Y, UNPRAS Tee Qlolrimen Vany 19. sti ’ JN Qu elk ~ vy. QK 127 ain ae a Hotiany. 5 of ee a Oe { Jf Ro ye 0 os The botanical distaibution of plants over the surface of . the earth undergoes vertain modifications connected with the dryness and moisture, a3 well as the mechanical and 25 (Doe. No. 5. a é chemical composicion of the soil. Hence an intimate re- ; lation exists between the botany of any district of coun- { try and its geology and topography; and, therefore, inde- pendently of the climate, certain plants, whether placed r by nature or art, will flourish, or decay, according as the temperature and composition of the soil, is favorable or unfavorable to their growth. A botanical survey of the park has been made, for the purpose of ascertaining the . a. nature of the existing vegetation, to learn how far it = - could be made available in the projected improvements, as well as to know its character, as an indication of what _ peculiar class of plants would prove most flourishing if - transplanted to this ground, as also to discover what alter- ations the soil would require in order to admit of an in- . creased variety. . This forms the basis of a botanical index which can always be made complete by a careful register of the plants and trees introduced. The investigation has not extended through all the seasons, which, in their turn, de- velop their peculiar plants; and is, therefore, in some respects, incomplete; still, so far as the useful trees and shrubs are concerned, it is believed that none have been overlooked. a: Doc. No. 5.) 26 Although this investigation has added nothing new to botanical science, yet it is necessary that the existing trees and plants should be described so as to be identified, and their importance properly estimated. Se a aaod s ‘4 —— 33 (Doc. No. 5. 3lst. PopuLUS ARGENTEA—Cotton tree. A tree forty to sixty feet high, and from one to two feet in diameter. Leaves three to six inches long. Grows in moist ground. About fifty specimens found. 32d. PorpuLus TREMULOIDES— American Aspen. A tree twenty to thirty feet high, and from six to ten inches in diameter. Leaves about two inches long, breadth usually greater than the length. Flowers in May and April. Prefers a moist soil. Abcut one hundred speci- mens found. 33d. Prunus VircgintaNa—Choke Cherry. A shrub or small tree. Leaves two to four inches long. Grows on rocky hillsides. Found everywhere in the brushwood, About two thousand specimens. 34th. QueRCUS MACROCARPA—Over-cup. White Oak. Trunk forty to sixty feet high. Bark of the branches somewhat corky in ridges. Leaves six to twelve inches or more in length. About fifteen hundred specimens. doth. QuERCUS RUBRA—Red Oak. Grows from fifty to eighty feet high, and from two to four feet in diameter. Leaves six to nine inches long and three to five inches wide. Flowersin May. Grows well ina poor soil. About two thousand specimens found. 36th. QuERCUS PALUSTRIS—Pin Oak. A pretty conical shaped tree, with leaves of a light green. The lower branches often pendulous, sweeping the ground, and forming a pleasant shade. 3 Doe. No. 5.) 34 37th. ROBINIA PSEUDACACIA—Common Locust tree. A tree forty or fifty feet high, occasionally reaches the height of ninety feet, not indigenous in any part of the state, but almost naturalized in many places.