CHAPTER XVI.
Novel reading--Greenough's "Geology"-- The cariboo--Spiteful plunder of private property on a large scale--Marshall's Washington--St.Clair's "Narrative of his Campaign"-- Etymology of the word _totem_--A trait of transpositive languages--Polynesian languages--A meteoric explosion at the maximum height of the winter's temperature--Spafford's "Gazetteer"-- Holmes on the Prophecies--Foreign politics--Mythology--Gnomes--The Odjibwa based on monosyllables--No auxiliary verbs--Pronouns declined for tense---Esprella's letters--Valerius--Gospel of St.Luke--Chippewayan group of languages--Home politics--Prospect of being appointed superintendent of the lead mines of Missouri..