on the hind feet is very prominent, and evident even in those varieties which differ most from the common colour. For some remarks on the apparent or supposed emasculation of the squirrel, we refer our readers to the American Farmer, vol. V.

There are, belonging to the genus Sciurus, at least twenty-nine species; we shall content ourselves with mentioning those only which belong to America.

1. Common gray squirrel-Sciurus Carolinensis. Gmel. Godman's American Nat. Hist. vol. ii. p. 131.

2. Fox squirrel-S. Vulpinus. Gmel. Godman, p. 128. 3. Cat squirrel-S. Cinereus. Lin. Gmel. Godman, p. 129.

4. Black squirrel-S. Niger. Lin. Godman, p. 133. 5. Great tailed squirrel-S. Macroureus. Say. Godman, p. 134.

6. Line tail squirrel-S. Grammurus. Say. Godman, p. 136.

7. Four-lined squirrel—S. Quadrivittatus. Say. Godman, p. 137.

8. The chickaree-S. Hudsonius. Forster. Godman, p. 138.

9. Red belly squirrel-S. Rufiventer. Geoff. Godman, p. 141.

10. Ground squirrel-S. Striatus. Klein. Godman, p. 142.

11. Rocky Mountain ground squirrel-S. Lateralis. Say. Godman, p. 144.

12. Louisiana squirrel-S. Ludovicianus. Curtis. The flying squirrel belongs to the genus Pteromys.

7

CHAPTER XIII.

HINTS TO SHOOTERS.

As I do not profess to teach the art of gun-making, it will suffice to recommend all, when intending to purchase a gun, to go to some respectable maker, and, after having described the calibre, weight, and any particular bend of stock that suits, to leave the minutia to him. For his own credit he will do all in his power to make the gun shoot well; and, if he cannot accomplish it himself, no instructions of an amateur will assist him. If a cheap gun will better suit his finances, let him endeavour to purchase a tolerably sound second-hand one of some good maker, rather than a new one of doubtful manufacture; for badly made guns are always dangerous, while it requires considerable wear to render one so that was originally otherwise.

We will suppose he has purchased one, or is about to purchase it, (for he should by all means try it first,) I will proceed to describe how it should be tried, in order to ascertain if it be as good as guns ordinarily are. I say ordinarily; for some few guns have accidentally turned out such extraordinary shooters as to defy the

art of the man who made them to make another equally good, and have been valued accordingly. Such a gun is now in the possession of Captain Ross. He gave upwards of one hundred guineas for it, although a pawnbroker would not venture to ask ten for it.

The first thing to be done is to examine the fittings of the lock, &c., whether the external workmanship be as good as the price demands; for of course a low-priced gun cannot be expected to be finished in as handsome style as one for which a top price is to be paid.

The action of the lock is next to be examined. On withdrawing the cock, it should feel smooth and oily, and at the same time snap sharp and quick. No grating nor harshness should be felt, and the trigger should pull tolerably easy. The main spring of a detonator cannot well be too strong. The hammer, when on full cock, should be as close to the nipple as possible, so that no time may be lost after the trigger is pulled. This is not paid sufficient attention to by many makers, and therefore should be insisted on by purchasers. The cock may be allowed to look clumsy, rather than be left slight for the sake of appearance. The head or part that covers the nipple when down, I think should be solid, and not opened in front, as is commonly done. Those opened in front are liable to break, particularly when anti-corrosive caps are used. The nipple ought to slant so as to range with the line of the circle that the head of the cock makes when drawn up. If this is not attended to, it will be liable to fly off when struck with the hammer.

I say nothing of the tube guns, not having had much experience with them. They are troublesome to load and keep clean; and I have yet to learn what merit

they possess to counterbalance so great objections. The barrel should be free from flaws, and when held to the

light, should show no shadows or waves. A good average length for a fourteen gauge, is two feet six inches, but some prefer it longer. The disposition of the metal is of more importance. It should run nearly the same thickness from the breech for about six inches, and then gradually taper off to the end. It is a bad practice to begin tapering from the breech, as the greatest strain on the barrel is where the charge first moves, or where the gun leads. Here also the wear is greatest, and in fact here it is that it generally bursts. Purdy and some others are now making their guns much stronger here than formerly. Let not this matter be considered trifling: it should be remembered that a gun is a dangerous weapon, even after every precaution, and will not therefore admit of any liberties being taken.

CHAPTER XIV.

PROPORTIONS OF FOWDER AND SHOT.

THE quantity of powder and shot which constitutes the correct load or charge for the fowling-piece, is a circumstance which ought to be duly impressed on the mind of every shooter, and to which, I am inclined to think, not sufficient attention is generally paid. On trial, it will be found that all guns shoot the strongest the first discharge, or, in other words, when they are perfectly clean, and that the force decreases in exact proportion as the piece becomes foul; hence the necessity of occasionally wiping out the barrel during a long day's shooting. There is also a certain proportion of powder and shot which will exactly suit every fowling-piece; and to ascertain this should be the first object with all new guns. If a piece be overloaded with powder, the shot will scatter very much, and but few pellets will strike the object; whereas, if an insufficient quantity of powder be used, the shot will not be driven with sufficient force. Yet, it is more than probable, that a trifling variation will be found in all guns; or, to speak more plainly, it will be a difficult matter to find two pieces, though of the same length and calibre, which require precisely the same charge. A very good method of ascertaining