[46] Juniperus communis. Linn. Spec. pl. p. 1470. [↑]
[47] An island in the river St. Lawrence, close by the town of Montreal, in Canada. [↑]
[48] See vol. I. page 115. The lower part of the yachts, which is continually under water, is made of black oak; the upper part is built of red cedar, because it is sometimes above and sometimes in the water. [↑]
[50] See vol. i. page 338. [↑]
[51] Warglo; Felis Lynx. Linn. The Swedes mention two kinds of lynx, the one is called the Warglo, or wolf-lynx, and the other the Kattlo, or cat-lynx. The Germans make the same distinction, and call the former Wolf-luchs, and the latter Katz-luchs: the former is the biggest, of a brownish red, mixed with grey and white, on its back, and white towards the belly, with brownish spots; the latter is smaller, and has a coat which is more white, and with more spots. F. [↑]
[52] Anguis niger. See Catesby’s Nat. Hist. of Carol. ii. t. 48. [↑]
[53] It has been found by repeated experience, that the specific character employed by Dr. Linnæus, for the distinction of the species of snakes, taken from their Scuta abdominalia & caudalia, or their Squamæ subcaudales, varies greatly in snakes of the same species, so that often the difference amounts to ten or more: the whole number of the scuta sometimes helps to find out the species; care ought however to be taken, that the snake may not by any accident have lost its tail, and that it be growing again; in which case, it is impossible to make use of this character. The character is not quite so good and decisive, as may be wished, but neither are the marks taken from colours, spots, stripes, &c. quite constant; and so it is better to make use of an imperfect character, than none at all. Time, and greater acquaintance with this class of animals, may perhaps clear up their natural characters. F. [↑]
[55] See the volume for the year 1756, page 10, of the Swedish edition. [↑]