and coils himself up into a spiral wreath, with his head erect in the centre, still rattling by way of menace or alaim; and upon being actually assailed, suddenly uncoils himself with elastic force, and without removing his posterior half from its place, darts his head in a curve line at the object of his rage, striking it it within his reach with two small sharp teeth situated near the extremity of the upper jaw, and surrounded at the root of each tooth with a bag of yellow liquid venom, which infects the wound made by the teeth. This poison is active and dangerous, and, without some seasonable antidote, often proves fatal.

The Black Rattle-Snake differs only in size and colour, being not more than two thirds as long and large, and having more black and less yellow on his body.

Black rattle-snakes, though by no means common in the province, are not so rare as the yellow species. Of the latter I have seen only one, and but few of the former. The yellow rattle-snake which I saw and examined, was kept in a cage, and, as his keeper declared, had lived several weeks without food.

There are some other snakes, but they are not

numerous or venomous.

Reports have been, and still are, in circulation, respecting a serpent of unusual magnitude and kind, said to have been seen, in a few instances, in lake Ontario, near its northern shore; but I have obtained no authentic information which justifies me in believing it to be any more than an overgrown water snake of the common sort, discovered unexpectedly,

and imperfectly seen moving in the water, magnified in appearance by its motion, and perhaps still more by the force of an agitated imagination.

An English gentleman resident in the province has given me a description of a double-headed snake which he saw here. The two heads branched from the same neck, and were apparently entire and perfect. In all other respects it appeared to be a young striped or garter snake, six or seven inches long. It was found with a number of others, similar in size and appearance, except as to the head, within a common garter snake, in that part of the belly into which an old snake receives its young as an asylum from danger. The old one being killed, these young snakes were found in that situation. The double-headed one being among the rest, although differing from them in having two heads, while they were single-headed, and in the usual form, must be presumed to be a monstrous or unusual production of the same stock, and not of a distinct species. These circumstances seem to decide a question of more curiosity, perhaps, than use, but one on which naturalists have been divided in opinion.

That noisy, harmless animal, the Frog, and the more odious, but not more noxious, Toad, inhabit this country, and possess their usual characteristic properties.

The Tree Toad or Frog, which is less known, is likewise frequent in some parts of the province. In shape he resembles the common toad, except being more slim, and not half so large. He also

has different and more tenacious claws, by which he is able to stick to aud ascend trees. He is, indeed, usually found on a tree, closely adhering to the bark, or sitting in the crotch of some limb; and being pretty flat, and of a cloudy light brown colour, is not easily distinguished. Nor is he much more distinguishable on a post, fence, or stump. Hence, probably, has originated the notion, that he assimilates his colour to that of the substance, whatever it is, on which he lights. The insides of the hind legs are of a light yellow; but that is not discovered when he sits still. His note is a shrill croak, or rather chirp, which is often heard, especially in the twilight and before a rain, his favourite times of singing, while the animal himself, although sought after, is invisible. Sometimes you may hear several of them chirping alternately, with a sort of responsive sociability.

I have not perceived any peculiarity of the insects of this country worthy of particular notice.

Honey Bees are found in the woods, most frequently in large swarms in hollow trees. Whether these natives of America were inhabitants of this part of it before it was settled by the whites, or have since spread into the wilderness from their settlements, which is more probable, they now exist here both in a wild and domestic state, and have lately been attended to with a degree of success which recommends still further attention to them, as a source of profit, comfort, philosophical amusement, and moral instruction. The climate and productions of the soil appear to suit them;

and when hived and housed, at a small expense, they collect their treasures, by their own voluntary exertions, without injuring the crops of the garden or the field.

SKETCH XVII.

CONSTITUTION.

The Constituting Act, a Legislative Charter.

HAVING traced the outlines of the history, situation, and settlement of the province, with its climate, soil, productions, and animals, we will next take a view of its institutions and establishments, beginning with the constitution.

By constitution is here intended the establishment of a regular form of governinent. This has been effected in different countries in modes as various as the forms of government themselves. The English constitution has resulted from immemorial usage, and the proceedings of parliament acquiesced in by the nation. In the United States of America, constitutions have been reduced to writing, and formally adopted by conventions chosen by the people for that very purpose.

Upper Canada derives her constitution from acts of the British Parliament, which are of the nature of a legislative charter, and may be considered as amounting to a solemn compact between the parent kingdom and the province, establishing the form of provincial government.

SKETCH XVIII.

PROVINCIAL PARLIAMENT.

King, Council, and Assembly-Legislative Council --Number of Members--Qualifications--Appointment-Tenure-Speaker-House of Assembly-Number of Members-Election Districts— Qualifications of Electors---Qualification of Members-Proceedings at Elections-Decision of contested Elections-Duration-Speaker- Rules -Rights--Royal Assent to Bills--Powers of Provincial Legislature-Taxation of the Province -Union of Monarchy, Aristocracy, and Demo

cracy.

THE Act of the 31st of George III. constitutes a legislative council and an assembly, which, with his Majesty, compose the legislature of the province, and are commonly styled the Provincial Parliament.

.

The formation of each branch, the relative powers of the two branches, and their joint authority, are worthy of separate consideration.

The requisite qualifications of a member of the legislative council are, that he be 21 years of age, and a British subject by birth, naturalization, or the conquest and cession of Canada. There must be at least seven members of the council, and may be more at the discretion of the crown.

They are appointed by his Majesty. The mode