appearance in large shoals on the coasts at particular seasons ; at other periods of the year it wanders more widely over the ocean. 18. The Alewife of Gaspereaux {Alosa Verru }■ — This species is nearly as abundant as the commoi t er- ring, which it much resembles. In spring it a>-c' *n'.s rivers and streams to their very sources fox 'ly par- pose of depositing its spawn, and is then easuy '.lyrUt. in great quantities. It is not so much esteemed ub Ui herring. ■■■- ■ ■ "'• - '■ .-•,.■.:)■.- :•-;■' '■:v. ■ ' ■ 19. The Shad (Alosa Vulgaris) is nearly allied lo the herring, but is much larger. It is found most abun- dantly in the Bay of Fundy and its tributaries, appear- ing to prefer muddy bottoms and turbid water. It is tdken in nets, and in wears or enclosures made on the shores below high- water mark. It is equal to the her- ring as an article of food. ,ii .;Uj^i. 20. The Cod {Morrhua Americana) is one of the most valuable of fishes. It is found abundantly on all •JV^. i! ! I 78 NATURAL HISTORY the coasts of the province, and on the banks in neigh- bouring parts of the ocean. It is taken by the hook and line, and when drie i is an important article of com- merce. Considerable quantities of oil are made from the liver of the cod. 21. The Hake [Phycis Americar.us) is a species of cod often caught with the common species, but less esteemed as an article of food. 22. The Haddock {Morrhua Aeglifinus) is a species of cod of smaller size than the common one, and when fresh and in good season preferable to it as an article of food ; in the dried state, however, it is not so much esteemed. The haddock feeds more exclusively on shell- fish than the common cod. 23. The Pollack (Merlangus Carhonaritis). — This fish abounds on the coast of Nova Scotia, and is taken and dried in the same manner as cod. The pollack is much more active than the cod, and swims near the surface. 24. The Cusk {Brosmius Vulgm^). — This is the finest of the cod family as an article of food, and is much more rare on our coasts than most of the other species. It is distinguished from the other species by its rounded tail fin, margined with blue and edged with white. 25. The Tom Cod or Frost Fish {Morrhua Pru- inosa) is also a small species of cod, and abounds in har- 1)ours and estuaries. It is nocturnal in its habits, and is of little value. 26. The Flounder or Flat Fish {Platessa) is com- mon on all sandy or muddy shores at all seasons. It is easily speared or caught with the hook, but is not generally much esteemed as an article of food. There are several species. 27. The Lump Fish {Lumpus Vulgaris) is remark- OF NOVA SCOTIA. 79 A able for having the ventral fins united into a cup-shaped disk or sucker, by which it can adhere to rocks and other objects. It is covered with spines, and of a short and thickened form. It is caught on the Atlantic coast, and when in good condition is eaten, though not much esteemed. 28. Halibut {Hypoglossus Vulgaris) is the largest of the flat fishes found on our coasts, sometimes attaining the weight of 500 pounds. It is found on the Atlantic coast of the province, and is caught with the line. It is much valued for food. 29. The Eel {Anguilla) is found abundantly in the muddy bottoms of harbours and rivers. It is very \oracious, feeding on all animal substances living or dead, and frequently eating fish which have been caught in nets. Eels are speared by torchlight, or through holes cut in the ice. Division 2. Fishes having a cartilaginous skeleton and bony platen or points on the shin. 1. The Sharks (Squalides). — Several species of shark are occasionally seen on the coast of Nova Scotia, though none are abundant. Among the species occasionally seen on the Atlantic coast are the White Shark {Car- charias Vulgaris); the Tliresher (C Vulpes); and the Basking Shark (Selache Maocimus). The first two are dangerous to bathers, but are very rare, and may be considered as stragglers from warm climates. The basking shark, which usually exceeds thirty feet in length, is supposed- to be the creature to which the name *' Sea Serpent " has been applied. 2. The Dog Fish [Spinax Acanthias). — This is a small species of shark, which abounds on all the sea- coasts, and is often very annoying to fishermen by 80 NATURAL HISTORY scattering shoals of fish and injuring nets. Large num- bers are taken for their oil, and to be dried as food for hogs. 3. The Skate or Ray {Rata Batia) is common on the coast of Nova Scotia, and is often taken by fisher- men, but is not much esteemed. The sting ray, a species having a serrated and pointed bone attached to its tail, is also sometimes taken on our coasts. ■ :> j Ck; 4. The Sturgeon {Acdpenser Oxyrhyncua). — A large species of sturgeon is found in the Bay of Fundy, preferring, like most fishes of this genus, soft and muddy bottoms. In some countries the sturgeon is much esteemed for food, but in Nova Scotia it is very little used. II.— THE ARTICULATED ANIMALS, Constituting the second great division of the Animal Kingdom, are named articulated on account of their being covered by a jointed case or crust, serving the purpose of a covering to protect the body, and of a skeleton to support their muscles. This division includes '■he Worms, the Crustacea, the Spiders, the Centipedes, cxA the Insects. 1. — THE WORMS. ^: The most important animals of this class are the earthworm, which burrows in rich soils, feeding on decayed animal and vegetable matter ; the leeches, which inhabit fresh water, and subsist by sucking the blood and juices of animals ; and the marine worms, many species of which are found on sandy and muddy shores. >. The operations of the earthworm, by loosening the soil and throwing up new mould to the surface, are OF NOVA SCOTIA. 4MI / the are very useful to the farmer. The medicinal leech hi^s long been extensively used in the healing art ; and the marine worms furnish food to many fishes, and are used by fisherman as bait. 2. — CRUSTACEA. These animals are all aquatic. The best known species on the coast of this province are the common lobster and crab. There are, however, a great num- ber of small species, as the shrimps, sandhoppers, &c. some of which are so small as to be scarcely visible to the naked eye. 3. — THE SPIDERS. There are many species of spiders, all subsisting on flies and other insects, for snaring and entrapping which they have been endowed with many very singular in- stincts. This class also includes the flour and cheese mites. 4. — THE CENTIPEDES Have worm-like bodies and very numerous short feet. The most common species is an active little creature, found in manure heaps, decaying wood, &c., and prey- ing on small insects. There are other species of more sluggish habits, and feeding on vegetable substances. 5. — INSECTS. Insects are distinguished from other articulated ani- mals by their complex organization, their adaptation for breathing in air, the. smaller number of their legs and segments, and by their metamorphosis, which con- sists in a change from the worm-like form in which they at first appear, and which is called the larva state, to that of the perfect insect. They are divided into order?. 82 NATURAL HISTORY Order 1. — Cdeoptera, • ■ Includes those insects which have the upper pair of wings forming a strong homy case for the lower pair, which are thin and membranous. They are usually named beetles, and the Great Water Beetle (Dytiscus) is the largest of the order found in Nova Scotia. The Fire Flies (Elater), the Turnip Fly {Altica), and the Lady Bugs (CocdneUa), which are useful in destroying the lice that infest trees, belong to this order. The larvae of the water beetle live in ponds and ditches, and prey on small animals found there. Those of the turnip fly are little grubs which burrow in the leaves of plants. Those of the lady bugs live on leaves, and feed on the little insects which they find there. There are a vast number of species of beetles, many of them of very singular appearance and habits. Order 2. — Orthoptera, Or straight-winged insects, are distinguished by pos- sessing two pairs of wings, and jaws fitted for masti- cation. The crickets and the grasshoppers, of which there are several species, all very injurious to vegetation, belong to this order. Order 3. — Neuroptera, Consists of insects which have both pairs of wings mem- branous and delicatelv veined or netted, as the name of the order, signifying nerve-winged, intimates. The Dragon Fly (LibeUula), and the short-lived Day Fly {Ephemera), are the principal genera of this order found in Nova Scotia. The dragon flies prey on small insects, which they catch on the wing. Their larvae, as well as those of the day flies, live in water. The latter are light and I OF NOVA SCOTIA. 83 delicate creatures, often appearing in great numbers in summer by the sides of rivers and lakes. Order 4. — Hymenqptera, Have four membranous wings, less netted than those of the Neuroptera, and united to each other at their margins ; they have also jaws adapted rather for suction than mastication. The Wasps {Vespidae), the Bee (Apis), the Humble Bees (Bombtis), and the Ichneu- mons. — Ex. the wasps and bees are remarkable for their instinctive powers of constructing nests and cells for the reception of their young, and of the honey which they store up for their use. The ichneumons de- posit their eggs on the bodies of caterpillars, on which their larvae feed, and thus greatly reduce the numbers of these noxious creatures. The ants also belong to this order. Order 5- — Homoptera, Includes a number of curious insects which sul)sist by sucking the juices of plants. In Nova Scotia the most common members of this order are the Cicadae or Sing- ing Locusts, and the Plant Lice (Aphidae), which often swarm on the leaves of trees and vegetables, and by sucking their sap greatly weaken and injure them. Order 6. — Heteroptera. The insects of this order, like those of the las , sub- sist by suction, but differ from them in the structure of their upper pair of wings, which are horny and coloured at the base and membranous at the point. This order includes the Bag {Cirnex), and the Frog-Spittle Insects [Cercopidae), which in their young state inhabit the frothy substance often seen on the stalks of grasses and -^ 84 NATURAL HISTORY other plants, and which in all their stages are very in jurious to vegetation. . Order 7. — Lepidoptera^ Have their wings covered with minute scales, often brightly coloured. All the insects of this order are known by the names of Butterflies, Moths, and Millers. In their mature state they are beautiful and harmless insects, but in the larva state they are the greatest pests of farmers and gardeners. AH the varieties of caterpillars, and most of the grubs, cut-worms, apple- worms, and pea-wormsj are larvae of the moths and butterflies. Order 8. — Diptera. These have only two wings, which are membran- ous. This order includes the Mosquitoes and Gnats (Culeddae), the Crane Flies or Harry-long-legs {Tipu- lidae)y the Horse Flies {Tabanidae), the Bot Flies {Oestridae)j the Flesh and House Flies {Musddae), the Wheat Fly, improperly called " Weevil," and the Hes- sian Fly {Ceddomyla). The larvae of the mosquitoes inhabit pools. Those of the Harry-long-legs burrow in the ground, and eat the roots of grass. Those of the flesh and house flies, commonly called "maggots," feed on decaying ar^imal substances. Those of the wheat fly live within the chaff of the ear, and suck the juices of the young grain. In autumn they descend into the ground, and reappear as flies in the following summer. The remaining orders of insects include the various species of Fleas and Lice, and the Phryganidae, whose larvae, named caddis worms, inhabit brooks and ponds, where they construct little cases of fragments of wood, sand, &c., which they carry about with them. :s V "rv^" -T-r VT^.V".:"*?* ■-■-1 , \~~.'y^'' '-tV ■\->'-^~Jl OF NOVA SCOTIA. 85 y in III.— THE MOLLUSCOUS ANIMALS Form the third division of Animals distinguished by the absence of bony skeleton and external articulated case. The want of these is supplied by a shell, or by a tough skin or mantle. This division includes the squids or cuttle-fish, the marine and fresh-water shell-fish, the land snails and slugs, and several other groups of animals, found in Nova Scotia or the neighbouring seas. The only useful species are some of the shell-fish, as the Oyster (Ostrea Edulis), the Muscle {Mylilus Edulis), the Sand Clam {Mya Arenaric), the Razor Fish {Solen Ensis), the Quahog {Venus Mercenaria), the Scallop {Pecten Magellanicus). IV.— THE RADIATED ANIMALS Are distinguished by the arrangement of the members of their bodies, which generally diverge on all sides from a central point. These animals are all aquatic, and many species occur in the waters of Nova Scotia. The sea urchins, star fishes, and jelly fishes, are the most common tribes. IV.— BOTANY. Botany treats of the natural history of the Vegetable Kingdom, which forms two great divisions or sub-king- doms,— the Floxoering and Flowerless Plants. These are subdivided uito classe$ and orders^ and also into smaller groups named genera, each containing several species or kinds. The wild plants of Nova Scotia are too numerous to allow even a list of them to be given in this work. A few of the principal orders only will be mentioned ; and NATURAL HISTORY species which are remarkable for their value to man, or for their interest and beauty, will be given as examples.* 1. FLOWERilJG PLANTS. The order Nymphaeaceae, or that of the Water Lilies, includes the fragrant White Pond I>ily (Nym- phaea Odorata), and the Yellow Pond Lily {Nuphar Advena)^ which ornament the surfaces of our lakes and ponds. The order Sarracenia includes the singular and beau- tiful Indian cup {Sarracenia Purpurea) of our bogs, whose cup-shaped leaves and " side-sad die " flowers are among the most curious vegetable productions of our country. A yellowish sarracenia is sometimes found with the crimson kind. It appears to be merely a variety. The order Araliaceae includes the Sarsaparillas {Ara- lia) and the Ginseng {Panax) ^ which are abundant in our woods and swamps, and well known on account of their medicinal virtues. They have elegant divided leaves, and clusters of small white flowers succeeded by berries. The order Grossvlaceae include3 the Wild Groosebeny {Rihes Oxyacanthoides), a small but agreeable fruit, and two species of wild currants, the wild black and red or rock currant. Both are much inferior to the cultivated currants. The order Acerinac contains the White Sugar Maple {Acer Saccharinum), the Black Sugar Maple (.-1. Nig- rum), the White or Soft Maple {A, Dasycarpum), the * It will be found a pleasing and instructive amusement to collect specimens of the leaves and flowers of the plants ijamed under each order, and compare them so as to discover their family resemblances and specific diiference. Wood's First Lessons in Botany, or any other small work containing de- scriptions and figures of the structures of plants, will be found a useful aid. : «^ OF NOVA SCOTIik. a? S. or lied Maple (-4. Rubruni), the Moose- wood or Striped Maple {A. Striatum), the Mountain Maple (^4. Mon- tanum). Th(! lirst two species are large and beautiful trees, at, Vn ding valualile timber md rich saccharine sap, 'vhich on evaporation yields maple sugar. The third and fourth species are also large trees, but their wood is less valuable. The order Roaaceae contains a great number of plants, distinguished on acio . X of their beauty and utility. The Kose family includes the Wild Rose and Sweet Briar {Rosa Prrv'iora and Rubiginosa), the Wild Rasp- berry, Blackberry, and Dewberry [Rubus Strigosus, dtc), the Wild Strawberry {Fragaria Virginiana), and other less important flowering and fruit-bearing plants. The Apple family includes the Medlar or Wild Pear {Aronia Botrya^ium), a tree which is worthy of cultiva- tion, as its fruit, though small, is agreeable and abundant, and its flowers very ornamental; the Choke Berry {A. Arbutifolia), the Rowan or Mountain Ash {Pyrus Micro- carpa), and the Wild Hawthorn {Crataegus). The Cherry family contains the Wild Cherry and Choke Cherry {Cen.-.:'J Pennsylvanica and Serotina), both fruits of little value. The order Anac.irdiacae includes the Sumach {Rhus Typhina), a pretty ornamental tree ; and the Poison Vine {Rhus Toxicodendron). The latter is a creeping plant growing in f elds and woods. Its juice is very poisonous. The order Cupuliferae contains the White and Red Beech {Fagus Sylvatica and F. Ferruginea), the White and Black Oak {Qwrcus), anc the Hazel {Corylus Ame- ricana). The first lour species are large and valuable trees. The order Betulaceae contains the Yellow Birch, Black Bu*ch, White Canoe Birch, and Poplar-leaved 88 NATURAL HISTORY Birch (i?f r^a Excelsa, Lenta, Papyracea, and Paptdi- foh'u), am! the Alders {Alnus Serrulat <. -^c.) The first two species of birch are valuable tiiiiber trees, and the canoe birch produces the bark used by ^he Indians for canoes, boxes, &c. • •: v ^ The order Ulmaceae includes the Elm Ulmus Ame- ricana)^ one of the most beautiful treep found in the pro- vince, and very common on the river intervales. The order Sclica^eae contains the Willows (Salix), of which several small species are native, and some more ornamental species have been introduced ; and the Poplars, of which the principal species are the Aspen {Populvs Tremuloides), the Tree Poplar (P. Grandi- dendata), and the White-leaved Poplar (P. Candicans). The order Oleaceae contains the White Ash (Fraximts Acuminata), a very useful timber tree ; and the Blpck or S^ramp Ash (P. Sambitcifolia), whose wood is less uscfiil. }»at in consequence of the facility with which it ca "h'. i«5plit into strips, is used by the Indians in basket- makmg. The order Coniferae includes all the evergreen or softwood trees of Nova Scotia. Many of these are valuable timber trees, as the / ■' White Pine (PmM« /S^ro^M*). , iv . Pitch Pine (P. Pmwoaa). -^ Hemlock (P. Canadensis). . T-. Black Spruce (P. Nigra). ^ ,'.( Red Spruce (P. Rubra). :i i . White Spruce (P. Alba). ,:. J Black Larch or Hackmatack (P. Penduh). ^r Red Larch or Juniper (P. Microcarpa). i:;: Cedar or Arbor Vitae {Thuja Ocddentalis). Other species, as the Fir (P. Balaaminea), the Scrub Pine (P. Banksic-na), the Ground Hemlock {Taxus Canadensis), and the Ground Juniper {Juniperus Com- . OF NOVA SCOTIA. It- muni8)j are of smaller size .and less value. The fir, how- ever, affords the Canada balsam, and the ground juniper bears edible berries. The order Ericaceae contams a number of berry- bearing species, the principal of which are the Red and Grey Cranbf rries (Oxycoccus), the Blue Berries and Whortle Berries (F *mto), the Winter Greens or Tea Berries (Gaultheria). '"'■ It also include' i agrant Mayflower {Epigaea Repem), the Sheep i >wamp Laurel {Kalmia\ the Bhodora {R. Canade>nmsj, the Labrador Tea {Ledum), and other interesting and beautiful plants. The order Capvifoliaceae includes the Cornels (Cor-. ntis), some of which, as the dogwoods, Mre shrubs, and others, as the pigeon berry, herbaceous. This order also includes the Black and Red Berried Elder {Sam- bucus Canadensis and Pubescens), the Moose Bush {Viburnum Lantanoides), and the Tree Cranberry {V. Oocycoccits), whose berries in appearance and ta- te re- semble the true cranberries. It also includes the beautiful Twin Flower {Linnaea Borealis), and the Bi\sh Honeysuckle {Piervilla). The order of the Leguminous plants {Leguminosae) contains the pea and bean tribes, the prettiest wild ex- ample of -which is the Beach Pea {Lathyrus Maritimus), and the Clovers {Trifolium). The Ground Nut (Apios) also belongs to this order. The order Compositor includes a great number of plants having heads of compound flowers ; as the Star Flowers {Aster), and the Golden Rods {SoUdxigo), A number of weeds introduced from abroad., as the Dande- lion, White Weed, Thistle, and Burdock, belong to this order. Many of these plants are remarkable for their bearded seeds, which are carried to great distances by the wind. . IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) ^/ A % '^ 1.0 I.I L25 ■^ IM 12.2 W -3A ii US lAO 2.0 UUu U il.6 . o / Hiotographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 <; H'. . lit' 1 f (' ■:' • »'^ > f ^ w> 90 i-<- NATURAL HISTORY The order Labiatae contains the little Self Heal or Blue Curia (Prunella) j so frequent in dry pastures; llie Horse Mint and Spear Mint (Mentha) ^ and the Ground Ivy (Glechoma). The cultivated Sage, Marjoram, Lav- ender, &c., belong to this order. The order Orchidaceae contains the beautiful La- dies' Slippers (Cypripedium)^ Grass Pink (CymMdivafn)^ Habenaria, and similar plants, distinguished by the very irregular and singular form of then* flowers. Most of them are swamp plants. ' • ■ The order Liliaceae includes the beautiful Orange Lily of the river intervales (Lilium Canadense)^ and the Solomon's Seal and Wild Lily of the Valley (Convalla- ria). The cultivated Lilies, Tulips, Hyacinths, and Onion, belong to the same order. > *,;*« The order of the Grasses (Crramineae) is one of the most important to man in the whole vegetable kingdom. It includes all the numerous species of grass properly so called, as well as wheat, oats, rye, Indian corn, and other grain-bearing plants. In the grasses, those parts of the flower which in the ordinary flowering plants are most showy, have the form of chaify scales. The Sedges, which are closely allied to the grasses, form a separate order. 2. FLOWERLESS PLANTS. ' These are extremely numerous, but in general they are less showy and important than the flowering plants ; though the beauty of their stems and leaves often com- pensates for their want of flowers. The following are the p rincipal tribes of flowerless plants. 1. The Horse Tails (Equiseta)^ whose hollow-jointed stems, surrounded by whorls of leaves, may often be seen in wet and swsmipy places. 2. The Club Mosses and Ground Pines (Lycopodia\ -''0- ; X \ '?. ''\ V ._ * ^■- ■ ,.' • ,' '■ ■ .> ! .'■- - ■ ■ •' •'^1 '"■<■''■;-.-■': % t , OF NOVA SCOIIA. ''■* -<*/. /r which are usually trailing plants, intermediate in appear- ance between mosses and the fir tribe. They are very abundant in the woods. 3. The Ferns or Brakes (Filices), of which there are a great number of species, whose elegant leaves ornament the woods, plains, and swamps. 4. The Mosses {Mitsci)^ and Lichens (LicTienes), which clothe the surfaces of cradle hills, bogs, decaying woods, and stones. The mosses have usually small stems and slender leaves. The lichens have generally the form of flat crusts, in some species sending up irregular knobs or branches with coloured extremities. : iK?: 6. The Fungi, including the Mushrooms, Puff Balls, Touchwood, &c. ; as well as the Dust Brand, Smut, and Rust of Grain, and Common Mould. The seeds of the fungi, as well as of the mosses, are very small and dust -like, and excessively abimdant. This accounts for the rapidity with which they spread, and the singular situations in which they are often found. Most of the fungi grow from decaying substances, or are parasites on living plants, into whose stems and leaves their minute seeds pass with the water taken up from the soil, or are carried by the wind. 6. The Seaweeds (Algae). — These are the peculiar vegetation of the sea, though some of the smaller species are found in fresh water. There are numerous species on our coast, some of them, especially the smaller, very beautiful in their forms and colours. The seaweeds furnish food to a great number of marine animals, and when washed on shore form a valuable manure. Some of the species are used for food. Kelp or soda for soap- making is also obtained from the ashes of some of the most common kindB. ' ' ' 7 V fM-%-.tJ ' * ^■,i-ji ^f v» .i'.^.i? ■/ - 5< .^^<;^?.;' 4. * :../■<• ^u I ;-• •"•;.*- 1 • :* : ■ ... - • . • . > .■-'•,« . »i ;» ,f -- J.'. ... ;:v •■ :,; APPENDIX. ;'■.:"'':?:, r^' . ..■■•:..- : ...'... ,. ',,.^ .' 1 . - , ■ .: ... .. '• . .-. .Us,*-. , - • about 134 miles* 'v\:yi. ^r.^-.} ■^.i^|g 75 J .■ '■>:*. ,,./■". 'J."' i4; ':,;* -...'/Tl-f-r^.!;; lf'F,:f •' - '^■J, };- ,»..'. -...-/..C 1 ,.!•.. LiV<-ll, .^TJllt^^flF :-.;. .^- ;-; ,- ■ ':.t :-^^^^i£^ •xsr:aij^M t:--. y>K Mi- m'-t < >»«? I ; % 'fl ■ 95 INDUSTRIAL STATISTICS OF NOVA SCOTIA, From the Census op 1851. Professions and Trades. — Clergymen, 288. Lawyers, 143. Physicians, 145. Merchants, 2415. Persons employed in man- nfaotures, 3200. Mechanics, 8895. Farmers, 31,604. Fisher- men, 9927. Seamen, 5374. Lnmherers, 1254. Buildings and Property. — Inhahited houses, 41,455. Unin- habited houses, 2028. Houses building, 2347. Stores, barns, &c., 52,758. Churches, 567. Schools, 1096. Value of real estate, £8,050,923 Agriculture. — Acres of diked land, 40,012. Other improved land, 799,310. Horses, 28,789. Neat cattle, 156,857. Milch cows, 86,856. Sheep, 282,180. Swine, 51,533. Bushels of wheat, 297,157. Barley, 196,097. Rye, 61,438. Oats, 1,384,437. Buckwheat, 170,301. Indian corn, 37,475. Tons of hay, 287,837. Bushels of pease and beans, 21,638. Bushels of grass seeds, 3686. Bushels of potatoes, 1,986,789. Bushels of turnips, 467,127. Other roots, 32,325. Pounds of butter, 3,613,890. Pounds of cheese, 652,069. Fisheries. — Number of vessels, 812 ; Tonnage, 43^333 ; Men, 3681. Boats, 5161 ; Men, 6713. Nets and seines, 30,154. Cwts. dried fish, 196,434. Barrels salmon, 1669. Barrels shad, 3536. Barrels mackarel, 100,047. Barrels herring, 53,200. Barrels alewives, 5343. Boxes smoked herring, 15,409. Value of fish, £217,270. Gallons fish oil, 189,250; Value, £17,754. Manvfactares. — Number of saw-mills, 1153. Grist-mills, 398. Steam-mills and factories, 10. Tanneiies, 237. Foun- deries, 9. Weavingand carding establishments, 81. Handlooms, 11,096. Yards fulled cloth, 119,698. Yards unfuUed cloth, 790,104. Yards flannel, 219,352. Breweries and distilleries, 17. Other factories, 131. Value of agricultural implements, cabinet ware, and other wooden wares, £56,519. Bricks, 2,845,400. Value of soap, £28,277. Value of candles, £21,210. Pounds maple sugar, 110,441. Vessels built, 486 ; Tonnage, 67,776. Boats built, 2654. Mines, Quarries, <§c.— Chaldrons coal, 114,992. Tons gyp- sum, 79,795. Casks lime, 28,603. Tons iron, 250. Grind- stones, about 37,100 tons. In addition to the above, large quantities of Timber, Deals, Battens, Boards, Cordwood, Fruit, Freestone, &c., are produced, but their amount is not stated in the Census. THE END. :. Lately PuHiahed by J. Datoaon ds Son : DAWSON'S MAP OF NOVA SCOTIA AND PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND. . ' 3d Edition, greatly improved. — Size, 19 X 24. f. Price Is. 3d. ^ PRACTICAL HINTS ON THE MANAGEMENT AND IMPROVEMENT OF LIVE STOCK. Price Is. 6d. i ». d. .2 6 .7 6 .4 0 .6 0 *■■;: 'f < . -' 't %