by the names of balsam of Capivi and of Tolu. The shores of the bays of Honduras and Campeachy have been celebrated from their very first discovery for their immense forests of mahogany and logwood: and the neighbourhood of Guatimala is distinguished for its indigo. The guajacum, the sassafras and tamarind, the cocoa nut palm, the chocolate nut tree, and a variety of others, which are better known as natives of the West Indian islands, enrich and adorn these fertile provinces. The pine apple grows wild in the woods, and the shallow rocky soils are inhabited by various species of aloe and euphorbia. A few Mexican plants have been introduced into European gardens, among which may be noticed the salvia fulgens, glowing with its crimson blossoms, the splendid dahlia, the elegant straited sisyrinchium, the gigantic helianthus, and the delicate mentzelia.*

Zoology. The zoology has been illustrated by Hernandez, styled the Pliny of New Spain, who flourished in the middle of the sixteenth century. The variety of animals is very gFeat. Among the most singular animals is the Mexican or haunchback dog, called itzcuintepolzotli; the tlacuatzin, or opossum; different species of armadillo; the techichi or a/fo, the tozan or tusa; a kind of porcupine, and many others described by several naturalists. What is called; the tiger seems a species of panther, and sometimes grows to a great size, though Buffon, ever fond of theory, assert that American animals are generally small. In South America it attains the length of a large ox, as appears from the testimony of Dobrizhoffer; but Clavigero says that the largest quadruped is the Danta, Anta, or Tapir, about the size of a middling mule, being amphibious.. This animal seems to be different from the Lanta or Danta of Africa, described by Leo. The bison is found in New Mexico; and the musk cattle may perhaps extend as far. In California there are said to be wild sheep, and a species of antelope. The birds of New Spain are particularly numerous and curious. Many of them are common to this country and to

the United States.

Mineralogy. The mineralogy of the Spanish empire in North America is equal, if not superior to that of Peru, and the other southern provinces. Even in the northern parts nature has disclosed her treasures: the abundance of gold found in the province of Sonora has been already mentioned; and California is supposed to contain rich minerals. The silver mines in New Spain, though they do not contend with Potosi, have long maintained great celebrity. Those of Sacotecas, or Zocatecas, are particularly distinguished. The produce of the Mexican mines, as alrcady mentioned, has by some been comput

It is highly probable, that many of the Mexican plants have been introduced into the gardens of Spain; for the Spaniards have devoted great attention to the study of the botany of their American possessions.

B.

f Pennant, A. Z i. 3. from Fernandez, Nov Hisp. x. c. 50. Lockman'i travels of the Jesuits, i. 400. Du Pratz, ii. 95, gives a good account of the humming birds of Louisiana.

The chief gold mines were formerly in the provinces of Tierra Firma and the new kingdom of Granada. Robertson, iii. 297. There were also several in Vcragua, and many silver mines on the south of the province of Honduras. The pearl 1 thery in the Vermillion sea is neglected, because there are no good divers.

ed at ten millions yearly; but the whole amount of the American probably does not exceed seven millions and a half; of which it cannot be supposed that North America produces more than two thirds. The ancient Mexicans found gold in many of their rivers; and silver was dug up, but little esteemed. The chief silver mines are now to the north-west of the capital, where there is a town called Luis de Potosi, more than 200 British miles from Mexico. These mines are said to have been discovered soon after those of Potosi, 1545: they are in a considerable range of mountains, which give source to the river of Panuco. Concerning the nature of these mines, and the manner of working them, the Spanish writers seem to be silent.

The

Copper is said to abound in some districts to the west of the capital; and tin is also mentioned among the Mexican minerals*. Mercury is likewise reported to have been found in Mexico, and there was a celebraed mine in Peru, but both seem to be now exhausted, as the chief supply is from Spain. Ambar and asphalt likewise occur in New Spain and among the precious stones a few diamonds, with amethysts and turquoises, but the list is imperfect, and perhaps erroneous. mountains also produce jasper, marble, alabaster, magnet, steatite, jad, laic. The stone called tetzontti, red and porous, was used in building, being perhaps a kind of tufa. The itzti is semi-transparent, of a glassy substance, and generally black, but also found white and blue: it was used in mirrors; and also for sharp instruments, being the same Called pied'a del Gallinazzo in South America, the obsidian or volcanic glass of modern mineralogy.f

Mineual Waters. There are several mineral waters of various qualities, sulphureous, vitriolic, and aluminous; and some springs of great heat, but none seem particularly distinguished. Besides the volcanos there are many natural curiosities, one of the most remarkable being the Ponte de Dios, or bridge of God, resembling, it is thought, the natural bridge in the state of Virginia. It is about one hundred miles south east from Mexico, near the village of Molcaxac, over a deep river called the Aquetoyaque, and is constantly passed as a highway; but it seems uncertain whether the river have worn the passage through a rocky mountain, or the fragment be part of a fallen hill detached by an earthquake. There are many romantic cataracts, among which must be mentioned those of the river Guadalaxara, between the city of the same name and the lake of Chapala. The floating gardens in the lake of Mexico were artificial curiosities, the bottom being formed of intertwisted willows.

Clavigero, i. 387, says that the Mexicans used thin pieces of tin, and bit* of copper in the shape of a hammer as money.

At the end of D'Auteroche's voyage to California there is a curious lettter from Alzate a Mexican gentleman, to the Royal academy of Sciences at Paris, on the natural history of New Spain He mentions some trees of surprising size, one of them fifty feet in circumference: and perhaps credulously reports that in digging a mine in the province of Roucra, petrifird human bodies were found, which yielded a considerable quantity of silver. The large teeth and bones seem to be the same with those of the mammoth; and he obscurely describes absaltic columns. The bell stone is probably the sonorous marble of China The cedar silver ore of Huajana to seems only dendritic, mingled with spar.

BRITISH POSSESSIONS

IN NORTH AMERICA.

CANADA.--DIVISIONS.--EXTENT.RELIGION.—GOVERNMENT.—

POPULATION.----REVENUES.----MANNERS

AND CUSTOMS.----LAN

GUAGE. CITIES AND TOWNS.---MANUFACTURES AND COMMERCE.-CLIMATE AND SEASONS. FACE OF THE COUNTRY. SOIL AND AGRICULTURE. RIVKRS.--LAKES. MOUNTAINS.—ZOOLOGY.—

MINERALOGY. NATURAL CURIOSITIES.NEW BRUNSWICK.-NOVASCOT1A.—CAPE BRETON.---NEWFOUNDLAND. THE BERMU

DAS.

Those parts of North America which still belong to Great Britain are extensive and of considerable importance, though so thinly peopled, and and in such a disadvantageous climate, that they sunk into insignificance, when compared with the great and flourishing colony belonging to Spain, or with the territories of the United States. The inhabitants of the former have been estimated at seven millions, and those of the States at five; while those of the British posseessions scarcely exceed two hundred thousand souls, and the far greater part are French and indigenes.

Divisions- The chief of these possessions is Canada, now divided into two provinces, called Upper and Lower Canada, the former being the western division, on the north of the great lake or sea of Canada; while the lower division is on she river St Lawrence towards the east, and conUtins Quebec the capital, and the chief city of our remaining settlements.

On the east of Canada, to the south of the river St. Lawrence is NovaScotia; which in 1784 was divided into two provinces that of NovaScotia in the south, and New Brunswick in the north.

What is culled New Britain comprehends the most northern parts towards Hudson's Bay, and the coast of Labrador. The large island of Newfoundland; that called Cape Breton; and the neighbouring isle St. John; complete the chief denominations of British territory. But in the English maps, while Greenland is aasigned to Denmark, all the other most northern parts of America, on the east and on the west, as far south as the port of Sir Francis Drake, are impressed with the colour of British territory. By the right of prior or at least

of more complete and precise, discovery the westerr coast might be considered as belonging to England, according to the established usage of all European nations; and which of course must be admitted as valid in a cause between any two of them. This right may indeed be carried to a ridiculous excess; and we have seen navigators in our own time giving new names to places in Cochin China, a country perhaps as civilized as their own; which is the same as if a Chinese junk should sail up the Thames, and the captain bestow new names upon every object. But in a country thinly inhabited by savages, and adapted for European settlements, the case is totally different; and any usage, however ridiculous must be admitted which tends to prevent disputes and contests. The first settlement seems however to be the most rational claim; and no such event having yet happened, the western coast of North America shall be arranged among the unconquered countries, which seems to be the most proper method, when the settlements are only a few detached factories, to which the natives profess no subjection. Hence the regions around Hudson's Bay, with Labrador and Greenland, are from the intense severity of the climate, declared free by nature, and shall also be classed among the unconquered countries. The present short description shall therefore only comprise Canada, and the other British provinces in the south, which form actual possessions or colonies.

CANADA.

Extent.

This country is computed to extend from the gulf of St. Lawrence, and isle of Anticosti in the east to the lake of Winnipeg in the west, or from longitude 64° to 97° west from London, thirty-three degrees, which in that latitude may be about 1200 geographical miles. The breadth from the lake of Erie, in the south, or totitude 43° may extend to latitude 49°, or 360 geographical miles; but the medial breadth is not above 200. The original population consisted of several savage tribes, whose names and manners may be traced in the early French accounts, which may also be consulted for the progressive discovery, the first settlement being at Quebec in 1608. During a century and a half that the French possessed Canada they made many discoveries towards the west; and Lahontan in the end of the seventeenth century, has given a tolerable account of some lakes beyond that called Superior, and of the river Missouri. Quebec being conquered by Wolfe 1759, Canada was ceded to Great Britain by the treaty of Paris 1763.

Religion. The religion is the Roman Catholic, but the British settlers follow their own modes of worship. There are only twelve clergymen of the church of England, including the bishop of Quebec; while the Catholic clergy are 126. By an act passed in 1791 a legislative council, and an assembly, are appointed for each of the provinces cf Upper and Lower Canada having power to make laws with the consent of the governor but the king may declare his dissent at any time

within two years after receiving any bill. The legislative council is to consist of seven members for Upper Canada, and fifteen for the lower province summoned by the governor under the king's authority, and nominated during their lives, except forfeited by an absence of four years, or by paying allegiance to a foreign power. The house of assembly is to consist of fifty members from Lower Canada, and sixteen from Upper Canada, chosen by the freeholders in the towns and districts. These councils are to assemble at least once every year; and the house of assembly continues four years, except in case of prior dissolution. "The governor, together with such of the executive council as shall be appointed by the king for the affairs of each province, are to be a court of civil jurisdiction for hearing and determining appeals; subject however to such appeals from their sentence as heretofore existed. All lands in Upper Canada are to be granted hereafter in free and common soccagc; and also in Lower Canada, when the grantee shall desire it, subject nevertheless to alterations by an act of the legislature. British America is superintended by an officer styled Governor General of the four British provinces in North America, who besides other powers, is commander in chief of all the British troops in the four provinces, and the governments attached to them and Newfoundland. Each of the provinces has a lieutenant-governor, who, in the absence of the governor general, has all the powers requisite to a chief magistrate.”

Population. The population of the two Canadas according to an actual enumeration ordered by general HaldimaBd in 1784, amounted to 113,012 French and English, exclusive of 10,000 loyalists in the upper partsf. It is probable that the population has increased since that period; and certainly would greatly increase if the favourable representations of Mr. Weld were credited- The only revenue arising to Great Britain from this colony seems to proceed from an advantageous commerce, which is said to employ about seven thousand tons of of shipping. The expenses of the civil list are supposed to be 25,0001. of which half is paid by Great Britain and the other by the provinces, from duties on the importation of spirits, wine, and a few other arti cles. The military establishment, with repairs of forts, &c. is stated at 100,0001.; and the like sum for presents to the savages, and salaries to officers employed among them for trade, &c. in Upper Canada. But the advantages of the commerce are thought to counterbalance these. expenses.

MANNERS Ann Customs. The manners and customs of the settlers in Canada are considerably tinctured with the French gaiety and urbanity blended with the usual portion of vanity, which is however a far more laudable quality than avarice, which is destructive of every generous motive and noble exertion. The French women in Canada can generally read and write, and are thus superior to the men;

*

Morse, 114.

The savages (says Mr. Pinkerton) may perhsps amount to 50,000." It may, I think, be doubted whether the whole savage population of the tw* Canadas exceed £2,000.

B.