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animal which can only be learned from
actual examination in a living state. I
would urgently advise you to commence at once:
get a note book, and whenever you observe
any trait or peculiarity in any animal, write
it down in black and white. No matter
if it appears trivial and ordinary: there will
be no harm in writing out the account, even
merely as an exercise in English composition.
You cannot fail by using eye and hand, of
recording something of interest. We really know
nothing, or next to it of the habits of
our commonest animals. Some of the most
delightful books in out language, are the
simple jottings down of every day occurrences
in the country. Among these I will
mention, Whites Natural History of Selborne:
Knapps Journal of a Naturalist: for England,
and Miss Coopers Rural Hours. - Godmans
Rambles of a Naturalist for our own country.
You can do a great deal in re-
gard to our fishes, by watching their habits
and manners. At what season of the year
does each species spawn: where are the eggs
laid.- how large.- how many: does either sex
watch the eggs or young: what kind of water
does each inhabit: how deep do they swim.
What changes do they undergo at different
seasons of year: &c.
So with the reptiles.- when do the
snakes moult: do they lay eggs or bring forth
young alive: do they go in water, habitually,
or at all: how about climbing trees;
Then the Salamanders: do they copulate:
where do they lay their eggs: &c.
What kind of homes do the different
quadrupeds make, moles, rats &c.- are they
vertical, horizontal, circular &c.
These and a thousand other
points you can look into and determine
only keep your eyes open, and dont be
afraid of writing down anything.