Geography of the British Colonies and Dependencies (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1864 edition. Excerpt: ...substitute for turpentine; and what is perhaps more Important than all, the pure paraffin for candles. It Is also greatly used as a basis for producing various dyes, such as mauve, magenta, rosaline, azurine, &c There can be little doubt but that petroleum is to take the place of a large portion of all other oils, by reason of its superior brilliancy of light, cleanly nature, established cheapness, and the absence of trouble in its use. It may be convenient here to mention how peculiarly attractive the scenery of Canada becomes towards the early part of Octoljer, owing to the gradual changes of colour in the foliage which then present themselves. Whereever there are trees In view the leaves are seen to be tinted with various hues of colour. Patches of wood scattered over the surface, and especially extended masses of forest-trees viewed from any eminence, offer to the eye a very gorgeous spectacle, which, for brightness of colour, variety, and the charming aspect of the whole scene, would Inspire disbelief if it were ever so truthfully delineated by the painter's art alone. Some of the most pleasant weather of the whole year often occurs Just before the winter sets in, and the season is commonly designated as the " Indian Summer." A peculiar hazy appearance skirts the distant horizon; and the soft, balmy character of the air resembles that of the real summer, as if that were, Indeed, lingering on into, and trespassing on, the confines of advanced autumn. swans, turkeys and geese, together with woodcocks, snipes, eagles, kites, hawks, and other species similar to those common in Europe, are abundant. The puff-adder and two species of rattlesnake are met with in the woods and hills away from the settled regions. Canadian waters abound...