Copy 1

The Canadian naturalist: a series of conversations on the natural history of Lower Canada / [Philip Henry Gosse].

  • Gosse, Philip Henry, 1810-1888.
Date:
1840
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The Canadian naturalist: a series of conversations on the natural history of Lower Canada / [Philip Henry Gosse]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    land, in the latter part of May, after the sealing voyage is closed, among other preparations for the cod-fishery, the crews are sent into the woods to cut rinds. A rind is the whole bark, for about five feet in length, of a young fir, or spruce, which, (an incision all round at each end, and a longitudinal division, having been made, ) is at that season easily stripped off: when pressed flat, they are used as a covering for piles of fish in wet weather. A crew were thus engaged one bright morning, after a light fall of snow; the heat of the sun made the snow run in a continual dripping from the trees; and the little tomtits were hopping round them, saying “sweet weather,” in a tone that seemed to indicate the highest enjoyment. One poor fellow, of a some- what testy disposition, annoyed by the dripping, and almost blinded by the perspiration running into his eyes, took it into his head that the bird was taunting him with the peculiar appropriateness of the weather to his occupation ; or perhaps was vexed that the bird should show so much enjoyment at what was to him so uncomfortable. However, he presently flew into a violent passion, flung his little hatchet at the tomtit, and pursued him in a rage from tree to tree, crying “Sweet weather! is it? I'll tell ye what sort 0’ weather ‘tis ;” and so on, till fairly exhausted with his silly exer- tions, he returned somewhat crest-fallen, to his jeering com- rades, leaving the bird to enjoy its own opinion respecting the weather, or any other subject of its meditations. C.— A particularly amiable disposition, which could find sources of vexation in the bright sun of spring, and the song of an innocent bird! But perhaps there was some excuse. F.— The clouds are gathering to windward, and from their blackness I fear a snow-storm: we had better. return homeward. C.— A few scattered flakes are already falling. F, — It is a good opportunity to direct your attention to C