[ossiblue]

Yes, that's the charcoal canister which is part of the fuel tank emissions system.

From the look in your picture, the small tube is plugged already and that's where a hose from the front of the car--connected to the evaporator tank--should be connected. The large opening is where the hose to the air intake is connected so vapors will be burned. At the other end (not shown) should be one connector where a hose from the shroud is connected that forces air through to purge the vapors.

Get a mirror and flashlight and see if you can see a small hose loose somewhere that comes from the front of the engine, and see if the hose from the shroud is connected or, at least, if the connector on the shroud has been plugged. If you haven't been smelling gasoline fumes, then likely the hoses have been plugged somewhere along their routes from the front fender.