A SQUIRREL'S FERRY-BOAT.
[M THE EDITOR OE THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—Our Canadian squirrels do better than the Siberian variety mentioned in " E. M. W.'s " contributed poem by William Howitt (Spectator, October 16th). They do not come to grief if the bark should be wrecked, because they do not use these ships. They accomplish their purpose by swimming. Two summers ago on Lake Wapizegonke (Indian name for narrow water), in the Three Rivers District, Province of Quebec, we were intensely interested in watching one of these beautiful creatures making his way across the lake (there about one-eighth of a mile wide) using his tail as a sail, and combating with a beam wind; he would now and again lower his sail, and, changing his course, again hoist it, until, to our great satisfaction, he landed safely on the opposite shore, and shook himself merrily before scampering away. I might mention that amongst the watchers was Sir Wilfrid Laurier.—
I am, Sir, &o., E. W. MUDGE. No 32 St. Peter Street, Montreal.
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