2 c. on 3d., bistre, black surcharge. 5 c. on 3d., vermilion, black surcharge. 10 c. on 3d., rose-pink, blue ” 25 c. on 3d., orange, violet ” 50 c. on 3d., mauve, carmine ” 1 d. on 3d., green, green ” (B) _Perforated_ 12½. 2 c. on 3d., bistre, black surcharge (?). 5 c. on 3d., vermilion, black surcharge (shades). 10 c. on 3d., rose-pink, blue ” ( ” ). 25 c. on 3d., orange, violet ” ( ” ). 50 c. on 3d., mauve, carmine ” ( ” ). 1 d. on 3d., green, green ” ( ” ). _Remarks._—The Two Cents has not been met with perforated 12½, by the Society. VANCOUVER ISLAND. Issue I. July, 1865. _Two values._ Engraved and type-printed by Messrs. De La Rue and Co. on white wove paper, watermarked Crown and CC; white gum. Designs: FIVE CENTS. Diademed profile of Queen Victoria to left, on ground of horizontal lines, within a circle. Above and below are curved labels of solid colour, inscribed with white block letters. Conventional ornaments in spandrels, and outer border filled in with chequers. TEN CENTS. Same portrait of Her Majesty in circle; straight coloured label above, inscribed with white block letters; white label with rounded ends below, with coloured block letters. Floriate ornaments in spandrels. An outer line of colour completes the design of each value. Shape, upright rectangular. (_Illustrations 6, 7._) T. “VANCOUVER ISLAND.” B. “FIVE CENTS.” “TEN CENTS.” (A) _Imperforate._ 5 c., rose. 10 c., blue. (B) _Perforated_ 14. 5 c., rose (shades). 10 c., blue ( ” ). CANADA. PRELIMINARY NOTES. _BY E. D. BACON._ Canada is said to have been discovered by Sebastian Cabot in 1497, but this is not certain. In 1525 the French took possession of the country in the name of the king of France, and ten years later Cartier explored the St. Lawrence, so naming that splendid river from having entered it on St. Lawrence’s Day. In 1608 Quebec, the first settlement, was founded. The town succumbed to the British forces under General Wolfe, and in 1763 the whole territory of Canada was ceded to Great Britain by the Treaty of Paris. In 1791 an Act of Parliament was passed dividing Canada into two Provinces, Upper Canada (now Ontario) and Lower Canada (now Quebec), and establishing a constitution for each. The provinces were afterwards re-united in 1840. THE DOMINION OF CANADA.