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http://www.archive.org/details/canadianfieldnat01 gill

1887. MW Oma 1888.
SeSpz

POrTTAWA. NATURALIST.

DHE
TRANSACTIONS

OF THE

OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS CLUB.
BG ae Ee

(Organized March 1879; Incorporated March 1884.)

| 3 ot See
n, aC ae
3) Fa
a | Gj tf
OTTAWA: Y

THE CiTizEN PRINTING AND PUBLISHING Co., 31 METCALFE STREET.
1887.

—

Patron ,

HIS EXCELLENCY THE MARQUIS OF LANSDOWNE,
GOVERNOR GENERAL OF CANADA.

President :
Ro Bway:

Vice-Presidents :
Ist, Pror. J. MACOUN, | 2nD, Pror. S. WOODS.

Seeretarp:
W.- fH. HARRINGTON,

Crensurer :
JAMES FLETCHER.

Pibrarian :
T. J. MacLAUGHLIN.
Committee :
Dr. H. B. SMALL, | .H. M. AMI, | Dr. Geo. BAPTIE.

Standing Committees of Council :
Puiblishing—Pror. 8. Woops, W. H. Harrineton, James FLETCHER.
Excursions—T. J. MacLaueutiy, H. M. Amt, Dr. Baprir.
Soirées—Pror. J. Macoun, Pror. 8. Woops, Dr. SMALL.

Lenders :
Geology--H. M: Ami, Rev. Pror. Marsan, JoHN STEWART.
Botany—J. Fiercuer, Dr. Smart, Dr. Barrie.
Conchology—F¥. R. Latcurorp, H. B, SMAtt.
Entomology—W. H. Harrineton, J. Frercuer, T. J. MacLavucutiy.
Ornithology—G. R. Wurte, Pror. Macoun.

Editor :

W. H. HARRINGTON.
3

LIST OF MEMBER:

Adams, F. D.,

Allan, W. A.

Ami, H. M., .A., £.6.S.

Anderson, W. P., CLE.

Anderson, Mrs. W. P.

Armstrong, John R.

Armstrong, Rev. Wm. Mf.A., Ph.D.

Ashworth, John.

Balland, Rev. J.B., O.1.1., D.D.

Ballantyne, J.

Baptie, Geo., J/.4., M.D.

Barlow, A. E., B.A. ;

Bate, C. Percy.

Bate, H. Gerald.

Bate, H. N.

. Bell, E. B.

Bennetts, F. K.

Billings, B. B.

Billing:s, W. R.

Boardman, Wm. F.

Boulton, J. G., St: if Com. R.N.

Bourinot, J. G. jared. Ss,
Hon. Sec., RSC.

Bowman, aoe

Bristow, A. A.

Bristow, Mrs. A. A.

Broadbent, Ralph L.

Brodie, W., Z.D.S.,

Brough, James 8.

Brumell, H. Pareth.

B. App. Se.

(Toronto.)

Burgess, T. J. W., U.D., F.R.S.C.

(London, Ont )
Butterworth, C. A.
Butterworth, Miss Maria E.
Campbell, A. M., 4A. (Perth.)
Campbell, Wm. Woods.
Casey, M. W.

Chalmers, Robert.
Chamberlin, Mrs. B.
Chisholm, A.
Christie, A. J., Q.C.
Coste, F,

Cousens, W. C., WD.

Craig, Wm. (Rus -sel].)

Creighton, ‘J. GS Bea CL.

Davy, hk. ‘AL. C. E.

Dawson, G. M.., D.Se.,
F.G.S., FR C.

Devlin, KR. J.

Dimock, W. D., B.A.

Dixon, F. A.

Dodd, R.

Donaldson, B

Ells, R. W., J0A:

Ewart, D.

Faribault, E. R:

Fleming, Sandford, C.M.G., C.£.,
FERC T., ieee

Fletcher, James, 7. L.8., F.RS.C.

Fletcher, Mrs. J.

Fortescue, L.

Fortescue, Mrs. L.

Fuller, Thos., 2.C.A.

Garvock, W. B,

Gemmill, J. A.

Glashan, J. C.

Grant, Miss Isabel L. A

Grant, J. A., W.D., F_R.CS., Edin.,
FRSC ., F.GS.

Grant, Miss Jessie.

Grant, Miss Mary.

Griffin, W. H.

Hale, J.

Hardie, John.

Harmon, Miss A. Maria.

Harrington, W. H.

Harrington, Mrs. W. H.

Harrison, Edward.

Hayter, F., B.A.

Herridge, Rev. W. T., B.D.

Hodgins, John.

Holland, G.

Ingall, E. D., Assoc. RSM.

ies S.

$

Assoc. R.S.M.,

Jarvis, 8. J.

Johnson, Geo.

Johnson, E. V., C.£.

Jolliffe, O. J., Jf.A.

Jones, C. J.

Kearns, J. C.

Keefer, Thos. C., CLE

Keeley, D. H.

Kilgannon, A. P., CZ.

Lambart, Hon. O.H.

Lambe, L.M.

Lampman, A., £.4A.

Lampey, Wm. G., JE.

Latchford, F. R., B.A.

Lawson, Prof. G., LL.D., Ph. D.,
FRCL, FRSC, (Halifax.)

LeSueur, W. D., 2.4.

LeSueur, Mre. W. D.

Lett, W. P.

Lindsay, A.

Loux, Wim., J/.D. ( Russell.)

Lowe, John.
MacCraken, John I.
MacLaughlin, a: a.

McConnell, R. GG & rn

McGill, A., B.A. Se.

McElhinnev, je

McInnes, Wm., B.A.

McLaughlin, Miss Emma.

McLaughlin, 8.

McLean, J. D.

McMillan, John, J/.A.

McNab, Chas.

Macoun, Prof. John, M.A., F.L.S.,
FRSC.

Macoun, J. M.

Magee, F.

Marsan, Rev. C. F., O.3/.1., M.A.

Martin, E. D.

Matheson, D. ~

Mills, Miss Margaret A.

Munro, John.

Nicholson, M. Vernon.

Oxley, James M., LL.B.

Parris, Miss Oriana.

Parris, Win.

5)

Perley, Henry F., C.£.
Phillips, J. A.

Poirier, Hon. P. 8.

Pratt, H. O. E.

Rauscher, Rudolf.

Reed, E. Baynes. ( London.)
Reid, Mrs. Annie M.
Robert, J. A., B.Sc.

Scott, D. C.

Scott, Miss Lilian.

Scott, R. D’Arcy.

Scott, Wallace, U.

Scott, Wm.

Scott, W. L., B.A.

Selwyn, A. R. C., C.ILG., LL.D.,

F.R.S., FRSC , #.GS.
Shaw, James F.
Schenick, Miss C.
Smal], H. Beaumont, V.D.

Small, H. B.
Smith, J. E.
Smith, H. R.,
Smith, W. H.
Sowter, W .E. T.

Steers, C. J.

Stewart, J. C.

Stewart, John.

Summerby,Wm. J., J/.A.( Russell.)
Symes, Miss E.

Symes, P. B., A.X.C.,

Taylor, fev. G. W. (Victoria, B.C.)
Thayne, E. Stewart.

Thorburn, John, V.4., LL.D.
Tomlinson, J., C.F.
Tyrrell, J. B., B.A.,
Verner, J. W. D.
Watters, Henry
Watts, J. W. i, R.C.A.
Warwick, F. W. ’( Buckingham.)
Weston, T, C.

White, Geo. R.

White, Lieut.-Co/. Wm.

White, W. R. (Pembroke.)
Whiteaves, J. F., 7.G.S., #.R.S.C.
Whyte, Miss Isabella.

Whyte, Rk. B.

Lieut.-Col.

F.G.S.

6

Whyte, Mrs. R. B. Wright, W. R.
Wicksteed, R. J., B.C.L., LL.D. Young, Rev. C. J., M.A. (Renfrew).
Willimoit, Chas. W. Young, James.

Woods, Prof. 8., M.A.

CORRESPONDING MEMBERS:

Anperson, Rev. Duncan, M.A., Spruce Cliff, Levis, Que.
Epwarps, Henry, 185 East 116th Street, New York, U.S.
Hitz, Albert J., C.#., Moody, B.C.

Merriay, Dr. C. Hart, Locust Grove, N.Y., U.S.

Ormerod, Miss E. A., Dunster Lodge, near Isleworth, England.
PRovVANCHER, ABBE, Cap Rouge, Que.

SaunDERS, Pror. Wm., F.R.S.C., #.L.S., London, Ont.

Smit, Joun B., National Museum, Washington, U.S.

CONSTITUTION.

1. Name and Object.—This Club shall be called the Ottawa Field-
Naturalists’ Club, and its object shall be the stady of the Natural
History of this locality.

2. Officers. —The Officers of the Club shall consist of a President,
first and second Vice-Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and a
Librarian, who, together with three other members of the Club, shall
form a Council, all of whom shall be elected annually, and shall be
eligible for re-election, and who shall have ‘the management of all the
business of the Club. In the event of any vacancy occurring in the
Council during the year the same may be filled by the election of a
successor at any of its regular meetings.

3. Auditors.—There shall also be two Auditors elected annually
to exainine the Treasurer’s accounts fur the following year and report
thereon at the next annnal meeting.

4. President and Vice-Presidents.—The President shall direct all
the business of the Club, and preside at all meetings of the Club and

7

Council; his duties, in the event of his absence, devolving on the
Vice-Presidents in their order.

5.—Secretary.—The Secretary shall give previous notice to each
member of the Clab of every meeting of the Club, and to each member
of the Council of every meeting-of the Council ; shall make and keep a
true record of the proceedings of all meetings of the Club and of the
Council, have custody of the Constitution, By-laws and Records of the
Club, and conduct its general correspondence.

6. Zreasurer.—The Treasurer shall be charged with the collection
and custody of the funds of the Club, and keep a regular account
thereof, which shall always be open to the inspection of the Council,
He shall also submit at each annual meeting a statement showing the
financial condition of the Club.

7. Librarian.—The Librarian shall have charge of all publications
of the Club and shall distribute the same under the direction of the
Council. He shall aiso have the custody of al! books and papers
belonging to the Club, and shall supervise their circulation among the
members.

8. Cowneil.—The Council shali, as business may require, meet
from time tv time at the call of the President, or of any two officers ;
shall contro! all matters affecting the welfare of the Club, subject to
this Constitution ; shall have full control of the funds of the Club, and
shall report its proceedings to the members at the Annual Meeting.

9. Annual Meeting —The Annual Meeting of the Club shall he
‘held on the third Tuesday in March, at which, in addition to other
business, the Annual Report of the Council shall be read, and the
Council and Auditors for the following year elected, by ballot after
nomination, by a majority of the members present.

10. Special Meetings.—A Special General Meeting of the Club
may be called by the Council ; and shall be called on requisition of not
less than ten members, specifying the business they wish brought
before the meeting. The Council shall call the meeting within
fourteen days from the receint of the requisition, giving one week’s
notice. No other business shall be transacted than that mentioned in
the notice.

8

11. Conduct of Meetings.—The presence of ten members shall be
required to constitute any general meeting of the Club, and of three
members to constitute a meeting of the Council. All meetings shall be
conducted under such by-laws and rules of procedure as may from time
to time be adopted.

12. Proceedings.—Excursions in Summer, and evening meetings
and classes of instruction in Winter, shall be held, and the Transactions
of the Club shall be periodically published; all arrangements for which
shall be made by the Council.

13. Members. —Any lady or gentleman desiring to join the Club
shall send a written application, signed by the applicant and endorsed
~ by the recommendation of two members, to the Secretary, and if
approved shall be elected at the next meeting of the Council. Mem-
bers desiring to leave the Club must previously settle all dues and
signify their intention in writing to the Secretary.

14. Corresponding Members.—The Council shall have the power
of electing Corresponding Members, who shall be persons not residing
in Ottawa or its immediate vicinity, but who may be desirous of
promoting the objects of the Club. Corresponding members shall not
be required to pay membership fees.

15. Annual Fee.—The annual membership fee shall be one dollar,
payable in advance, due on the third Tuesday in March, and no member
in arrears shall be entitled to any of the privileges of the Club. New
members to pay the fee for the current year upon election. The pay-
ment of the annual fee to entitle a member to receive a copy of the
Transactions, as published, and to admission to the Club Soirees with-
out further charge.

16. Amendments.—This Constitution may not be changed or
amended except by a special meeting of the Club called for that
purpose, and by a two-third vote of the members present.

9

EDITORIAL ANNOUNCEMENT.

THe OrrawA NatTuRALIsT is issued by the Oitawa Fiel4-
Naturalists’ Club in continuation of its Transactions already published ;.
the second volume of which was completed by the number for 1885-1886.
For eight years the Club has earnestly carried on the work for which it
was organized——“ The study of the Natural History of this locality.”
Nor has it confined itself to this rich and extensive field. It has.
gradually extended its influence, and, by excursions, classes and
lectures, has sought to fostera love for Natural History, and a desire in
all its members to investigate the marvellous realins of nature.

After careful consideration of suggested changes in the method of
carrying on the Club’s work, it has been decided’that its value, not only
to members but to scientific observers in other places, will be greatly
increased by the issue of a portion of its Transactions each month,
This will ensure an earlier publication of the papers prepared for its.
soirees, which is especially desirable when new species are described,
and will keep the members more fully informed as to the progress of
its work. The record of its proceedings will be made as “complete as
possible. To the papers and reports that have formerly appeared, will
be added an account of each general meeting, soiree, class, excursion,
sub-excursion, or other undertaking of the Club. This step will double
the present sizeof our Transactions, and will necessarily entail a pro-
portionate outlay. We must therefore have many new members. The
Council will do all in its power, but the required increase in member-
ship can only be secured by the active co-operation of every member of
the Club. Especially will ladies be welcomed to our ranks, and every
effort will be put forth to make the excursions and soirees pleasant as
wellas instructive It is much regretted that up to the present time the
lady members have, with a few exceptions, not taken an active part
in the work of the Club. There are several branches of natural history,
such as Botany, Entomology and Ornithology, which offer to them
attractive fields for observation and experiment, and in which many
ladies are doing most excellent work elsewhere.

The Club has endeavoured to impress the value of an acquaintance.
with the works of nature upon the teachers in our educational institn- ;

10

tion of all kinds, and upon those now being trained for these important
positions. Every teacher would derive immeasurable delight and
profit from such a knowledge, and those whose duties are performed
outside the larger cities have great advantages in their closer proximity
to inexhaustible and almost unexplored mines of scientific wealth.
Teachers would do well to avail themselves of every opportunity of
acquiring a knowledge of natural history so as to be able to com-
municate information whenever requested.

The time has come to renew our investigations in the field—to
watch the return of the birds, the unfolding of leaf and flower, the
reappearance of ins2cts, the emerging of reptiles and other animals
from their winter retirement. Notes of all these, and of similar
occurrences should be carefully taken, and forwarded to the leaders who
have been appointed in each branch to preserve and compile such
records. It is particularly requested that the Jeaders of the
Ornithological branch be kept informed as to the arrival and movements
of our birds. These are now working northward to their breeding
grounds and summer habitats ; some to remain with us, others stopping
merely to rest and feed before continuing their journey.

The Club has been requested by the American Ornithologists’
Union to co-operate with it in obtaining information as to the migra-
tions and breeding habits of all birds resident in or visiting this
district, and to exert its influence in increasing the number of
observers. The schedules and instructions furnished for making the
desired records may be obtained on application to the United States
Department of Agriculture, or through the Secretary of this Club.

It should be mentioned that this number of our magazine is
necessarily filled with the reports of proceedings and other routine
matter, and that the papers read before the Club during the past winter
will be commenced in the next issue. Notice will then be given, by
the leaders, of the sub-excursions to be- held during the season, and of
the first excursion if it has been arranged. Members can materially
assist the Club by purchasing copies of the magazine, or of any monthly
part thereof, to send to friends, or to persons interested in natural
history pursuits.

11

ANNUAL MEETING.

The ninth annual meeting of the Club was held on Tuesday, 15th
March, 1887, in the Museum of the Ottawa Literary and Scientific
Society, commencing at 4.30 p.m. The President, Prof. Macoun,
occupied the chair, and the following members were present, including
all the council:—R. B. Whyte, Prof. Woods, James Fletcher, ©
T. J. MacLaughlin, F. R. Latchford, W. H. Harrington, Dr. Small,
Rev. Prof. Marsan, W. P. Anderson, H. M. Ami, Dr. Daptie, E. B.
Bell, Fred. Magee, R. Broadbent, J. Ballantyne, J. M. Macouo, John
Stewart, W. R. Billings, Mrs. Reid, R. W. Ells, E. R. Faribault,
R. Chalmers, R. G. McConnell, W. McInnes, A. E. Barlow.

After the minutes had been read the Secretary preserted the
Annual Report of the Council, which is printed in this number, and
which was adopted upon motion of Mr. Ballantyne and Mr. Anderson,
after some discussion as to the proposed plan of issuing the Transactions
in monthly parts, in which the following members also joined :—Dr.
Small, Prof. Woods, Prof. Macoun, Mr. Fletcher and the Secretary.
The Treasu-er’s statement (also printed in this number) showing that
all expenses had been fully defrayed, including som? payments for the
previous year, was adopted on motion of Mr. Billings and Dr. Baptie.
The Librarian reported that many valuable exchanges and donations
had been received by him during the year, and that an additional book-
case was required for their reception. Oa motion of Mr. Fletcher and
Mr. R. B. Whyte the Council was instructed to make such provision
as might be found necessary for their preservation. There being no
further business to transact, Prof. Macoun announced that the election
of officers would be held, and that, as retiring President, he desired to
state that the out-going Council had been very attentive to their duties,
and had each endeavoured to do all in his power to advance the interests
of the Clab. Mr. Brosdbent and Mr. J. M. Macovn were appo'nted
scrutineers, and the election preceeded, 1esulting in the choice of the
following Council :—President, R. B. Whyte; Ist Vice-President,
Prof. Macoun ; 2nd Vice-President, Prof. Woods ; Secretary, W. H.
Harrington; Treasurer, J. Fletcher; Librarian, T. J. MacLaughiin ;
Committee, Dr. Small, H. M. Ami, Dr. Baptie. A vote of thanks,
moved by Mr. Anderson and Mr. Bell, was passed to the retiring
officers, and the meeting adjourned at six p.m.

12
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COUNCIL.

Orricers—1&86-1857.
Presipent.—Prof. Johu Maconn. ;
Vice-PRESIDENTS,— Ist, R. B. Whyte; 2nd, Pret. S. Woods.
SecreTARy.—W. H. Harrington.
TReASURER.-—T. J. MacLaughlin.
Liprarian.— F. R. Latchford.
CommitTee.—Dr. Small, James Eletcher, Rev. Prof. Marsan.

To the Members of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club:—

The Council has great pleasure in reporting that the condition of the
Club is at present very satisfactory ; that its work has been prosecuted
with earnestness, and that valuable scientific discoveries have been
made in every branch of Natural History to which attention has been
given.

The number of new members added during the year was only
fifteen, but it was more than sufficient to counter-balance the losses
occasioned by removal of members from the city, resignations or other
causes. The membership stands at the encouraging figure of 170.

Miss E. A. Ormerod, Entomologist to the Royal Agricultural
Society, of England, has been elected a corresponding member of the
Club. Her publications on economic entomology are known wherever
an interest is taken in such subjects, and have gained for her a
deservedly high reputation. This makes the number of Corresponding
Members eight, but one of these we shall shortly be able to welcome to
active membership, as Prof. Saunders comes to Ottawa to take charge
of the Experimental Farm, established by the Dominion Government.
His labours in connection with fruit growing, entomology, and kindred
subjects are known to all of you, and the Club may confidently look
forward to receiving material assistance from him in carrying on its
investigations, while other benefits will undoubtedly arise from the
establishment of the Experimental Farm in this neighbourhood.

Several pleasant and profitable excursions were held during the
summer, and were well attended. The first was to King’s Mountain
on the 18th May, and although the morning was very unfavourable
there were enough present to fill two vans, and the trip turned out
quite a success. The second was to Buckingham on 3rd June, when,
in addition to the usual proceedings, a visit was made to the phosphate
mills, znd the process of preparing this mineral for cousumption was

13

examined. The third was to Eastman’s Springs on 24th July, when
some interesting collections were made in the Mer Bleue swamp, and
surrounding neighbourhood, and tne waters of the mineral springs duly
examined and tested. The fourth was to Meech’s Lake on 1th Sep-
tember, on which occasion Mrs. W. J. Tilley very kindly invited all
those present to visit her cottage, beantifully situated at the head of
the lake, where she hospitably entertained them.

Sub-excursions were held almost every Saturday afternoon, from
the opening of spring until late in the antumn, and those who attended
did not fail to be both intere ite | and instructed in the various branches,
especially in Geology, Botany and Entumology.

The Botanical class, conducted by Mr. R. B. Whyte, in the Central
School West, was, upon the appearance of vegetation, practically
instructed in the field, the lessons being continued into the month of
June. Many children had thus an excellent opportunity of acquiring
a first insight into some of the beauties and interesting problems of
plant life.

A very agreeable conversazione was given, on the evening of the
26th May, to the Fellows of the Royal Suciety, under the joint manage-
ment of the Councils of the Club and of the Ottawa’ Literary and °
Scientific Society. Through the kindness of our Vice-President, Prof.
Woods, it was held in the assembly rooms of the Ladies’ College, and
the teachers and pupils of the college added much to the pleasure of
the evening by generous contributions of vocal and instrumental music.
The guests were suitably received by Mr. R. B. Whyte, acting-Presi-
‘dent of the Club, and Mr. W. P. Anderson, President of the O. L. and
S. 8. An address of weleome was given by Prof. Woods, and there
were also addresses by several of the Fellows of the Royal Society,
including Dr. Wilson, Sir W. Dawson and Rey. Dr. Hamel.

The winter course of meetings consisted of six soirees and nine
elementary lectures, or classes, as follows :— ;

Sotrées.—January 13th, “ President’s Inaugural Address,” Prof.
Macoun. January {7th, “Our Ottawa Butterflies,’ My. Fletcher ;
Reports of Geological and Conchological Branches; ‘‘ Note on Ottawa
Salamanders,” Mr. Latchford. VFebruary 10th, ‘“‘ The Development of
the Mines of the Ottawa District,’ Mr. John Stewart; Report of the
Entomological Branch; ‘‘ Note on Flour and Grain Beetles,” Mr. Harring-
ton. February 24th, “ The Great Ice Age and Subsequent Formations
at Ottawa,” Mr. H. M. Ami; Report of Botanical Branch, ‘‘ Note on

14

the ‘Maple Luny’ as a Substitute for Yeast,” Mr. John Stewart,
March 3rd, *‘ A Chemical View of the Metallic Minerals,” Rev. Prof.
Marsan; “ Note on Monotropa uniflora,” Dr. Baptie. March 10th,
“The Puma or Mountain Lion,” Mr. Lett; Report of Ornithological
Branch; ‘Some New Species from the Trenton Formation,’ Mr. W.
R. Billings; “ Note on an Abnormal Specimen of Calypso borealis,”
Mr. Fletcher.

Elementary Lectures-—These were arrange:l to form, as far as pos-
sible, a consecutive course, while at the same time treating of as many
branches as was found desirable. They were held every Monday
afternoon, commencing January |7th, and ending 14th March. They
were adapted especially for those entering upon the study of Natural
History, but were insti uctive and interesting to all who were present.
The subjects and lecturers were as follows :—“ Insects Destructive to
our Native Trees,” Mr. Harrington ; “ Local Geology,” Mr. H. M. —
Ami; “Our Introduced Weeds,” and “ Geographical Distribution of
our Native Trees,” Prof. Macoun; ‘* How te Identify Minerals,” Mr.
Brumell ; ‘the Forms of Leaves,” and “The Forms of Flowers,” Mr.
R. B. Whyte; “ Leaf-eating Insects,” and ‘ Flower Insects,” Mr.
Fletcher. ;

The Librarian’s report will show, you that many valuable publica-
tions continue to be received, principally in exchange for our Transac-
tions. ;

A committee has been appointed to confer with tke curator of
the Museum of the O. L. and8. S.,in regard to the specimens for which he
may have accomodation. Some valuable specimens have been already
promised to the Club to be placed in the Museum.

Transactions No. 7 (Vol. II., Part ILfI.) have been printed and
the volume is now completed. This part consists of 89 pages, and con-
tains the valuable papers and reports read during the winter course of
1885-86. The two volumes contain in all 646 closely—printed pages,
with eight plates descriptive of new species. They constitute a record
of the Natural History of this locality, which is unapproached by any
other in Canada, and which is probably equalled by few places on this.
continent.

The Council has, however, to «xpress its regret that the publication
of this number was unavoidably delayed, so that it was only ready for

15

distribution at the very close of the year. A similar apology was made.
last year by the retiring Council, with regard to the part published by
them, and led to a lively discussion at the anuual meeting as to the
necessity of an earlier publication. Your Council was most anxious
to carry out the wishes of the Club in this direction, but
found it impossible to be more prompt than their predecessors.
Tke question of future publication has, however, been carefully con-
sidered, and a scheme is now presexted, which, if it meet with your
approval, will ensure not only an earlier publication, but also a more
complete record of the work of the Club, and bring it more prominently
before the members and the public. It is proposed that publication
shall be monthly, instead of annually, and there appears to be much
in favour of this step, while the only objection seems to be the
additional expense which may be involved. It is found that to
publish a journal of 16 pages each month wiil cost about $100 a year
over the average cost of the last three numbers of the Transactions.
This sum will be readily raised if each member will use his or her
influence in bringing others into the Club, or by inducing them to be-
come subscribers to the proposed journal.

The following are some of the advantages which will accrne from
the suggested method of publishing :—The members receiving the
numbers regularly will have the objects of the C!ub kept before them,
and as reports of all meetings, excursions, sub-excursions, soirees and
other proceedings will be printed, in addition to the papers and reports
now published, they will be kept posted as to the work being per-
formed, and will have their interest therein aroused and strengthened.
This will more especially be the case with such members
as do not reside in the city, or are prevented from at-
tending the: excursions and meetings. These have now to wait
for at least several months before they receive the Transactions, and
they have no regular means of learning anything further regarding the
excursions and classes than the meagre synopsis which appears in the
Annual Report of the Council. Information can also be regularly
given as to proposed excursions, soirees, classes or other undertakings
of the Club. Kindred societies with which we exchange will
see that the Club is vigorous, and desirous of making its publications

16

as valuable to them as possible, and therefore, worthy of assistance
and encouragement.

The Council suggests that the journal be issued on the first day
of each: month under the title of “ The Ottawa Naturalist.”

You wili learn from the Treasurer's statement that-the present
financial condition of the Club is perhaps more satisfactory than at any
former period, and that there remains a good balance over and above
all expenses. The Council has endeavoured to limit the expenditure
of the past year in order that there might be sufficient fands on hand
‘to warrant the adoption of the publication scheme which has been pre-
sented. The Treasurer has succeeded in collecting a very large
percentage of the subscriptions, and it is expected that the few who are
still in arrears will take aa early opportunity to increase the fund
which will be so necessary for earrying on this important project.

In conclusion the Council reiterates its belief that the present
condition of the Club is encouraging, and that its future prospects seem
to indicate increased strength and progress.

Signed on behalf of the Council,
W. H. HARRINGTON,

Secretary.
Marcu J5th, 1887.

TREASURER'S BALANCE @iaanaees

Dr. the Treasurer in account with the Ottawa Field- Naturalists’ Club, 1886-87. Cr.
RECEIPTS. EXPENDITURES.
To Balance from 1885-86...... $ 28 25 || By Balance on Transac-
Membership __ fees, tions No. 6, 1885-86.$34 50
1885-86 |. gee $ 34 00 Plates for Transactions
Membership fees, No. 6, 1885-86..... 15 00
1886-87. saeco or. 00 $ 49 50
171 00 Transactions No. 7, 1886-87.. 90 00
Sale of Transactions....... 6 55 Excursion Expenses......... 0 69
¥xcursion Receipts....... - 34 80 Soiree to Royal Society...... 9 09
Soiree to Royal Society..... 7 50 Stationery .<iic clic = = -laf lee Ee
P Postage. . . . «sis siaise sabes ener neTES
: Miscellaneous Printing...... 19 15
Balance on hand..... a ewinteh Oma
$248 10 : $248 10

T. J. MacLAUGHLIN,
Treasurer.

17
PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS. .

Pror. Joun. Macoun, F.L.S., F.R.S.C., Erc..
(DELIVERED 13TH JANUARY, 1887).

Members of the Ottawa F. teld-Natwratists’ Club, Ladies and Gentlemen :
. Shortly after my election Jast year my duties called nie away to
London, England, where I remained eight months. In consequence of
this I took no part in the field work of the Club during last summer.
That T might judge of the work of other organizations doing work
similar to ours, I attended meetings of the Croydon Field-Naturalists’
Club and by this means am enabled to compare our mode of procedure
with theirs. With that object in view I will give my impression of a
trip to the North Downs, in Surrey, on Whit Monday, May 29th, 1886,
A large party, many of them specialists, assembled at East Croydon
station about 9 a.m. and took the train for Oxsted, a village to the
south of the North Downs. A tunnel of great length pierces the Chalk
hiJls and only a few minutes elapsed before we were at our station
about 14 miles from Croydon. Amongst the company were specialists
in almost every branch of Natural History, and alttough most of those
present were city men I saw at a glance they were widely different from
the majority of those who attend our outings and belong to our city,
Without exception every man entered into the business of the day
with the zest of an enthusiast and went to work witha will. Aftera
few moments’ conversation it was decided that we should separate into
smaller parties and meet for lunch at Buckley Clump, on the summit
of the North Downs, which is a range of chalk hills lying between the
Weald of Kent and London. We now separated into smaller groups,
and while some kept along the main roads others went by lanes and
paths through a beautiful and diversified country, while the party to
which I attached myself rambled through the woods which covered
the upper part of the slope, where we collectel entomological and

botanical specimens to our heavis’ content.
Shortly after noon we all assembled at the “Clump” of beeches, and
as we lay around in the shade or sat on mossy couches beneath the
trees, eating our lunch and diseussing the various beauties of the land-

scape, gentlemen acquainted with the topography and various villages
B

18

and country seats which lay at our feet or in the dim distance, pointed
cuteverything of interest and explained every seeming difficulty, so
that two hours passed away in the most pleasant and profitable manner.

The party now grouped themselves and an amateur photographer
took pictures of the various parties. These were developed later in the
summer and distributed to the various members. After this we divided
into two parties, one of which was to return to Croydon by train, the
other. to walk across country through lanes and by-paths to Croydon, a
distance of over 12 miles. My friends choose to walk and I perforce
accompanied them. The remembrance of that walk will live in my
memory as long as life lasts, for in it I made the acquaintance of English
country scenery and Englishmen out for a holiday. It is not my pur-
pose to describe English scenery, nor to enter into details concerning
its beauties, but to point out the difference between Englishmen and
ourselves, when on an excursion.

The average Canadian loves a pic-nic and delights to ride in a
waggon along dusty roads to a point eight or ten miles away, eat a ©
hearty lunch, take a short stroll, eat again, get into the conveyance,
drive back to the city and talk about the Field-Naturalists’
Excursion. The above is our plan. Can we not improve on
this, and although we may ride out as usual, could we not
do more walking and collecting and arrange for at least the active
members of the Club making all-day excursions by going out ten or
twelve miles from the city by rail or waggon and returning across
country on foot.

While I do not wish to condemn ourselves for our want of desire
to walk in the hot sun, I cannot help praising the Englishman for his
enthusiasm in entering upon these excursions with a characteristic zest.
If the excursions organized by.us be fair examples of what is done in
other parts of our country I should advise a new departure and strongly
urge on the active members of the Club to form an inner circle and
have excursions of their own where they can explore and investigate
new districts and gather additional material for more fully elucidating
the Natural History of our district.

The love of Natural Histcry, which is selfevident in England,
must arise from the familiarity of both young and old of all classes

19

with the various objects of Natural History founil in public gardens
and museums established in every part of the kingdom. That thisis the
case was shown by the almost universal custom of wearing flowers,
making collections of Natural History specimens, or having pets of
various kinds in the houses. While in England, however, | paid most at-
tention to my own branch of science, and to botany will chiefly direct
your attention to-night. To-day in every part of the world except Canada
Botanic Gardens have been established. Economie and other museums
have been called into existence and the natural vegetable products of
the various countries ure exhibited under the same roof. Many visits
to the Royal Gardens at Kew, near London ; to the Botanic Gardens at
Birmingham and at Dublin, convinced me that the present movement
to establish experimental farms in Canada was a step in the right direc-
tion; but the cultivation of our native trees, shrubs and herbaceous
plants should be considered of equal importance and receive special and
prompt attention. In all of the gardens mentioned the native plants of
- each order are planted according to their relationships, and students
and others can obtain a greet deal of useful information without much
labour or loss of time. When walking with botanists and others
through the arboretums in England and Ireland I had to make the
humiliating confession that in Canada we had no such thing, and that
very few of our pcople knew one tree from another. You may think
this unfair, but how many of us could tell the names of one quarter of
the 65 species of trees growing without cultivation in Ontario. Besides
the Botanic Gardens nearly every city has an Economic Museum in
which are exhibited the various products used in the arts ; also the
fruits, seeds, leaves, bark and wood of the’ native shrubs and trees,
besides those of-other countries.

Before I left for England I was told that a collection of small
billets of wood was of little moment, and that our collection of birds
would only cause laughter in the British Museum, where all these were
represented. But what were the facts? When our 108 species. of
native trees were contrasted with 14 British species, and our magni-
ficent display of game and other birds was studied by men who had

visited every clime, a unanimous verdict was given in our favour.

20

. My hearers may be surprised, but Ll am correct in stating that we
made a far better exhibition of our Natural History in England than
we do in any peit of Canada, and it is a standing repreach to us that
we have never yet bad anything approaching to a complete repre-
sentation, and more still, we have never had a place to put such a
eollection in if we had made it. It is altogether different in the United
States. As that country has developed museums have been established,
specialists appointed to take charge of the various branches, and to-day
they have.a staff of specialists second to none in the world, ready to
tackle any subject of importance to the country.

A few years since the report got abroad that the fisheries along the
Amer:can coast of the Atlantic were giving out. At once a commis-
sion was appointed and in the course of a few years reports were
published giving every detail of the work, and not only reporting on
the various species of fish Lut on their food likewise. The results of
these investigations are placed in the National Museum at Washington.
The raising of cattle on the “great plains” becomes a business of
national importance, and a specialist to study the pasture grasses and
a chemist are appointed and attached to the Bureau of Agriculture at
Washington. Various diseases attack the growing crops, insects com-
mit ravages, and in every case men are set to work to investigate,
collect and classify ; buiky velumes are published and the knowledge
spread broadcast over the land, while the objects themselves are placed
in museums for the instruction of the people. My work has ‘caused me
to come in contact with these specialists, and through them I have
learned the value of these stores of Natural History and other objects
which are being gathered together at Washington. It is painful to
eonfess that all our best specimens’, whether mineral, animal. or
archeological, are going to Washington, and the apathy of our people is
such that I see no help for it. :

I have learned the value of these collections, and my English
visit has been so convincing that I consider silence concerning our posi-
tion a virtue no longer, and take the present occasioa of laying our case
before an Ottawa audience in the hops that we may arouse attention <o
@ question that is trtly a national one. After much opposition
the headquarters of the Geological Survey, were removed from Mentreal

OCC MAREE cope OF

21

=

to Ottawa and a museum was established, which to-day does honour
both to its curators and the Canadian people. Owing to the immense
collection of minerals and fossils brought from Montreal and gathered
since, geology and mineralogy almo:t monopolize the limited space, and
Natural History is left to take care of itself.. At present a small room
is devoted to mammals and birds, while the insects and plants of the
Dominion are placed in the halis, there being ne room for them else-
where. At South Kensington we had a collection of mammals,
birds, fishes and woods which did credit to the country, and yet here
in our own Capital we have not room for a tenth of what was there
exhibited. These collections are, at least in part, on their way here,
and the question naturally arises, what will be done with them? This.
question is to be answered, and the public should speak and the citizens
of Ottawa take action. Instead of having separate collections of
minerals, fossils, vegetables, birds, fishes, mammals, etc., we should
have one grand museum that would include every branch of Natural
History and economic science, archeology, ethnology and geology ; and
were the proper representations made to the Government, we should
see rising in some conspicuous part of our city a building designed for
a museum, which would be the crowning glory of the greatest man
Canada has yes seen or may see for a century—Sir John A. Macdonald

_ whose name since J was a boy has been a household word in Canada

for progress in every direction. And now let him in his declining
years give us a building for Canadian science which will be a credit to
our city and a lasting monument to his enlightened statesmanship.
I cannot here enumerate the many advantages which would necessarily
be derived by the city and the country at large, through the establish-
ment of such a museum, and can only :efer to the vast benefits. it
would confer upon students and the citizens generally. In conclusiow
I would urge uvon the Club the necessity of increased energy
and activity. The desire and aim of the Club have ever been te
enc urage and enlighten the youth of the city on scientific subjects, and
whatever position it may take on the question of amalgamation with
the Literary and Scientitie Society my warmest sympathies are with
those who feel that they are both able and willing to take an indepen-
dent stand and to shoulder the responsibilities such action may entail.

22

REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL BRANCH.

Fo the Council of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club :—

In entomological work we have to record some increase of activity.
Sub-excursions were held weekly throughout the season, at which at
least one of the leaders was always present. While valuable and ex-
tensive collections and records were made in nearly all of the orders of
msects, the Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera received special attention.
A few facts are given regarding the collections in each order.

-Hymenorrera.—It was announced last year in the report of the
branch that a number. of species new to Canadian lists had been
already collected at Ottawa, and that Abbé Provancher had determined
some of the captures to be species new to science. He has since pub-
lished in “Le Naturaliste Canadien” descriptions of many new species
eontained in the division Terebrantia, which includes saw-flies, ichneu--
mons, gall-forming, flies, etc. In this extensive division the Ottawa
eollections have already yielded nearly 100 new species, besides many
species not hitherto recorded from Canada, and some of great rarity.

The collections made during the past summer have as yet been
enly partially classified, but it is found that many species not formerly
ebserved have been captured.

Oryssus Sayi, Westw. was found upon old maple trees near Hull,
both emerging from, and ovipositing in, the dead trunk. The life
history of these generally rare insects was, we think, not before
definitely known. Xiphydria albicornis was again conmon in the city,
where it oviposits in our maples, especially attacking the trees which
have been newly set out along the streets. Selandria rose, the rose
saw-fly or slug, was unusually abundant. At the recent excursion to
Buckingham it was seen in large numbers, and on roses beyond Hull
it was very destructive. In the city it did much damage. Hmphytus
snaculatus, the strawberry-sawfly, also appeared to be more common
than usual, Messa hyalina was bred in large numbers from the galls
which cover and disfigure the leaves of the willows which have been
planted by some of our citizens.

LepipopTera.—The season was decidely a bad one for butterflies
aud moths. Bright, hot days were few, aud when they did occur there

23

was generally too much wind for large collections to be made. On
22nd May an expedition was made to the locality for Thecla Niphon at
Chelsea, and s:veral specimens were secured. On the same day the
spring broods of Argynnis Bellona and A. Myrina were observed, as
well as the winter forin L/iemalis of Pieris Oleracea. Good specimens
of Lycena Lucia and L. Violacea were also collected.

Several unsuccessful attempts were made to find Fenesica Tarqui-
mius in the locality where Mr. Hanham found it abundantly in 1879.

On 1st July a sub-excursion of the branch visited the Mer Bleue
where Chrysophaws Epizanthe and C. Thoe were collected in numbers,
and the first specimen of Grapta Interrogationis was recorded for this
locality. This species was subsequently bred in its two forms Fabrice
and Umtrosa from larve collected on Ulmus Americana. The Theclas,
usually so abundant upon the flowers of Rhus Typhina and Asclepias
Cornuti in the first part of July, were conspicuous by their absence.
*This scarcity was also a noticeable fact concerning the common Clouded-
Sulphur butterfly Colias Philodice. Not half a dozen specimens of the

spring brood were Seen, and it was very scarce in the autumn also.

The only insect which was at all abundant was Danais Archippus.

A few interesting captures of moths have to be recorded.
Harrisimemna trisignat+, parent of the remarkable Zigzag Caterpillar,
was taken at light, and Plutycerura furcilla, a rare moth the larva of
which feeds upon /’inus Strobus, was bred from larve taken last
summer at Hull, P.Q. This locality still ranks amongst the highest
as a rich collecting ground. Here #7eria exitiosa, the peach borer, was
observed by Mr. Harrington for the first time in this locality. The
raspberry root borer, #yeria rubi, was too abundant in many gardens
at Ottawa. Some fine specimens were bred from garden raspberries, the
canes of which were in miny quarters badly injured. Cutworms were
not so abundazt as usual. J//adena devastatrix, however, was most
freyuently complained of, and did a considerable amount of damage.
Another interesting species of this genus, JJ. mactata, was bred by Mr.
Harrington from the flowers of Cypripedium spectabile which it had
attacked severely in Dow’s Swamp.

The item of most interest, however, which was observed during
the past year was the increase and extension of the colony of the maple

24

—leaf—cutter, Jneurvaria acerifoliella, which was mentioned in last
year’s report. This colony is in Beechwood near the cemetery and now
covers more than double the space it did last year. Maple trees for a
space of about 10 acres were during last autumn entirely defoliated by the
minute case-bearing caterpillars of this moth. The perfect insect was

taken at the excursion to Buckingham on 3rd June.

Diprera.—The season appeared to be very unfavourable for flies,
and collections were correspondingly small. Mr. T. B. Caulfield, of
Montreal, has determined for us a number of species, and we have yet
many to be identified, before it would be advisable to publish a
list. Endeavours will be made during the present year to enlarge our
knowledge of this order. Mentioa may be made of the breeding of
Psila rose, a small fly of which the grub bores in carrots, and
which frequently does much injury to these roots. It has not been
recorded previously from Canada.

CoLEopTeRA.—The ‘collections in this order include some addi-
tions to our lists. At the Buckingham Excursion’ a fine specimen of
Anthophilax malachiticus was taken upon a birch tree in the grove near
the river. At Meech’s Lake specimens of a species of Microrho-
pala were taken on raspberry bushes. The species has not yet been
finally determined, but this is the first instance of finding members of
the genus in this locality. A number of other interesting additions
was made to our loca! list.

OrTHOPTERA.—Our members have hitherto somewhat neglected
this order, which includes some of our common injurious insects. Mr.
Caulfield, of Montreal, who is at present working in this order, has
named a few species which were referred to him, and expresses his
willingness and desire to examine any specimens which cur members

may wish to refer to him.

HemipTera.—Collections in this order were small, but these con-
tain two species not hitherto recorded in Canada. Abbé Provancher is
now publishing in his magazine an account of the Canadian species and
he has determined many of. our specimens, and has still some in his
possession for that purpose. So far, over 100 species are known to

occur here.

25

NeEUROPTERA AND PsEUDONEUROPTERA.—Lhe work of collecting
in these orders was vigorously kept up during the whole collecting
season by several members of the Club with gratifying results. Many
beautiful specimens of known species of both orders were taken. The
insects belonging to Pseudoneuroptera weze more largely represented,
especially of the families Odonata, or Dragonflies, and Ephemerina, both
of which were unusually abundant during the past summer. The full
extent of the work accomplished will not be definitely known until a
few of the rarer and more difficult species have been worked up.
Tt is quite evident, however, that valuable additions have been made-
to the Canadian lists and that some of the insects now in hand will
have to be described for the first time. Much greater difficulty is
experienced in working up these insects than is the case with those of
several other orders of Entomology, owing to the want of monographic.
descriptions, while the fragile nature of some of the specimens renders.
it very difficult to transmit them by mail.

: W. H. HARRINGTON.
JAMES FLETCHER.
T. J. MacLAUGHLIN.
February 1Cth, 1887. ; eaders.

TRANSACTIONS.—If any member, or correspondent has failed to.
receive any part of the Club’s publications which should properly have.
been sent to him, a memorandum sbould be sent to the Librarian—Mr.
T. J. MacLaughlin (Public Works Department)—-notifying him of its

non-arrival.

New Mempers.—l1. A. P. Low; 2. D. E. Smith; 3. R. H. Cowley;
4. R.G. Code; 5. Arthur G. Forward; 6. Wm. Scott; 7. F. A. Gordon;
8. W. T. Lawless (Hull); 9. B. T. A. Bell; 10. John D. Evans (Trenton) ;
11. Thos. Gilmour; 12. J. T. Bowerman; 13. Robt. Gansby (Guelph);
14. James Clark (Renfrew).

26
LIBRARIAN’S REPORT, 1886-87.

To the Council of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club :-—

From the date of my accession to the office of Librarian to the pre-
sent time, I have received in exchange for the Transactions of the Club
the following, among other valuable publications :— 5 ee 4

(The list has been deemed too long for insertion; it enumerates
some fifty volumes received from thirty-five of the leading scientists
and scientific Lodies in Canada, the United States and England,
including the Geological Surveys of the two first mentioned countries.
Future contributions to the library will, under the present plan of
publication, be announced monthly).

Our exchange list requires revision. Certain publications with
which we formerly exchanged have ceased to exist. With others, not
yet on our list, arrangements could probably be made which would
result in several desirable additions to our library.

The free list should also be carefully revised. Not a few who
receive our Transactions are so negligent as not to acknowledge the
favour. I would suggest that the names of such persons be eliminated
from the free list.

I desire to point out that the accommodation provided for our
exchanges is altogether inadequate, and steps should ke promptly
taken to provide an additional book-case large enough to hold not
merely the gifts we may receive during the next few years, but also

the back numbers of our Transactions.
F. R. LATCHFURD.
Orrawa, March 14th, 1887.

ee. ee ee

aie th

.
;

faate Boe t

ee

- MOOSE: Qa sage

27

REPORT TO THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA,

Read at the Fifth General Meeting, May, 1586.

In presenting to your Honourable Society the Fourth Report from
whe Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club, the Council has great pleasure in
being able to say that its work has been carried on with increased and
gratifying success. The Club has at present over 170 ordinary and
seven corresponding members, making it numerically one of the
strongest Scientific Societies in the Dominion; and as regards original
work performed by the members, it can compare favourably with any
similar society.

The usual Excursions to places of interest in the vicinity were held
at intervals during the sammer, and many valuable facts concerning
the Natural History of this district were recorded.

Much useful work was also accomplished at the Sab-excursions
which were held on Saturday afternoons to points in the immediate
neighbourhood of the city. These Sub-excursions are of the character

of out-door classes, and are conducted with a view to enable the

younger and less experienced members to study the different branches
under the guidance of the appointed leaders, whose duty it is to give
any assistance and explanation that may be necessary.

During the winter six Soirees were held. One was an evening

devoted to the microscope, at which short papers were read and slides

exhibited illustrative of the different subjects ; while at the others the
following papers were read :—‘‘ The President’s Addres;,” Mr. W. H.
Harrington; “The Black Bear,” Mr. W. P. Lett; ‘“ Water
Crystallization Effected by Magnetism,” Mr. E. Odlum, (Pembroke);
“A New Departure in the Stuly of Minerals,” Rev. C. F. Marsan;
“‘ Ottawa Dragon Flies,” Mr. T. J. MacLaughlin.-

In addition, there were Reports from the Leaders, of the work done
durinz the year in the various departments of Natural History, and
notes by members. These, as well as the papers read, were followed by
discussions of an interesting nature, which are a distinctive feature of
the Noirees.

Afternoon lectures were also given during the winter on the
following subjects :—

Extomology—Three by Mr.Harrington, two by Mr. Fletcher.

28

Mineralogy—One by Rev. C. F. Marsan.

Ornithology —One by Mr. W. L. Scott. |

Botany—Three by Prof. Macoun, and two by Mr. R. B. Whyte.

The five on Botany were delivered before the students of the
Normal School by request of Principal McCabe.

In additioa to these lectures, and at the request of the Inspector
of Public Schools for Ottawa, a weekly class in Botany has been
organized as.part of the regular instruction for the senior students at
the Central School West. The attendance and attention displayed at
this class have been most encouraging to the senior leader in botany
who has undertaken the work.

The Council is much gratified to know that its efforts in the way
of encouraging the study of Natural History are more appre-
ciated. The attendance at the Soirees, the Excursions and the Classes,
was larger and the interest shown by those present was much
more marked than in any previous year.

A copy of the Club’s ‘Transactions No. 6, containing 132 pages and
two plates, is herewith submitted, and we hope that it will be found a
creditable addition to our Hst*of publications.

At the annual meeting of the Club, held on March 17th, the
following officers were elected for the year 1886-87 : .

PresiDENT—Prof. J. Macoun.

Vice-PresipeNts—R. B. Whyte and Principal Woods.

Secretary—W. H. Harrington.

TreasurER—T. J. MacLaughlin.

Liprarian—F. R. Latchford.

Commitree—Dr. Small, J. Fletcher, Rev. Prof. Marsan.

The following leaders have been appointed :
Geology— H. M. Ami, Prof. Marsan, H. P. Brumell and W. E.
T. Sowter.
Botany—R. B. Whyte, Principal Woods and Dr. H. B. Small.
Entomology—J. Fletcher, W. H. Harrington and T. J. Mac-
Laughlin.

Conchology —Won. P. S. Poirier and F. R. Latchford.

Ornitholozy —W. L. Scott, G. R. White and J. M. Macoun.

Zoology —.i1. B: Small aud W. P. Lett.

R. B. WHYTE, Delegate.

29
EDITORIAL.

The kindly reception accorded to the first number of the Orrawa
Naturatist, by our members and correspondents, has encouraged us in
our labours. There seems to bé a unaninious opinion that the change
in the time of publication is a step in the path of progress, and it has
been especially welcome, as was expected, to non-resident members. In
the present number we are able to give the very interesting address
delivered by Prof. Macoun when President of the Club Jast year.
There are many points in it well worthy of consideration, and we feel
assured that his desire to see erected a museum worthy of Canada wil]
be warmly endorsed by every reader. A number of new members have
been elected since the Annual Meeting, but we desire again to urge all
to endeavor to obtain among their friends further additions to our mem-
bership... The smallness of our annual subscription fee makes it the
more imperative that our membership should be large, and that fees
should be promptly-remitted to the treasurer, in accordance with Rule
15 of the Constitution.

The Excursion Committee has recommended an Excursion to
King’s Mountain, Chelsea, on Saturday, the 21st of May. Our Excur-
sions during the season will be conducted in accordance with the plan
found to work satistactorily in past years. Prof. Macoun informs us
in his address that it is acommon custom in English societies similar
to our own, for excursion parties to go by rail or waggon to a locality
several miles distant from the starting point, and then walk back
“across country,” collecting along the way. As indicated by him this
plan has its advantages, but it seems to us that equally good work can
be done under our own system of driving, or taking a boat, or train,
both ways, and spending a large portion of the day in systematic col-
lecting in the locality visited. 1n this manner many pleasant days
have been spent by our members and their friends, and many impor- ©
tant facts in connection with the Natural History of neighbouring
districts have been discovered and recorded. A not unimportant
advantage of retnrning together by conveyance, instead of in small
scattering groups on foot, is the opportunity afforded for instructive

conversation regarding tbe various interesting occurences or collections,

30

while at the same time needed rest is obtained after the fatigues
of the day. In the Sub-Excursions, which are held on Saturday
afternoons to more adjacent fields, we have true walking parties, com-
posed both of those who have already done gool work in the branches
to which they devote their attention, and of those who, under their
guidarce, desire to enter upon the study of these fascinating subjects.
It might, however, not be unwise for the leaders to act upon Prof.
Macoun’s suggestion, to have parties conducted upon the English plan,
and consisting solely of workers. The Botanical and Ornithological
Branches especially might find such tramps to afford opportunities for
collection or observation, not offered by our present methods. As
regards Entomology, Conchology, and probably Geology, it seems to us
that much better work can be done by the careful examination of a
limited area, than by traversing a distance of several miles, and making.
a necessarily. imperfect scrutiny of the ground covered. As our
Excursions are one of the important features of the Club’s scheme of
operations, it is desirable that they should be organized so as to con-
tribute as largely as possible both to the store of knowledge, which we
desire to gain regarding our local Natural History, and to the pleasure
and instruction of those who attend them. We wish to make them a
means of attracting people to the study of nature, and the Council will
gladly receive from any one suggestions as to localities which might be
visited.

The Botanical leaders ask for the observation and record of the
foliation and flowering of our numerous species of plants, and par-
ticularly request information regarding the Polypetale. The Councib
has requested Mr. Fletcher to prepare for publication a catalogue of
our plants with information as to the habitat of each species. On
application he will furnish lists of species regarding which further
knowledge is particularly needed, and we hope the members wiil give
him their assistance toward making the records as full and precise as.

possible.

dl

LIBRARIAN’S RECORD.

Since the Annual Meeting the followiug publications have beem
received in exchange for the Transactions of the Club :—

American Ornithologists Union: The Auk, Vol. IV., No. 2.

Canadian Institute, Toronto: Proceedings, Vol. XXII, No. 14.

J. A. Lintner, N. Y. State Entomologist : Report on Insects, etc., of
Caledonia Creek, N.Y.; Some Sphingide of State of N.Y.; New’species
of Calocampa ; New species of Grapta,etc.; Metamorphoses of Cera~
tomia quadricornis ; Lepidoptera of the Adirondack region ; Injurious |
Insects of the year 1878; New Principle of Protection from Insect
Attacks; Circular No 1, October, 1883; Some Injurious Insects of
Massachusetts ; Insects of the Clover Plant; Some New Species of
Nisoniades; New Species of Eudamus; Invasion by a Pyralid In-
sect.

The Essex Field Club, England: Transactions, Vol. IV, part 2 ;
The Essex Naturalist, Nos. 1, 2, 3.

Cincinnati Society of Natural History: Journal, Vol. X, No. 1.

Torrey Botanical Club: Bulletin, Vol. XV, Nos. 3 and 4.

New York Microscopical Society : Journal, Vol. II, Nos. 9and Sa.

Miss E. A. Ormerod: Report No. 10, on Injurious Insects; The
Hessian Fly.

Entomological Society of Ontario: Canadian Entomologist, Vol.
XIX, Nos. I and 2.

Sir Wm. J. Dawson, McGill University: Fossil Plants of the
Laramie Formation.

Cambridge Entomological Club: Psyche, Vol. IV, Nos. 135-137.

J. B. Smith, National Museum, Washington: Revision of the
Saturniidee.

Johns Hopkins University: Circulars, Vol. VI, No. 56.

Natural Science Association, Staten Island: Proceedings, Extra
No. 6.

Brooklyn Entomological Society: Entomologica Americana, Voh.
If, No. 12.

32
ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR MAY.

Excursion.—The first General Excursion of the season will take
place on Saturday, the 21st of May. The place selected for this ex-
cursion is King’s Mountain near Chelsea, which has always been a
favorite spot with our members. As no circulars regarding this excur-
sion will be issued,’ except in the event of its postponement through any
unforeseen cause, the members are requested to keep it carefully in
mind, The Cammittee would like to have, not later than 19th, the
names,of all who will be present, in order that the requisite vans may
be secured. Tickets may be obtained through any member of the
Council at the following prices: Members 50 cents, non-members 60
cents, children 39 cents. The Club vans will start from the corner of
Rideau and Chapel streets at 8.45 a.m. and from the corner of Sparks
and Bank streets at 9 a.m. sharp. The council desires to see a large
attendance of members and their friends. It is expected that the date
selected will offer a very favorable opportunity for botanical collections.

Scus-Excurstons.—The Botanical leaders have arranged the follow-
ing Sub-Excursio.s for May :—Saturday, 7th, to McKay’s Lake.
Saturday, 14th, to Billings Bridge. Saturday, 28th, to Cave Creek,
Richmond Road.

As in former years, they will leave the Post Office at 2 p.m.
punctually. In addition early morning outings will be held, and those
wishing to take part in such will please communicate with the leaders.
Members interested in this Branch are requested to record the dates of
the first and last flowering of plants, when they occur in greatest pro-
fusion, the localities where observed, and such other data as they may
think of value. Information regarding the Polypetalz is particularly
desired, as it is the intention of the Council to issue a revised catalogue
of local plants, the first portion to contain this division.

The leaders of the Geological Branch will attend the Snb-Exeursion
-on 7th, and those of the Entomological Branch have decided to accom-
pany the Botanists on 14th and 28th.

During the meeting of the Royal Society of Canada, which com-
mences on 25th May, there will probably be a special Sub-Excursion of
the Geological Branch, for Fellows of the Society interested in that
science.

33

THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MINES OF THE OTTAWA
REGION.

Mr. Joun Stewart.

(Read 10th February, 1887.\

The mineral district of which Ottawa is the centre is a large one;
including the western part of Quebec Province and the eastern part of
the Province of Ontario. It is to this section especially that reference
is made, although the following remarks apply to the whole of the
provinces mentioned, and as regards the best interests of the miner,
prospector or explorer, the saying “good and bad everywhere,” may be
put “bad and worse,” and applied equally to them both.

The development of the mines has an important connection with
the most complete knowledge of the minerals of only scientific interest ;
and this reason, and that of the injustice done to one seciion of the
population, by those in power, are the apolcgy offered for these remarks,
which may appear to some to have too much of a technical bearing.

About two years ago, when some of these notes were made, there
appeared in the newspapers of almost all parts of Canada, articles and
correspondence under sundry headings, showing clearly that there is
something materially wrong with the mining interest of these provinces
as at present situated, that is, an individual ownership instead of Gov-
ernment holding the minerals for rental, or on lease.

Some writers attribute the lack of mineral development, and the
stagnation of the whole industry (coal mining excepted) to the absence
of a Bureau of Mining Statistics, or toa neglect on the part of the
Geological Survey of Canada in not publishing reports of the extent of
mining done each year. They saddle the Geological Survey with the
total neglect of the mining interests, and find relief in considering it
the “Scape Goat” in this case, and none try to arrive at a clear under-
standing of the position in which the mining interests of the provinces
stand at the present time. Were statistics collected by the Survey
they would tend to make more glaring the error in our laws as regards
mining lands, give the number and acreage of our mining land mon-
opolies, and show more clearly the error our Provincial Legislators

have fallen into in selling the minerals with the surface soil to the
ant

34

farmers. It is desired to point these out as the true caus.s of the lack
of mineral development in this district and to suggest a remedy.

Others give as the causes the depending on a foreign market for
‘our ores, extravagance and bad management, with an ill advised expen-
diture of too much money on the surface, before the mine is developed
in depth, or to untrue and glowing promises, of “ millions of tons of ore
in sight” on the part of promoters of a new enterprise. ‘There is no
doubt that in some cases, these causes have helped to close the en-
terprise and deter others from embarking in a similar mine or
property.

In Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and British Columbia, the Crown,
‘or Provincial Government, owns the minerals, and issues licences to
parties desiring to open and work mines, and in these Provinces the
business of mining is largely and most successfully carried on. In
Quebec and Ontario the minerals are at present sold along with the
soil, and the birth right and portion of the explorer, prospector or
miner, is thus given to the farmer, or, still worse, to the speculator in
mining lands, and these sons of toil have to beg for terms from the
miserly farmer, or independent and extortionate land owner or specu-
lator. Mining lands have been sold in this way during the last forty
or fifty years in Quebec and Ontario; some few, it is true, are being
avorked, but the great majority of the most valuable mining lands and
mines are in the hands of speculators, or of parties who will not work
them, and who ask for the mines and properties an exhorbitant price
should an intending purchaser approach them.

This state cf affairs, or the act of the Local Legislators selling the
rainerals, instead of giving a lease or license, and compelling the owner
to work the mine or quarry, or have it revert to the Government, or
exacting a low rent or royalty, under such lea-e or license, from the
profits derived from working the mine, is the cause of so many valuable
properties being locked up, as it were, and development retarded, and
the mining industry does not receive the attention it would, if these
mining lands remained in the hands of the Government. In proof of
‘this may be mentioned the vast amount of mineral land held by com-
_panies and speculators ; in the Lake district and in eastern Ontario alone
the area thus held amounts to many millions of acres of the best mineral

35

lands. The same is true as regards. the phosphate region in Quebec,
It is this system of unconditional sale of mining lands for speculation,
withous regard to yearly working, that has ruined the mining interests
of this district. The error of amy one party owning a large extent of
mining land in a block, arises from the fact, which is well known
to experienced miners and explorers, that by selling, say to an
Tron Mining Company, a few thousand acres in a block, it gets other
minerals, which it cannot treat, or the use of which it may not know,
and the ores other than iron remain unworked.

Compare the system adopted in the Western United States, where
a mining claim is given to the discoverer on condition that it is worked,
or has labor spent on it to the extent of $100 each year; failing which
it reverts tothe Government. Under that system the right of discovery
of the explérer, prospector, or miner, is respected, and a reward granted
him (he can locate two claims), but in Ontario and Quebec, he has no
rights, and he is, therefore, drawn to the more inviting fields of the
United States. The location of the claim in the States is made by the
discoverer on the ground, and is placed on record in the Jiand Office;
but in this district it is made by a clerk inthe Land Office, and not by
the discoverer; a practice which has proved fruitful of the worst
abuses and frauds on Canadian discovery. In the United States, by
granting mining claims in that way, ore accumulated under the clause
compelling at least so much work each and every year, and from its
accumulation arose the necessity for milling or smelting works to work
it up, and had the same inducements and compulsion been in force in
Canada, our mines would have been counted ly the thousand, instead
of the few now in operation.

The chief ores of this region are: iron, (hematites and magnetic),
phosphate, or apatite, and a large variety of pyrites, or sulphuret ores
of the miners, holding in places copper, gold and silver in workable —
quantities, lead or galena, plumbago (black-lead), mica, and others of
less importance.

The ores of iron are found in such variety and abundance that the
only reason they are not now worked is the question of cheap fuel for
reduction. Next spring certain tests of machinery are to be made, and ~

should they prove as successful as former trials, this question will be
*

36

settled on a commercial scale, and the smelting of iron established in
the district. fi

The apatite in the raw state is largely shipped to Eurape, but the
home demand for the superphosphate of lime for fertilizing purposes
can be supplied from the works of the Brockville Chemical and Super-
phosphate Co. The pyrites used by this company for the last few
years, for the manufacture of sulphuric acid, have been imported from
New York State, but ores from the County of Hastings have been in-
troduced to them, and the supply in future will be procured from lecal
ores. The extended mining of the pyrites ore of the district is a ques-
tion of much importance to the City of Ottawa, with its cheap water-
power for dressing ores, and grinding apatite. The sulphur is used for
treating the apatite in the form of sulphuric acid, and it would, if all
we exported was shipped as superphosphate of lime, form an important
industry. The residue of the pyrites ore can be most successfully
treated after roasting, along with the lead ores, which we also have,
and the copper, gold and silver extracted. Our lead ores are too poor
in silver (about 5oz. or $5 per ton silver) to pay to work for silver and
lead alone, but when smelted along with the residue of the sulphur ores,
holding copper, gold and silver, the question of working both is
settled.

The more extended production of gold also requires attention. No
man has ever possessed too much of it, and no country has produced
too much. Its value increases with the cost of getting it, and the
want of it. It is oar highest standard of money and exchange, and is
therefore, when found in workable quantities, the best investment for
surplus labor and capital. The discovery of gold in California and
Australia produced periods of great world-wide prosperity. All classes
and conditions of men were drawn to a new occupation and country by
the high wages earned in the mines. A laborer whovhad been working
for a farmer or a tradesman, for $1.00 or $1.50 a day, could wash out
gold to the value of $10 or $20 a day. Cana wise adjustment of our
mining laws be made to have this effect, if only on a much smaller
scale, by granting free-grant mining claims in districts were gold is
known to exist?

In iron alone, had such measures been adopted, there would to-day
&

37

have been enough mined and worked to supply our own wants and for
exportation, as is d-ne in Sweden and Norway with similar ores,
climate and fuel (wood charcoal), as the laws of that country are such
that no mining property can remain idle so long as any one desires to
work it. In Sweden ani Norway if a party owns a mine and is not
working it, another party can do so by paying the owner half the profit
of the working of the mine, andif he gives it up the owner or any
other person can undertake to work it on the same conditions, hence no
mining properties remain unworked.

In some European countries, and in some parts of the British
Islands, the minerals are owned by the Crown, and at one time, even
in Ontario, certain reserves of minerals were made in old deeds, but of
recent years this is not the c:se.

Some may say, that in advocating the Sta*e owning the land, you
are advocating communistic doctrines, but that is another question alto«
gether; what is desired is for the State to own the minerals, which is
British law and custom.

There are at the present time thousands of British and Canadian
subjects in the United States mining regions who would take up claims
in Canada were the laws such as would enduce them to do so, butat the
present time there are no free-grant mining claims given and no in-
ducements offered to explorers, prospectors or miners, to locate and
develop a claim. i

Under the present system 100 acres realizes to the government,
say at $1.00 per acre, $100; and in ten years the country gets the
benefit of the amount expended on that mine in labor, &ec., if it is de-
veloped and worked, but if not, nothing. Under the system where the
government holds the minerals, and gives grants free to miners, or on
lease or royality, the country receives at least $100 per year for ten
years, say $1,000 less the value of the 100 acres—$100, leaving a bal-
ance of $900 in favor of the free-grant or lease systems.

Under the lease or royalty system, in ten years the country re-
ceives the same as under the free-grant, together with the additional
royality received when the mine is paying, which may be several

thousand dollars yearly, and the increased value of public lands.
. But it may be asked, from what source will the government

38

receive revenue for inspection and office expenses if they do not sell.
the lands as at present? The free-grants which proved paying mines,
on arriving at that stage if charged a low royalty on profit, after work-
ing expenses are paid, would yield annually a larger revenue to the
government than the present system of selling lots. In proof of this,
the British Crown paid the Earl of Derby £50,000 stg. for the Isle of
Man, and has been refuaded from royalty on mines and quaries more
than the sum paid for the island.

Compulsory working to hold a claim may be considered a small
thing in an individual case, as regards the amount of labor employed,
but take the returns for a province, or the whole Dominion, and it
would amount to a large sum, on all the now known valuable minerals
lots throughout Canada. In yearly doing a little on a mining property
to hold it, new discoveries would be made, and new life given to what
was possibly considered a doubtful prospect. Jt was in this manner
that John W. McKay and other United States millionaires gained their
first start. Through being compelled to work their claims they
made a discovery which enabled them to sell or work it with profit.
The mining interests in Canada will never prosper till similar measures
are adopted. The custom of granting land to farmers under tbe free-
grant system, and not giving an explorer, prossector or miner a free-
grant, under conditions similar to that of the farmer, or of compulsory
development of the minerals contained in the property is an injustice
to the mining section of the population, and for that reason settlement
has made progress and mining has not.

Some parties ask “but why give away a valuable mine asa free-
grant?” A mining property in this section has no more value than
the same amount of land, say $1.00 an azre, which you now give to the
farmer. The miner would return $100 in labor each year, and de-
velop the mine and prove its value, and if it proved valuable the Goy-
ernment would receive a revenue from royalty as long as it paid
expenses. And some say: ‘ What use would a free-grant be to a
miner who had not money enough to purchase it at $1.00 per acre?”
Under the free-grant plan both the farmer and the miner have energy
and skill to develop the value of their claims, with proper provisions
imposing on them a certain amount of work yearly, and that is worth

3S

39

more to the country than to have so many dollars paid into the land
office, and have the property lie in a state of nature and undeveloped.

There is a wrong system practised in Ontario and Quebec, the sel-
ling of mining lands by auction. Whena valuable ore has been dis-
covered in a section of country the excitement gets strong, and the
land office is flooded with applications for lots, and to satisfy, not the
discoverer, but contending parties, the properties are advertised and
sold by auction, and the competition raises the price beyond that which
a miner can afford to pay. The discoverer is not rewarded, and the
property falls into the hands of a more wealthy man, a speculator, who.
will not work it himself, but purchases it on the chance of a rise in
value, which fails to come, and the properties so sold remain unde-
veloped. The district ought to be opened as a free-grant mining camp,
and the properties would be developed under prop2r mining laws and
inspection, and the country receive many times more benefit than by
selling it unconditionally.

The vast importance to a country of the proper development of its
mineral wealth renders this subject one requiring the attention and care-

ful consideration of our legislators and citizens.

40
IS MONOTROPA UNIFLORA A PARASITE?

Georce Baptiz, M.A., M.B.

(Read, 3rd March, 1887.)

This note had its origin in a chance question put at one of Mr. R.
B. Whyte’s admirable afternoon lectures on botany. The discussion
which followed showed that members of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’
Club were divided in opinion in regard to the parasitism of Jfonvtropa
uniflora, or Indian pipe, some holding the plant to be a parasite, others
disposed to- believe that it was not. Now, what is a parasite?
It is desirable to know precisely what is meant by this term, because -
one person may mean one thing by it, another persou may understand
a different thing. To settle the usage a number of authors were
examined. They mean by a parasite a plant which has an organic
connection with another living plant, and thus derives nourishment from
the latter. Parasites differ in the extent to which they draw sustenance
from the plant to which they are attached. The relation may be
illustrated by what is commonly known to be the relation between
animals and their animal parasites. The parasitic plant bears the same
relation to another plant that a louse or a tapeworm bears to the
animal which supports it. A plant parasitic on another may be said
to steal a part or the whole of its living, its food, from the plant to
which it is attached.

To answer the question at the head of this note, the following plan
ean be adopted :— ‘

We can consult standard bcoks. This has been done. The
authors do not agree. Macoun, Spotton, Wood, Gray, Goodale, and
Balfour either positively assert that Afonotropa uniflora is a parasite,
er their language would lead a reader to believe it to be parasitic.
. Gray is self contradictory. Sachs speaks of monotropa asa saprophyte,
and therefore not parasitic. By saprophytes he means plants which
make use in their growth and development of the materials of other
plants, dead ones, which are already in a state of decomposition. The
position of Murray is this: ‘No case has yet been satisfactorily made
out for the parasitism of this group (monotropa).”

4]

Macoun and Spotton, 1879, page 6. “There are others whose roots
penetrate the stems and roots of other plants and thus receive their
nourishment, as it were, at second-hand. These“are parasitic plants.
The Dodder, Indian Tipe and Beech-drops of Canadian woods are well
known examples.” There is no doult as to the meaning of these state-
- ments.

TI now turn to Wood's Class Book, p. 30, and I find that he classes
parasites under three heads, (1) parasites which appropriate stolen
juices to their own growth, as the codder and mistletoe; (2) parasites
which, although standing in the soil, are fixed upon foreign roots and
thence derive their entire sustenance, “as the beech-drops and other
leafless, colorless plants;” (3) those fixed in the soil, like the last, but
which derive from foreign roots a part of their sustenance, as the
Gerardia. Wood’s parasite is then essentially the parasite of Spottor.
Let us now turn to our own particular plant. Of the sub-order Monc-
tropa he uses these words: “Low, purasitic herbs;” of VW. uniflora he
Says: “common in woods, near the base of trees, on whose roots it is
doubtless parasitic.” There is no mistaking what Wood says.

I now turn to Gray. Lessons 1877, p. 304. Of the sub-order
Monotropa he says this:—“‘Parasitic on roots, or growing on decompos-
ing vegetable matter like a fungus.” Turn now t) his Structural and
Systematic Botany, 1877, p. 440, sub-order Monotropee : “Parasitic
herbs, destitute of green color and with scales instead of leaves.” This
can give one idea and one only—but at page 91 of the same work occur
these words: “It is probable that our Monotropa, or Indian Pipe, a
pallid phenogamous plant, looking like a fungus, actually lives like
one, and draws its nourishment, at least in great part, from the decay-
- ing leaves among which it grows.” In his Botanical Text Book, 6th
Ed. 1879, p. 38, he states the case as follows: “Pale or coloured para-
sites, such as Beech-drops, Pine-sap, etc., are those which are destitute of
green herbage, aad are usually of a white, tawny, or reddish hue, in fact
of any colour except green. They strike their roots or sucker-shaped
dises into the bark, mostly that of the root, of other plants, and thence
draw their food from the sap already elaborated.” In the Botanical
Text Book, 1885, p. 338, we find that, “among the higher plants there
aresome . . . which derive all their nourishment from decaying

42

or decayed remains of other plants; while others like Moxotropa uniflora
» . . obtain part of their food from living plants.”

In Falfour’s Class Book of Botany, 3rd Ed., p. 848, the only state-
ment I find is ‘““Monotropacez; parasitic plants . . . chiefly found’
parasitic on firs in Europe, Asia and North America.”

Sachs, translated by Bennett and Dyer, 1875, p. 620: “Parasites
draw the products of assimilation directly from their hosts, while sapro-
phytes (as . . . Monotropa, many fungi, &c.) make use for tke
Same purpose of the materials of other plants which are already in a
state of decomposition.”

To add to the uncertainty it has been asserted that a connection
has been observed between the monotropa and its supposed host. If
so, that settles the matter. But as I am aware of only two cases in
which this is alleged, way we not withold our assent until more obser-
vations have been made. It is possible the observers may have been
mistaken, and any one who examines the root of Monotropa uniflora
will find it is not at all like a parasitic root. This is only presumptive
evidence ; apart from this I have carefully looked for the connection
between the monotropa and the root of some other plant upon which it
might be fastened, but I have been unable to trace the connection.
Perhaps the appearance of the plant has misled some observers, a color-
less plant being commonly regarded as a parasite. This is an assump-
tion. Monotropa is apparently without a particle of chlorophyll in its
composition, and therefore has been assumed to be incapable of living
and growing by making use of any food that has not been elaborated
and prepared by a means of chlorophyll.

The analogy of the action of the germ in seeds, utilizing starch, oil,
&c., contained in the seed for the growth and development of the very
young plant, would give some encouragement to the contention that
our monotropa may be able to use the organic matter of decaying
leaves, &c., in its growth and development. The analogy may be set
over against the assumption; but if it can be shown that our plant can
grow and develop when only such material is supplied, the assumption
should be abandoned as untenable. ‘The following happened with me: -
A mass of soil and monotropa was put in a glass vessel, watered and
set aside to await a convenient time for the examination of the roots,

43

to find, if possible, any connection with roots of other plants. While
awaiting the examination new stems grew up and developed. This
points to the view that the plant can do what it is frequently assumed
a plant without chlorophyll cannot do.

Here is an opportunity for our club. During the coming summer
all our members should keep a sharp watch on Monotropa uniflora, and
by careful removal from the soil endeavour to trace any connection
between it and its host, if it has any. Attempts should also be made
to grow the plant from the seed and then try to make out its history ;
and by transplanting specimens and growing them in pots show
whether they can live and grow independent of any connection with

another living plant.

In the discussion which followed the reading of Dr. Baptie’s
paper, Mr. Fletcher said that he thought the subject a very useful one,
because it gave the members an opportunity for investigation during
the coming season. Conspicuous objects in the woods in spring were
the beautitul seedlings of the beech, the plant upon which V/. wniflora
was alleged to b» parasitic. These could be easily transplanted and
grown in pots until the seeds of monotropa were mature, which might
then be planted in the pot, some un the roots and some sprinkled on
the soil. Careful attention would then surely reveal something of its
nature. It was possible, he thought, that seeds might be found in the
old pods of last year, if so the experiment might begin much earlier in
the year. He suggested that parasites such as J. uniflora, where no
connection could be detected between the,mass of roots and any living
plant, might be biennials, parasitic in the true sense for the first year,
when all the energy of the plant was devoted to storing up a supply of
nourishment underground, as do carrots, parsrips and other tuberous-
rooted biennials. Subsequently the connection with the host-plant.
might decay leaving merely a mass of roots, at some little distance
therefrom, stored with stolen nourishment, from which in the second
year would be thrown up the flower-stems. Such a mode of growth
would account for Dr. Baptie’s plant continuing to develope after

removal from its natural habitat.

44
EXCURSION TO KING’S MERE.

On Saturday, the 2lst of May, the first excursion for 1887 was
held. The day dawned bright and warm, and at the appointed hour of
‘9 a.m. a large gathering of members and their friends assembled at the
corner of Bank and Sparks streets, where the Club vans were to start
from. A few minutes later six large covered vans were closely filled
and took their departure for King’s Mere. Across the Suspension
Bridge they rolled, and their occupants had a good opportunity of
seeing the Chaudiere Falls at the period of ‘high water” in the Ottawa.
At Hull the main street was found to be impeded for its entire length
with a trench blasted in the solid rock, for the laying of water pipes,
and by the resulting mounds of stone, as well as some ridges of ice
which had been protected by debris; a detour was thus necessitated
and the party emerged through the C. P. R. station-yard on to the
Chelsea Road. After the payment of somewhat exorbitant tolls, there
was a stretch of several miles of macadamized road and then turning
down through Old Chelsea the road ran through a pretty piece of”
woodland, containing some splendid buttercut and other hardwood
trees. Pleasant as was the drive, everybody was delighted when the
pretty little lake known as King’s Mere was reached and the vans
halted at its upper end. Several persons who had been unable to goin
the vans arrived soon afterwards, and the total number of those present
was found to reach 119, making the excursion the largest ever held by
the club, As soon as the numerous baskets, collecting boxes, &e., had
been removed from the vans, the President, Mr. R. B. Whyte,
announced that at two o’clock those wishing to ascend the mountain
were to gather, and that at 4.15 the entire party would re-assemble for
the purpose of hearing the usual addresses, from the leaders of the
several branches, on the collections and observations of the day. The
party then broke up into numerous groups, which sought out shady
places under the clumps of trees upon the mountain foot-slope, and pro-
ceeded to discuss with sharpened appetites the contents of numerous
baskets, obtaining clear, cool and sparkling water from a spring near
by. At the appointed hour the President headed the company, which
desired to ascend the mountain, and the advance was made along an

-

45 7

easily ascending foot-path, through a pleasant little valley, across a
small brooklet, and up the wooded, flower-studded hiliside, until the
bare, massive, rocky summit was safely won. The view, though
extensive, was greatly limited by the hazy, smoky atmosphere, due to-
bush-fires resulting from the prolonged drought, and while the Ottawa
River could be seen the city was obscured, and many points of interest
hidden. Mr. H. M. Ami, with a fine aneroid barometer, kindly loaned
by the Geological] Survey, found the elevation to be 910 feet above the
Hull Station, or 1,125 feet above sea level. No less than seventy-five
persons ascended the mountain, perhaps the largest gathering ever upon
its summit. The descent was easily made, and collecting renewed along
the way, the botanists returning with weil filled vasculums and baskets.
After a brief rest Mr. Ami gave a short instructive address upon the
various geological formations occurring between the city and the
mountain, and mentioned that the latter was composed of rocks
particularly interesting, from the fact that they belonged to the oldest
formation in the world, that known as the Laurentian. Mr. Fletcher,
the senior botanical leader, then spoke in an interesting manner of a
few of the principal plants observed, and the lessons that might be
derived from a study of them. The first one mentioned was the beauti-
ful Clematis verticillaris, a climbing plant with large showy blossoms,
worthy of a place in our gardens with many others of our handsome
native species. <Agui/egia canadensis, or the Canadian columbine, is
also a fine plant, with its bright flowers showing frequently against the
stones and shadows of the roadway. ‘The habits of Comandra umbellata,
a parasitic plant, were explained, and specimens were shown which had
been found attached to the roots of wild cherry, Prunus virginiana.
Attention was called to the flowers of Acer pennsylvanicum, or striped
maple, and to the often-overlooked fact that the flowers of other maples
and various forest trees are very beautiful. Mr. Harrington made a
few remarks on insects, calling attention first to the great abundance of
the very injurious forest-tent caterpillar, as evidenced by the webs seen
Se) frequently on the apple and other trees along the road. By destroy-
ing these webs early in the season while they are small the increase of
this noxious insect would be much checked. Some information was.
given as tothe habits of our native bees, which are mostly solitary

46

in their habits, which were seen in great abundance around the trees
in blossom, such as apple, cherry, hawthorn, &. The President then
made a short address, urging the claims of the Club to support from the
members, and from all those who take an interest in science and educa-
tion. The'Club_had endeavoured by the publishing monthly of the Ottawa
Naturalist,-andjby excursions, classes, &., to foster a love of nature
and arouse and’strengthen the faculties of observation in those it could
reach,’ and, therefore, deserved encouragement. At 5.30 a start was
made and the homeward trip was pleasantly made, conversation, instruce-
tive and interesting, with intervals of song enlivening the way, until
the city was reached abont 8 p.m. This, as already stated, was the
most successful excursion of the Club, and all present were well satisfied

and pleasedwith their holiday.

SUB-EXCURSIONS.

First.—The Saturday afternoon “ outings” commenced on the 7th
May, when the attendance reached the very encouraging number of
thirty-three, including a majority of the Counci] and many active
workers, among whom were several ladies. Starting from the Post-
Office at two o'clock the party proceeded to New Edinburgh by the
street car. Here the Geological section separated temporarily from the
Botanists and Entomologists, who proceeded to the woods beyond
Rideau Hall, popularly known as McKay’s Bush or Beechwood. Along.
the shaded road and under the cedars there were still heavy banks of
snow, but in the open spaces and hardwcod groves the ground was
_ quite dry, and such.flowers as Claytonia abundant. The list of plants
collected in flower was, however, small, while insects were very scarce,
only the species usually found about fungus, sappy stumps, &ec., being
taken. About 4.30 the party re-assembled near Rideau Hall, to listen
to the “talks” upon the collections in the various branches. The
President, Mr. R. B. Whyte, took up the plants and in an interesting
manner explained the leading peculiarities and relations of the principal
species. Of these the rarest were Daphne mezereum and Viola Selkirkii,
for which the only locality recorded was that just visited. Mr. Whyte’s
remarks were listened to with much pleasure, especially by a number

es SS se

ee a ee ee

47

of new members who have evidenzed an active interest in botany. Mr.
Harrington made afew remarks on the habits of the humble-bees,
several of which—chiefly Bombus ternarius—had been observed. These
were all females which had survived the winter and were new searching
for suitable spots for the foundation of colonies. Some nests of leaf-
cutting bees (Megachile) were exhibited, and the method of their
construction explained. Mr. H. M. Ami reported the proceedings of
the Geological section. Along McKay Street, near the south-east
corner of the Rideau Hall groun?s, an outcrop had been examined of a
band of impure limestone, ten to twelve inches thick, which was highly

bituminous, and fossiliferous, both overlaid, and underlaid by soft,

friable shales, all of Utica age. It contained the following species:
Leptena sericea, Orthis emacerata, O. testudinaria, Zygospira modesta,
Metoptoma sp., Calymene senaria, and .lsaphus Canadensis, of which
the Metoptoma is new, not only to this formation but perhaps to science,
the genus not having been reeorded from this formation either in the
United States or Canada. At excavations on Creighton Street strata
were examined which also belonged to the Utica, and which consisted
of five bands of impure bituminous limestone, alternating with five
bands of shales, the whole aggregating over six feet in thickness. The
following were among the most interesting fossils: Leptograptus
Jlaccidus, Leptobolus insignis, Schizocrania filosa, Conularia Trentonensis,
and Leperditia sp. (perhaps new). An outcrop of Trenton limestone
yielded Streptelasma corniculum, Murchisonia gracilis, Strophomena
alternata, &c. An interesting fault occurs near this outcrop, which
brings the Trenton and Chazy formations into contact. Some crinoidal
limestones near the tobogan slide were also examined but yielded no
specimens. The party then returned to the city, having derived much
pleasure and instruction from their outing. :

Seconp.—On the 14th May Billings’ Bridge was visited. A party
of forty-seven was conveyed from and to the city by two large vans,
while a group of eight geologists proceeded by boats to Hog’s Back, thus
making in all fifty-five ; the largest sub-excursion yet held by the club.
The Botan‘cal section was, as usual, very strongly represented, and the
collections were much larger than those of the previous outing, although
vegetation was found to be still very backward. After exploring the

48

vicinity of the river the party re-assembled near the Episcopal Church
and was addressed by Mr. Fletcher, as the Leader in the Botanical
section. He expressed himself as much pleased at seeing the sub-
excursion so well attended, and so much interest shown in the speci-
mens collected. He said that the unusually late spring had rendered
the quantity of specimens small; but as is always the case for those
who will use their eyes, there was far more to be found than could be
studied. He spoke enthusiastically of the pleasures to he derived from
a study of the floral gems of the woods, the most insignificant of which
would form-an ample theme for a whole lecture. The most interesting
plants collected during the afternoon were then referred to. The
history and uses of some were related, and the structure of others was:
explained. Instructions for collecting and preserving certain plants,
such as the willows, claytonias, orchids and other succulent plants were
given. It was announced that the Botanical section would hold sub-
excursions throughout the season, and that at each a short lecture
would be given by one of the leaders. Mr. Ami then explained the
formations observed by the geologists at Hog’s Back, aud the fossils by
which they were characterized, after which the party returned to the
city.
ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Excursioy.—The second excursion will be held on Saturday, the
25th June, when a visit will be paid to Aylmer. There are in the
neighbourhcod of this place very suitable collecting grounds for
Botanists, Entomologists, &c., while interesting formations are exposed
for the Geologists. The train by which the party will go leaves the
station at 1.15 p.m., and the train leaves AyBner at 8 p.m. Tickets
will be 25 cents each.

Sus-Excursions.—The Botanical and Entomological Leaders have
arranged for the following Saturday Sub-excursions in June: 4th, to

Beaver Meadow, Hull; ilth, to Hemlock Lake, Beechwood ; 18th, to
Dow’s Swamp ; sta: ting on each dccasion from the Post Office at 2 p.ia.

New Memsers.—15, Charles H. Beddoe ; 16, Charles Magee: '7, -

Henry Grist ; 18, Miss Eliza Bolton ; 19, George Hay; 20, Dr. U.
Wilson (Buckingham); 21, Miss Katherine Lee; 22, Dr. George
Patterson (New Glasgow, N.S.); 23, Miss L. Rothwell.

The Montreal Natural History Society holds its Annual Fi ld-day
at £t. Jerome on Saturday, 4th June, and has sent a cordial invitation
to Le present to any of our members who may be able to join them
there, or at Ste. Therese en route. °

ee a ee eee

: Diagram of
Section at level Posterior side
of secondary brachials

Calceocrmus rugosus. asp

Calceocrmus furcillatus. x.sp

Ottawacrinus typus, n gene sp

Coe es ea ieceietnd MacroanbenbalenanUsomn Vaucucuies

49

A NEW GENUS AND THREE NEW SPECIES OF CRINOIDS
FROM THE TRENTON FORMATION WITH NOTES ON
A LARGE SPECIMEN OF DENDROCRINUS PRO-
BOSCIDIATUS.

—_————

WaLterR R. BILiinecs.

(Read, 3rd March, 1887 ).

OTTAWACRINUS, 7. gen.

Cup, obconical.

Underbasals five ; pentagonal.

Basals five ; one pentagonal, two hexagonal and two heptagonal.

Radials five; four simple and one—the right posterior—compound.
In the type species three are pentagonal, one tetragonal and the com- _
pound made up of a heptagonal followed by a pentagonal plate.

Arms five ; composed of tetragonal pieces. No pinnules.

Anal plate heptagonal resting on the posterior basal and the lower
plate of the right posterior radial—as in Dendrocrinus—and supporting
a ventral tube which, so far as seen, is composed of horizontal rows of
hexagonal] pieces which alternate with those in the adjoining rows.

This genus is most nearly related to Dendrocrinus, from which it
principally differs in the shape and size of the right posterior basal ;
the shape of the posterior basal, the right anterior basal and the
posterior radial ; and in the arrangement of the plates of the ventral
sac, which are in vertical rows in the latter genus.

Although the type specimen of this genus was discovered at Hull,
Cttawa County,.P.Q., I felt justified in naming it as above owing to
to the fact that, when referring to the Trenton Formation of this
district, naturalists use the general term Ottawa Canada.

OTTAWACRINUS TYPUS 7. sp.

Cup, slender, ohconical, 0.2 inch in height, tapering from 0.12
inch at base to 0.17 inch at base of arms. Surface of plates smooth.

Underbasals five ; pentagonal, sub-equal.

Basals five ; the posterior, left posterior, right anterior and left

anterior are large—the largest plates in the cup—and the right
D

50

posterior is small, The left anterior and left posterior basals are
hexagonal, the posterior and right anterior heptagonal and the right
posterior pentagonal.

Radials five, four being simple and one—the right posterior—
compound as in Dendrocrinus; the anterior, left anterior and left
posterior are simple and pentagonal, the right anterior simple and
tetragonal, and the right posterior compound and formed of a heptagonal
plate followed by a pentagonal one. Following each radial is a series of
tetragonal, primary brachials, with parallel sutures, of which but five
are preserved in any arm of the only specimen collected. The brachials
are wider than high tapering slightly upwards, the lowest piece of each
arm being nearly or quite as wide as the radial below it.

No pinnules observed.

Anal plate heptagonal, resting on the posterior basal and the
lower plate of the right (compound) posterior radial; followed by
horizontal bands of hexagonal pieces, the plates of each band or zone
alternating with one another, and not in vertical rows as in
Dendrocrinus.

Column pentapartite throughout, with a pentagonal canal, the
angles corresponding with the sutures, which are directed radially. In
section the columu is quinquefoliate at the root, passing up into
circular at the base of the cnp. The portions figured do not represent
the whole, as some pieces aggregating several inches in length were lost
subsequent to the collection of the specimen. The aggregate length of
column preserved is nearly ten inches, tapering from (.18 inch at base
to 0.10 inch, at 0.50 inch below base of cup from whence it expands to
0.12 inch at its junction with the cup. At the base of the column the
the longitudinal sections are composed of flat segments of equal
thickness which alternate with those of the adjoining sections instead
of abutting ; this portion with its root-like branches, having identically
the appearance of the radix figured in Decade 4, G.S.C., as that of
Lihodocrinus asperatus. At a short distance from the radix these
segments are divided by thinner and projecting ones which gradually
become wider until they equal the others ; while the vertical sutures
change gradually until the segments abut instead of alternating.

Collected by the author at the City of Hull in the Trenton

51

Formation, “associated with Hybocrinus conicus, Heterocrinus

canalensis, Plewrocystites elegans, Streptelasma, corniculum, de.
GENUS CALCEOCRINUS, HALL.

As there appears to be only conjecture for the assertion that the
plates upon which this genus was proposed are congeneric with the
species afterwards assigned to it by Meek and others* the following
new species may have to be assigned either to Chirocrinus, Salter,
or Euchirocrinus, Meek.

Wachsmuth and Springer represent the genus as having three
arms. I am satisfied, however, that there are four.

There is no previous record of a specimen having the column
basals and radials in the same straight line as is found in C. rugosus,
described below.

CALCEOCRINUS FURCILLATUS, 2. sp.

Only one side—the anterior—of the basal series observed ; the
posterior resting against the posterior radials as is usuai in the greater
number of the specimens of this genus. The basal series is semilunar,
the chord being under the three radials of the anterior side. The
basal portion, as seen on the anterior side, is divided into four pieces :
first, by. a vertical suture into halves, which are again divided by a line
sub-parallel with the curved margin making two outer plates which,
together, are rudely crescentic, and two subtrigonal inner plates.

Between the basa] and the radial plates, on the anterior side of an
exceptionally perfect specimen of his species C. punctatus, Prof. Ulrich
“found a large number of small and irregularly distributed plates.”
These minute plates are absent in my specimen; but there exists a
vacant space,in which such an assemblage could easily find place.
so far as known—

There are five series of radials, aggregating
eight pieces, of which three series with four plates are on the anterior
side and two series with four plates are on the posterior. On the
anterior side there are three alternating with the basals ; the middle
radial being composed of a tetragonal piece, 24 times as high as wide,

*See revision of the palwocrinoidae, by Charles Wachsmuth and Frank Springer,
part 3, page 273; and also remark on the names Calceocrinus and Cheirocrinus, by
Prof. Ulrich, in Report of Geological Survey, of Minnesota, 1886, page 104; both of
which should be read by all interested in this genus.

52

supporting a wider hexagonal piece which is twice as wide as high and
rests on the flat upper side of the tetragonal piece and on one of the
sloping sides of each adjoining radial. The two outer radials of the
anterior side are hexagonal, are larger than the middle one, extend
mid-height of the second middle radial piece and are proportionately
wider than the first middle piece. At the upper end of each of these
outer radials is a wide middle face which supports the first arm piece
of that ray, and two sloping ‘sides, one partly supporting the second
middle radial piece of the anterior side and the other a plate of the
posterior side. The radial series of the posterior side are somewhat
obscure ; but four plates forming two radial (or a radial and an anal)
series can readily be made out. The lower plates do not extend quite
as low as the anterior radial serics, and are subtrigonal with the angle
adjoining the base of the anterior series truncated, which truncation
with the free portion of the adjoining anterior radial forms a notch in
which the corner of the united basals plays in doubling itself back on
the posterior surface of the cup. The upper plates of the posterior
radial (and anal) series are hexagonal ; one side resting upon its fellow,
one on the sloping side of the adjoining radial of the anterior side, one
abutting on the first arm piece of the adjoining anterior arm, one
carrying a plate of the next series (arm or ventral tube), one abutting
its twin posterior radial (or anal),and one whose relations are not
made out. I do not find any line of junction between these plates and
the basals nor any collection of small plates there although such may
exist. Prof. Ulvich calls the posterior radial and anal plates the
ventral arch in which he finds three plates in his Cremacrinus punctatus
and eight in his proposed genus Halysicrinus, but in both the species of
Calceocrinus, herein described, there are four plates arranged as above
stated.

Each of the arms consists of a primary and a secondary series of
plates. The primary series consists in the middle arm of the anterior
side of three plates, and in the others of two ; the uppermost in all cases
being an axillary piece. The secondary series of each arm is composed
of rounded pieces, longer than wide, bearing pinnules or armlets on
alternate sides, beginning on the outside. The pinnules are slender,

but their joints are equal in length to the corresponding arm-joints. —

ah i
,

53

The pinnule-bearing arm pieces are swollen or c'aviform at the joints,
which are oblique so that the articular facet of the two arm pieces and
tke articular facet of the arm piece and pinnule are at right angles to
one another.

The left posterior radial (or anal) piece carries the basal plate of a
ventral tube of which but three pieces can be made out in the typ?
Specimen, owing to the folding of the arms over the upper portion.

Collected by the author at Division Street, Ottawa, in beds of the
Trenton Formation.

CALCEOCRINUS RUGOSUS, 7. sp.

This species has the same arrangement of the plates of cup.and
arms as ©. furcillatus, excepting that the central] arm of the anterior
side of this species does not appear to be bifurcated ; there being in the

_only specimen which I have examined five plates of the primary
series but no axillary piece.

In the specimen described, the basals, radials and arms, are ail in
the sa‘ne straight line, so that both sides of the basal plates can be ob-
served. A piece of the column which was in the same line as the other

. portions was lost while cleaning the specimen.

The basals at the lowest point have a broad facet for the articula-
tion of the column, and from thence a marginal lip is carried each edge
of the posterior side, across which a ridge is carried, immediately
opposite the vertical suture of the anterior side, to the middle of the
line of articulation with the series above, thus dividing the posterior
side of the basals into two concave surfaces. The posterior side of the
basal series shows ne sutures.

All the plates have punctate surfaces.

The primary radials have each a deep transverse furrow which
with ridges at the sutures produce wrinkles. The arm-plates and
pinnules are stouter than in C. furcillatus.

Collected by Mr. W. R. Smith at Belleville, Ont., in a stratum of
the Trenton Formation, containing Porocrinus Smithi, Pleurocystites
aeeplie Dendrocrinus Jewettii, &e.

DENDROCRINUS PROBOSCIDIATUS, BILLINGS, 1857.

The specimen figured was discovered last autumn, at Division

street, this city, by Mr. Wm. H. Jenkins of Madoc, Ont., who kindly

54

loaned it to me for description. Its large size and the preservation in
_ it of portions not well shcwn in the type specimen make it of special
value. Comparison with the type specimen and with a small specimen
collected by the author at Division Streee, leals me to believe that the
specimen figured belongs to this species.

The specimen lies on a slab with the posterior side upward, show-
ing a portion of the column, the posterior side of the cup, two arms
aud the ventral tube. Three pentagonal under basals are visible, also
the heptagonal posterior basal, hexagonal left posterior basal, a
part of the right postericr basal, the radials and arm-plates of two
arms, aud the ventral tube. The posterior basal is heptagonal and the
right and left posterior basals hexagonal. The right posterior radial is
compound, consisting of a pentagonal and a hexagonal plate, and followed
by seven tetragonal and one axillary brachials. The left posterior
radial is pentagonal and followed by five tetragonal and one axillary

brachials. Of the secondary series three consecutive tetragonal pieces
is the largest number preserved in either ray.

The anal plate, which rests on the truncated posterior basal is
heptagonal, abutting by two sides on the right posterior radial and by
one on the left posterior radial. Of the three remaining upper sides
- two carry two adjoining series of the larg? bottom plates of the ventral |
tube and the third, which is short, supports one side of the bottom plate
of an adjoining series. The plates of the two rows of the ventral tube
which are supported by the anal plate are hexagonal, resting on each
other by their longest side and alternating with those of the adjoining
rows. The pieces are about as wide as high at the base of the tube, but
as they rise they become shallower, while retaining their width, until at
the sixth plate the height is one-third the width, whence they reduce
regularly until one inch from the anal plate, where the upper part is
unfortunately broken off. The upper plates of this specimen show the
commencement of the sculpture and its transition towards the pattern
shown in that part of the tube which in the type specimen is intact.
The row of ventral tube plates to the right of those described is similar
to them, but rests on the second plate of the compound radial and abuts
on the first brachial. Another row further to the right and which rests
on the first brachial is composed of smaller plates. The lower portion
of the ventral tubes is thus seen to be articulated with the right posterior
ray as high as the top of the first brachial.

The column is quinquepartite with sutures radially situated + the
periphery of the section is stellate with the sutures in the re-entering
angles ; and the canal is pentagonal! wi-h the angles on the lines of the
Sutures.

55

REPORT TO THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA.

(Read at the 6th General Meetiny, May, 1887.)

It is again my privilege to report to you that the Ottawa Field-
Naturalists’ Club, which I have the honor of representing, stil! continues
to fulfil satisfactorily the objects of its organization, by the fostering
of a love for nature and the working up and taking permanent records
of all facts connected with the Natural History of the Ottawa District ;
and this in such a way as to induce all, and particularly those now
securing their education in our local institutions, to direct some of their
attention to these most interesting and important pursuits. With the
latter object in view special efforts were made by the Council of the
Club to arrange for the delivery during the past winter of Free
Elementary Lectures in all branches of Natural History, not only
before the members of the Club, but also, whenever opportunity offered,
in the Public Schools. It was a great encouragement to find how
popular these iectures proved, and how the attendance steadily
increased day by day, as they became better known.

Some important changes were made in the working of the Club at
the beginning of the current year ; the most notable of these was the
publication of a monthly magazine, instead, as heretofore, of the yearly
volume of Transactions. This magazine, THe Orrawa NaATuRALIST
(copies of which have been regularly sent to your honorable Society as
issued), contains the papers and the reports. of the leaders in the
different sections, which were read at the Soirees held during the past
winter, and also accounts of all the excursions and sub-excursions held
during the montb previous to its issue, as well as notices of all matters
of interest to the members for the coming month.

The sub-excursions referred to above differ from the general
monthly excursions of the whole Club, in being under the direction of
one or more of the leaders in the section, and are in reality working
parties or classes, those present devoting their whole attention to their
own specialties under the guidance of teachers whose duty it is to show
the best mode of collecting and studying, and who, during the present
year, will deliver short lectures in the field upon the objects collected
each afternoon. This plan, as far as we are able to judge from the
present season, has been eminently successful.

56-

The winter course of meetings consisted of six soirees and nine
elementary lectures, as follows :— we = = =
(The remainder of the report consisted of lists of the papers and
reports read at these meetings, and of the officers and leaders for the
current year: As this matter has already appeared in ‘'HE OTTawa
NATURALIST it is not necessary to republish it.)
R. B. WHYTE,

Delegate.

LIBRARIAN’S RECORD.

The following publications have been received as donations, or in
exchange for the transactions of the Club :—

Royal Society of Canada: Transactions, Vol. TV.

Geological Survey of Canada: Maps for Annual Report, 1885.

Essex Field Club: The Essex Naturalist, No. 4.

Entomological Society of Ontario: Canadian Entomologist, Vol.
XIX, Nos. 4 and 5.

North Staffordshire Naturalists’ Field Club: Annnal Report, 1886.

Winnipeg Board of Trade: Annual Report, 1886.

Turrey Botanical Club: Bulletin, Vol. XIV, No. 5.

Botanical Gazette, Crawfordsville: Vol. XII, Nos. 3 and 4.

Peoria Scientific Society : Bulletin, 1887.

Brooklyn Entomological Society : Entomologica Americana, Vol.
III, Nos. 1 and 2. .

W. ~D. Dimock, B. A. Truro: The Year Book of New South
Wales, 1886 ; New South Wales, Its Progress, Present Condition and
Resources ; First Progress Report of Royal Commission oa Vegetable
Products, Victoria; Catalogue of Exhibits of Western Australian
Court ; Notes on the Aborigines of Western Australia ; Select Extra,
Tropical Plants; Notes on Western Australia; Catalogue of Oil
Paintings and Water Colour Drawings of the Victoria Court ; Malta
and its Industries ; Catalogue of Malta Court at the Colonial Exhibi-
tion; Forest Protection and Tree Culture on Water Frontages ;
Metamorphic and Overlying Roeks in Ross and Inverness Shires ;
Rocks, Minerals and Fos-ils, exhibited by Victoria Court at Colonial-
Exhibition. |

$

a7
SUB-EXCURSIONS.

THirp.—On the 27th May about thirty members and their friends
met at the Post Office at the usual hour—2 p.m. Those connected
with the geological branch proceeded, under the leadership of Messrs,
Ami-and Stewart, to examine certain exposures near the Queen's
Wharf and Rideau Hall, having with them Professors Bailey and
Mathews, of New Brunswick, who had been in attendance at the
meetings of the Royal Society. The rest of the party—nineteen in
_number—preferring the botanical] and entomological branches, made a
visit to Cave Creek. This is but a small stream and is interesti: g only
from the fact that it disappears under ledges of limestone at a short
distance in the rear of Judge Ross’s house ard re-appears at about an
equal distance on the opposite side of the Richmond Road, having an
underground course of several hundred feet. The fields and woods in
the neighbourhood were explored, and plants and insects collected.
About four o’clock the party gathered under a spreading maple to listen
to the “talks” of the Leaders. Mr. Fletcher urged the value of
botanical studies from an economical as well as scientific standpoint,
and explained the object of making collections and the methods which
should be pursued in their subsequent study and investigation. He
then discussed several of the plants collected during the “ outing,”
pointing out the distinctive features and showing that in many instances
tie scientific names were descriptive of these characteristics, and that a
knowledge of the derivation and meaning of the names was conse-
quently often of considerable. assistance in determining species. Mr.
Harrington followed with a few remarks on the insects observed. Of
these the most conspicuous and handsome were two fine examples of
the Luna moth, .Létacus luna, which had been found by a young lady.
Selandria rose, the rose-sawfly or slug, had been seen on bushes in the
garden of Judge Ross. Twigs of larch were shown which had been last
year attacked by another sawfly, Nematus erichsonii, but the insects
were apparently not yet ovipositing this season. Calosoma calidum
was mentioned as the largest Ottawa representative of the Carabide, a
family of beetles whose habits were briefly explained as predatory and
beneficial. Examples of one or two other families were also exhibited,

58

and their habits noted. The audience seem much interested in the
remarks of the Leaders, and many points brought forward were more
fully discussed on the way homeward.

Fourtu.—The botanical and entomological branches visited the
Beaver Meadow, near Hull, on 4th June, their being present eighteen
persons. This locality is one of the richest collecting grounds in the
district, and the collectors secured many interesting specimens. On
gathering at 4.30 p.m., Mr. Fletcher, for the benefit of several who
were entering upon the study of botany, described the apparatus
necessary for the preservation of specimens, and the methods of treat-
“ment which he had found most suitable for different classes of plants.
His large experience enabled him to give some very valuable hints as to
the care of specimens in special cases, as when traveling, ete. The
President, Mr. R. B. Whyte, then spoke on several of the plants
gathered, showing how the species fell into certain families, although
sometimes the members of a family differed greatly in appearance. He
took the Ranunculacee, as being the first family in botanical classifi-
cation, and discussed four species belonging to it. Of the genus
Smilacina (Liliaceze) three species had been collected out of the four
which occur at Ottawa. The yellow lady’s slipper, the wild-rose, the
climbing honey-suckle, and other interesting or rare plants were also
exhibited. Mr. Harrington, in his remarks on insects, drew attention
to specimens of Thalessa, explaining that they were the largest of the
ichneumons, or parasitic hymenoptera, and describing the method of
oviposition of the female, and the difference in the appearance of the
two sexes. Liphydria albicornis was stated to be injurious to maples
in the city, frequently attacking small transplanted shade-trees. A
very pretty dragon-fly (Calopteryx maculata); several specimens of
which had been seen flitting alout the brook, had the very curious
habit of going down some distance beneath the surface of the water for
the purpose of depositing its eggs at the base of the weeds. The
beneficial habits of an allied insect were also mentioned. On the way
back to the city the members had a good opportunity of seeing several
specimens of Zhalessa atrata and l/ueator ovipositing in an old sugar-
maple.

Firry.—On the following Saturday—l!th June—a’ party of

———

59

twenty-five visited New Edinburgh. The geologists examined a num-
ber of waterworks’ excavations, and the botanists and entomologists
rambled about Hemlock Lake in search of treasures. The usual
“talks” were given on re-assembling near Rideau Hall; Mr. Ami
speaking first as geological Leader. Several excavations on Creighton
_ street had been visited, which exposed Utica shales, highly bituminous
and rich in fossil remains. Some good specimens had been secured by
various members, including species probably new to the local lists..
Mr. Harrington drew attention to the manner in which the upper
portions of the palings of the Rideau Hall fence were scraped, and
explained that this was the work of our large wasps, which utilized the
fibres of the wood for making the paper of which they composed their
nests. After making some further remarks on the habits of these
interesting insects, he exhibited specimens of the two species of tent-
caterpillars, Bombyx disstria and Americana, pointing out the distine-
tive markings and their beauty. Mr. Fletcher, in a very lucid and
interesting way, explained the characteristic features of the following
plants, and pointed out how certain of them might be distinguished
from closely allied species: Linnea borealis, Sanicula canadensis,
Medeola virginica, Orchis spectabilis, Seneciso aureus, Arabis perfoliata,
Rhus toxicodendrun, Viburnum acerifolium, V. pubescens, Acer
saccharinum, do. var. nigrum, A. pennsylvanicum, A. spicatum, -
Arenaria serpyllifolia, Pelea gracilis, Curex longirostris and Fraxinus
americana.

Sixru.—On the 18th June a very pleasant visit was paid to the
Experimental Farm. It had been the intention of the leaders to first
visit Dow’s Swamp, but, through some misunderstanding, the vans
engaged did not appear at two o’clock, and when they were obtained it
was so late that_it was deemed best to drive straight to the Farm.
The geologists were left temporarily at a quarry near the St. Louis Dam,
while the remainder of the party kept on to the residence of the
Director, Prof. Saunders, who received them very cordially. After a
few minutes rest and conversation, those who desired to coliect were
conducted by the Professor to a wooded tract near by, where, for an
hour or so, they hunted assiduously and with good success. After this
a time, only too brief, was devoted to inspecting the work accomplished

60

-on the Farm, and then the entire party assembled at the Director's
house for the addcesses which had been announced. Besides those who
had arrived in the vans, several had subsequently come, making in all
sixty members and friends. There were besides Professor and Mrs.
Saunders and the members of their family; Col. Biair, who will conduct
the Experimental Farm in Nova Scotia, and Mr. Gibb, of Abbots-
ford, well-known throughout Canada as a most successful fruit-grower.
The President, Mr. R. B. Whyte, stated the pleasure it afforded him to
see such a good attendance at the sub-excursion, and, for the benefit of
those who were not regular attendants, he explained the ol.ject of these
** outings,” and the useful work accomplished by them. Before calling
on the leaders for the usual lectures on the collections, he took mach
pleasure in announcing that word had been received only that day that
‘one of their members then present had been the recipient of a well
deserved honour, and should be known to them hereatter as Sir James
A. Grant. This gentleman, in addition to his eminent standing in his
profession—that of medicine—had a wide reputation as a scientific
man, and especially as a geologist. He had ever been a promoter of
scientific knowledge in Ottawa, and his connection with the Ottawa
Field-Naturalists’ Club showed that he still desired +» be identified
with the work. The announcement of this distinction was hailed with
much pleasure by all present. Mr. Ami then gave a brief outline of
the geological formations of the immediate neighbourhood, explaining
that they might be divided into two series of three each. He described
the geological ages to which these belonged, and pointed out where they
occurred. Specimens of several interesting fossils where exhibited,
which had been obtained at the quarry mentioned. Mr. Harrington
regretted that it fell to his lot to discuss the insects when the
Director of the Farm was so much better qualified to do justice to the

Subject, he having been for many years President of the Entomological

Society. It was an unfortunate fuct that the Club numbered so few
members giving any attention to entomology, and this made it very
difficult to speak on insects so as to interest those present. Specimens
of galls made by insects belonging to various orders were exhibited, and
attention was called to the very interesting results which followed the

deposition of the egg in the growing plant, whereby its forces were so

61

diverted as to produce a characteristic gall. Mr. Fletcher, as botanical
leader, used as illustrations for his lecture, amongst others;
Cypripedium spectabile, the Showy Lidy’s Slipper, a beautiful orchid
which grows in the swamp near the Farm, Lvitum capitatum, the
Strawberry Blite, and Polygonum cilinode. The chief points of interest
of these plants were explained, and the lessons which might be derived
from them were referred to. The Erigerons were spoken of, and the
easiest means of distinguishing the species was pointed ont. Plants
which unfolded their flowers at special hours in the day were alluded
to, and Silene nuctifora and Waothera biennis were exhibited and their
most important characters noted. A fine specimen. of the Raspberry
Rust gave a pretext for describing some of the fungi parasitic upon
higher vegetation, and some of the methods which might be used to
keep them in check. Prof. Saunders was then called upon to enlighten
those present as to the work which had been accomplished upon the
Experimental Farm. This he did in a most pleasant and graphic
manner, showing that since the beginning of operations, on 2nd May,
remarkable progress had been made in clearing the ground and in
planting. The Farm consisted of about 465 acres, of which, the Club
was glad to learn, 65 would be set apart for a park, where the trees,
shrubs and smaller plants of Canada would be found groped by
provinces; as well as many from foreign countries, arranged according
to their place of origin. On the remaining area all kinds of grains,
roots, fruits, etc.. would be raised and tested. Already an immense
number of trees had been set out, and an almost innumerable variety
of plants could be seen in various stages of growth, many of which
came from Russia, Japan, and other distant lands. After outlining the
future, work and aims of the Farm, Prof. Saunders expressed the hope
that the Club would make further visits to it and examine its prugress.
By special request of the Council, Sir James Grant made, in his usual
eloquent and happy manner, a short address, stating that when he had
commenced the study of geology in Ottawa science had but a scanty
following. He was pleased to find it now attracting so much atten-
tion, and to belong to a society which was doing so much for the
development of a knowledge of natural historv as was the Field
Naturalists’ Club. The Experimental Farm would be, he was con-

62

vinced, a source of the greatest benefit, not only to the agricultural
interests, but to those of science and general progress. At this stage of
the meeting refreshments of a very tempting character were distributed
by Mrs. Saunders, who had been most unremitting in her kindly atten-
tions to those present during the afternoon. As the usual hour of
returning home had some time gone by, Prof. Woods was deputed by
the Council to offer the thanks of the Club to Professor and Mrs.
Saunders for their kindness and hospitality. This task performed in
appropriate terms, the party embarked for the city, thoroughly pleased
and satisfied with their “ outing.”

EXCURSION TO AYLMER.

The second excursion of the season was held on Saturday, the 25th
J une, when a party of forty-eight went out to Aylmer by the 1.15 P.M.
train. Upon arrival at that village the President, Mr. R. B. Whyte,
announced that the geologists, under the guidance of Alr. Sowter, would
examine certain exposures of rock in the vicinity, while the remainder
of the party would proceed a short distance along the shore to Blue-
berry Point (below the village). This was found a most charming
place, offering a rich and diversified fiora to the botanists, and the
attractions of the lakeshore to those who preferred to loiter there.
Happily the majority of those present desired to make investigations
into the natural history of the locality, and they were soon scattered
around assiduously collecting and examining the many objects of
interest. Even those who were not of a scientific turn found two
plants of much interest growing in grateful abundance—the strawberry
and blueberry. As the afternoon wore on the collectors, with well-
filled vascula, formed groups under the shade of the pines near the
beach, and examined aad discussed their finds. By five o'clock all were
once more assembled and the President, calling the meeting to order,
requested the Leaders to enlighten them in regard to the collections.
Mr. Fletcher, as botanical leader, stated that although it was the object
of the Club to give to all the “outings” the nature of “ classes” as
weil as mere collecting parties, no systematic course of study had been
deemed advisable. The more interesting specimens collected had been

63

explained, and following this course he would take at random a few
species and point out in what way they were noteworthy. Habenaria
Hookeri was taken as a type of the orchids, a group of plants noted
for the strange forms of their flowers. The structure of the various
organs was lucidly explained, and the manner in which they were
adapted for the purpose of enabling the fertilization of the flowers to be
effected through the agency of insects. The manner of propogation
from the root was also described. The differences apparent between
the two species (Pinus strobus and P. resinosa) of pines growing near
at hand were explained. The red-pine had its leaves in clusters of two,
while those of the white-pine were in fives: the cones were also easily
distinguished, and the trees were unlike in general appearance. Ilex
verticillata was described as being a holly, having red berries which
persisted upon the bushes after the ieaves had fallen, and which might
be preserved for Christmas decorations. Curex lupulina obtained its
specific name from the resemblance of its flower to that of the hop.
The carices were distinguished from the grasses in having triangular
stems and leaves in whorls of threes. Rosa blanda was our commonest
wild rose and was distinguished by the paucity of prickles upon its
stems. Another rose which had been found, but of which the flowers
were nearly over, was L. carolina, ov the swamp rose which grew along
the banks of streams, and in other moist localities. The fruit of the
teaberry (Gaultheria procumbens) was an enlarged calyx, and retained
the cup-like shape of the flower, it persisted during the winter and
sometimes to the following autumn ; the berries of one year being
found with the flowers of the succeeding one. nothera pumila
was the only species of our evening primroses which so far departed
from the habits of the group as to open in the morning. Lilium phila-
delphicum, which had been found in large numbers, was the only lily
ye’ found growing near Ottawa. It was a very handsome plant, the
tall slender stem being surmuunted by a large showy blossom, the
structure of which was fully explained. A few other plants were
noted, and the members were greatly interested by, and derived much
valuable information from, Mr. Fletcher’s discourse. Mr. Harrington,
one of the entomological leaders, set forth the advantages accruing from
the study of the science of entomology ; showed how intimately it was

64

connected with that of botany, and how desirable it was that botanists
should have some knowledge of it. The red-pines of the vicinity had
been attacked by a small beetle, Dryocetes affaber, which had worked
considerable injury, by boring in the terminal shoots and in the young
cones ; another beetle, a small weevil, was probably the cause of gall-
like swellings upon the small branches. Several species of galls found
upon willows and poplars were exhibited, and attention was also drawn
to a peculiar flower-spider, the caterpillar of the large black swallow-
tail butterfly, and other insects. Mr. Ami explained that the
geological formation of the vicinity was that known as the Chazy, and
described the sandstones, shales and limestones composing it, and the
fossils which had been obtained from them. Several ladies had assisted
in the examination of these rocks, and one of them had found a fossil
of peculiar interest and rarity. Owing to the lateness of the hour Mr.
Ami made his interesting remarks very brief, in order that there might
be time for the members to take their tea before the departure of the

train, by which the party returned home, at 8 p.m.

ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Excurston.—The third excursion will be held on Tharsday, the
2lst July. The place to be visited is Buckingham, the picturesque
scenery of which locality has, on previous occasions, elicited the admira-
tiou of the members, while rich collecting grounds, of large extent, are
to be found. The steamer Hmpress will leave her landing, known as
the Queen’s Wharf, an 7.20 a.m. The Council hopes that all the mem-

bers who can possibly do so will attend.

Sus-Excursioys.—The Botanical and Entomological Leaders have

decided upon the following Saturday outings for July: 2nd, to Hull; »

9th, to Dow’s Swamp; 16th, to Rockcliffe ; 30th, to Beaver Meadows,
Hull ; starting from Post Office at 2 p.m.

New Mempers.—24, Miss Alice Bowen (Quebec); 25, R. Gervase
Elwes, WU. Inst. C.E.; 26, Mrs. Elwes ; 27, Miss Annie M. Fowler ; 28,
Judge W. A. Ross ; 29, Miss Maggie Thomson ; 30, Samuel 8S. Reveler.

65

THE GR#AT ICE AGE AND SUBSEQUENT FORMATIONS
AT OTTAWA, ONTARIO.

By H. M. Ami, M.A., F.G.S.

Among the most. interesting and captivating subjects which attract
the attention of even a casual observer in the realms of geological
science, few are so full of interest and afford so much informa-
tion as researches amongst the most recently deposited strata. Besides
this interest, there is carried with it the fact-of its practical impor-
tance, so that the economic aspects of the question have likewise to be
taken into consideration.

There are numerous questions which press themselves one upon
the other in examining the marls, sands, gravels, clays, boulders and
kindred materials which constitute the Post-Tertiary deposits of a
district. The following are some of the more important questions
which we will attempt to consider with regard to our own locality :—

At what period in the Earth’s History did the Glacial Epoch or
the Great Ice Age make’ its appearance ?

What were the causes which led to it, what phenomena
characterized it, what was its duration and what traces did it leave
behind? And again, specially, to what extent was this continent
submerged, for how long, and what traces of animal life has that period.
left behind it ; and, further, are there unquestionable proofs of a period
of subsidence followed by another of elevation carrying us on to the
present day, during which time numerous and varied lacustrine or
alluvial deposits were laid down, and in the Japse of which man made
his appearance. .

Then, in which of the newer deposits are traces of the existence of
certain tribes of the American Indians to be found? What are these
traces? To what extent do they assist in forming an estimate of the
degree of civilization to which these aborigines at‘ained? What
customs and modes of life are exemplified by the implements of various
kinds found in what has been very appropriately termed the Human
Period? At what time and for how long did these inhabitants occupy
the land before the intrusion of the whites, and what was their history ?

E

: 66

These are only a few of the more salient proulems to which reference
will be made.

Tt may not be thought ami-s to note first what has already been
done in the field of research with which we have to deal. In the
“Geology of Canada,” 1863, a report by Sir Wm. Logan and stafi—
there is a chapter on “ superficial geology” in which a number of inter-
esting notes are recorded from Ottawa and its environs, an examination
of which had been entrusted to Dr. R. Bell. Then comes the work
done in the Post-Pliocene geology of Ottawa by Sir J. A. Grant who
produced a number of valuable papers, some of which were published in
the United States and others here in Canada. At the mouth of and
along Green’s Creek, six miles distant from the city, and a favourite
resort for students of Post-Tertiary geology, Sir J. A. Grant and Sir W.
Dawson made important discoveries. The collections of the late Dr.
E. Van Cortland show that he also devoted considerable attention to
these interesting deposits, whilst the late Mr. E. Billings in his Canadian
“Naturalist and Geologist” published notes on the same subject. The
above mentioned work was prior to the organization of the Field-
Naturalists’ Club which has since vigorously pushed investigation in this
direction. Nearly a score of members, have taken a more or less.
active part in these researches, whilst the abundance of work and
material make it probable that greater attention will continue to be
paid to the deposits in question. The work done already is consider-
able; but there remains a hundred-fold more to do. Mr. Surtees, the
City Engineer, has been carrying on an extensive series of excavations
in aj] parts of the city. These excavations or trenches are dug or blasted

out toa depth ranging from eleven feet to eighteen feet six inches, so |

that deep and interesting sections have been exposed.

For the description of the Post-Tertiary or Post-Pliocene (Pleisto-
cene) deposits it is first necessary to ascertain whence the material
came which composes them, and in order to do this it is obviously
necessary to examine the older rocks of the district, and to see of what
their measures consist, and know the stratigraphical relations

existing between the various members of these older underlying
Series.

67

Just as we have a great diversity of formations avout Ottawa,
so also have we a great diversity of substances in the materials which
make up the rock of the Post-Tertiary deposits, (and let it be borne in
mind, that in using the word “rock” it is used in its true geological
sense, so that a handful of sand, a lump of clay,a mass of pebbles,
cemented or not by finer detritus, are a]l as much “rock” as a pillar of
freestone, a block of limestone or a column of granite). Most of the
materials which are found in these newer deposits were derived from
the older formations of the district, whilst erratic blocks, and the like,
may have come from great distances. To go into details regarding all
the kinds of rocks met with, would necessitate a protracted study of a
great quantity of material which years of labour could not exhaust, and
which would form the constituent elements of ali the formations from
the Laurentian to the Hudson River as they are developed in the
“Ottawa Basin ;” from the gneissoid, granitic and hornblendic rocks
of the former, to the shaly magnesian and arenaceous measures of the
latter? There would be the gueisses, pegmeties, crystalline limestones,
serpentines, dolomites and diorites of the Lower Laurentian, occurring
at Chelsea in the Laurentide Hills, there would also be included portions
of the conglomerates and quartzites and calc-bearing sandrock materials
peculiar to the unconformably overlying Potsdam and Calciferous for-
mations, whilst the sandstones, shales and limestones of the Chazy,
followed upwards without a break by the impure caleareous strata of
the Black River and Trenton formations would all be mixed together
with the likewise conformably overlying bituminous schists of the
Utica.

The materials which compose the series of formations just men-
tioned and newer than the Laurentian were themselves derived from
the Laurentian System, for this latter contains all the elements
necessary for the formation of the sandstones, shales and limestones of
the newer overlying Cambro-Silurian or Ordoviciau strata.

Having ascertained the series of strata whence the material was
obtained which constitutes the various beds in the Post Tertiary
deposits, let us consider the condition of affairs previous to and at the

coming in of the Glacial Epoch.

68

This portion of the American Continent, which, during the earlier
palzeozoic period had alternately been submerged and elevated, remained
in this latter state a long period of time, during which denuding
agencies, such as atmospheric erosion, rain and other solvents carried
away a great deal of material. This is a lapse of time, which, in other
parts of -Canada and elsewhere, is marked by a regular ascending series
of newer formations deposited, for the most part, beneath the level of the
then existing oceans, a period embracing within itself the whole of the
Silurian and Devonian systems, together with the Carboniferous age or
the coal measures. The Paleozoic Era thus ended Mesozoic times came
in and the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous systems followed, overly-
ing which all the Jiaramie and Tertiaries were laid, a'l of which are
entirely absent in our district marking a great unconformity between
the Glacial deposits and the Hudson River rocks about Ottawa.

The Glacial Hpoch or the Great [ce Age, then, is the first of the
series of Post Tertiary times, with which we have to deal, as it rests
immediately upon, though with discordance of stratification (if that term
may be employed here), and overlies the Cambro-Silurian and older for-
mations in this district. Just previous to this period of glaciation, and
whilst it lasted, there must have taken place a great elevation in this
part of the North American continent, so that an extreme Alpine or
Arctic climate was the natural result. Nor was this part of America
the only one which enjoyed this particular state of affairs, but
throughout the greater portion of North America as far west as the
Great Missouri Coteau, in Europe, and in other continents, evidence of
extreme cold, the result of great elevation, has been ascertained beyond
doubt. Pvof. Favre, of Geneva, whose admirable researches in Alpine
geology have made him so famous the world over, in the “ Résumé” of
his “Geological Researches in Savoie and the neighbourhood of Mt.
Blanc,” points out clearly what was the origin of the glacial epoch
in that part of Europe. “The amount of moisture or humidity,” he
says, “with which the atmosphere of Europe was filled on account of
the elevation of land subsequent to the deposition of the tertiary de-
posits—the cooling effect of the neighbouring mountains, then more
elevated than now-a-days—together with many other causes, led to a
reduction in the temperature of the atmosphere resulting in an abundant:

s

69

precipitation of snow on the leading peaks of the region.” So in
Canada, and in the Ottawa district, a great reduction in the tempera-
ture followed the great elevation, and immense quantities of snow, ice
and water followed and glaciers were formed all over the district—a vast
mer-de-glace covered this portion of Canada, whose height above the
ocean level of that period was considerable. These glaciers, like modern
_ones, were characterized by many interesting particulars which a study
of the latter can afford. The number, direction, movements, thickness,
erosive or denuding power and the constituent parts ofa glacier, or a
system of glaciers, are questions full of interest. It has been ascertained
that over four hundred glaciers can be seen in the central portion of the
Alps, from Mont Blanc to the Tyrol, some of which are only three miles
in length, whilst others exceed twenty miles from head to foot or from
the point of origin to the snout. There is abundant evidence to show
that the number of glaciers which must have existed here about Ottawa
is very considerable. Perhaps the greater number, were subor-
dinate or small ones and may, at length, have been absorbed in and
formed part of “a great glacier.” The direction in which they moved
depended of course on the nature of the district, its physical or
orographical character. The general trend of the great mer-de-glace in
Canada during this epoch has been ascertained to be approximately
N. E. and S. W. With regard to the direction of some. ct the glaciers,
the striations or grooves on the rocks about Ottawa show that in
some cases they travelled almost due east and west, as may be seen
along Park Avenue, on Nicholas street and in other parts of the city,
at other times they appear at a considerable angle to this direction,
bearing almost due north and south, as at Buckingham on the Liévre
River. Regarding their movements and the speed with which glaciers
travel, we consult Agassiz and find that he obtained the following results
in 1841 and 1842 on some of the Aar glaciers :—

J. Fryster Aar— ANNUAL
: MOTION.

Stake near centre of glacier....../..........269 feet.
£ side oe apf heck de cis, creteqon DOD wes

Il. Lauter Aar—

Stake nearest centre of glacier........ .....245 “
Fe side eS PY Spt: oaks es

70

whilst at Chamonia the ice near the shore of the mer-de-glace was found
to move as follows, from June 29th to June 8th of the following year:

From June.29 to Sept: 28... 2.0.0. 0e5ls we ede 132 feet.
<~. epbs ABS Bee. 2S 055.2, «seis ectelses aioe 2
6. Decs PYUSe Bebo Ly... 2a .«2 ue eae (i et
cen. Af Sea pe” 4so. o ae + = eee
“. April 4° Sune @8. 1. ye Dee
Total (in less than one year)...... 432 feet

This would average over five hundred feet or about one-tenth of a mile
in twelve months. The rapidity in the motion of a glacier, of course,
depends upon the nature of the obstacles to be surmounted, as well as
to-.a great extent upon the time or month of the year, different portions
of the same glacier moving at different rates. A glacier which decends
into a valley below, or discharges itself into a sea or arm of an ocean,
does not necessarily lose any of its length, for whilst its snout is being
melted and carried away to warmer portions, the head or initial point is
ever receiving additional snow and ice to supply it constantly, and only
a subsidence of the continent could produce a change in the climate of
such an ice bound district.

We have no data existing here or traces left by means of which we
can calculate the rate of motion of the glaciers about Ottawa during the
great ice age, suffice it to say that as in the case of modern glaciers their
rate of travelling varied at different times. Then as to the thickness of
the great ice-mass which then invaded this district, that is a problem
which to a great extent, has yet to be solved with us, nevertheless, let
us examine the data at our disposal in reference to this interesting
phenomenon. Taking the Ottawa Valley, in and around the city, asa
typical example of a valley of erosion with subordinate branches, we
see that facing the river and the north, there occurs a series of high
“bluffs” or cliffs where the strata are clearly seen along their sides to
be throughout nearly horizontal.*

That these beds could not have been deposited in such a position is
beyond question, so that the prolongation of them northward must at
one time have existed. What was it then, which removed all these and

*There are but few exceptions to this, due to dislocations, faults and folds in the
strata, of purely local origin, but not of general significance in this problem.

71

‘to such a depth? This very question gives us a clue to one factor at
deast in the estimate of the powerful ice-mass which, coming from the
West or W. N. W. struck down upon the shales and limestones of the
formations here to be found. It also gives us data to estimate its
thickness. The occurrence of striated rocks at the top of old Barrack
Hill, where the Parliament Buildings now stand, shows that as that
cliff is one hundred and eighty-seven feet above the level of the river,
and over two hundred feet above the level of the hed of the river, the
mass must have been much over two hundred feet. Further, in order
that a mass of ice or a glacier carrying boulders and detritus—moraine-
profonde—can groove and polish the rocks of a district to such an
extent as was the case here, the superincumbent weight and attending
pressures must have been enormous, and from what is known of present
glaciers, whether in alpine or arctic regions, we know that its thickness
must have been very great. A fair estimate, we believe, of the thick-
ness of the glacier or mer-de-glace extending over our city and its
environs during the glacial epoch must have been very little short of one
thousand feet, if indeed that number is not too small. The erosive or
denuding force of glaciers has as yet only casually been touched upon,
for when we take into consideration the millions of tons of
material which have been removed from even the small area
about our city, it is marvellous to know where it all went. You can
hardly find a loose rock or boulder in the fields without seeing written
upon it indubitable marks of scratching and grooving, which, along with
millions of others were held firm in a mixture of cementing clay and
sand (to a small extent) carried forward upon the floor of the glacier and
ground one against the other, at times, to such an extent that all
angularities and rough points were removed and the boulders left smooth
and polished. The striations, grooves and polished surfaces of rocks
which up to this date attest clearly to the fact of the existence of those
glaciers, besides the boulders themselves, may be seen not only in the
places already mentioned, but at the corner of Sussex and Rideau streets,
where there is an interesting exposure. ;

The effect of these glaciers upon the softer shaly strata of our
neighbourhood is clearly shown in such a deposit of the Utica shales as is
met with at Cumming’s Bridge, on the Rideau River, or at the corner of

72

Maria and O’Connor streets, some 12 feet below the surface of the road-
way. At these two places, whilst the shales of the Utica formation
also occur in situ and undisturbed at a greater depth than is visible in
either section, the uppermost measures of the section exposed and
eXamined cannot certainly be said to be strictly in situ, as the beds are
tilted at every conceivable angle, crushed and broken, and in the over-
lying glacial deposits are to be found some of the boulders themselves
which assisted intilting and disturbing these once horizontal measures.

There occur a vast number of faults and dislocations in the measures:
of the Trenton and other formations about Ottawa, great breaks, which
at times, run more or less parallel to each other and were the result of
great pressure brought to bear upon the beds in question. Whether
these faults and breaks are due to disturbances which took place about
the close of the Silurian Age, or at the introduction of the Devonian,
when Rigaud and Montreal mountains, and other similar volcanic er-
intrusive masses, were ejected amidst great perturbation ; or whether
some of these faults were not in part due to the enormous pressure which
- the great ice-mass exerted upon the strata in later glacial times are
questions which, though readily suggested to one’s mind by the

phenomena examined, do not find so ready a solution. Having now —
? ; c=) ,

examineé the number, direction, movements, thickness and the erosive
power of the glaciers during this Great Ice Age, having very cursorily
glanced at the results which were effected in giving to thé country the

" general appearance which it possesses at the present day, there remains
to find out what are the materials and under what conditions they were
deposited.

The masses of boulders, also termed “boulder clay,” ‘‘ moraine-
profonde,” &c., unlike beth the underlying older and overlying newer
deposits are not stratified, 7. ¢. they have no divisional planes of strati-
fication or true bedding. Pebbles of various sizes and of every kind of
rock in the district, usually rounded and smooth, held together or
cemented by an argillaceous paste or clay with a certain admixture of

- arenaceous material derived from the more finely crushed detritus and
debris at the bottom. of the glacier, form the lowest division of our

Post-Tertiary deposits. These “boulder clays,” as they are appro--

priately termed, have a very large percentage of boulders in them, the

es =

73

- finer material being scanty and in a finely-divided or comminuted state.
Such a deposit is one which “land ice” alone produces and one which
resembles wonderfully the ‘‘ moraine-profonde” of the ancient Rhone
glacier as they may be seen near the Western extremity of Lake Geneva
(a mile and a-half below) and in the adjoining districts. __ In further
corroboration of these boulder clays being due to land ice is the fact that
none of the organisms which would be expected to characterize marine
clays are present therein. The total absence of organic remains (so far
as ascertained) in these glacial clays, coupled with the fact of their
occurrence in abundance in the Leda clays above, points Clearly to a
wide difference in the mode and condition of deposition of both, the
one being laid at a great elevation above the sea level, the other below
the level of an ocean or arm of a sea.

In examining the surface geology of Ottawa, one is struck with
the diversity in the distribution and extent of this “boulder clay for-
mation :” In some places, the only indexes present, which point to its
existence at one time, are the strie and grooves over the bare rocks, such
as are exposed principally about Hull and Ottawa in the vicinity ,
of the Grand River, whilst there are also numerous fields and tracts
of country which exhibit that formation very clearly. In such
post-glacial valleys. and° districts, from which the Leda clay, and
Saxicava sand and overlying strata, have been removed by denudation,
there occurs_a large quantity of these boulders. Amongst these are no
doubt included, at the present day, the erratics which were dropped
by ice-bergs at a period subsequent to the Great Ice Age. The Rideau
River Valley,of Post-Tertiary Age, and very recent, geologically speaking,
presents numerous points of interest from its mouth at the falls in New
Edinburgh to the Hog’s Back. Nearly the whole of the Post-Tertiary
formations were carried away by the once wide stream which flowed
there, and even the glacial clays suffered not a little, as the materials
cementing the pebbles are to a great extent entirely wanting. The
Rideau Rifle Range extends, for the most part, over this formation,
whilst the southern portion of the range, as well as its northern limit
(at the 600 yard butte) are on the outskirts of the newer overlying
marine clays. We have already spoken of moraines. These vary very
much in extent and distribution just as the “ boulder clay” or “ till,”

74

as it is also sometime called, varies from next to nothing to twenty
feet or more in thickness in different places. They are extensively
developed about Ashburnham Hill, Gilmour's Mills, near the Hog’s
Back, etc., occupying their lower and regular position at the bottom of
the Post-Tertiary series in Upper Town, Centre Town and Stewarton,
cropping out in the rear of the City Hall, on the east side of the canal,
and ever keeping in a normal position. This “till” is thence very
generally distributed in beds of varying thickness, in the area included
in a curve drawn from the New Militia Stores on the canal, along Sussex
street up to St. Patrick street, then produced on to the bridges over the
Rideau river, pretty nearly in a line with the curve which Sussex street
there describes, and across to New Edinburgh through the Rideau Hall
grounds, to a smail extent, where these deposits thin out markedly, and
continuing the line through Beechwood, in Gloucester, on in a south-
easterly direction, we have a horse-shoe curve, in which are included
vast accumulations of material left us by thisIce Period. But to come
back to the moraines :—there are, besides these hard coherent masses
of “boulder clay,” large aggregations of more or less uniformly sized
boulders held very loosely together, and form a prominent feature of
the county. At Gilmour’s Mills there is a good example of one of
these whilst there has already been pointed out in the “Geology of
Canada,” 1863—already cited—that a number of zones or belts of
boulders cross the Ottawa at different places near the city, one of which
a few miles below Ottawa produces a shoal on account of which the
navigability of the river at this point becomes dangerous and has obliged
the Government to erect a lighthouse. ‘These are what are termed
““morainic belts,” and are prominent features to consider.

There are a number of other particulars respecting which the
detailed notes obtained from the excavations that have been carried on
in our streets, though bearing immediately on this subject, cannot be

included in the present exposition of the subject.

(To be Continued. )

7d

REPORT OF THE BOTANICAL BRANCH.

To the Council of the Oitawa Field-Naiuralists’ Club :

The same plan of work, found so successful in former years, has
been adhered to during the past season with quite satisfactory results.
The attendance of botanists at the sub-excursions has been particu-
larly gratifying to the leaders, and there is a decided increase in the
' amount of individual work being done by members. The Flora of the
district is now pretty well worked up and the number of additions to
the “ Flora Ottawaensis” is smaller than usual. The leaders desire to
call the attention of the Council to this list which was prepared
by Mr. Fletcher for Part I. of our Transactions, and would suggest
that, as most of the plants in the district have probably now been dis-
covered, the time has arrived for a more complete list to be issued,
in which all the additions of subsequent years should be included as
well as the special localities and the period of inflorescence of each
species. We hope that the Council will be able to order such a republi-
cation as a supplement to our present Transactions.

We think it well in the interests of the Club to mention the im-
portant work done by some of our members in connection with the
Colonial and Indian Exhibition, held in London, England, during the
past summer. Our worthy President, Prof. Macoun, the Dominion
Botanist, spent the whole summer in England, where he was able, by
lecturing and in conversation at the Exhibition, to disseminate very
valuable information concerning Canada and its natural products. To
Mr. James Fletcher, one of the active members of this branch, was
entrusted the Jaying out and arrangement of a Botanical Garden in
connection with the Exhibition, where were shown growing specimens
of a large number of our Canadian plants. A good representative
collection was made of our forest trees, and plants of spec al interest,
whether economic, medicinal or scientific, were shown. In making the
collection of roots Mr. Fletcher was materially assisted in his work by
several members of the Club; particularly by Mr. H. M. Ami, of this
city, and Rev. G. W. Taylor, of Victoria, B.C. It is gratifying to see
from the report of the High Commissioner of Canada that this garden

76

was a decided success, and those who visited the exhibition pronounced
it a very interesting feature of the Canadian Exhibit.

We consider it our duty to refer to the valuable work which has
been done for the Club by Mr. R. B. Whyte, our senior leader, who,
from April to June, gave a systematic course of instruction in Botany
to a large class in the Central School West. We believe that in no
way will the Club be made more useful and popular than in action
similar to this.

Of the plants added to the list during the past season none are of
very special interest. New localities for already recorded species have

been noted, and add much to our knowledge of the district. Bidens

Beckii, a plant which seldom flowers freely, this season perfected its
flowers in profusion in many of our waters, as Brigham’s Creek, Hull,
and all along the Rideau River. Celtis occidentalis, a tree of rare
occurrence here, was observed at Britannia and the Little Chaudiere.

Dipsacus sylvestris, Mill. “The Wild Teazle,” although possibly
indigenous in Western Canada is not so here, and the specimen
collected by Mr. Ami in one of our streets was undoubtedly from seed,
accidentally introduced.

C'aucalis daucoides, L. “« Beaked Parsley.” One specimen of this
plant was found in a wheat field where it had probably been introduced
with the seed.

Symplocarpus foetidus, ‘The Skunk Cabbage,” and Podophyllum
peltatum, L., “ The May Apple,” were both found by Mr. R. B. Whyte
at Perth, Ont., but this is at too great a distance to be included in our
local list.

The leaders again express a hope that the study of the Mosses may
be taken up with greater enthusiasm by our members. There is no
branch of Botany which presents a more fruitful field for research, nor
in which there is so little trouble in preparing the specimens.

During the past season Mr. Fletcher has continued his studies in
growing from the seed, and cultivating here, plants indigenous to other
parts of the Dominion, and has succeeded in flowering the following
species in addition to those already méntioned: Silene Drummondu
(Nor.-West Ter.), Claytonia perfoliata, Donn. (Brit. Col.), Geranium

incisum, Nutt. (B.C.), Lupinus polyphyllus, Lindl. (B.C.), Petalostemon. }

Lic

eandidus, Mx. (N.-W.T.), Rubus Nutkanus, Mocino (B.C.), Liatris
cylindracea, Michx. (W. Ont.), Z. scariosa (Manitoba), Z. punciata,
Hook. (N.-W.T.), Soldago rigida, L. (N.-W.T.), Gaillardia aristata,
Pursh. (B.C.), Nemophila parviflora, Doug. (B.C.), Phacelia Menziesii,
Torr. (B.C.), Convolvulus spithamewus, L. (LL. Superior),. Solanum
triflorum, Nutt. (N.-W.T.), Allium stellatum (B.C.) The following grow
from the bulb and stand our winters well: Léliwm parviflorum,
Camassia esculenta and Fritillaria lanceolate. All of the above with
the exception of the first two and- Solanum triflorum are worthy of a
place in our gardens as ornamental plants.
(Signed)

R. B. WHYTE.

SAML. WOODS.

H. B. SMALL. (M.D.)

ADDITIONS TO THE “FLORA OTTAWAENSIS.”

; Cecilie daucoides, L. (Stewarton, July)..............Mr. Fletcher.

Lonicera oblongifolia, Muhl. (Mer Bleue, July 1)....... do

Dipsacus sylvestris, Mill. (Friel St., Ottawa, July)...... Mr. Ami.

Euphorbia Peplus, L. (Green’s Creek, September). ...... Mr. Fletcher

Betula pumila, L. (Mer Bleue, July 1)................ do

Cynosurus cristatus (Stewarton, August).............. do
EXCURSION.

The third regular monthly Excursion was held on Thursday,
2ist July, to Buckingham, P.Q. The morning opened dull and
cioudy with an occasional drop or two of rain. This dullness,
undoubtedly, affected very seriously the attendance, for when the
whistle of the “‘ Maude” sounded at 7.20, only 24 members were present.
The day turned out a perfect success, the overcast sky during part of
the day, accompanied by a light breeze rendtred the labours of the
Collectors a much pleasanter occupation than has been the case during
_- the greater part of this hot dry month, Rich collections were made in
all. branches. At noon the party re-assea,bled for luncheon at the grist-

78

mill over the rapids, after,which the Phosphate Crushing Works were
visited. The Excursionists received every attention from Mr. Taylor,
who, in the absence of the Manager, showed them over the mill and
explained the machinery by which the raw material is crushed and
prepared for the manufacture of super-phosphate. There were in the
mill over 150 tons of ground phosphate (finer than wheat flour) ready for
shipment. Having returned to the wharf the usual elementary lectures
were delivered by the leaders. Mr. Fietcher was first called upon by
the President to speak on Entomology. He stated that rare insects
had been collected, and announced the capture of a female of Colias
Interior, a very rare butterfly, and one he was particularly anxious to
breed from the egg. His remarks were directed towards showing the
advantages which are to be derived from students working out the life-
histories of different species of insects, and showed that it was one of :
the most important factors in the success of Economic Entomologists.

Mr. Henry M. Ami then explained the different rock-formations
which were to be seen in the locality. The Laurentian and Potsdam
formations were the two which occurred of the older Geologic Epochs
at Buckingham. Inthe former were found inexhaustible supplies of
iron, apatite or phosphate of lime, plumbago, mica, baryta and other
mineral products, and the Potsdam formation afforded building
materials of first quality. Mr. Ami then drew attention to the traces
of glaciation which were well exposed in several places and gave a
succinct and lucid account of the Great Ice Age. The President, Mr.
R. B. Whyte, gave the address upon the Botanical specimens collected,
he said the locality was an exceptionally rich dne as was evidenced
by the many rarities which had rewarded the collectors. Mr. Whyte
took advantage of some of the familiar plants to explain in a clear and
attractive manner a few of the rudiments of structural botany. He
used the Naviphwa tuberosa to show the gradation of all the floral
organs froin che leaf-form. Impatiens fulva, the common balsam or
“Jewel Weed” of our swamps, was exhibited and everyone was advised
to take special notice of it, as it was reputed to be the antidote for the
Poison Ivy (Rhus toxicodendron). Many other rare and beautiful
plants were spoken of and made interesting by the remarks of the
speaker. The party reached the city again about 9 o'clock, when the

79

much needed rain, which had kept off during the day, began to fall
and continued to do so all night.

SUB-EXCURSIONS.
The Sub-Exenrsion arranged by the Botanical and Entomological
Leaders for the 2nd July had to be postponed on account of wet
weather.

SeventH.—On the 9th of July, notwithstanding the excessive heat
of the day, about fifteen members of the Club, including several ladies,

the Genera: Post Office. At 2
o'clock the party started in the Billings Bridge stage for Dow’s swamp.

turned up at the usual rendezvous

This loeality, which lies about two miles south of the city, is one
possessing special attractions to the Entomologist and Botanist. The
Botanists were under the leadership of the President, Mr. R. B. Whyte,
who also delivered the address upon Botany, none of the regular
leaders being able to attend upon this occasion. Many plants of
interest were collected and their important features were drawn atten-
tion to in a pleasing and simple manner, by the President. The
magnificent white panicles of the Meadow Rue, Thalictrum Cornuii,
were conspicuous objects in the cleared spaces of the bog, and
beneath the shade of the cedars the rare little orchids, Microstylis
monophyllos and M. ophioglossoides, were found. These treasures only
reward the patient searcher or the Botanist with a well-trained eye.
Another orchid of interest, but like the last named, possibly
more inconspicuous than scarce, was Lipuris Leselii, of which a few
specimens were secured. In all about forty species of plants were
collected in flower. Mr. Fred. Magee represented the Entomologists
and exhibited his collections of the afternoon. Dow’s Swamp is one of
our few localities for the beautiful butterfly Melitea Phaeton, which
may still be found in an open glade to the south east of the lake, where
it was noted by the late Mr.-B. Billings many years ago. Its bright
colours, rich velvety black spotted with red and white, make it a con-
Spicuous object as it flits slowly over the low bushes. Its food plant,
Chelone glabra, grows here in abundance.

80

Eigutu.—Rockcliffe was the point decided upon for investigation
for the Sub-Excursion of 16th July. The heat was excessive, but over
a dozen enthusiastic members, turned up. As usual this locality pro-

duced much of interest. Here, curiously enough, is the only locality,’

yet discovered in this neighbourhood for the New Jersey Tea ( Ceanothus
Americanus). Here too cecur Pinus resinosa and Woodsia Ilvensis,
both uncommon in the neighbourhood, and on the occasion of the
Excursion it was discovered by Mr. A. J. Forward that the rare
Ericaceous plant, Péerospora andromedea, also grew here. An address
was delivered by Mr. Fletcher, leader in Botany and Entomology, upon
those subjects. He spoke of the peculiar features of the Flora of the
rocky point upon which they stood, and mentioned the plants which had
been found. Pterospora was probably a parasite upon the roots of
pines, the only other place that he knew of, where it could be found
about Ottawa, was upon the Chelsea Road. Comandru, Monotropa,
and other parasites were referred to. Astragalus Canadensis and A.
Cooperi were exhibited, and it was shown how they might be known
apart. The latter is a much earlier plant, the seed beimg ripe by the
time the former is in flower. The fruit of Prunus pumila was
exhibited. This shrub is quite rare at Ottawa, one bush only having
been previously observed, which grows upon the Chaudiere Islands.
Tn speaking of the insects collected, the different kinds of Cicade were
described, their ‘‘song” was treated of and their life-history was
sketched. The different kinds of mosquitoes also formed an interesting
topic which was simply explained. Notwithstanding the heat the

Sub-Excursion was a great success and the nembers were well pleased.

ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Excursion. —The fourth Excursion will be held on Saturday, 13th

August, to Britannia on the Canadian Pacific Railway. The trains
leave at 10 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. and the party will return by the 6.45
train in theevening. Return tickets : Members, £5 cents ; non-members,
30 cents children, 15 cents.

Sus-Excursions.—August 6, Gatineau Point ; August 20, Beech-

wood ; August 27, Skead’s Gravel Road.

81

THE GREAT ICE AGE AND SUBSEQUENT FORMATIONS
AT OTTAWA, ONTARIO.

By H. M. Ami, M.A., F.G.S.

Continued from Page 74.

. Following this period of great elevitivn vil of exe mm cold there
tame a period of submerg ner. Nov must is te surmised that the
subsidence which tok plice tu this purt of the country was necessarily
effected in a short tin: ; on the contrary, it must indeed have taken
ages for the country to have come down even to the level at which it is
at present—a height of between two and three hundred feet above
sea level at Ottawa. As the elevated and ice-bound country
was gradually subsiding, there came an amelioration in its
climatic condition, and more temperate seasons ensued. The
glaciers which at one time discharged their materials into valleys
and on land—feeders to a regular system of glacial rivers both
in the lowlands and in the mountain districts—now discharged these
along the coast, and coastice and icebergs were soon at work as the
sea was encroaching upon the land and depositing over the oid beds of
the glaciers a series of sedimentary strata, with which there caine
also the life and organisms common to such habitats, so that the next
period or formation with which we have to deal is one of marine origin;
deposited in the still depths cf an ocean or sea and containing the
remains of animals common to that pericd in the earth’s history.
Meanwhile, innumerable quantities of icebergs, carrying with them
large blocks of rock and detritus—themeelves portions of glaciers —
were scattering their burden over the bed of this ocean or sea, as the
warmer regions were reached, just as is going on at the present day,
along the coasts of Labrador, Newfoundland, etc., the icebergs detached
from their northern fortresses sweep down towards the centre of the
earth—no doubt toa great extent due to that transporting forea de
veloped in the rotation of the earth.

There are certain geologists, i believe, who would account for the
- striations in the hard rock masses below being formed through the

agency of coast-ice and icebergs only. Whilst admitting the possibility of
F

§2

certain local and limited areas as capable of being affected by the
agencies above mentioned, there is little doubt that they are together
wholly inadequate to explain the phenomena of striated surfaces (see
Prestwich’s geology) over sueh vast areas, as it is known that these
surfaces extend, in some cases, for hundreds of miles.

But, of the sedimentary strata which, during this period of
submergence, were being laid down over the remains of the glacial
epoch the lowermost series consists of bluish’gray clays of more or less
plasticity and varying greatly in thickness in different parts of this
region. There area number of sections both natural and artificial which
this district has: afforded. Amongst the latter may be mentioned the
Rideau Canal, which from the “ Basin” to the “ Deep Cut” “ gives a
very good idea of the thickness of these clays there. Then the hun-
dreds of sections which the recent excavations carried on by the City
Engineer have exhibited, where in almost every instance, the clays may
be seen in their normal position. Then come the brick-yards owned
by the Messrs. Odell, Clark, Nicholson, Graham and others. In the
first mentioned of these have been found remains of a fossil sponge, the
Tethes Logani of Dawson, together with shells and foraminifera anda
bone sent to Prof. Cope for identification, all of which were presented to
the writer through Mr. A. P. Low, of the Geological Survey of Canada.

But whilst artificial sections are often more convenient in ascertaining ”

the relative thickness of the different kinds of strata, nevertheless, the
natural sections which are met with everywhere, enable us to obtain
the geographical distributions, extent and thickness, sometimes with
greater facility, as these’sections are very numerous indeed. Along
the left bank of the Rideau River, e¢. g., from the Hog’s Back to the
Falls, down the Ottawa as far as Green’s Creek, and farther across the
river in Hull Township as far as Ironsides, and above that towards New
Chelsea, and in Nepean and Gloucester Townships, there are hosts of
natural sections, where the ‘‘ Leda clay” formation—so-called on account
of the prevalence of a smail bivalve shell, Leda ( Portlandia ) arctica,—
Gray is well exposed. a

An interesting point about these clays and accompanying strata is
the fact that they occur in many instances in the shape of “ terraces”

or small plateaus following one another at different levels. By one stand-~

Neat

Og

8:

ing on Parliament Hill some of the more prominent ‘terraces’ may be
clearly seen to the north forming for a considerable distance an almost
unbroken line of level, stretching from east to west in the general trend
of the Ottawa River. One of these occurs just above Ironsides, as
many members of the Club have had occasion to notice, forming a
general plateau of clay covered by a thin stratum of sand. These terraces
point indubitably to a period of subsequent elevation which was
characterized by oscillatory movements i. e. a period of elevation which
is not constant, during which periods of quiescence intervene. Such an
elevation predicates the next period with which we are to deal; but
before entering upon this latter, there are important results which
must be noted with regard to the “Zeda clay” formation. Imbedded
within its measures is found a goodly number of interesting organic
remains. Nearly all of them are of marine origin and consist in the
remains of shells, insects, animals and even plants which will together,
when all examined and determined, make not far from thirty distinct
" species.

With scarcely a single exception all of these species of shells and
animals can be dredged up alive now-a-days either in the Gulf of St.
Lawrence or along the Coasts of Labrador or Newfoundland, and even
as far as Norway. Their mode of preservation is not an uninteresting
fact to record, as it is peculiar even in different portions of the same
formation. At Green’s Creek, for example, on the Liévre River, and in
other localities likewise, both above and below our city, these places are
noted for the peculiar nodules which are found included in the clays.
By some such process as concretionary action can the agglomeration
of finely divided particles of argillaceons rock be best accounted for,
principally around some nucleus whatever it may be—a pebble perhaps
asin someinstances. Remains of the seal, feathers, numerous remains of
the caplin Mfallotus villosus (Cuvier) occur in this manner, whilst it
more often happens that the nucleus is so small as to be almost invisible.
These nodules have also yielded two other kinds of fish, the Lump
Sucker and a Sculpin found by Mr. Stewart recently, all these still live
in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Sir William Dawaon has a beautiful
collection of these nodules from Green’s Creek, from which he has
indentified a large number of species of fossil plants, among which are

S4

twigs and bunches of the white cedar which is met with not unfre-
quently. Another mode of preservation of these fossils at Green’s Creek
is through the infiltration of a siliceous solution, so that shells are
as thoroughly silicified in this Ceposit as they are in the Black River
formation at Paquette’s Rapids, muriatic acid not affecting the shell in
the least. Oihers are preserved with but little change from the character
in which they were entombed, whilst others appear as if they were live
shells with the epidermis on and nicely preserved.

Of the other fossils which characterize this formation a great deal
might be said, but passing over these important discoveries I will
mention that during the past season a large number of feraminifers
were collected. Dr. G. M. Dawson, whose extensive researches lt
Post-Tertiary Geology have enabled him to give va‘ua’!: iuformation
regarding the best mode of obtaining these very minute organisms from
the clays, and of working out their microscopic character, has very
kindly given the writer such hints as have proved of utmost value in
this connection, so that by a series of percolations of a solution of clay
and water, on sheets of blotting-paper a large number of specimens was
obtained. The largest of these, and a common species in nearly all the
collections from the Gulf end elsewhere, is Polystomella crispa, L., which
also occurs in our Ottawa deposits. Besides these forms there remains a
great deal of material ready to be worked up and awaiting identification.

It has already been hinted that the ‘“ Leda clay” formation, laid

down beneath the level of an ocean or sea which extended in this region
as far west as the Bonnechere River (Zoe. cit.), was followed by a period
of elevation, Whilst these clays were thus being deposited along the _
bottom of the’sea, 7.¢., at some distance from the shores, the sands and
gravels which usually mark the littoral deposits of an ocean were
being deposited in this vicinity in regular order. They are arenaceous
deposits in which distinct lines of stratification occur overlying the
clays in numerous localities, but their thickness varies considerably
in different places. This uprising of the continent which
exposed to view the former depths of the ocean, once begun
has continued on, and there is no index that points out whether-this
elevation has, up to the present day, ceased. The sands and clays
which were laid along the shores and bottom of the old Ottawa Sea, up

ae

85

as far as the Bonnechére River, are now some 500 feet above the mean
tide level at Three Rivers, so that there must have been, at least, an
elevation of 500 feet in this part of the American Continent in later
Post-Tertiary times. Those sands, to which the term “Saxicava Sand”
has been applied by Sir W. Dawson and others, are very generally
distributed over the gravels, clays and older boulder glacial clays in this
district. Sandy Hill received its name no doubt on account of the
prevelance of this rock about that part of the city, although there is
perhaps twenty-five times more clay on Sandy Hill than sand. Near the
junction of the sands with the clays below and in places when the the
gravels are not coarse, there are found several species of fossils, some
of which have already been recorded in the Club’s transactions. Jacoma
calearea, Chemnitz, M. fragilis, Fabricius, Natica affinis, Gmelin, and
others occur in these deposits, but as a tule they are nearly always
destitute of fossils. As there must certainly have been many at one
time, their remains must have been decomposed and become obliterated.
A peculiar seam one inch in thickness occurs near the corner of Waller
and Rideau streets, and divides the upper sands into two parts.
This bed consists for the most part of leaves of poplar and other trees,
bits of grasses and sedges held together, but has been observed to be
continuous only for a limited area. There is considerable evidence to
show that much of the sands of the district were redeposited in lagoons
or lakes along river shores in later times. Overlying the sands in
New Edinburgh, on the east side of Hemlock Lake, there o curs a
deposit of shell-marl teeming with remains of fresh water and land
mollusca, evidently a lacustrine deposit. This bed is now at a con-
‘siderable elevation above the present lake and river levels.

The upper portion of these sands is that with which we.
have last to deal, and is included in that period which we
call here the Human period, for in it do we find for the first time
traces of the existence of human beings. The loam or surface soil,
cultivated or not, in which implements of stone are found associated
with fragments of pottery, bones of deer, bear, beaver and other
animals, points clearly to the fact that man of two distinct types has
left his mark in these newer overlying beds. Previous to this, however,
no records exist which show, that here in Canada, man came in these

86

times except subsequent to the Glacial Epoch in the newer and present
Historical age. .

Nor is the economic aspect of the question, in reference to the use
to which the materials which compose the Post-Tertiary deposits of this
district can be put, one of trifling importance whether in furnishing
useful materials for railroad, commercial, agricultural, or other interests.
For ballasting, road metal and the like, the Saxicava Sands, gravels
and Boulder Clay formations have been extensively used by the Canada
Atlantic and Canadian Pacific Railway authorities throughout this
district along their roads at Ottawa and its environs, whilst the sands
themselves afford splendid fnaterial in the manufacture of mortar for
building purposes and to such an extent that a good sand quarry is
more remunerative than a gold mine. Bnt whilst these substances are
of incalculable value to man, the marine clays of the “Leda Clay 4
formation supply the brick and tile manufacturers with the material
wherewith to turn out these useful building and other requisites and
likewise afford an inexhaustible supply of the argillaceous substance
necessary in the manufacture of Hydraulic cements, of which the Hull
cement of this locality, is well-known to be one of the best slow-setting
cements.

Mr. Wright, the manufacturer of the Hull Cement, informs me
that the marine clays which he uses are almost equal to the mud
or clays dug out of the Thames in England, for the manufacture of
the ‘‘ Portland and Rowan Cements,” so famous everywhere.

There are many good brick-yards in the vicinity which derive
their material from the clays in question, and whilst, it is not deemed /
necessary to signal out any particular one, nevertheless, that of Mr.
T. M. Clarke, of New Edinburgh is worthy of note, as from it, that
gentleman turned out a large quantity of white brick of superior
quality, by carefully introducing a certain percentage of the white
earth taken from the marls overlying the saxicava sands at Hemlock
Lake, in McKay’s Grove, and submitting it to special process.
Brick manufacturing is a most lremunerative occupation, especially
in such a ‘growing place as Ottawa, where the supply can scarcely
equal the demand and the materials are ready and at hand.

The plastic nature of certain strata in the lower portion of the

87

Leda clays afford good substance for modelling purposes and they have
already been used to a certain extent in this direction.

There is a large percentage of a/umiina in these clay deposits,
and when we think of the vast advantages which the metal alumi-
nium presents over such substances as iron, copper, lead and zine, it
may not be amiss to look forward to tle time when a process shall
be discovered which will enable its being manufactured from clays
such as we have at our very doors. Nay, if I am rightly informed, a
sevies of very successful experiments have been carried on by French
chemists and others of late by means of which that metal can be pro-
duced, but at a cost which, at the present time, is too great so that this
aluminium industry cennot compete with that of iron. Those who
are familiar with the properties of this metal will clearly see what
advantages the community would reap if a aluminium could be manu-
factured cheaply and from the clays which are so abundantly
distributed with us.

And to sum up the results thus obtained in the examination of
the Post-Tertiary deposits of Ottawa and vicinity, an ideal vertical sec
tion, made to include the various measures which compose them is
here given :—It is based on an actual section taken in the excavations
along Waller street, not far from’ Rideau street and is supplemented
by data obtained from other quarters. The lowest measures are those
which belong to the “ Boulder or Glacial Clay” or “ till” formation
and are seen to rest on the Cambro-Silurian formations of the district
unconformably. Their thickness is considerable in numerous places
but varies materially, according to the district in which they occur. The
** Leda Clay” formation overlies this glacial deposit and contains fossils
of various kinds entombed in strata. The thickness of this marine
deposit is considerable in some places whilst it has been completely
eroded or denuded in others at a remote, but subsequent period to its
deposition. The clays often carry erratics with them. Then comesa
series of stratified gravels or coarse sands in which many large angular
and partially rounded boulders occur overlying the Leda’ Clays, in
most cases apparently conformably, but oftimes, no doubt, unconform-
ably as the line of contact is very sinuous and points to a good portion
of the clay as having been carried away. Overlying these gravels are

88

found the yellow and darker sands so extensively developed about
Ottawa. The shell-marl deposit overlies these sands, and along with
them form the newest or topmost deposits of our district. It is in
these most recently deposited strata that the Human remains oceur—
remains which point to the time when this part of Canada was first
inhabited by Algonquin tribes who flourished at one time, leaving
behind them innumerable traces of the advanced state of civilization to
which they had attained whether in hunting or other practices of life

common to their race. But these newer and arenaceous strata deposited

on the shore or margin of an ocean or sea, point clearly to a period
of elevation, which period has been going on ever since, so that this part
ef the American Continent may safely be said to be rising yet, at
least in Eastern Canada, and until we have actual proofs of a sub-
mergence going on, a depression along the coast or an encroachment
of tidal and other oceanic phenomena on the land, we may rest
safely with the happy thought that we are on the upward move.

89
LIBRARIAN’S RECORD.

The following publications have been received as donations, or in
exchange for the transactions of the Club :— :

W. D. Dimeock, B. A. Truro: Catalogue of Exhibits from New
South Wales at Colonial Exhibition ; Victoria Year Book, 1884-85 ;
Illustrated Hand Book of Victoria; Hand Book of New Zealand,
1886 ; Facts and Figures relating to the Bendigo Gold Field, Victoria ;
The Indigenous Vegetation of Australia, &c.; Observations on New
Vegetable Fossils of the Auriferous Drifts, Victoria ; Catalogue of
Exhibits of the Victorian Court.

W. A. Kellerraan, Ph. D.: Jeurnal of Mycology, Vol. III, Nos.
4 to 8. ; f

Montreal Natural History Society : Canadian Record of Science,
Vol. II, Nos. 6 and 7.

Johns Hopkins University : Cireular, Nos. 57, 58 and 59.

Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society : Journal, 1883-84, 1884-85,
1885-86 ; Memories of Rev. Elisha Mitchell.

Liverpool Naturalists’ Field Club: Proceedings, 1885-86.

Nova Scotia Natural History Society : Proceedings, Vol. VI, Part 9

Rey. Dr. Honeyman, D.C.L.: Giants and Pigmies.

United States Geological Survey : Dinocerata, a Monograph of an
Extinct Order of Gigantic Mammalia, by Prof. O. C. Marsh.

Miss E. A. Ormerod: Transactions of the Entomological Society
of London, 1887; The Garner and Scientific Recorder’s Journal, eight
numbers ; Manuel of Injurious Insects ; The Hessian Fly ; Lecture on
Injurious Insects; Lecture on the Turnip Fly ; Observations on
Cistridz, or “ Botflies” ; Reports on Injurious Insects for 1877, 1879,
1882-3-4-5-6 and other papers ; Guide to the Methods of Insect Life.

Massachusetts Horticultural Society: Annual Report, 1886,
Part IT.

The Editor: Ornithologist and Oologist, Vol. XIT, No. 6.

American Museum of Natural History: Annual Report, 1886-87 ;
Bulletin, Vol. X1I, No, 1.

American Ornithologists’ Union: The Auk, Vol. IV, No. 3.

Cincinnati Society of Natural Nistory : Journal, Vol. X, No. 2.

90

Torrey Botanical Club: Bulletin, Vol. XIV, Nos. 6, 7, 8.

Essex Field Club: The Essex Naturalist, Nos: 5, 6.

New Brunswick Natural History Society: Bulletin, No, 4.

Brooklyn Entomological Society : Entomologica Americana, Vol.
TT, Nos.'3, 45°5;

Ontario Entomological Society: Canadian Entomologist, Vol. XIX,
Nos. 6, 7,8; Annual Report, No. 17.

A. C. Lawson, M. A.: Geology of the Rainy Lake Region.

Departmeut of Agriculture, Manitoba: Crop Bulletin, Nos. 18-20.

Queen’s University, Kingston: Calendar, 1887-88.

New York Microscopical Society : Journal, Vol. T1I, Nos. 1, 2.

Guelph Scientific Society : Proceedings, 1886-87.

Illinois State Laboratory: Vol. II, Articles 5, 6; Vol. IIT,
Article 1.

91

SUB-EXCURSIONS.

Niyta.—On 30th July this Excursion was to have been to the
Beaver Meadow, Hull; but as only five members of the botanical
section turned up, and the heat was intense, it was decided to visit a
nearer locality, and Stewart's Bush was chosen. The woods, owing to
the almost unprecedented drought, were very dry, and it was noticed
that the underbrush and cven the forest trees were suffering severely
from want of water.

TentH.—On 6th August to Gatineau Pont, P.Q. This Excursion
was,a very successful one. Severa! ladies attended the meeting and
made collections of plants uxder the guidance of the President, Mr. :
Whyte, and the botanical leader, Mr. Fletcher. ‘The different character
of the soil and woods in the vicinity of Gatineau Point, as compared
with move accessible localities on the Ontario side of the river, always
renders it an interesting field for our collectors. While the woods and
fields were being ransacked by the botan‘st and entomologist Mr.
Latchford, the conchologist, accompanied by one brave and enthusiastic
lady follower, took a somewhat dangerous and will-o-the-wisp-like journey
over the surface of a dried up creek. Mr. Latchford reported, however,
that no finds of special interest had rewarded their efforts. The party
assembled in a maple grove, where some of the beauties and wonders
of plant and insect life were elucidated by Mr. Fletcher. He spoke of
some of the plants’ which are useful to man; hemp, nettle, milkweed
and fiveweed (epilobium) were referred to as fibre plants. Some of the
peculiariti-s of the Solanacew w-re explained and the acticn of frost
upon potatoes,and other vegetation was spoken of. The life history of
Limenitis Disippus was told and some interesting instanc:s of protec-
tive mimicry and hibernation amonzst insects were related.

ELEveNTH.—On the 2th August a botanical party visited the
Beayor Meadow, Hull, and spent a very pleasant afternoon in that
interesting locality. The President, Mr. R. B. Whyte, made an
instructive address on the more noteworthy species collected, among
which may be mentioned the Pickerel weed, the closed Gentian, and
the Clematis (C. Virginiana, L.) of which the fruit is very int: resting.

oe

EXCURSION TO BRITANNIA.

The fourth general Excursion was held on Saturday, the 13th
Augusi,.to Britannia, where a most agreeable afternoon was spent.
There were present some thirty members and their friends, but un-
fortunately several others arrived at the station a few moments too late,
and were deprived of their outing. On arriving at the Britannia
station the party separated, some going with Mr. Ami to examine the

rock formations, and the remainder accompanying the botanical and

entomological leaders. The woods and fields in the neighborhood of the
lighthouse, track and gravel pit were carefully explored, and many finds
of importance were made. At six o’clock the party re-assembled at
the station and listened to addresses from the leaders until the arrival
of the train for Ottawa. Mr. Fletcher spoke of the plants and insects
observed, and Mr. Ami of the geological formations.

ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Excursion.—The Fifth Genera] Exeursion of the season will be
held on Saturday, the 17th September, to Kirk’s Ferry. This point is
about four miles above Chelsea, upon the Gatineau River, and is a very

picturesque and attractive place, which has not yet been visited by the ©

Club. The trip will be made in vans, and there béing a good read all
the way, the time taken will be less than that required to visit Kings-
mere or Meach’s Lake. Tickets can be obtained from any member of
the Council at the following rates: Members 40 cents ; Non-members
50 cents; Children 25 cents. The vans will start from the corner of
Rideau and Chapel streets at 8.45 a.m., and from the corner of Sparks
and Bank streets at 9 a.m. |

Sus-Excursions.— Botanical outings will be held each Saturday
afternoon (except on date of general excursion), starting as usual from
the Post Office at 2 p.m. Visits will be made to Hull, Billings’ Bridge
and Beechwood.

alti 1k ee det le te hd

93
REPORT OF THE GEOLOGICAL BRANCH.

To the Council of the Ottawa Field Naturalists Club.

The leaders have much pleasure in reporting that continued pro-
gress in the development of the geological and kindred resources of this
rich and interesting field of research has marked the season just passed,
Mr. John Stewart, whose energy and zeal have been rewarded by the
accumulation of very extensive and valuable collections of fossils from
‘the splendid exposures of Ottawa and its environs, reports that during
‘the past year he has made a large number of very interesting finds in
the various formations of this district. Besides making an elaborate
collection of the species represented in the Hudson River formation
outlier on tl:e Canada Atlantic Railway some four miles distant from
‘the city and collecting also in the Utica Formation immediately under-
lying this along the Rideau River, Mr. Stewart has discovered a num.
ber of rare and even new species in the Trenton rocks, from which he
has made an especially vaiuable collection, comprising beautiful crinoids
and cystideans, for which this locality is already so famous in paleon-
tological circles. Besides these he has also made an extensive collection
‘of the species associated in the same formation, most of which are
readily identified as Prof. Hall’s or Mr. Billings’ species and are to be
found in the various lists of fossils published by the Club. Detailed
notes on these will, we hope, be soon forthcoming from the pen of Mr.
Stewart whose activity in connection with the interests of geology,
and paleontology more particulaily, has been marked, ever since his
arrival in Ottawa when he joined the Club. Nor have the old paleo-
zoics of Ottawa been the only rocks examined by him ; his field of re-
search has extended to, and has inciuded, the Post-Tertiary deposits ot
Green’s Creek in Gloucester—a locality often cited for interesting ma-
terial—one which has been made famous by the pen of Sir William
Dawson and others. A very interesting specimen of a fish, rarely met
with in these deposits, was found by him and is most probably refer-
able to a form ascribed to the genus Cottus in the “Geology of Canada”
1863, p. 917, and which at the present day lives in the Gulf of St.

_ Lawrence and along the Western Atlantic coast. Besides this interest-

ing fis: Mr. Stewart has also collected remains of plants and shells
@

94

characteristic of the above deposit whick afford a great deal of promis-
ing material for examination.

Mr. Stewart having reportedZfrom the Trenton Rocks of Belle-
ville, Ont. (a locality outside of the Club’s radius), Cyrtolites com-
pressus, Conrad, for the first time recorded in Canada; Mr. Ami was
led to re-examine a form collected by him on the Castor River (vide
Trans., 0.F.N.C., Vol. II, No. 2, p. 257, 1884-85) on the occasion of
a sub-excursion of the Geological Branch, and found it to be the same
species. At the latter locality it was found associated with Lucania
didorsata, Hall, Bellerophon bilobatus, Sowerby, and other characteristic
species of the Trenton formation.

Mr. Sowter reports that during the past year he has examined a
number of fossiliferous localities on both the Ontario and Quebec shores
of Lake Des Chenes, in the Chazy and overlying Black River forma-
tions, but more particularly in the latter. From these he has obtained
a fine suite of fossils which he intends shall form the subject matter for
4 communication or note to be presented at a subsequent Soirée of the
Club, and which promises to be a valuable contribution, including as
his collections do some rare, choice and, no doubt, unrecorded species
from that district.

Mr. Henry M. Ami reports that during tke past season he was
present at three out of the four general excursions which were held
under the auspices of the Club, and on which occasions he acted as
leader in geology, besides conducting a number of successful sub-
excursions, especially in the latter part of the season—the most
favourable for such work. These excursions and sub-excursions were
held to various objective points in and about the city, so that nearly all
the formations comprised in the Ottawa series were visited and
examined—from the Laurentian, so beautifully developed in the hills
to the north—to_the Post-Tertiary deposits overlying all the inter-
mediate formations included. From these, a number of interesting
facts were ascertained and noted respecting the geologic structure of
their measures and the organic remains contained in them, whether trom
the Potsdam, Calciferons, Chazy, Black River, Trenton, Utica or
Hudson River, as well as from the fossiliferous Post-Tertiary clays and

sands.

95

Post-TErTIARY.—Beginning with these newer deposits, Mr. Ami
reports that on account of the numerous excavations for sewers, etc.,
he has been enabled to obtain a number of interesting sections of the
strata from the boulder clay and glacial drift deposits up to the recent
overlying sediments. The results thus obtained from various parts of
our city, will be embodied ina communication (now in course of pre-
paration) shortly to be presented to the Club entitled: “The Great Ice
Age and Subsequent Formations at Ottawa.”

Hupson River Formation.— A special visit was paid to the ex-
posures of this formation in October last and a number of interesting
forms were found. The collection yielded a number of species new to
the list already published in the Transactions of the Club (Trans. O.
F. N. C., Vol. II, No. 2, page 258). These were: Pterinea demissa,
Conrad, an eminently characteristic species ; Strophomena (Streptorhyn-
chus) subtenta, Courad ; Platystrophia lynx, BKichwald (Platystrophia
bifoviata, Schlotheim, var, dynx, Eichwald and Orthis lynx, Kichwald, of
authors); Leptena sericea, Sowerby (very abundant) ; Calymene
senaria, Conrad ; a Pleurotomaria, allied to subconica, Hall; a trilobite
referred provisionally to the genus Remopleurides, besides portions of
Monticuliporoid corals—each of which last three mentioned require
further study. The opening which was made in the field to the north
of the Canada Atlantic Railway track some three and three-quarter
miles from the city has afforded a good many specimens. The beds are
light brown or buff weathering, and consist of a fine grained calcareo-
argillaceous dolomitic paste with some arenaceous material in a finely
divided state. The fossils which they contain are tolerably well pre-
served and abundant—and whilst only some fifteen species have as yet
been observed in this formation from that locality there is no doubt
that future investigations will increase that number considerably.

Utica Formation.—Most of the attention devoted to this forma-
tion has been in the direction of ascertaining what were the species
associated in the same band of impure limestone with Siphonotreta
Scotica, Davidson. Several sub-excursions were held to the locality
(mentioned in the Report of Geological Branch, in the transactions of
the Club for 1885-86) opposite the Rifle Range on the Rideau River in
Gloucester, and no less than sixteen species have already been found in

96

the same bed. In his “ Notes on, and the precise geological position of
Siphonotreta Scotica, Davidson,” presented and read at the meeting
of the Club—February 10th, 1887—-Mr. Ami mentioned these species,
and the facts obtained were therein recorded. Besides the above a
species of graptolites, obtained fiom: the Utica has been placed at the
disposal of Mr. Whiteaves, of the Survey, who has had them forwarded
to Prof. Lapworth of Mason Science College, Birmingham, the best.
authority on these interesting fossils, for examination.

The following species are new to the lists already published from.
the Utica :—

Orthis emacerata, Meek.

Leperditia minutissima, Hall.

Beyrichia oculifera, Hall.

TrenTON Formation.—In this formation which is ever teeming
with abundance of fine material, a number of good finds were made
which require more study before publishing the notes on them. In this
connection it may not be deemed out of place to mention the fact that
Prof. E. O. Ulrich, of Cincinnati, Ohio, who on several occasions has.
generously lent his assistance in determining critical species of Polyzoa
from our rocks, was in Ottawa during the past summer and made an
extensive collection at the Brigham quarries at Hull and in other parts.
of the Trenton here, so that when all the Polyzoa which he collected
are worked up the number of species from that remarkable group of
organisms will le considerably increased.

Porspam Formation.—The exposures of this formation were visit-
ed by the Club during the past summer at a general excursion to Buck-
ingham, Que., where, besides collecting a fine series of the typical
Scolithus Canadensis. Billings—a number of previously unrecorded
facts were obtained on the evidence of glaciation on the quartzites
or sandstones of this formation. These sandstones, a bluff of which °
faces the Laurentian rocks in the immediate vicinity to the north, are
seen to be deeply grooved, striated and polished. Of the annelid (?) re-
mains referable to the genus Scolithus, Billings Species, S. Canadensis,
was by far the commoner form met, but two very good examples of S.
linearis, Hall, were found associated with it. From the notes which
Mr. Ami has made on the subject he is strongly of the opinion that the.

97

main difference existing between these two species lies principally in
the preservation, S. Canadensis B, occurring as hollow tubes or burrows,
whilst Hall’s species is found as casts of the interior of the burrow or
hole. In comparing the form S. linearis, Hall with the species re-
corded from the Potsdam formation of L’anse au Loup, Que. (See Pol.
Foss. Billings, Vol. 1, P. 2), they are found to be exactly similar and
cannot be differentiated.

In conclusion, the leaders are happy to state that there is a vast
field of labour before this Branch of the Club, and it is there-
fore encouraging to note the good work which many members of the
Club have performed. It is hoped that the time is not far distant
‘when a good topographical map will exist upon which it will be pos-
sible to lay down the geological features of the district in a more or
less detailed manner. What is more important at present is to obtain
from the excavations being made in all parts of the city the sactions
which such excavations afford and collect all the fossil evidence possibie,
whether in the later or earlier formations of this locality, as both are
very fossiliferous and problems of vast import relating to the geology
of other parts of Canada, problems as yet unsolved, will be materially
helped thereby.

To this end, each member can contribute his or her share towards
the gathering of material wherewith to frame at some future time a
systematic and comprehensive réswmé of the geology of Ottawa. In
doing so, the members will not only contribute to this, but will materi-
ally assist the Council and help the leaders in furthering the work of
the Club.

HENRY M. AMI,

T. E. W. SOWTER, \ Leaders.

Ottawa, January 25th, 1887.

0a
ut

REPORT OF THE ORNITHOLOGICAL BRANCH FOR THE
YEAR 1886-87.
To tie Cauncil uf the Ottawa Field-Naturalists. Club :-—

In making up the Report of the proceedings and researches of this
branch during the past season the leaders are able to report three addi-
tions to the already large list of birds found in this locality. The first
was the finding of the Buff-breasted Sandjiper, Tryngites subruficollis,
a remarkably interesting little bird with a peculiar aspect. It can at
once be recognized by the very small and short bill, and by the unique
coloration of the primaries, which are gray or white on the inner webs
and beautifully mottled with fine black tracery. Two specimens were
shot and six were seen.

The second addition was a fine specimen of the Red Phalarope,
Chrymophilus fulicarius. This is an impcrtant addition as it is par-
ticula:ly a maritime bird aad the finding of this bird following so soon
after the discovery of the Purple Sandpiper-and the Great Black-backed
Gul found last year would lead one to suppose that some of the coast
birds are in the habit of following the Ottawa and Rideau Rivers on
their way south. To the former we have to add the Blue Goose, Chen
cerulescens. Three fine specimens were shot within a few miles of the
city, two geese and agander. The peculiar marking of the bill and
feet of these specimens are worthy of special mention. Dr. E. Coues
in his valuable work states that the bill and feet are lake red, whereas
those shot have the bill and feet black. The markings, however, agree
in every other particular with Dr. Coues’ description and there can be
no question as-to the specimens taken being Blue Geese. The capture
of a pair of the very pretty, but rather scarce Mourning Warbler, is
very encouraging. We have also been informed of the shooting of two
specimens of the Shoveller Duck, by Mr. W. P. Lett ; one at Richmond
and the other at Brigham’s Creek. This species is very scarce in this
district, only some haif dozen specimens being reported as having been
killed in the vicinity of Ottawa. We have also to report the capture
of a female Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, shot on 17th Aprii, 1886, with
the top of the head blue-black instead of scarlet. Appended is a list
of the dates of arrival and departure of our summer. birds.

March

“<

99

3—Octocorus alpestris, Horned Lark.
13—Carpodacus purpureus, Purple Finch.
26—NMerula migratoria, Robin.
26—Junco hyemalis, Slate-coloured Junco.
27—Spinus tristis, American Goldfinch.
27—Loxia eurvirostra minor, American Crossbill.
27—Dryobates pubescens, Downy Woodpecker.
28—Lanius borealis, Northern Shrike.
29—Melospiza fusciatz, Song Sparrow.
30—Falco columbarius, Pigeon Hawk.
31— Quiscalus quiscula, Purple Grackle.
31—WMolotirus ater, Cowbird.
31—Ageleus pheniceus, Red-winged Blackbird.
31—Sialia siatis, Bluebird.
31—Corvus americanus, Crow.
5—Tachycinetu bicolor, Tree Swallow.
6—Glaucionetta clangula americana, American Golden-eye.
9—Sturnella magna, Meadow Lark.
11—drdea herodias, Great Blue Heron.
11—Sayornis phebe, Phebe.
12—Lophod yies cucullatus, Hooded Merganser.
12—Ammodramus sandwichensis savana, Savanna Sparrow.
12—Poocetes gramineus, Vesper Sparrow.
12—Spizella monticola, Tree Sparrow.
12—Scolecophagus carolinus, Rusty Blackbird.
13—Frogne subis, Purple Martin.
14—Spinus tristis, American Goldfinch (summer plumage).
15—Larus argentatus smithsonianus, Herring Gull.
15—ELctopistes migratorius, Passenger Pigeon.
15—Regulus satrapa, Golden-crowned Kinglet.

*16—Spizella socialis, Chipping Sparrow.

16—Regulus calendula, Ruby-crowned Wren.
16—Zonotrichia leucophrys, White-crowned Sparrow.
17—Colaptes auratus, Flicker.

17—Zonotrichia albicollis, White-throated Sparrow.
17—Ceryle alcyon, Belted Kingfisher.

100 \

17—Sphyrapicus varius, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.
19—Passerella iliaca, Fox Sparrow.

19—Lanius borealis, Northern Shrike.
20—Empidonax minimus, Least Flycatcher.
21—Turdus aonalaschkae pallasii, Hermit Thrush.
21—-Loxia curvirostra minor, American Crossbill.
23— Anas obscura, Black Duck.

23—-Actitis macularius, Spotted Sandpiper.
23—Falco sparverius, American Sparrow Hawk.
23—Charitonetta albeola, Buftle-head.
24—Gallinago delicata, Wilson’s Snipe.
26—Philohela minor, American Woodcock.
26—Anas carolinensis, Green-winged Teal.

26—Totanus melanoleucus, Greater Yellow-legs.

to bk b

7—Aizx sponsa, Wood Duck.
7—Branta canadensis, Canada Goose.

~)

28— Botaurus lentiginosus, American Bittern.

29—Pandion haliaetus carolinensis, American Osprey.

30—WNycticorax nycticorax nevius,’ Black-crowned Night
Heron.

30—Podilymbus podiceps, Pied-billed Grebe.

30—Dajila acuta, Pintail.

1— Circus hudsonius, Marsh Hawk.

1—Clangula hyemalis, Old Squaw.

2— Melanerpes erythrocephalus, Red-headed Woodpecker.

4— Dendroica coronata, Myrtle Warbler.

5—Ampelis cedrorum, Cedar Waxwing.

5— Vireo olivaceus, Red-eyed Vireo.

5—Chetura pelasgica, Chimney Swift.

6—Dendroica estiva, Yellow Warbler.

6—Icterus galbula, Baltimore Oriole.

6—Troglodytes aedon, House Wren.

6—Urinator imber, Toon.

6—Colymbus auritus, Horned Grebe.

7—Trochilus colubris, Ruby-throated Hummingbird.

8—Setophaga ruticilla, American Redstart.

101

May 8—Habia ludoviciana, Rose-breasted Gresbeak.
ch 8—-Mniotilta varia, Black and White Warbler.
o 8—Buteo latissimus, Broad-winged Hawk.
r% 9—Tyrannus tyrannus, Kingbird.
= 11—Dendroica ceerulescens, Black-throated Blue Warbler.
ie 11—Dendroica maculosa, Magnolia Warbler.
- 11— Dendroica blackburnie, Blackburnian Warbler.
“ 11—Dendroica pensylvanica, Chestnut-sided Warbler.
os 11— Dendroica castanea, Bay-breasted Warbler.

11—Compsothlypis americana, Parula Warbler.
11—Seirus aurocapillus, Oven-bird.

s 11—Vireo solitarius, Blue-headed Vireo.

s 12—Harporhynchus rufus, Brown Thrasher.
12—Dolichonyx oryzivorus, Bobolink.

os 12— Dendroica virens, Black-throated Green Warbler.
12—Sylvania canadensis, Canadian Warbler.
12—Galeoscoptes carolinensis, Catbird.

a 12— Vireo philadelphicus, Philadelphia Warbler.

12—Antrostomus vociferus, Whip-poor-will.

= 13—Turiius ustulatus swainsonii, Olive-back Thrush.
: 13—Myiarchus crinitus, Crested Fly-catcher.

4 13—Dendroica tigrina, Cape May Warbler.
13—Helminthophila perigrina, Tennessee Warbler.
e 13—Helminthophila ruficapilla, Nashville Warbler.
= 14—Piranga erythromelas, Scarlet Tanager.

HY 14—Clivicola riparia, Bank Swallow.

a 14—Petrochelidon lunifrins, Cliff Swallow.

= 14—Ceophleus pileatus, Pileated Woodpecker.

: 17—-Vireo gilvus, Warbling Vireo.

= 17—Chordeiles virginianus, Night Hawk.

$ 18 —Sylvania pusilla, Wilson’s Warbler.

‘ 18-—Totanus solitarius, Solitary Sandpiper.

a 19—Turdus mustelinus, Wood Thrush.

= 19—Oiiemia perspicillata, Surf Scoter.

= 21—-Turdus fuscescens, Wilson’s Thrush.
21—Archibutes lagopus sanctijohannis, American Rough-

legged Hawk.

102

22—gialitis semipalmata, Semipalmated Plover.
24—Coceyzus erythrophthalmus, Black-billed Cuckoo..
27—Dendroica striata, Black-poll Warbler.
28—Porzana carolina, Sora.
28—Rallus virginianus, Virginia Rail.
29—Geothlypis philadelphia, Mourning Warbler.
18—Lowia curvirosira minor, Americas Crossbill.
14—Geothlypis trichas, Maryland Yellow-throat.
29—Larus philadelphia, Bonaparte’s Gull.
3—Passerina cyanea, Indigo Bunting.
5—Loxia curvirostra minor, American Crossbill.
24—Calidris arenaria, Sanderling.
24—Erennetes pusillus, Semipalmated Sandpiper.
24—Totanus flavipes, Yellow-legs.
24—Totanus melanoleucus, Greater Yellow-legs.
24— Hyialitis semipalmata, Semipalmated Plover.
24—Tryngites subruficollis, Buff-breasted Sandpiper.
24—Tringa minutilla, Least Sandpiper.
27—Tryngites subrujicollis, Buff-breasted Sandpiper.
29—Seiurus aurocapillus, Oven-bird.
30—Ampelis cedrorum, Cedar Waxwing.
30— Vireo olivaceus, Red-eyed Vireo.
30—Sylvania pusilla, Wilson’s Warbler.
2—Progne subis, Purple Martin.
—Petrochelidon lunifrons, Cliff Swallow.
3
4—Tachycineta bicolor, Tree Swallow.
4— Helminthophila ruficapilla, Nashville Warbler.
4— Dendroica striata, Black-pell Warbler.
9—Scolecophagus carolinus, Rusty Blackbird.

Setophaga ruticilla, American Redstart.

10—Halicetus leucocephalus, Bald Eagle.
10— Charadrius squatarola, Black-bellied Plover.

10—Pandion haliaetus carolinensis, American Osprey.

10—WMyiarchus crinitus, Crested Flycatcher.
14—Spatula clypeata, Shoveller.
14—Turdus aonalaschkae pallasii, Hermit Thrush.

103

14—Sayornis phebe, Pheebe.

14—Trochilus colubris, Ruby-throated Hummingbird.
16—Falco columbarius, Pigeon Hawk.

16—Spizella socialis, Chipping Sparrow.

16—Sitta canadensis, Red-breasted Nuthatch.

17—Myiarchus crinitus, Crested Flycateher.

18—Cyanocitta cristata, Blue Jay.

18—Chelidon erythrogaster, Barn Swallow.

20—Ceryle alcyon, Belted Kingfisher.

20—/cocetes gramineus, Vesper Sparrow.

20—Scolecophagus carolinus, Rusty Blackbird.

20—Compsothlypis americana, Parula Warbler.

20—Tringa maculata, Pectoral Sandpiper.
2—Colaptes avratus, Flicker.
5—Branta canadensis, Canada Goose.
5—Accipiter velox, Sharp-shinned Hawk.
6—Ammodramus sandwichensis savuna, Savanna Sparrow.
6—Tringu alpina, Dunlin.
6—Tringa minutilla, Least Sandpiper.
8—Zonotrichia leucophrys, White-crowned Sparrow.
8—Zonotrichia ulbicollis, White-throated Sparrow.
S8—-Spizella socialis, Chipping Sparrow.
S—Regulus satrapa, Golden-crested Kinglet.
8—Regulus calendula, Ruby-crowned Kinglet.
9—Falco sparverius, American Sparrow Hawk.

11—Passerella iliaca, Fox Sparrow.

11—Chen ceerulescens, Blue Goose.

16—Tringa fuscicollis, White-rumped Sandpiper.

16—ZLanius borealis, Northern Shrike.

19—WMelospiza fasciata, Song Sparrow.
21—Crymophitus fulicarius, Red Phalarope.

23—Spizella monticola, Tree Sparrow.

23—Sturnell magna, Meadow Lark.

23—Actitis macularia, Spotted Sandpiper.

23—Gullinago delicata, Wilson’s Snipe.

23 —Dendroics coronats, Myrtle Warbler.

104

Oct. 23—Sialia sialis, Bluebird.
23—Junco hyemalis, Slate-culoured Junco.
30—Gallinago delicata, Wilson’s Snipe.
Nov. 1—Ceophleus pileatus, Pileated Woodpecker.

5—Clangula hyemalis, Old-squaw.
18— Merganser americanus, American Merganser.
es 18—Sitta carolinensis, White-breasted Nuthatch.
19—Plectrophenax nivalis, Snowflake.
19— Pinicola enucleator, Pine Grosbeak.
22—Aceipiter atricapillus, American Goshawk.
23—Accipiter velox, Sharp-shinned Hawk.
fs 25—Surnia ulula, Hawk Owl.

GEO. R WHITE,

J. M. MA COUN: ¢ Loaders
10th March, 1887.

ANNOUNCEMENTS.

The Soiree Committee is arranging a programme for the winter
meetings, and requests contributions of papers or notes from the
members ; titles to be communicated with as little delay as possible, so
that the programme may appear in the next number of the Ottawa
Naturalist.

105

NOTH ON OTTAWA SALAMANDERS.

F. R. Larcurorp, B.A.
(Read 27th Janusry, 1887.)

Vertebrate a imals are usually arranged by naturalists in five
cisses—inammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fishes. To the
fourth of these divisions the salamanders belong. They lave the
general form of lizards, an elongated body, four feet, and a ] ng tail;
but their body is naked and not covered with seales, and their heart,
like that of the frogs, has lut one auricle, while the heart of the lizards
and other true reptiles has two. While many species of salamanders,
after becoming adult. never resort to tle water except to deposit their
eggs, a'] pass there the earlier stages of their existence «and there
undergo a series of remarkable changes of form. It was formerly a
widely prevalent opinion that the salamanders were very puisonous ;
and in anvient natural history many astonishing instances are recorded
of their poisonous qualities and of their powers to withstand the action
of fire, They are, however, almost, if not quite, innocnous. The
sto ies related of their appearance in the midst of blazing logs in fir -
places aud their escape unharmed through the flames are not without
foundation in fact. several species live buried deep in decaying wood,.
and should a log containing them be placed on the hearth and lizhted,
they naturally endeavour to make their way to cooler quarters—tlie-
abundant viseid fluid which they secrete all over their body enabling
them to resist fire to a considerable extent and in mamy instances tor
mike yood their escape.

Six species lave been noticed in the vicinity of Ottawa. ‘The
Spotted Salamander (dimdlystoma piunctatum, Linn) is the larcest
species found in this vicinity where it is uot uncommon. I have taken

it on the McKav Estate, on the Canal Bank near Dow’s Lake and in
the Laurentides at Cantley. It usually attains a Jength of six inches,
‘and I have oue specimen which. measures eight, Its colour above is a
dark violet with numerous irregular bright yellow spots. Barton, who
was the first in America to describe this species, called it the Poisonous
Salamander (S. vevenosa), but it is quite as harmless as other species.

H

106

Jefferson’s Salamander (Amblystoma Jejerscnianum Baird) is
nearly as large as A. punctatum, and like that species is terrestrial in
its babit. It is brown in colour and is irregularly marked along the
sides and on the back with numerous small bluish spots. Specimens
have been taken in Hull by Mr. Harrington and by Mr. John Stewart.

The Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon erythronotus, Baird) is
found in considerable numbers in rotten logs in the woods west of
Hemlock Lake. The intensity of the colouring of the reddish lines
along the back from which it takes its name varies greatly. The body
is very slender and the legs are apparently weak, but the animal is
notwithstandiag able to move quite rapidly.

At Kingsmere, in May, 1884, a Two-lined Salamander (Spelerpes
bilineatus, Baird) was captured by Mr. D’Arcy Scott. I have not seen
the specimen; but it was identified by Dr. Merriam and no doubt

correctly. It isa small, yellow species with dark lateral lines.

The Spotted Triton (Diemyctylus viridescens, Raf.) was found by
Mr. Harrington, at Casselman, in 1854. It has not to my knowledge
been found nearer Ottawa, but probably occurs here. It is a brightly
e»rloured species, usually reddish above, with a row of bright and rather
large vermilion spots along each side.

The dusky Salamander (Desmognathus fuscus, Baird) is a small,
brownish species which occurs in great numbers in the Rideau River,
near Hogsback, where a stone a few inches in diameter will be found
to cover three or four individuals. When disturbed they seek shelter
with incredible rapidity, and very easily escape capture. That they
are sometimes taken unwittingly ly persons who drink from the
streams which they frequent is, I think, not improbable. If my
memory is not badly at fault a case was reported in a Pembroke news-
paper about ten years ago ef a boy from Sheen, cn the Upper Ottawa,
whose mysterious illness had iong batted the skill of local physicians.
Powerful emetics were at length <lirected to be administered, and the
boy was relieved from several loathsome living animals which, from
the description published, L believe to have been a species of Salamander.

There are three or four species other than those recorded which
will probably be found here.’ Every specimen observed should be

107

collected ;. and if in the larval form its metamorphoses should be care-
fully noted. These observations, when collected and compared, would
be useful as the basis for a paper of interest and value on the Salaman-
ders found in the vicinity of Ottawa.

:0:

REPORT OF THE CONCHOLOGICAL BRANCH.

To the Council of the Ottawa Field-Naturalist Club:

The absence of my colleague. Mr. Poirier, and my own business en-
gagements have prevented this branch from doing during the past year
the amount of work that it should do. Very little collecting was
possible. At Buckingham on our first excursion a number of shells
were taken, Succinea obliqua was on that occasion feund in quantity at
the roots of sugar maples in the grove north of the railway station.
Sphaerium occidentale was also found in abundanca in ponds in the
same locality. One specimen of the rare Zonites binneyanus was found
about a mile up the Lievres, but no other shells except the commonest
species were noted.

Late in the season the microscopic Helix minutissima was found in
considerable numbers under poplar logs in a moist station on the
Exhibition Grounds. In this locality I collected in a few minutes more
specimens of H. minutissima than I had seen in the previous five years.

It is well known that many land shells which occur in Western
Ontario, some of them very beautiful, are not found in this vicinity.
An attempt has been made to establish these species here. Through the
kindness of Mr. G. W. Dean, of Kent, Ohio, and Mr. Geo. J. Streator
of Garrettsville, in the same State, I was enabled to place in the
woods at various points around O.tawa, and in my garden, in the city,
a number of living shells, including J/. thyroides, M. multilineata,
Triodopsis tridentata, T. palliata, Patula solitaria, PF. perspectiva,
Zonites ligera, and Stenotrema hirsutum. IL was unable to visit
afterwards the localities outside the city in which the shells were
placed, but of those which were under my eye at home I observed that
Zonites ligera, Patula solitaria, and P. perspectiva, all died. The others

lived. J/. multilineata seemed to flourish best, and in November young

108

shells fonr-tenths of an inch in diameter were to be found by the dozen
in the corner in which five adult individuals has been placed in the
month of June. The other species which lived, with the exception of
H. tridentata, did not appear to multiply. I may say that the gentle
men who obtained the shells in Ohio were kind enough to furnish me

with information as to the peculiar habitat of the different species, and ;

I tried to establish each in a station suited to it. I was able to do this
in the woods much better than at home, and it is not improbable that
the majority of the shells thus disposed of may establish themselves here.

In former years I tried to introduce the English species found at
Quebec, H. rufescens and I. cantiana, but without success. The latter
species deposited eggs, but the young shells soon succwnbed owing to.
climatic influences or the want of suitable food.

It will be of interest to observe whether the experiment made
with the western shells will not be more successfull. Possibly should
land shells be found here Jarger in size and more beautifully coloured
than the native species, more memuers of the Club would take an

interest in their study.

F. R. LATCHFORD,
Ortawa, January 27th, 1887.

109

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF ONTARIO.

Annual Meeting, 1887, at Ottawa.

An event of considerable scientific interest was the Annual Meet-
ing of the Entomological Society of Ontario, which was held in this
city on Wednesday and Thursday. 26th and 27th October. The
officers and members of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club received an
invitation to all the sessions.

_ On Wednesday two Council meeting were held and visits were
paid to the Geological Museum and Experimental Farm. In the
evening the President, Mr. James Fletcher, delivered the Annual
Address in the Civic Council Chamber. It outlined the origin and
progcess of the Entomological Society, and then treated of various in-
jurious insects which had been more or less destructive to field and
garden crops during the past summer. The address was of much
practical value, and was listened to with interest by a large audience,
among whom were many members of our Club. A vote of thanks was
moved by Rev. C. J. 8. Bethune and Prof. Saunders, both of whom
made appropriate and interesting speeches. Mr. Harrington had on
exhibition bis large collection uf Ottawa Coleoptera, arranged in
eighteen cases, and numbering over 1,250 species.

On Thursday sessions were held both in the forenoon and after-
noon in a commodious Committee Room, After the usual presentation
of Reports, etc., the election of officers was held and resulted as follows
President, James Fletcher, Ottawa; Vice-President, Mr. E. Baynes
Reed ; Secretary-Treasurer, Mr. W. E. Saunders, London ; Cowncil.—
Rev. C. J. S. Bethune, Port Hope; W. Hague Harrington, Ottawa ;
Rev. T. W. Fyles, Quebec; J. M. Denton, London; Rev. Geo. W.
Taylor, Victoria, B, C.

Rev. €. J. S. Bethune read a very interesting paper on Aletia
argillacea, the celebrated cotton moth which does such enormous injury
to cotton in the Southern States. He described its occurrence in great
numbers at Port Hope on the 8th and 9th October. Mr. Harrington
gave an account of a similar appearance of the insect at Ottawa on the

evening of Sunday, 9th (ctober, when great numbers were attracted

110

by the electric lights. The following morning he had observed at least
250 or 300 on the front of the Ottawa Bank. Mr. Moffatt stated that
immense swarms of the moths had visited Hamilton on the evening of
the 7th October. It has been for many years a debated question
whether the insect breeds in Canada or immigrates from its southern
habitat, and its presence in such immense numbers this autumn would
seem to favour the latter view.

Mr. Fletcher exhibited a beautiful case of butterflies containing
specimens of several rare species of Chionobas, &e, including C.
Macounii, C. Gigas and C. Californica. Ue spoke of the rarity of the
Species and explained that nearly all the specimens shown had been
captured by Prof. 4acoun during his explorations at Nepigon and in
British Columbia. A paper was submitted from Rev. G. W. Taylor,
of Victoria, giving an account of an ascent of Mt. Finlayson in search
of Chionobas gigas. Prof. Macoun stated that he had accompanied Mr.
Taylor and gave some interesting particulars of the habits of the butter-

flies collected by him. We have not space to give further details

-* the papers and discussions, but the following papers were among
those read :—

‘“Some remarkable Captures during the summer of 1887,” Capt.
Geddes ; ‘‘ Nuptials of Thalessa” and “ Further observations on Oryssus
Fayi,” W. Hague Harrington ; “Species, varieties, &c.,” J. Alston
Moffatt.

Mr. Harrington’s collection of Ottawa beetles and Mr. Fletcher's
fine series of butterflies were on exhibition throughout the meetings.

It will be observed from this report that an active part in the pro-

ceedings was taken by members of our Club.

Ht
EXCURSION TO KIRK’S FERRY.

The Fifth General Excursion was held on the 17th September.
The locality chosen for investigation was Kirk’s Ferry, on the Gatinean
River, about 12 miles from the city. The weather was perfect. It
was one of our lovely Canadian autumn days, with a soft warm breeze,
a bright sun, and the damp air filled with the scent of the woods. The
members turned out in good numbers, and three heavily loaded vans
carried the happy party from the dust of the city out into the pure air
of the fields. The Chaudiere Falls first attracted the attention of the
party. On account of the exceptional drought of this season, the water
in the Ottawa River was so low that workmen were walking right
across the river within 100 feet of the edge of the Fall, an occurrence

which had never been previously recorded.

The brilge over Brigham’s Creek was being repaired and one of
the vans having gone by the Chelsea Road would have “had a long
return journey but for the low water. Owing to this, however, they
were able to drive over the creek and join the rest of the party without
trouble.

As the mountains were approached there were frequent exclam-
ations of surprise and admiration at the gorgeous tints of the landscape.
The vivid autumnal hues of the Maples, Beeches and Ashes, combined
with the sombre shade of the Evergreens, rendered the scene one of
great magnificence. Nor was the foreground less attractive. Beneath
the shace of the spreading Butternut trees, which grow in great
luxuriance along the Mountain Road, graceful ferns and lovely mosses
find a fitting home. Bright berries and gaudy fungi, too, add to the
beauty of the picture. It was with difticulty that the leaders could
restrain the impatience of the members till the destination’ was reached—
about noon. Here they were led by the President to a secluded bay
where the luncheon baskets were opened. In front were the wild
rapids of the Gatineau, fringed by a beach of silver sand, behind rugged
rocks thickly clothed with verdure—a lonely spot. where some of the
party chose to spend the whole day. After lunch the different leaders

made up their parties and started off without delay so as to have as

142

much time as possible in this new locality. There were present sev: ral
Geologists, and under the guidance of Mr. Brumell many minerals and
objects of interest were collected. The Butanists were as usual well
represented, and were well repaid for their labours. All the leaders
and Prof. Macoun were present, and made the exploration interesting
to these who accompanied them, naming and explaiuing the nature of all
the plants brought to them. Several new specics were added to the
list of plants recorded. The most notable being Vaccinium ccespitosum,
a northern plant ; Vacciniwm corymbosum, var. glaucum ; and Solidago
arguta. Before leaving for home about an hour was pleasantly and
advantageously spent in listening to the addresses of the leaders, which,
owivg perhaps to the new locality and the charming weather, seemed
more than usually entertaining. The President, Mr. R. B. Whyte,
with a few well chosen words introduced each speaker. Mr. Brumell,
of the Geological Survey, explained the geological formation, and drew
attention to the most important minerals discovered. Apatite naturally
came in for a large share of attention, followed by Mica, Iron Pyrites
and Lornblende ; together with the other rocks found in the Laurentian
formation. Following Mr. Brumell, Mr. Amos Bowman, also of the
Geological Survey, spoke on the methods of working some of the
minerals referred to, and especially spoke of the surface deposits of the
district. Prof. Macoun, in his usual happy style, spoke of the plants
collected, and the pleasures of a naturalist’s life. Mr. Fletcher spoke
of the inseets, and gave some insight into the habits and life-histories
of some specimens exhibited. The party reached town again about

eight o’clock after a most successful expedition.

+

‘

113

SUB-EXCURSIONS.

TweLrtu.—A party led by the, President visited the Beaver
Meadow, Hall, on the 27th August. The weather was charming and
the woods were just putting on their gorgeous autumn dress. The
Asters and Solidagos were iu their prime and furnished a fertile field
for study. Along the banks of the Beaver Meadow fine examples of
the Closed Gentian G. An/rewsii were collected, and in the river Bidens
Beckii was found flowering freely. At the same time the striking
leaves and flowers of the Pickerel-weed, Pontederia cordata, were
conspicucus objects. The President explained the chief points of
interest about each species as found, and a most plea-ant afternoon was
spent in this favourite locality.

THIRTEENTH.—On 3rd September an enjovable excursion was held

to Billings Bridge. A full van of members left the usual rendezvous

at two o'clock. The Pre-ident and Dr. Baptie led the party. On

arriving at the Bridge the party walked up the north shore of the river
as far as Dow’s Swamp. Amongst the low herbage in the woods, Cs-
cuta Gronovii, the ‘Dodder” was found, closely embracing in its
deadly grasp plants of Boehmeria cylindrica, the Stingless Nettle.

A tree of Celtis occidentalis attracted a great deal of interest from
the diseased state of its foliage; every leaf bore from 5 to 25 galls of
the pretty little Homopteron Psylla celtidismamma. Asters and
Solidagos were very conspicuous and many species were examined and
compared. :

FourteentH.—On 10th September it was decided to again visit
the Beaver Meadow at Hull, alocality always full of interest to col-
lectors. Many berry-bearing plants now attracted attention, and the
seeds of various plants were examined. The Ashes and Hawthorns
were particularly drawn attention to by Prof. Macoun. Nessea ver-
ticillata, the Swamp Loosestrife with its aquatic stems and roots was
an interesting topic for discussion. Some of the members amused
themselves collecting the autumn leaves of Maples and other trees,
which were particularly gaudy this season. The ornamental seeds of
Clematis Virginiana were also guithered in large quantities. Prof.
Macoun collected a large number of Mosses and Lichens, the most im-
portant of which he exhibited.

114

FirTeeNTH.—On the afternoon of the 28th September a few active
workers of the Conchological Branch, including two ladies, met at
Ratté’s and procuring a large skiff rowed down the Ottawa to Duck
Island. This locality is remarkable for producing in abundance one of
the most heautiful shells found in the inland waters of North America.
A few specimens of this species, Unio occidens, Lea, were observed on
the bar which runs from the head of the island towards the Quebec
shore ; but no attempt was made at collectiug until a landing had been
effected opposite Templeton Wharf, and the appetites of the party,
sharply whetted by the long pull down the river, had been appeased by
a hearty luncheon. The excursionists then divided, some remaining on
the Northern shore and the others crossing the island. Oa’ the
Southern side Unio Occidens, U. borealis, U. ellipsis and a large coarse
form of U. complunatus were very common. A still larger but less
pouderous variety of complanatus, pale in colour and beautifully rayed,
was found sparingly, and for the first time since 1881. One specimen
of U. alatus, and a tew U. gracilis, U. rectus and U. gibbosus were
taken near the Jower end of the island, all in fine condition. In the -
meantime those upon th» North shore had not been idle. They bad
collected great heaps of Unio occidens, U.complanatus and U. ellipsis,
with several U. borealis and a few OU. gracilis. One specimen each of
Anodonta undulata and Margaritana undulata, the latter of remarkable
size, was also found. The material of the afternoon’s collecting was
carefully examined before leaving, and any not required were replaced
in the waters. Alj the shells selected wére remarkable for size, beauty
or variety, and the Unio occidens rival in brilliancy of lustre and
variety of form and coloring the choicest productions of tropical seas.
A long pull, after a second attack on the lunch baskets, landed the

party at Ottawa highly pleased with the result of the excursion.

SIXTEENTH.—The special object of this snb-excursion of the Ist
October was to investigate the different species of Fraxinus found in
the locality.

Rockecliffe was the locality visited, and many different trees were ~
examined. Specimens of the seed of the Red Ash (/. pubescens), the
White Ash (7. Americana) and the Black Ash (Ff. sambucifolia) were

i al

115

gathered for cultivation. Prunus pumila was found to occur in some
abundance round the rocky base of Rockcliffe, and Astragalus Coopert
was not uncommon. Several species of Aster and Solidago were
examined, and the only locality in the neighbourhood, so far found, for
Ceanothus Americanus the New Jersey Tea, was pointed out.
SEvENTEENTH.—A party belonging to the Botanical Section made
an expedition on 8th October to Beechwood to look for Aplectrum
hiemale, 2 rare orchid. They were, however, unsuccessful in their quest,
but were well repaid by the discovery of many other plants. Mr. Fletcher
explained the theories with regard to the growth of parasitic and
saprophytic plants. Fine specimens were collected of Comanira
umbellata growing attached to the roots ot Amelanchier Canadensis.
Roo‘s of Monotropa uniflora were foand showing, in some instances, a
new bud for next year’s growth. Attention was drawn to the similarity

of the seels of some of the Evicaceze to those of Orchids.

Ercuteentu.—Another expedition was rade on 15th October for
the same purpose as the precedmg; Lieut.-Col. White, who had
already found Aplectrum hiemale, was with the party and led them to.
the locality where he had discovered it. After a short search beneath
the fallen leaves Mr. Fred. Magee succeeded in finding a fine patch of
three plants—two of these bore two leaves each. This curious plant
throws up in the autumn a large handsome ribbed leaf somewhat like
the Lily of the Valley, it is dark green above and purple beneath. In
the foliowing summer a tall spike of purplish flowers appears in June
or July, and then when this is mature an underground stem is
produced bearing at its tip a bud which gradually is enlarged till it
becomes a solid corm. From this the autumn leaf is borne. Some-
times, as in two of the plants referred to above, there are‘two of these
bulbs on a plant. Tne old bulbs remain a year or two in the ground
before decaying, so that there are thus sometimes three or four con-
nected. The popular name of this plant is ‘‘ Putty-root” or “ Adam,
and Eve,” the latter refers to the old and new bulbs being found
connected. This kind of root is not, however, an uncommon occurrence.
amongst Orchids. Many of our common species have twin roots as we

find in Habenaria Hookzri and many others.

116

NINETEENTH.— Despite the cooluess of the weather a number of
members of the Club and their friends left the city Post Office at 9.30
a.m., of 22nd October, and proveeded by way of the Montreal Road, in
Gloucester, to the movth of Green’s Creek, some six miles distant.
The drive down was rather cool, but by eleven o'clock, when the Creek
was reached, the bracing weather had moderated, and when collecting
began the excursionists soon felt comfortable. One e’clock brought the
party together and the specimens contained in the baskets were eagerly
discussed. Before lunch the upper portion of the Ottawa River shore
had been searched fur nodules and recent shells with considerable
success, whilst the lower portion of the beach below the mouth of the
Creek proved to be less rich in the sought for specimens, The
party decided to make a halt on the way home at the Sulphur Springs,
situated on the same creek, and close to where the bridge on the
Montreal Road crosses it. This place was soon reached, and on the
way the outcrop of the shales belonging to the Chazy Formation along
the road, with the newer limestones flanking the hill, to the south,
about half-a-mile east of the toll-gate, were examined. ‘The waters of
the springs having been tasted and an additional number of nodules
collected up the creek, especially of that kind which is spheroidal in
shape. The party reassembled and in conformity to the usual custom,
the leader in Geology, Mr. Henry M. Ami, who was present, was called
to say a few words on the result of the day’s outing. He accordingly
briefly described the formation of rocks which ad more particularly
engaged their attention during the day, viz., the “ Leda Clay” forma-
tion. The origin and mode of deposition of the clays and the animal
rewains to be found in them were pointed out, after which Dr. Bell, of
the. Geological Survey, made some remarks respecting the theory
of elevation and subsidence of Continents, referring more particularly
to Prof. Croll’s theory of tidal action in the long lapse of time. This
done, the excursionists returned to the city in good time, quite satisfied
that a pleasant day had been spent, A number of ladies were present,
which speaks well for the interest which they manifest in the natural

history studies with which the Club is engaged.

117

LIBRARIAN’S RECORD. '.

ae 4 Nt ke 3 5 2
Brooklyn Entomological Society: Entomologica Americana, Vol.

III, No. 6.

Montreal Natural History Society: The Canadian, Kecord of

Science.

Vol.

Cincinnati Society of Natural History : Journal, Vol X, No. 3.
Kssex Field Club, England: The Essex Naturalist, Nos. 7, 8, 9.
American Ornithologists’ Union: The Auk, Vol. IV, No. 4.
Torrey Lotiical Club: Bulletin, Vol. XIV, Nos. 9 and 10.
Entomological Society of Ontario: The Canadian Entomologist,
XIX, Nos. 9, 10 avd 11.

New York Microscopical Society : Journal, Vol. IIT, Nos. 3 und 4.
L’Université Laval: Annuaire, 1887-88.

Dr. W. A. Kellerman: Journal of Mycology, Vol. III, Nos. 9

and 10.

Dept. of Agriculture, Manitoba: Crop Bulletin, No. 21.
Meteorological Service of Canada: Report, 1884.

118

MONOTROPA UNIFLORA.

To the Editor of the Ottawa Naturalist :—

Dear Sir: In the June-number of the Offawa Naturalist I notice
some views expressed Ly Mr. Fletcher on the growth of Monotropa. I
feel assured that his views are correct. In the summer of 1873 I was
searching in a hardwood bush for roots of Aplectrum hiemule, when I
found several bunches of roots which I at once took to be those of JM.
uniHora. but there was no appearance of flowering stems. I also
observed that they were securely attached to roots, about three-sixteenths
of an inch in diameter, of what I took to be maple, but which may
have been beech.

There could be no doubt about the parasitic attachment. At first
T imagined that the flowering stems had been plucked, but on examina-
‘tion this was evidently not the case as no signs of injury could be found ;
moreover it was in the month of July, too early in the season for the
flowers to have appeared. J marked the place carefully, and drove in
several pegs beside roots which were but little disturbed. I revisited
the spot towards the end of Sep ember, after I. had found several in
flower, but found all just as I bad left it; not a plant was to be seen.
In September of the fodowing year I happened to be driving within a_
short distance of the locality, so tying my horse I went carefully over
the ground and found the flowers so numerous that from a small area I
could have gathered a large basketful. From want of time I did not
carry the investigation further, but this was enough to convince me of
the accuracy of Mr. Flether’s statements.

Wm. Propie.
Toronto, 3rd June, 1887.

[Nore.—With regard to the above interesting subject, upon consulting Prof.
Macoun, he states that he agrees with the general tenor of Mr. Brodie’s letter, but
adds with regard to the host-plant, that he is sure that Monotropa grows upon the
rocts of other plants besides the Beech, as he has found it in many districts where
that tree does not ocenr. In British Columbia he found it common in Coniferous
woods where no deciduous trees grew. It is also abundant in the cold woods of the
Gaspé peninsular, on Anticosti, and in some parts of Nova Scotia where the Beech is
unknown. He is of the opinion that valuable information would undoubtedly be
gained by carrying out the experiment suggested in the June number of the
Naturalist of growing these plants from seed.—Eb. ]

119

EDITORIAL.

Since onr last editorial appeared—in the May number of the
Naturalist—summer has come and gone. and snowstorms* and frosts
give warning of the approach of winter. The collecting season, for
most branches at least, is over, and we have no more pleasant
Excursions, or Saturday Outings to announce. The work of the Club,
however, finds no stay; it ends not with the summer, but merely
changes with the seasons. All the varied treasures gathered from field
and forest, from cliff and quarry, have yet to be carefully examined
and prepared for the herbarium, or the cabinet, otherwise they will
be as useless as the misevr’s gold stored in hidden recesses, and will be
liable like it to be before long lost. A great store of specimens in all
branches should be the result of the past season’s work, facilitated as it
has been by so many Excursions and Outings. Amongst these speci-
mens must be many valuable and rare species ; additions to our lists ;
perhaps forms new to science. These will require special and critical
study, in order that they may be properly recorded for the benefit of
naturalists elsewhere.

Any member having notes of interest should, if they be not
intended for presentation in a special paper, forward th+m without
delay to the Leaders of the several Branches, to enable them to prepare
their Reports on the season’s labours and conquests. The Soirée Com-
mittee has now nearly completed- what we trust will be an attractive
programme for the Winter Lectures and Classes. This will appear in
full next month ; and the date for the first Soirée has been fixed for the
9th December, when the Annual Address will be delivered by the
President—Mr. R. B. Whyte.

_ A report will be found in this number of the Annual Meeting of
the Entomological Society of Ontario, which was held in the city for
the first time since the organization of the Ottawa Field Naturalists»
Club. The meeting lasted two days, and, as the officers and members

of our Club had received a cordial invitation to attend all the sessions,

*The first of these was on Sunday, 23rd October, when snow fell for several

hours, and in unusual quantity for such an early date. A week later there was
another fall lasting all day.

120

many availed themselves of this opportunity of acquiring more
knowledge of the insect world. We were p:rticularly gratified to see
sO wany present on tke evening when the President delivered his
address, as it evidenced such an interest as should be taken by our
members in the work of a kindred society.

We would particularly impress upon any members who may not
yet have paid their subscription fees for the current year, that these
dues are payable in advance. Formerly when the transactions of the
Club were published almost at the close of the year, the Treasurer did
not find it necessary to call upon the members before that time, but
under the present method of monthly publication the Treasurer (Mr,
James Fletcher, Experimental Farm) has corresponding payments to
make, and must look to the members to provide him with the required
funds.

Another, and very important, way by which the treasury can be
repleted, and the Club at the same time strengthened at every point, is
in the securing of new members. ‘There are undoubtedly srill many
persons in the city who might derive both pleasure and advantage from.
attending the Lectures and Classes of the coming winter, and who only
await information as to the objects and work of the Club to induce them
to join it.

Members will have observed no doubt that the September and
October numbers of our magazine contained only twelve pages each.
The eight pages tuereby at present lost will, however, be regained
when the proposed revised List of Ottawa Plants is ready for publica-
tion, and will enable the first portion of that list to be printed without
subdivision. This new list of our plants will be one of great value to
botani ts, as numerovs additions have been made to the “ Flora
Cttawaensis ” published in Transactions No. I, and information regard~

ing the habitat, etc, of each species will be given.

121

7

NOTES ON, AND THE PRECISE GEGLOGICAL HORIZON
OF SIPHONOTRETA SCOTiCA, DAVIDSON.

BY HENRY M. AMI.

(Lead March 3rd, 1587.)

_-__

At the Montreal Meeting of the American Association for the
Advancement of Science in 1883, Mr. J. F. Whiteaves, Palseontologist,
&e., to the Geological Survey of Canada, read a communication or
paper before the Geological Section, in which there was recorded for
the first time on this continent the occurrence of a beautifully fringed,
or spinose brachiopod, which, from specimens sent him, Dr. Thos.
Davidson, the eminent authority on the Brachiopoda, had recognized
to be referable to a form which he himself had described as Si-
phonotreta Scotica. The specimens thus referred to de Verneuil’s genus
Siphonotrets had been collected by Mr. J. W. H. Watts, of the Ottawa
Field-Naturalists’ Club, and that gentleman had handed them to Mr.
Whiteaves and subsequently presented them to the National Museum
at Ottawa where they are now exhibited in the cases. ‘The specimens |
in question had been obtained from blocks of impure limestone lying
near Mr. Watts’ residence at Cummings’ Bridge, near Ottawa, and
were said to have come out of a well sunk by the same gentleman on
his property. There was but little doubt, both from the lithological
aspect of the rock containing the specimens of Siphonotreta and other
fossils found an th’s property, and from the facies of the included
fauna, that the measures whence they came were referable to the Utica.
Formation. . For some time, however, a certain amount of dou'st was:
entertained by a number of palzontologists as to the precise geological
position of the interesting form under consideration ; but, from recent
investigations made with the special object in view of clearing this
point, the writer, in conjunction with Messrs. McConnell, Hayter and
other members of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club has made @
number of excursions during which specimens of this. Leautiful shell

were collected.
I

*)

122

Tn order.to ascertain definitely the true horizon’of the Siphunotreta
in question, it was necessary to ‘find it in situ, and further to obtain
from the same bed or beds in which it occurs as many species of fossils
as possible, in other words, determine ‘what were its contemporaries.
It had been previousiy pointed out that the lowest measures of the
Utica formation about Ottawa consisted in a series of impure bands of
limestone at times, slightly dolomitic and interstratitied with black
brittle bituminous shales all abounding in fossils. (See Geological
Report, Transactions Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club, Vol. IL No. 4,
p- 66; also Vol. II, p. 347). The close resemblance in lithological
chavacter between the specimens sent to Dr. Davidson by Mr.
Whiteaves and the rocks constituting the Jower portion of the Utica
formation where it crops out along the right bank of the Rideau River,
opposite the Rifle Range, near the rapids, was such as to warranta
careful search for Siphonotretu in that locality. After a somewhat
careful search on the part of those members of the Club above men-
tined, a goodly number of specimens of this interesting species were
found at the rapids along with other forms to be mentioned later-on.

The precise bed in which Stphonotreta Scotica occurs, is that band of
impure bituminous limestone, black or dark brown in colour, which
crosses the Rideau River at this locality and forms the rapids or slight
fall, giving the peculiar orographic ‘aspect to that portion of the river
which it possesses and dividing the smooth flowing water above this
point stretching on to near Hurdman’s Bridge from the rapid running
waters below. ;

The following is a section of the measures of the Utica formation
exposed at the head of the rapids opposite the Rifle Range, and in-
cludes the zone of Siphonotreta Scotica. The middle and upper
measures of the Utica have been denuded away, especially during glacial
times, and the uppermost beds of the section are capped with Post-
Tertiary deposits made up for the most part of debris of the ‘till’ and
Saxicava sand and associated gravel formations with ‘erratics’ in
abundance, the ‘ Leda clay’ having been washed away in latter times.

The section is given in descending order :—

CHARACTER OF BEDS, THE THICKNESS, &C.

“These upper measures consist of very soft, brittle and friable| (Shales.)
bituminous shales holding Triarthrus Becki, Green and other
fossils. Thirty inches.

Band of hard compact impure limostone teeming with the}; Limestone)
remains of Conwlaria Trentonensis, Hall, and holding also}
Zygospira Headi, Bill, Leptena sericea, Sow. Orthis testu-|
dinaria Dal. Calymene senaria, Con., &c., &e. One inch.

Zone of Siphonotreta Scotica. Band of black impure bitu- (Limestone.)
minous limestones gradually passing into a series of calcareo- Zone of Siphonotreta,
argillaceous shales, at other times compact and breaking With a|Varies from eight to
conchoidal fracture, holding abundance of fossils. (See lists.) |twelve inches.

Black and brittle impure (calcareo-argillaceous) shales, bitu-|(Shales.)
minous aud holding the remains of Asaphus Canadensis,

Chapman.

~ Band of impure limestone. '|(Limestone.)
Shales, very bitnminous and brittle. (Shales. )

~ Band of impure limestone. ; (Limestone.)

Brownish-black beds of shales, very brittle and bituminous. |(Shales.)

Two bands of an irregular and unevenly bedded lime-|(Limestone.)
stone containing Orthocerata and other fossils but poorly pre-|
served; limestone dark and somewhat bituminous.

|

From the band of impure limestone holding Siphonotreta the
following species of fossils have also been found intimately associated
therewith :—

1. Batostoma erraticum Ulrich. 10. Zygospira (probably a new form).
2. Lingula curta, Hall. 11. Conularia Trentonensis, Hall.

3. «© elongata, Hall. 12. Asaphus Canadensis, Chapman.
4, ‘¢ quadrata, Eichwald. IDati 1! 4S platycephalus, Stokes.
5. Leptena sericea, Sowerby. vel megistos, Locke.

6. Strophomena alternata, Conrad. 14. Calymene senaria, Conrad.

7. Orthis testudinaria, Dalman. 15. Beyrichia oculifera, Hall.

8. ayerepira Headi, Billings. 16. Leperditia cylindrica, Hall.

SP modesta, Say.

A mere glance at the fauna which thus characterizes the zone of
Siphonotreta Scotitze in Americr is sufficient to indicate that the
measures whence they came belong tu the Utica Formation, in the
upper portion of the Cambro-Silurian or Ordovician System. A
single hand specimen showed the following interesting association of
species :—

1. Siphonotreta-Scotica, Dav. 3. Zygospira Headi, Bill.
. 2. Leptzeaa sericea, Sow. 4. Asaphus Canadensis, Chap.

124

From specimens obtained at the head of the Rifte Range Rapids
along the Rideau River by the writer and from those of the National
Museum collection kindly place at the disposition of the writer by Mr.
Whiteaves, the following notes have bcen gathered :—

Specimen No. 1.—Collected at the rapids along the Rideau River,
opposite the Rifle Range, in Gloucester. Collector H.M A., 1886.

This specimen agrees well with the beautiful and clear description
given by Dr. Davidson in his ‘Supplement to the British Silurian
Brachiopoda, 1882-1884, p. 217,” and only slight variations such as
might be merely local can be observed. The dimensions of the shell
are as follows:—Length, twelve and a-half millimetres ; breadth, eleven
millimetres ; height, measured at abont one third the distance from the
beak to the anterior extremity, wo miilimetres. Length of the longest
spines, seen along the anterior margin, ‘Aree millimetres.

Specimen Vo. 2.—Collected by Mr. J. W. H. Watts on his property,
Cummings’ Bridge P. O., Ont., near Ottawa City, 1833.

This specimen exhibits the spines all around the onter margin of
the valve from near the beak on one side round the front margin and near
the beak on the other side- These spines, the longest measured as yet,
gave three and a half millimetres, or one and a half lines in length. In
the centre of the umbonal region where the valve rises abruptly from
the beak near the latter there is a clearly defined sinus or groove ex-
tending only a short distance anteriorly and dying out on the gently
covex or arched valve. This feature is also present in the next.

Specinen No. 3.—Collected by Mr. J. W. H. Waits at the same
locality as No. 2.

A very typical example of the species indeed, whose length is
twelve and ahalf millimetres (6 lines) and breadth ten and a half
millimetres (5 lines). ‘I'he height of the valve is two millimetres but
the spines being partially or wholly imbedded in the matrix their length
has not been ascertained exactly.

The three specimens above referred to, as mentioned before,
agree well with Dr. Davidson’s Scottish form Siphonotretu Scotica; never-
theless as it may possibly happen that the Canadian form exhibits the
few points of variation constantly the varietal designation of Si-

f

125

phonutreta Scotica var. Cunadensis now proposed, may perhaps not be
entirely deemed inappropriate. The spines in the Canadian specimens
examined so far are exceedingly minute and numerous, narrowly
cylindrical, pointed and smooth for the most part, and somewhat broad
and thickened at the base. Even under a high power of a microsoope
the spines appear to be smooth, no anuulations being visible, whilst
irregularly distributed punctures at times appear to be present—these
aie perhaps due to the mode of fossilization. The number of spines
round the outer margin of specimen No. 2. (supra) has been roughly
estimated at over three hundred, forming only one of the many rows of
“adpressed spines” ranging from the beak to beak round the anterior
front of the shell.

It may not be deemed out of ;place in this connection to give a
a list of the species of fossils associated with S. Scotiea, Dav., and col-
lected at Craighead, in Ayrshire, Scotland, chiefly by Mrs. R. Gray, a
lady whose researches in and contributions to paleentology are well
known. They are all referred to the Llandeilo formation, a series of
measures underlying the Caradoc-Bala group, all members of the
Cambro-Silurian or Ordovican System. The list of Brachiopoda has
been compiled from S. Davidson’s ‘‘Supplement” (loc. cit.) and the
Crustacea are taken from the admirable ‘‘ Monograph of the Silurian
fossils of the Girvan district,” by Dr. H. A. Nicholson and Mr. Robt.
Etheridge, jr., F.G.S.

The following is the list of species from Craighead in the Llandeilo
formation from which Siphonotreta Scotica was obtained, those common
to Canada all italicised.

BRACHIOPODA.

1. Lingula quadrata, Eichwald. 12. Orthis testudinaria, Dalman.

2. s¢ — Ramsayi, Salter. 13. © confinis, Salter.

3. Discinia perrugata, McCoy. 14. ‘* biforata. Schlothein.

4. Acrotreta Nicholsoni, Dav. 15. turgida, McCoy.

5. Leptxna sericea, Sow. 16. Strophomena rhomboidalis, Wilckens.

6. be tenuicincta, McCoy. 17. “6 Imbrex, Pander, var.

vie ee Youngiana, Day. 18. 2 expansa, Sowerby.

8. s¢ s Grayiz, Day. 19. ss retroflexa, Salter.

9. Leptena Etheridgei, Day. £0. Rhynchonella Balcletchiensis, Dav.
10. (?) Orthis unguis, Sow. ales a Peachii, Dav.
11. Orthis Sowerbyiana, Dav. 22. < Scotica, Day.

126

CRUSTACEA.

1. Calymene Blumenbachii Brong. 6. Ilenus. Bowmani, Salter.
2, Bronteus sp. (large form). 7. ‘ —Rosenbergi, Eichwald.
3. Cheirurus gelasinosus, Portlock. 8. Lichas Hibernicus, Portlock.

4, Encrinurus punctatus, Brinnich.
5. Encrinurus punctatus var. arenaceus,
Salter.

The association of Siphonotreta Scotica, Dav., has thus been given
. both as regards its Canadian and European contemporaries. There are
are a number of cther forms occurring throughout the section at the
Rapids, in Gloucester, not mentioned which would swell the list con-
siderably, but subsequent researches will help in ascertaining their
precise aflinities and lead to other forms being found.

There remains much work, however, to be done in ascertaining
the internal characters of this pretty little spinose brachiopod which in
Scotland and Canada used to flourish in the old Cambro-Silurian
Seas. f
Should any member of the Club find any specimen or cpecimens.
of Stphonotreta Scotica or of its Canadian variety which would throw
additional light and show the muscular and other impressions of the
interior of this shell belonging to the division of the Tretenterata, he
or she would be conferring a favour to Science by contributing the

same in the Club’s Transactions or elsewhere. . aa

Lay

THE COUGAR OR PANTHER.

WILLIAM PITTMAN LETT.

(Read. 10th March, 1887.)

—

This interesting animal (Felis concolor, L.) has been variously
called Cougar and Panther in North America, Pua in South America,
“Mountain Lion” in some of the Western States, and “ California
“Lion” in California. Amongst the old trappers and hunters, it was
and many startling and wonderful stories

”

known as the ‘Panther ;
have been told regarding its size and ferocity by those hardy pioneers

of the wilderness, who followed their adventurous occupation, with

their eves always on the watch for the tomahawk and the scalping

knife, and their ears ever open for the sound of the war-whoop. They

dealt largely in the marvellous, in those far back times—those early
days, before the woodman’s exterminating axe and the resistless march

of the battalions of civilization, had driven out from their forest fast~
nesses the great ruminants and the larger and fiercer carnivora which

formerly abounded in localities where they are now unknown. The
habitat of the Cougar is confined to the American Continent, ranging
from Canada to the equatorial forests, and as far south as Terra del

Fuego. It is found in the range of the Andes at an altitude of 9,000

feet, and is quite common in South America, as well as in the forests
around the Rocky Mountains. It abounded, at one time, in the Valley

of the Ottawa, in considerable numbers. The Cougar belongs to the
Felidae, or cat family ; and, except the Jaguar, is the largest animal of
its kind in America. ..

A full grown cougar of the largest size of which we have any
authentic account, measures eight feet in length from’ the point of the
nose to the extremity of the tail, and weighs, about one hundred and.
fifty pounds. In some rare instances, specimens have been found
reaching the uncommon weight of two bundrel pounds. In a recen®
interesting work on Wild Animals, written by Major, Nutt, of
Montreal, an account is given of a cougar which was killed in Texas,
in 1883, which measured nine feet four inches, and weighed two
hundred and. forty- pounds. ‘ The American Field,” an. excellent.

128

<mn’s paper, tells of the recent killing of one of these animals at
Georgetos.. Fl Dorado County, California, which measured nine feet
from tip to tip and weighed two hundred pounds. This variation in
siz2 may be quite possible, for every hunter of any experience knows
that the average weight of a large Virginian deer is about two bunirea
pounds, although, occasionally, extra large bucks have been met with,
weighing two hundred and fifty, and even three hundred pounds.

The colour of the cougar is a deep fawn, inclining to white on the
belly. The body is long and somewhat slender, and the height about
two feet six inches at the shoulder. The tail is two feet long with a
small tuft of stiff hair at the end. The legs are thick and extremely
muscular, and the teeth are sharp, strong and dangerous looking. Like
all animals of the cat tribe, the claws are keen, formidable and retrac-
tile, thus aiding in the seizure and retention of its living prey, as well
as enabling it to climb trees with facility.

After a gestatory period of about ninety-two days, the female brings
forth two kittens ata birth; sometimes, however, one, three or even
four constitute her infant family. The young are produced late in the
winter, or early in the spring. A reliable authority, William A. Conk-
ling, Ph. D., Director of the Central Park, New York, speaking of
panthers, remarks :—

“The cubs are born with their eyelids closed, they open after
eight or nine days. The incisors and canine teeth cut through the
gums in eighteen days. Ths body is at first spo ted; the spots dis-
appear in about six months. They are weaned when three months old.
The mother carries the young about in her mouth in the same manner
that a cat does.” (Merriam.)

As I intend to adhere as closely as possibly to scientific facts, L
shall make no apology for presenting you with a few admirable extracts*
from a work, entitled, “Th2 Mammalia of th2 Adirondacks,” by Dr.
Olinton Hart Merriam, of Locust Grove, in the State of New York—
a volam2 which those who hive hail a. opportunity of reading will
readily acknowledge t> b2 an able anl valuable contribution to the
Natural History of America. i 4 ‘a y

*These extracts giving a very full account of the habits of this animal are, for
want of space; omitted, and the reader is referred to Dr. Merriam’s splendid work.

F329

The cougar which you may see, very inartistically and unnatnrally,
set up in the glas3case before you must have been, when living, a
remarkably finespecimen. As nearly as possible, he must have measured
seven and a half feet from nose to end of tail. He was shot by a boy
named Bentley, upward of forty years ago, on Croil’s Island, on the
south side of the St. Lawrence River, opposite Farran’s Point, about
ten miles east of Morrisburgh, with an iron spike or nail. The youth
killed the animal with a single shot, a sporting exploit sometimes
found difficult of accomplishment by experienced hunters.

About one hundred years ago, the panther was found in every
part of Ontario and Quebec. JI have been assured by reliable
authority, that about forty years ago, two large specimens were fre-
quently seen near the Village of Lachute, in the Province of Quebec,
Since the days of of the adventurous Kentuckian, Daniel Boone, many
thrilling stories have been told about the size, ferocity and destructive-
ness of the congar. It is well known that it has strong proclivities for-
the flesh of deer and smaller animals, and that, also, when pressed by
hunger it has been known to destroy sheep and horned cattle; but we
have yet to learn from any authentic record that one of its char-
acteristics is to attack man, except when wounded and breught to bay.
In the latter case, it will defend itself to the last with great fury.
Under such circumstances, valuable hounds have frequently been killed
in the attempt to close with it.

On the contrary many strange stories have been told from time to
time, illustrative of the apparently unaccountable, friendly and even
affectionate feeling entertained by it for the human race. I have read
an account recently which is strikingly illustrative of ihe gentleness of
of this interes‘ing animal towards man. A farmer was travelling upon
a lonely road in Washington Territory to a place called Olympia. The
The road led through a thick bush for a mile or more. In the dark-
ness, he became sensible of something rubbing against his leg, and at
the same time heard a loud purring sound. On looking down he was
terrified at the sight of a large panther walking along beside him:
Every few yards the animal would ‘bound off into the bush, only to
return and repeat the cat-like action, and continue the purring. At

130

last, when getting near the clearance, he head. the sound of waggon
wheels ; and fancying that the attentions of the panther were becoming
aggressive, he uttered a loud scream, and the animal bounded away in-
to the darkness. When the waggon arrived at the spot, the driver
found the terrified farmer scareely able to speak.

I have not quoted the foregoing interesting incidents as, positive
facis in natural history ; but I imagine that there must be some reason-
able foundation for narratives of the kind, or they wonld be unlikely to
appear so frequently as they do. You are all acquainted with th®
beautiful story of the Roman Slave Androcles, and the Lion, and a
most affecting tale it is, and perhaps, strictly true. If trne, it speaks
volumes for the almost rational gratitude of the king of the beasts.
I have read, also, of a certain class of Asiatic priests who kept tame
tigers which followed around like degs, and were perfectly docile and
harmless. The Cheetar (Felis jubata), the hunting leopard of India,
forms a strong link in the chain of evidence, which goes to prove that
many savage animals are susceptible of an educational transformation,
which, in a great measure, neutralizes their supposed natural pro-
pensities. The Ounce, the American Leopard, and Pauther, the Bengal
Tiger and the South American Jaguar are untamable. Even the —
beautiful little Ocelot is not quite as tractable as a domestic cat.

From its length of body, strength of limbs, and litheness of form,
the cougar is naturally possessed of immense muscular power and
agility. These qualities are peculiarly requisite to enable it make the
the sudden and swift rushes with which it suprises and captures its
prey. Although a rapid and expert climber, it would appear, according
to Merriam, that the cougar is not generally given. to ascending trees.
It. was, however, supposed, and commonly believed, at one time, that
its attack was usually made from some elevation; or from the over-
hanging branch of a tree. James. Fennimore Cooper, in his famous
and inimitable “ Leather-Stocking Tales,” whieh, as graphic pictures
of Indian.and hunter’s life, and savage warfare are, swt generis, the
most intensely interesting narratives ever written—gives many strange
and. attractive accounts, which would lead, more or less, to the belief
that the panther, or “painter,” is'a much stronger, anda much more
formidable animal than he really is.

131

Perhaps there is no carnivorous animal of the same size and
genus, with the excepticn of the cheetah, that can leap so far fur a
number of consecutive bounds as can the cougar. A full grown one
can leap twenty feet and upwards at each bound, for a distance of one
hundred yards or more. I can readily credit this, when I know from
- personal observation, that the large wiry-haired Scotch staghound can
cover twenty feet at each stride, and keep up the pace fora couple of
miles. A large Virginian deer can leap from seventeen to twenty feet
and keep up the gait for a considerable distance, when freshly started,
with the matchless chorus of the hounds behind him. About six years
ago, I had the curiosity to measure a single bound of a fine spike
horned buck, after it had rushed down the steep side of one of our own
Laurentian hills before the hounds; and I found that, from the spot
from whence it had started to the point where its fore feet struck the
earth again, the distance was one hundred and eleven feet, or thirty -
syven yards. The d2cens o¢ grade was, of course, exc edingly
steep. v5 ;
"TL have heard many an exciting story, and read many a thrilling
account, of the blood-curdling scream of the panther, or, as this animal
‘has been frequently called, the ‘‘catamount,” but I have never seen
one in the act of screaming, or under any other circumstances except in
a menagerie. On two or three occasions, many years ago, I heard, in
the thick forest near the Village of Richmond, and afterwards in the
Township of Huntley, some strangely startling and frightful screams,
which I then attributed to the cougar. Be this as it may, I have heard
no screams of the same kind for the last thirty years.

Being always fond of music, I soon learned, not, however, with-
out some trouble, to imitate the terror-striking screata of the cata,
mount ; and having been given to harmless practical joking, I have
frequently accelerated the gait of nocturnal travellers, and had the
pleasure afterwards to listen to their exaggerated accounts. of narrow
escapes. It never required more than two good yells to put the boldest
to flight. : * * * * %

I think I have now told you all I know concerning the cougar.
If [ have entertained any of my hearers, or, better still have instructed
any in the smallest degree, I shall consider myself amply rewarded for

132

the hours which I have spent in accomplishing the little of which I am
capable, as a member of the Field Naturalists’ Club of the City of
Ottawa, an organizition which, I am happy to say, numbers within its
circle of membership, many able and scientific men. It seems to me
that we have been placed upon this earth for the purpose of doing all
the good we can to our fellow-beings in our day and generation. The
public benefactor, whoever he may be, and whatever may be his talents,
his powers or his influence for good, will always find his most grati-
fying reward in the contemplation of the progress, prosperity, enlight-
ment or happiness, which he has been directly or indirectly,
iustrumental in promoting. He may be gifted with genius—ke may
be endowed with talent, yet he is deserving of no personal credit for
the possession of either. But, if he has cherished, guarded and
nurtured the celestial spark committed to his charge, until it has grown
_and expanded into a living flame, which has developed and brightened
his own intelligence, and proved a beacon to guide the earnest searcher
after truth, he is entitled to every honour and commendation for having
at least endeavoured to accomplish the manifest behests of his own
destiny.

That we have had in the past, and that we now have, amongst the
throbbing millions of this vast world, great und gifted men in every
branch of human industry, and in every avenue of human thought and
human action, is due alone to the wonder-working power of that Om-
nipotent Hand that planted the firmament with the sun, the moon, the
stars and the planets—that studded the arched equator ot the blue
ocean of the heavens with the glittering islands of the Milky Way; that
clothed the earth with verdure and beauty ; that laid the foundations of
the mountains and fashioned “ the Everlasting Hills ;” that intersected
terrestrial space with rivers and streams, and capped the towering
climax of immeasurable might by infusing the resistless spirit of limit-
less aspiration into that mysteriously sublime something called the
human soul. Here the finite is Jost in the magnitude of the infinite!
The most gifted, the most learned one of human kind, when he seeks
to unravel the mystery of his own nature, pauses when he is confronted
by God, and shrinks abashed before the majesty of the Incomprehensible !

133

NOTE ON FLOUR AND GRAIN BEETLES.

W. HAGUE HARRINGTON.

(Read 10th February, 1887.)

Among the insects which prove unwelcome visitors or dwellers in
our houses are species of beet’es which are almost universally distri-
buted over the world, and which cause, sometimes, immense loss
through their attacks on stored grain, or on its products. It is not my
intention this evening t» give any extended history of these obnoxious
insects, but merely to mention the prin ipal ones which oecur h>re, and
to call attention to the longevity of one species. The grub which is so
frequently found in flour and meal is the larva of Tenebrio molitor, a
beetle belonging to the Tenebrionide, several members of which occur
in, or about, houses, and are known as “ black beetles.” The insect,
in its several stages, is more abundant about bakeries, mills and flour
ware-houses, than in ordinary dwellings, and is also destructive on
shipboard. The grub is cylindrical in shape and about an inch long,
burrowing and living in the flour. The beetie is of a blackish-brown
colour, of molerate siz2, flying abundantly at night, and coming in at
open windows. The grain beetles are very much smaller and belong to
the Calandridz, a family of the Rhyncophora or “snout beetles.” They
especially frequent granaries and flour mills, and in the former some-
times work great damage. Two species occur here, viz.: Calandra oryze
and C’. granaria, but not so far as Iam aware in suflicient abundance
to be very destructive, as they are in more southerly portions of the
continent. The life history of these weevils is briefly as follows: The
females bures with her long beak a minute hole in a grain of wheat,
barley or rice, &c., in which she deposits an egg, from which hatches a
little stout footless grub, or maggot, which burrows into the grain,
feeding until fully grown on its substance, and then undergoing its trans-
formations in the empty shell, which is all that remains when it comes
forth as the perfect beetle. The mature insects, or beetles, also feed
upon the grain, but do not so rapidly consume it. As you are aware,
the duration of the life of the majority of insects is very brief,
especially after they have reached the imago, or perfect state. Larvee
may live for several months, or even years, but their final transfor-
mations undergone they enter a brief existence, measured by weeks,
days, or even hours.

Certain species, however, such as some bees and wasps live for
almost a year, while some auts are said to live for several years. The
specimens of Calandra granaria which I exhibit this evening are, when,
the average longevity of insects is considered, genuine patriarchs ; their
days have been long in the land. They were given to me on 4th July,
1885, by Mr. Latchford, who found a great number of them in a flour

134

barrel. Their age at that tim2 was nob knowa, bat they have since
lived quite happily in their limite] quarters (a small pill box) and have
nearly devourel the smul quivatity of grain then allotted to them.
They must be nearly twenty months old.

Note.—Of ten of the above mentioned specimens four survived on
24th October, 1887, and one still remains alive on 39th November,
1887, or nine months and twenty days later—W. H. H.

de;
SUB-EXCURSIONS.

TWeNTIETH.—On the 5th November the clear, cool weather was
fav rable for a Geological Outing, and accordingly a small party paid
a visit to an interesting exposure on the line ef the Canada Atlantic
Railway, of a formation not elsewhere observed in the vicinity. It
was reached by a five mile tramp and found to consist of drab and
brownish grey calcareous shales, holding in abundance the remains of
petrified shells. These were very well” preserved,the internal as well
as external characters of a numer of species being especially well
shown, thus enabling the geologist to determine the structure of these
extinct forms, which. flourished and swamj{in the sea which in remote
geologic periods covered this region. A large number of these fossils
were collected azd carried home for the purpose of further study.

On the same afternooa the Leaders of the Entomological Branch
visited the Beaver Meadow, Hull, and nothwithstanding that the
grouad was covered with snow (absut three inches) their explorations
were well repaid. The objects especially sought for were galls, anda
large number were obtained on roses, golden- rods, willows, ete. Several
cocoons and pup of moths, such as “Sania Cecropia antl Callosamia
Promethea, were also tound. This shows that even at sach a late.date,
and under apparently most unfavorable conditions, collecting could still
be carried on with fair success, and that even in ‘midwinter it would be
still pessible.

‘twenty FIrst.—A trip was made on 7th November by the Leaders
of the Entomological Branch to Dow’s, Swamp, with the special object
of collecting moss. This was not obtained, as might be supposed, for
botanical puposes, but for the insects and shells which abound in it,
and which find in it their winter residence. The ground was very wet,
and the surface more or less frozen and snow-covered, but a sufficient
quantity was easily obta’ned to fill two larg? sacks, and to yield many
specimens, a list of which may hereafter be presented to the Club.
Numbers of the cocoons of Nematus Erichsonii, the Larch Sawfly, were
found, showing that these insects had been abundant during the
summer.

—

New Mempers.—31. Dr. Felix Cornu, Angers, Que. 32. R. H.
Campbell. 33. A. O. Whe:ler. 34. W. W. ilbouri. 35. F. Bz
Anderson, Winnipeg, Man.

135

SOITREES.
1887.
Dec. 8. President’s Inaugural Address. ..... Mr. R..B. Whyte.
1888.

Jan. 5. Clays, Sauds and Gravels in the
vicinity of Ottawa,and their con- ,
tinuations. SA Sasa uaa aca Mr. Ames Bowman.

Report of the ‘Geolagerh ees

‘© 19. Our Forest Trees.. ‘ et *Prof. Macoun.
Report of the Bebartal Br ae

Feb. 2. Vegetable Parasites... .,..s2deae0s. Mr. James Fletcher.
Notes on Gall-torming Insects......... Mr. W. H. Harrington
Report of the Entomological Branch.

« 16. Autumn on the Ottawa River..,...... Mr. A. O. Wheeler.
Report of the Conchological Branch.

Manch d..,OurSqaeivrels). 15:0... .ie0cewies.celes Mr. J. Ballantyne.
Report of the ae iteddnieal Desi

-

Members are requested to prepare short notes on any subject
which may have been brought to their notice during the year, for
presentation at any of the above meetings. Additions to or changes in
the Programme will be announced in future issues of the Orrawa
NATURALIST.

The Soirées will be held in the Museum of the Ottawa Literary
and Scientific Society, 25 Sparks Street, and the chair will on all
occasions be ‘taken punctually at eight o'clock.

ADMISSION FREE TO MEMBERS OF THE’CLUB; TO NON-MEMBERS
TEN CENTS.

136

MONDAY AFTERNOON LECTURES.

1888.
January 9. Ornithology. Prof. John Macoun.

mt 16. Geology. Mr. Henry M. Ami.

ec 23. Mineralogy. D.:. Gao. B witie.

ae 30. Conchology. Mr. F. R. Latebford.
Feburary 6: Zoology—treneral. Dr. H. Beaumont Small.

« 13. Entomology. Mr. James Fletcher.

- 20. Entomology. Mr. W. Hague Harrington.

«27. Botany. Mr. R. B. Whyte.
March 5. Mosses. Prof. John Maccun.

4 12. Classificationof Plants. Prof. John Macoun.

Any change in the above list will be duly announced in the
Orrawa NaTORALIST.

It is aimed to make these lectures intelligible to those entirely
ignorant of Natural History, and at the same time instructive to those
who have made some progress in the study of the subjects to be
discussed. They will be brief, in order that ample time may be afforded
for subsequent discussion, and replies to questions.

They will commence promply at 4.15 o’clock, so as to be concluded
by 5.30.

ADMISSION FREE.

Members of the Ottawa Literary and Scientific Society, and
teachers in the various Educational Institutions of the city are
especially invited to be present. F

137

PRESIDENTS ADDEESS.

Mr. R. B. WHytTe.

(Delivered, Sth Dec., 1887.)
Members of the Ottawa Field Naturalists’ Club, Ladies and Gentlemen :

I do not propose to-night to give you an elaborate paper on any
special point of Natural History, but only to ask your attention fora
short time to a brief address on a subject that should, at least, be
interesting to ail present: That of the Ottawa Field Naturalists’
Club present, past and future, what we are doing, what we have done
in the past and what I think we ought to aim at doing in the years to
come. If you do not agree with my ideas of the work of the Club, I
hope you will not scruple to say so, as there will be ample time for the
fullest discussion, and on the right settlement of some of the points
that I will reter to, the future prosperity and well being of the Club will
very materially depend. It is with great pleasure that J can
congratulate you on the continued and increasing prosperity of the
Club. This is shown not only by the largely increased membership;
a larger number having joined our ranks during the past season than
during any previous year, but by what is of much more consequence
the much greater percentage of the members who have taken an active
part in the working of the Club. The fact too is particularly notice-
able amongst those lately added to our number. A great encouragement
to the council has been the sympathy shown in our efforts by those
engaged in the important profession of teaching. These ladies and
gentlemen recognizing the advantages offercd from an educational point
of view, have, many of them, cast in their Jot.with us, to the mutual
benefit of all concerned. Original work has been vigorously prosecuted
by the specialists in all the branches, and greater efforts have been
made by the ccuncil to gain the interest of outsiders. The usual
methods of procedure adopted in past years have been continued up to
the present time, and the lectures and classes will be held during the

present winter as heretofore.
a ak

138

At our first excursion the Club, for the seventh time, visited
Kings Mountain, which seems to have lost none of its old time attrac-
tiveness for our members. In the past it has always proved the most
popular excursion of each season, a record which this year it has added
to by being the largest we ever had; no less than 119 members and
friends taking part in it; nearly all of whom attempted the ascent of
the mountain and no less than 75 githered on the bare rock at the
top, probably the largest number that was ever there at any one time.
T do not wonder at the attraction it has for our members, as it would

be hard to find a more delightful spot for a day’s outing.

Our second excursion, on June 25th, was to the shores of Lake
Deschenes, below Aylmer. This was a new locality and proved an
excellent collecting ground for both Botanist and Entomologist, the
flora being unusually abundant and showy, Rosa blanda and Carolina
and the large showy flowers of our only wild lily, Z. Philadetphicum,
being found io great profusion. Being in Aylmer in the end of
August, 1 went over the same ground and was much surprised to find
it a barren waste with hardly a flower to be found. The change was
partly to be accounted for by the excessive dryness of the season, but
chiefly, I think, by there being but a thin layer of soil over the lime-
stone, holding snfficient moisture to sustain growth during the sprig
and early summer, but under the hot summer sun becoming too dry for
ordinary vegetation, only such deep rooting plants as trees and grasses
being able to maintain themselves. The great contrast between my
two visits shows how careful the excursion committee have to be to
select the best season for each locality.

The success of our third excursion, on July 2nd to Buckingham,
was somewhat marred by the unpromising appearance of the weather.
When the hour came for the boat to start only 24 members were on
hand, not half of those we expected ; however, for those who did go, it
turned out a most enjoyable day, as the clouds moderated the heat and
made the somewhat long walk through the woods from the wharf to
our rendezvous at the railway bridge a most delightful one. Most of
the party passed the day in the vicinity of the falls, but a few of the
more enthusiastic botanists walked up the river along the slide and -

139

were well repaid, as thanks to a never failing supply of water from
the leaky slide, the vegetation was very rich and luxuriant. Among
the trophies they brought back’ were some Indian turnips with corms
that almost rivaled the edible turnip in size, some of them being four
inches in diameter. Our entomologists also were jubilant over the
capture of many rare insects, amongst them being a female of the rare
northern butterfly Colias Interior.

On August 13th we visited Britannia, and though nothing of
marked interest was discovered a very enjoyable day was spent
along the river bank. Above the station, near the lighthouse, were
found large quantities of the handsome heads of the Lbutton-bush and
the gorgeous spikes of the Cardinal flower.

On Sept. 17th was held the fifth and last excursion of the season
to Kirk’s Ferry and Falls on the Gatineau, four miles beyond Chelsea.
The perfect weather, charming drive, and the many attractions of the
locality visited all contributed to make it one of the most successful
excursions ever held by the Club, and many wishes were expressed
that the committee would hold onr first excursion next season to the
same place. It being our first visit our ever active botanists were
diligent in searching for new species, and several additions were made
to our list, the most notable being a new blueberry (V. coespitosum),
a golden rod (Solitago arguta) and the curious grass (Andropogon
scopanus). It was also an unusually interesting day for our
Mineralogists, for in that great mineral reservoir the Laurentian
formation, Phosphate, Plumbage, Mica, Iron Pyrites, Hornblende, &c.,
-were abundant, especially in the cliffs along the river banks.

The sub-excursions, at which a large proportion of our work is done,
have been more numerous and better attended than in past years.
From the first week in May till late in the fall, when the weather

‘permitted, these working parties, of which there were 21, left the Post

Office at 2 P.M. every Saturday in charge of one or more of the
leaders for convenient, places in the vicinity of the city ; some of them
rivaling our general excursions in the numbers that attended.

In the beginning of the season I suggested to the leaders that it
would add greatly to the interest and value of these tramps if they

140

would give elementary lectures at each of them similar in character to
those we have always had at the general excursions. My thanks are
due to the leaders, particularly to Messrs. Fletcher, Harrington and
Ami, for the able and efficient manner in which my suggestion was
carried out. At nearly every outing simple elementary lectures
were given on the Geological formation, plants and insects of the
districts visited, in such a style as to be interesting and instructive not
only to the student of those branches, but to every one present, no
matter how slight their knowledge might be of Natural History. That
a great additional interest was taken in these excursions, on account of
the addresses, was evident from the improved attendance and the
anxiety shown by those present to be at the rendezvous in time to hear
the leaders, and by the manifest interest taken in their remarks.

The council of last year recommended to their successors that
instead of issuing our transactions in a yearly part, which rarely
appeared before the following winter, we should publish a monthly
magazine under the name of the “ Ottawa Naturalist.” We have
carried out their recommendation, and I think our little paper has been
received with general favor by our members. Most of the papers and
reports read at last winter’s Soirées have appeared in it, and the next
number will contain the last of them. We will now be able to print
our papers shortly after they are read instead of waiting eight or ten
months as.in the past, when, as in many cases, they had ceased to be of
interest. Another great advantage of a monthly publication is that we
are able to give an official account of all our excursions during the
month that is past and announcements of those for the following
month, so that those members who are not able to take part in them
are in a much better position to know what the Club.is doing than by
the old system. The last number issued (December) contains the pro-
gramme of Soirées and afternoon Lectures for the present winter
season, and you will, on referring to it, find that the meetings promise
to be no less instructive and interesting than those of former years.

The number of our corresponding members remains the same as
last year. Prof. Saunders, who has been in that position for several

years, having been appointed Director to the Fxperimental Farm, and

141

taken, up his.residence here, bezomes an active member. He will be a
great acquisition to our Entomologists, who, though our most active
and energetic members are few. in numbers. Miss Ormerod, who has
-been chosen by the council to fill the vacancy, is the well known
English Economie Entomologist. The Club is indebted to her for
many favors in the shape of books and reports on Ezonomic Entomology,
all of them of great value.

I have now given you a brief sketch of what we have done during
the past season, and il may not be amiss here to look back at what
has. been accomplished since our organization eight yearsago. Through
the wisdom of the first council a printed record has been carefully kept
of all our transactions since the beginning, and when the question is
asked, ‘‘ what have you done?” we are now in the position to show
from our volumes of transactions no unconsiderable amount of good
solid work.

I have had the Transactions issued during the past eight years
bound in one volume, which I now show to you. It isa goodly volume
and contains a satisfactory record of the work of the Club. On exam.
ining the contents it will be seen that they are varied and interesting,
and that every department of Natural History is treated of to a greater
or less extent. I find that thirty-eight members of the Club have been
contributors to the volume, and that it contains. sixty-one Papers read
at the Soirées, and also thirty-two Reports and eleven short papers or
Notes.

As might be expected, Botany is found to head the list with nine
papers; Entomology comes next in order with eight; Zoology, Min-
eralogy and Geology have each six; Conchology has three, and there
are fifteen miscellaneous papers, among which are such as Mr. H. B.
Small’s on Museum Education, Sir James Grant’s on the Brain, and
Mr. W. D. LeSueur’s on Design in Nature.

A valuable feature of the volume is the lists which it contains,
suck as those of Plants, Shells, Birds, Beetles, Fossils, etc.

But, important and valuable as our work undoubtedly his been
in investigating and recording the results as shown by our transactions,

there is another department of it which I think is of even greater

142

walue, the educational work whi-h we have accomplished. From the
‘organization of the Club its Councils have recognized the importance of
‘this phase of our work,.and the number of active naturalists uow con-
mected with it shows that we have not labored in vain. Besides the
elementary lectures at excursions, to which I have already referred, an
important factor ‘in our educational efforts has Leen our course of after-
noon classes, these originating in a Botany class, conducted by Mr.
Fletcher for three winters, developed into our Monday afternvon course
of elementary lectures in all the leading departments. of Natural ‘His-
tory. These lectures are intended to be simply expositions of the
main facts and principles of the suljects treated of, given in sucha
mmanner as to ‘be understood by the merest novice and to be interest-
ing to those further advanced, as is evident from the fact that many of
our leading Naturalists make a point of always being present. The
Council are pleased to see that these meetings are steadily. growing in
popularity, though still nothing like as well attended as they ought to
be, considering how great are the advantages offered to the student, and
all perfectly free of charge, open to all, young or old, member or non-
member of the Club. Iam sure if it was generally known that such
an admirable course of instruction in these subjects was open to all
who chose to avail themselves of it this room would not hold our
audiences.

In the same line were two courses of lessons given in Central
School West with special excursions in connection with them conduet-
ed by the botanical leaders ; by these and in every other way that
seemed open to them the Councils have endeavored to cultivate a love
for the study of Natural History, and upon the whole we have every
reason to be gratified with the measure of success that has attended

their efforts.

The foregoing being a brief account of what the Club has done
aud is doing, the question arises, what shall we do in the future, shall
we go on in the same paths, endeavoring to perfect our work in the
lines laid down in our rules, keeping it a strictly local club, or shall
we, as some of onr members, and some outsiders, have advocated, en-

Jarge our bounds and convert our clab into a general Natural History

145
ginal
Society? The principal reason given for this change is the follow, 4
ft is said that Ottawa being the seat of the Geological Survey cely
Experimental Farm, we could take advantage of the labors of m4},
bers of these institutions, which we cannot do to such a large exten 4p
we limit our lectures to a record of local work. ue
I do not recommend the change though there is something to ._
said in its favor. e

It.seems to me that some chauge in the work of the Clubis calle&
for. We have pretty well accomplished our task of investigating and
recording the results ; the small additions that have been made to our
lists of late years show that not much now remains to be done, the
average yearly addition to our plant list for the last five years is under
adozen. Out list of shells is fairly complete. We have only publish-
_ ed one list of insects, the Coleoptera, but our Entomologists have the
material for compiling lists of the other orders whenever we are ready
_o publish them. Our Geological lists are not quite so complete, but
this work is of course done with special facilities by the Geological
Survey.

Our greatest want in that line is in the Zoological branch, so far
very little work has been done in that department. Next to nothing is
known by our membcrs of the common wild animals and reptiles of
this locality, making it a fer tile field for study and investigation, the
only work that has so far been done being Mr. Lett s admirable series of
papers on Ducks, Deer, the Otter, Black Bear and Puma, and Mr. Small’s
capital paper on ‘Our Ottawa Fishes.” This season we are to have
Mr. Dailantyne’s observations on ‘Our Squirrels,” but a great deal re-
mains to be.done. Every year our animalsare becoming svarcer, and
papers on the mammals or reptiles of the district would be interesting
and valuable.

In the other departments though I have spoken of our work as
being nearly finished it is only so as to collectors, there is still an im-
mense field open to the Botanist and Entomologist in working out the
life histories of the objects of his study, in the latter branch a good
<leal has been done, and our local Entomologists have done their share,
but in botany there is ample scope for all our workers for many years
to come.

144

value Asan example I might refer to the diseussion cn Monotropa and
‘orgaamandra last winter and to the results arising from the questions
*thisien considered. Many other doubtful points call for further study.
mecTow little we know about the way in which our common wild flowers
ele re fertilized ; we know ina general: way which are fertilized by wind
iaand which by insects, but the particular agents that perform the work

n for each species are known in very few instances.
F

Even in such an apparently simple matter as the circulation of
sap there is a great deal of uncertainty, and there is reason to believe
that the theory given in the text books requires revision. Many other
points are as vague, but enough has been said to show that in the
department of Botany there is ample room for all our energies.

Butas I mentioned before, important as our wo:k as collectors
and investigators undoubtedly is, I think it second to our educational
‘Munctions. I have already given you a brief sketch of what we have
done in that way, and it seems extraordinary that so few have taken
advantage of the opportunities we have offered them. We have had
not only to put the means of instruction before people, but have had to
persuade them to take advantage of it. I have even-heard parents
say that they did not want their children to be bothered with learning
even the few branches of Natural History that have been taught in our
Public Schools, and this in the face of the enormous benefits which are
acknowledged by all to have been derived from scientific investigations-
It is not too much to say that the almost phenomenal strides which
have been made in the progress of the world during the past century
are due entirely to the development of scientific knowledge.

Having said so much this evening about our desire to develop the
educational advantages of the study of Natural History, it may
naturally be asked what are the advantages offered in this line by
association with such an organization as our Club? I would answer
there are certain direct advantages of a special educational value.
First amongst these may be mentioned the inculeation of methodical
habits of thought by which all discoveries must be examined. The
results of each examination must-then be carefully recorded in a neat

and systematic manner ready for referenc2 at any minute on some

145

future occasion. And much more so is this the case when original
descriptions or discoveries have to be recorded for the use of others. A
concise style and an accurate use of exact words are then absolutely
necessary, and by so much as this is acquired to that extent will the
work of any student be useful to science. A necessary part of
thorough investigation in any branch of Natural History is the forma-
tion of a collection by which specimens are always on hand for examin-
ation, and in no way are the principles I have alluded to better
exemplified. In the very collecting of the material the faculty of
observation is cultivated and developed, the power to discriminate

between species and to appreciate minute differences is attained.

The specimens when identified must then be carefully and neatly
arranged and classified. Now all these are exercises of great use in
properly training a mind to methods of thought which can be easily
applied in any vocation of life when and wherever required. And it is
not necessary nor even advisable to carry any of these studies (when
used as a training for the mind) to a great length, we cannot all be
Darwins or Lubbocks or Grays—no, the very elements of any branch
of science are sufficient as the means for the practice of this intellectual
training.

But in addition to these direct advantages there are also some of a
more general nature to which, for a moment or two longer, I will draw
your attention.

As the great aim in life of all human beings is the pursuit of
happiness, I would mention first the pleasure it adds to life. No one.
who is not acquainted with the common objects of the woods and fields.
can conceive the keen delight experienced by a naturalist, when after
the long imprisonment of our tedious winter, he is able again to go forth
into the fields to look for the first appearance of our lovely spring
flowers, to see the bursting of the buds and to listen to the call notes
of the first birds, sweet harbingers of the happy summer time to come.
To such a one all these are old friends, and the pleasure of greeting
them year by year as they show their faces with beauty always fresh
and new is not less than that experienced when we meet human friends
from whom we have been separated for a long time, but with whom,

146

unfortunately, beauty gradually fades without a hope of renewal. Nor
is this pleasure a selfish one for the Naturalist alone, it is enjoyed to
a less but an appreciable extent by all those who associate with him:
It was only a day or two ago that a member of our own Club bore
testimony to this, in excusing himself for not taking up a special study »
“‘T cannot find time for that, but I always attend the Club excursions
when possible, simply for the enjoyment and benefit which I derive
from going into the country with you.” This naturally leads us to
another advantage, namely, the benefit to health; and on this point I
can speak from experience. For those who are confined indoors or to
a desk by business, I do not think it is possible to. exaggerate the value
of a love for a study which impels them to leave the vitiated atmos
phere of the city, and go far afield to seek their recreation out of
doors and thus to breath the pure air of the woods, the fields and the
wountain side. And again there is another feature about these studies
which is no small advantage, the giving a knowledge of the natural
beauties of the place we live in. Ina world filled with beauty and in
which, in fact, everything when properly examined 7s beautiful, it is by
no means uncommon to hear thoughtless people say, wherever they
may be, ‘there are no pretty walks or drives here;” to such I would
say: “ Are there any Naturalists in your locality? if so, ask them to
show you, and then, [ think, you will alter your opinion.” I am led
to mention this from the frequency of the remark, especially from new
members when joining in an excursion, ‘‘I had no idea that there

were so many pretty places about Ottawa.”

147
SOITREES.

First.—The opening meeting of the Winter Course for the year
1887-88 was held on Thursday, the 8th December, in the Museum of
the Ottawa Literary and Scientific Society, when the President, Mr. R.
B. Whyte, delivered his address, which is printed in this number, and
which was listened to with much interest by the audience. On its
‘conclusion Prof. Macoun, who occupied the chair, invited a full dis-
‘cussion of the suggestions and statements contained in the address.
Mr, Fletcher thought that it was very necessary to carefully consider
the past history of the Club, before attempting any change in its plan
of operations. He was pleased to see so many teachers, and especially
ladies, interesting themselves in the work of the Club, for if the future
work was to be useful there was no better way to secure this end than
by gaining the support of the teachers. Mr. Ami did not think that it
was advisable at present to attempt an extension of the work, or
a widening of the sphere of labour. Dr. Wicksteed suggested that
desirable contributions to the season’s programme would be papers on
the city drinking-water, and the reported discovery of natural gas et
Eastman’s Springs. Mr. Fletcher, with reference to the suggested
extension of the operations of the Clu), considered that it was a ques-
tion of such vital importance as to merit a most ample discussion, and
‘one not to be rashly decided. There was still plenty of material
unstudied in this vicinity, and requiring examination and description.
At all the Excursions abundance of specimens had been found of great
interest. Prof. Macoun said that about thirty years ago the late Mr.
Billings had started the Canadian Geologist and Naturalist, a journal
which still continues to lend its aid to science. Although the Club
had been working for eight years, there was no scarcity of material to in-
vestigate nor could it be exhausted for many years to come, yet he was
strongly of opinion that much would be gained by making the Club the
nucleus, so to speak, of a general Natural History Society that would in-
vite to it workers in all sections of the Dominion, and benefit by their
labours. Under the present Constitution, whereby only papers on local
subjects were invited, it was not possible for members whose duties
carried them far afield, as for example the Geological Survey Staff, to

148

contribute any reports of their investigations. Mr. Ballantyne was in
favour of some such widening of the plan of work, as would give
interest to a greater number, and thought that much of value was at
present lost by the limit set to the subject matter of papers. Dr.
Baptie desired to draw attention to the value that records made in one
department of science might have for workers in another department,
apparently in no way connected therewith. As an instance he might
state that he had been much interested in certain observations made by
our entomologists last autumn. M. Guérard, a French author of
repute, supposes the unusual prevalence—epidemic prevalence—of
fevers in Europe, at certain periods, is due to the transportation of
germs by atmospheric currents from the continent of America. A
curious co-incidence bearing upon the view that certain fever germs
may be conveyed by the wind to considerable distances is that just
before the marked outbreak of fever, Mr. Harrington found Jarge
numbers of the cotton moth in Ottawa, October 9th. Their home is
in the South. How came they here? By air currents—it is believed.
If air currents brought the moths from the malarious South, might not
the fever germs have been brought also? ‘Those who entertain views
akin to that of Mr. Guérard may find in this fact, brought to light by
the Entomologists of ovr Club, a confirmation of their opinion, and
especially so if the Meteorologists of the Club can show that storms,
originating over the Gulf of Mexico and passing up the valley of the
Mississippi, rarely, if ever, get beyond the valley of the Ottawa. A
vote of thanks having been tendered to the President, he made a few
remarks in acknowledgment thereof, stating that in his opinion papers
from workers outside the present limits assigned by the Club would be
of value to it, provided they did not in any way interfere, by creating

additional work for the Conncil, with educational objects.
:0:
_ New Mempcrs,—36. William A. D. Lees. 37. Miss Gertrude
Harmer. 38. Miss May L. Grist. 39. Miss Marion J. Whyte.

149

TESTIMONY OF OTLAWA CLAYS AND GRAVELS TO THE—
EXPANSION OF THE GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE
AND CANADIAN LAKES WITHIN THE
HUMAN PERIOD.

By Amos Bowman.

(Read 5th January, 1888.)

It was my gocd fortune during the past summer to participate in
_ many of the delightful excursions of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’
Club. The publication of some maps of mining operations in the Cari-
boo District, B.C., kept me out of the field of the gold-vearing gravels
but not entirely ont of the larger field of surface geology, and of the
ancient rivers, which had a history in this country, as in most
countries, before the present streams began their work of shaping the
hills and valleys as we now know them.

‘ Our first excursion to which I will make reference, was that to the
Hogs Back, on the Rideau River, four miles south of Ottawa. Boulder
clays were seen on the right bank above the falls; and next overlying
them the leda clays along the canal, continuing to Ottawa City. There
prepared us by laying a foundation for a section of the post tertiary»
or pleistocene tertiary, sometimes also called quaternary, of the neigh-
bourhood, all these terms having nearly the same meaning.

The meaning of this pleistoeene history of the country which is
q most significant to us is that of which we have a faint glimmering in
' _ tradition. It has been handed down by different races both savage and
: civilized ; and is recorded in the saered writings ; dating from the most:
remote history of mankind, when writing was first invented to record
the ancient traditions. Itis that of the great flood, or sin flood, of
* which Noah was the hero, according to our version. In making
allusion here to the myth of Noah I do so simply to remind you of a
most notable feature of the pleistocene epoeh, the record of which is
so well marked in our surf-ce geology that it is capable of being read
with ease vy any one; the memory of which has so impressed itself

upon aboriginal mankind.

I

150

It had two remarkabie features ; the ice or glacial period, the record
of which is seen in the boulder clays and later the great subsidence,
or flood and lake period, the record of which is seen in the leda clays.
The book of the boulder clays is more ragyed and torn than that of the
leda clays, yet it is quite readable, especially to those who have wit-
nessed the action of glaciers, or solid ice streams. At the Hogs Back
we saw simply boulders mixed irregularly in clay lying upon a smooth
bed rock. In the valley of the Rifle ground, we saw only boulders.

The principal difficulty in reading the simple record of the boulder
clays, arises from the fact that our ice streams often became confluent
by overflowing the dividing ridges, and the boulder clays are necessarily
covered in most localities hereabouts by the later deposits of clay and —
sand. At the Quyon Creek, and at very many other places when
looked for, the polished bed rock and tumbled clay containing boulders
can be seen underlying the hills and benches, and the flat expansions
into conntry fields of the leda clays. One of the these ice streams
which came down the valley of the Gatineau left its debris in a ter-
minal moraine behind Hull, directly opposite the Parliament Buildings.
But this an old story, which you have all read—on the shores of Lake
Deschenes and elsewhere.

I must not omit to mention the fact, well known to all geologists,
that the gravels and other deposits of the glacial or flood period have
yielded along with their shells, and their fossil fish, and mammalian
bones, undoubted fossil human remains, from many, and scattered parts
of Europe and America. They are chiefly arrow heads and utensils less
perishable than bones, in washes of the streams,—not unlike those ex-
hibited in the Gevlogical Survey Museum. It is not strange therefore
that tradition has taken cognisance, however yaguely, of the period of
the floods.

The fact of the humble ancestory of mankind has been firmly
established in recent years, by scientific proof that is no longer
disputed. We may confidently look therefore in the gravels of the
tertiary streams if we can find them, and identify them, for the
evidences of mankind and his companions of that period.

Our excursion to Kings Mountain, twelve miles west of Ottawa,
took us to the top of the leda clays and higher; to the level of the

Saxicava sands (in our section), and higher still. From the summit
We got a view of a vast and interesting horizon.

Allow me to recall to you the scene «f that delightful day on the
summit, and to photograph, not the glorious country in sight, but
the Field-Naturatists’ Club, for future reference. A hundred’ people
and more, of scientific culture and occupation, resident at the Capital of
the Dominion—including botanists, entomologists, geologists, palaeonto-
logists and other specialists of reputation and standing, ladies and
children—with nets and collecting cases are grouped on th+ summit of a
rocie moutonnée and its adjacent slopes. They have come in omnibuses
and buggies; and in ascending the mountain afoot they have learned each
a pleasant lesson from the lips of Nature. Recall the freshness of
those living truths, of which the biological leaders spoke; the pages of

- the first day of the creation which the geological leader told us how to

read with our own eyes. Recall the company—the thoughtful men, the
bright women and children, and tell me whether or not, having seen
that picture, you believe the Capital of the Dominion, (now publishing
its monthly scientific periodical, THe Orrawa Natura.isr) has a

respectable constituency of scientific men and women to-day? Ottawa

is becoming more and more representative of the Dominion. Its
scientific constituency has been organized; henceforth it has a more
important duty to perform.

East, west and south the mountain overlooks a plain, which we
Saw in approaching Chelsea, was in large part a terrace, composed of
leda clay. At Chelsea this is 270 feet above the sea; 150 feet above
the Ottawa river, and 89 feet above the Ottawa Post Office.

Between Chelsea and Kingsmere we rose over hills of sand.
About the level of Kingsmere a general upper level of the sand hills
skirts the mountain on the southern and eastern side, as you will recall,
and recognize by this sketch of the mountain as seen from Parliament
Hill, Ottawa City. |Sketch on board—drawn in the form of a section
—of the clays, sands and gravels from the level of the Gatineau
river. |

I made it my business to trace afoot the upper surface of the sand

hills, from Kingsmere to the south-eastern corner of the mountain,
' ,

152

and to ascend the mountain from Welch’s farm where its upper
surface in the sketch appears to be flat and level as seen from Ottawa
City. My object in doing so was to ascertain first whether the sand
hills constitute a true terrace; and further to ascertain whether
the summit of the mountain was itself flat topped, by reason of the
Jevelling influence of water.

The sand hills are composed of a clean yellow sand, very little
intermixed with boulders. They are entirely of detrital origin of Jater
age than the leda clays; and are simply higher members of the
saxicava sands. The bench level above Welch’s farm was found to be
680 feet above the sea, and on a genera! level with the sand hills nearest
to Kingsmere.

That the Welch terrace is of marine origin, and a shere line of the
pleistocene flood period, will be made clear to you by a little reflection.
No marine fossils can be produced by me at this time, in support of the
proposition, yet ] can make it without reserve ; because. the mountain
faces openly the wide expanse ef plains which were at that compara-
tively recent date the enlarged gulf or inland sea of the St. Lawrence.

If further evidence be required I will refer you to Sir Wm,
Logan’s Geology of Canada, 1863, citing the elevations of marine clays
along the shores of this inland sea, at Ha Ha Bay 600 feet above the
sea, at Grenville 500 feet, and of similar clays skirting the hills all
along its northern shore between Ha Ha Bay and the valley of the
Ottawa. He cites saxicava sands at the falls of Bell River at 400

‘feet, at Beauport 350 feet, and on Montreal mountain 470 feet above the
sea.

As the formation of clays on the one hand, and sands on the other,
is dependant, however, upon local conditions, and is not a feature of
succession in time, it is well to remember that the Jeda and saxicava
shells can only be made use of as names for local, and limited portions
of the section we are constructing. Clays, sands and gravels may
alternate, and occur again and again throughout the series, according
to drainage and lowest water level of the locality and time.

Next ascending from Welch’s terrace to the summit of the flat
topped mountain (seen NE of us from the summit of King’s
mountain) I found the elevation to be 910 feet above the sea;

153

very little lower than King’s mountain. The general surface of the
top proved to be nearly flat. It was strewn with loose and rounded
boulders; clay and sand filling up the interstices between rocky parts,
to a general even surface, more soil than rock. Did the water which
undoubtedly made, and at the same time levelled Welch’s terrace, rise
230 feet higher and level also the summit of the mountain, or was it
ice that levelled and filled up its interstices? This question I would
not undertake to decide, without abundant and conclusive evidence.
Such it was not in my power to procure in a day’s excursion. But the
evidence as it stands, including th lines of the’sketch, I think you will
agree with me, is in favour of water. I do not remember having seen
anywhere else the results of ice action displaying so nice a sense of the
horizontal, upon a mountain top. According to the testimony of Mr.
Welch (whatever it may be worth) clays and sands continued in-
definitely northwards on the mountain along with the boulders, filling
up and levelling up irregualities for many miles up the Gatineau valley
at slightly inoreasing levels, until it assumed the character of a plain,
rather than that of a mountain.» |
Not without interest in the same connectio: are the facts reported
by New England geologists, and quoted by Sir ‘Vm. Logan, in regard
to the terraces fringing the mountainous regivn directly across the
pleistocene sea_of the St. Lawrence from Kings Mountain. At Ripton,
Vermont there isa terrace 2196 ft. above the sea. At Lake Memphre-

magog are found clays 798 ft., and a terrace 1264 ft. above the sea.

In the White Mountains Prof. Hitchcock reports terraces 2449, and
2665 ft. above the sea; and the list could be greatly extended. No
marine fossils appear to have been found in any of these terraces,
Is the negative evidence conclusive that they are not sea terraces 4
September 17th the Club proceeded up the Gatineau valley to Kirk’s
Ferry, where the leda clays, themselves in the form of lofty hills and
benches, picturesquely surround old hummocks and islands of Lauren-
tian rock, the combination producing a novel and pleasing landscape.
Mountain and terrace contrasting with terraced plains furnish many
ideal landscapes along these roves of the glacial Laurentian gulf or
sea, in this part of Canada. The clays of Kirk’s Ferry appear to have
been cut off from those of Chelsea by an intervening canon, but they

154

occur at the same level, and were doubtless formerly, or are still,
continuous.

A little above Chelsea the clays are overlaid by a heavy wash of,
stream boulders representing the position of the Gatineau river during
a later stage in its history. [Shown on section. ]

October 22nd the last excursion, of the season was made to the.
mouth of Green’s Creek, five or six miles east of Ottawa, and to the
sulphur springs, for the purpose of collecting fossils fiom the leda
clays. You are already well acquainted with these ; yet it is a pleasing
realization of the flood period described, to see these still living inhab-
itants of the waters of Labrador and of Hudson’s Bay imbedded in
boulders now under the wheat fields of inland Ontario. I did not carry
with me any barometers on this occasion, but estimated the average
top of the terraces of the clay at the riverside 30 to 40 ft. above the
summer stage of the Ottawa, or 160 feet above the sea; the sulphur
springs, several miles vp Green’s Creek, at about the same height ; the
leda clays adjacent 50 ft. higher ; the overlying sands and interbedded
clays of High Biuff 220 ft. above the sea. The latter were observed
on another occasion spreading over the entire country at the head of
Green’s Creek ; and farther throughout Carleton and Russell counties
at about the same level—250 ft. above the sea—as far as Duncanville
covering and forming the watershed between Octawa City and Cornwall
on the St. Lawrence; exhibiting in Russell county some of the best
farming land of Ontario.

The width of the exposed sea bottom of the leda clays from

King’s mountain to Lake Champlain was greater than are now any of

the Canadian lakes. —140 miles—and over, in many places.

I have drawn a longitudinal section of the St. Lawrence, including
the Canadian lakes, on which are exhibited the elevatiors and relative
positions with reference to the drainage outlet of the terraces, of the
known surface of the inland sea of the St. Lawrence to which I have
referred. [Shown on the wall. |

I will now ask you to accompany me farther iniand toward that
portion of the valley of the St. Lawrence which is at present filled by
the great Canadian lakes. Let us inquire into the relation of the

farms of the salt water region hereabouts, to those of the freshwater
region surrounding these lakes.

155

The extension inland of the pleistocene gulf or sea of the St. Law-
rence is the first thonght to suggest itself. But how far up did the salt
water extend? is the question. Marine fossils collected, and reported by
Sir William Lozaa and his assistants, proved the extensicn as far as the
Archean peninsula, or isthmus which extended from the Chats Rapids,
on the Ottawa River 25 mites above Ottawa, to Kingston in the direc-
tion of the Adirondacks. Beyond this ridge is the valley of the great
lakes of the St. Lawrence into which I am not aware any evidence has
been produced of the presence of the waters of the sea. I spent Sun-
day, November 6th, in repeating a former excursion of the Club which
I did not accompany to the Chats Rapids, with a view to studying the
character of this ancient ridge, or peninsu'a, where it is crossed by the
Ottawa River. At Quyon, on the left bank, travelling northwards I
rose over 100 ft. in 2) miles to the level of a flat wide plain, which
extended up the river, past the Chats Rapids to Shawville 14 miles,
and to Clark’s 7 miles beyond Quyon.

At Quyon, Shawville, and Clark’s the saxicava sands were seen
overlaid by heavy gravel deposits of a river formation of the pleistocene.
Marine fossils have indeed been reported by Sir William Logan as far
up the Ottawa vailey as Lake Coulonge, 80 miles above Ottawa City ;
and I think Mr. Ami can tell you of localities beyond that, which have
furnished the characteristic fossils of Green’s Creek.

There was a peculiarity at Quycn, however, which is worthy of
mention—the hummocky surface of the leda clays, produced by glacial
action. ‘The ice action was plainly later than the clay deposits ; con-
sequently it had nothing to do with the waters which deposited the
clays.

On the line of the Canada Pacific from Carleton Junction to
Peterborough, where 1 crossed the Archean pevinsula, during my
recent holiday vacation, glacial action on a great scale was again ob-
_ served, following a line evidently having a relation to this ancient
peninsula. There were smocth and level, or slightly rolling forms ;
then suddenly the characteristic pinnacles of Waterloo county, Jess
developed than in Waterloo, but accompanied, or perhaps replaced, a
little further east by the characteristic smaller glacial hummocks of
Quyon. As ocular evidence of this glacial action I will direct your

-4
t

attention to Rand & McNally’s new map of Canada [exhibited] where
the nests of lakes te!l the story better than I can. I have drawn two
lines on it including the region of these lakes—which is seen to be a
little above, and westward of the Cambro-Silurian beach on the Geo-
logical Survey map.

The railway levels of the Toronto Canada Pacific branch, crossing
the belt from west to east, show a gradual descent, at a low elevation
above the sea, from Tweed in the valley of the Moira River 324.ft., to
Perth station in the vwley of the Rideau i84 ft. above the sea. There
iS a Summit between, 20 miles east of Sharbot Lake, in the middle of
the lake belt, 505 ft. above the sea.

This sumiuit is distant from Welch’s terrace on Kings mountain
60 miles in a direct line; and its elevation is i60 ft. lower than the
terrace. The railway levels are from the section of the old Ontario and
Quebec, now Canada Pacitic Railway ; my own elevation of Weilch’s
terrace was obtained by means of two good anerecid barometers read at
Hull station 185 ft. above the sea, at Kings mountain, and again at
Hull the same day on returning,—so as to eliminate at once the weather,
and any instrumental irregularities.

Now let us take the train to Brockyille, and examine what the
valley of the St. Lawrence has tv tell of the connection between the
pleistocene salt water sea, and the valley of the great Canadian lakes.
The Geological Survey reports have so fully described the country of
the Archean neck below Kingston, that I need not reeall many points.
Kingston at the foot of Lake Ontario is 216 ft. above the sea, as shown
on my section. All the surrounding country is low and level. The
leda clays are visible at many points along the St. Lawrence, between
Kingston and Brockville, either on the Canadian or the American side.
To make a long story short the condition of things is precisely that
described at Quyon. To this I have to make the exception of the fact
that marine fossils have not been found in these clays above Brockville
as they are above Quyon. That these clays are continuous with the
valley of the great Jakes, and are identical with the lake region clays, L
can simply state on the authority of Mr. G. K. Gilbert who has made
a study of this region, and of the pleistocene outlet of Lake Ontario in
the State of New York, including the localities under consideration.

—————
-

rt

157

You will observe that I have paid more particular attention to the
higher levels of the flood period, or the plestiocene drainage, than to
the pliocene, or later tertiary drainage, when cur humbje but interest-
ing ancestors must have already spread themseives by their character-
istic enterprise, over all the “known and unknown” parts of the
temperate latitudes of the globe. The great valley of the St. Lawrence
which is now filled by Lakes Ontario, Erie, Huron and Superior
undoubtedly existed in the Pliocene tertiary, that is, before the advent
of the flood period. It must also have had an outlet.

The confluent ice body into which the ice streams developed at the
period of extreme precipatation and cold ended southwards in Penn-
sylvania and Ohio as is delineated by H. Carville Lewis, of the
Pennsylvania Geological Survey, (Report 2 in 1884).

Necessarily great river valleys existed before the advent of the
ice streams, and of the confluent ice body referred to. They were at
first followed by them; but finally in many instances they were filled
up and altered in course by the debris of the glaciers; and neatly
plastered over, and hidden beyond suspicion, by the loaming clays of
the happy Canadian farmer. These ancient rivers of the preceding
(tertiary) epoch had already cut down deep into the Cambro-S:lurian
bed rock; for this country had been untold ages out of water. You
cannot go to the Chats Rapids, and to the Grenville and Lachine
rapids, and point to to the exposed bed rock in evidence of the depth
of the former erosion, because the ancient streams, as is well known,
have been diverted in many well known cases.

Suppose this eountry to be raised 1,000 feet higher above the sea,
and new streams to have dug down until they unearthed the old ones,
in patches and remnants; these filled with gold to tempt the miner to
a frenzy of investigation, and you will have before you the conditions
of the mining industry of surface geology on the Pacific Coast. Every

body in that school becomes a geologist by profession. The Chinaman

and the white man together become experts, because their fortune
depends upon their reading nature skilfully and correctly.

In reading the record of the boulder clays and of the leda clays of

‘this country we read the history of its former rivers, and naturally of its
. inhabitants, its vegetable and animal life, the kinds that existed before

the flood of our own most ancient and. interesting tradition.

158

If you ask what els? the gravels and clays can tell us that we may
read for ourselves, I can mention then besides the arctic leda and
saxicava shells, and the Hudson Bay fish of Green’s Creek, belonging
to the flood period referred to, the leaves and woods and mammalian
bones of the more ancient rivers to which I have referred as generally
buried out of sight by the boulder clays and the leda clays. The
upper courses of all these ancient streams were necessarily higher, and
in many places the debris which filled them must have been since ex-
posed; sometimes accidentally, as in connection with coal mining in
Pennsylvania; in weils and borings, for coal oil, or salt, or other
minerals. Exposures may exist where our eyes have not learned to
read them. As you know, a milder climate than the present preceded
the cold period and its flood phenomena. So it was on the Pacific
Coast, in Greenland, and generally in northern America and Europe
during the middle and later tertiary.

River gravels of pliocene age ante-dating the present mammalian
creation—the genus homo only -excepted—have been abundantly ex-
posed and identifed in the auriferous gravels of the Pacific Coast.
They are filled up river valleys like ours, which have been re-excavated
by natural operations, and sifted by men in quest of gold with a
thoroughness no other quest could ever have accomplished. During
the years 1869, 1870, 1871, it was my lot to be engaged in their study, in
connection with the Geological Survey of California. Leaves, woods,
mammalian bones and human relics, consisting of implements and
bones were industriously collected. The plant life was thoroughly
studied, and reported on by Leo Lesquereux who stands at the head of
the vegetable biologists. Their pliocene age has been established, and
the facts have been accessible to all men in published form-—have lain,
in fact, in the public libraries of Ottawa for a dozen years. An article
in the Overland Monthly, written by myself about 1873, which
described a prolific find of mortars and p-stlvs in a mountain of basalt
covered gravel, with a precision not to be escaped from, had a wide
popular circulation and has slept on the shelves of a hundred libraries.

To generous Louis Agassiz, and to the circumstance of his visiting

the Pacific Coast at that time, the world is indebted for the machinery

—

159

of publication* which has worked a change in the scientific world ;
formerly unwilling, now it is ready to accept these facts. Arthur
Wallace, returning from a recent visit to the Pacific Coast, writes, re-
garding these finds of human remains in the pliocene tertiary river
valleys of the Pacific Coast, that so far from being improbable, and
strange, the non-existence of such remains in the pliocene period
would be far more remarkable, improbable and strange, in the light of
to-day.

For further,information on the pre-glacial drainage of Lake Ontario
I refer you to the observations of J. W. Spencer, formerly of Hamilton,
and of the Geological Survey of Canada, published by the Philosophical
Society of Washington, 1881. Mr. Spencer has presented many facts
that are interesting on the pliocene erosion, or, former valley of the
lakes, in the region within reach from Hamilton ; and also on the con-
nection of the valleys of the Mississipji region where he is at present
located. .

It remains for me to trace a little further, and to review the facts
regarding the pleistocene period, not of erosions or deep cut valleys,
but of flood, and filling up of the ancient valleys; of terraces, and of
plains to which we owe so much that js beautifnl in the wide “ level
and rolling” expanse which is the paradise of the Canadian farmer.
The eubject goes beyond my capacity; the poet and the artist must do
justice to this favored land of lakes, of rich agricultural soil, and of
maple forest, that was only yesterday the bottom of a shallow sea.
I have seen many countries, and frankly, [ do not believe that nature
—intent on rearing a vigorous race—in all the world has given its
children another like it.

Probably a majority of the persons present who have followed the

line of facts presented, will have drawn their own conclusions, in

advance of what I shall say. If my facts are to be trusted, the evidence.
seems pretty conclusive that the sea penetrated into, and occupied the
valley of the great lakes for a time at least during the pleistocene
epoch. It is not my business or purpose at present to account for the
absence of marine fossils in the valley of the St. Lawrence above

*Whitney’s Auriferous Gravels, in Memoirs of the Museum of Comparative
Zodlogy, Cambridge, 1880.

160

Brockville, while they have been found up the Ottawa in position and
elevation corresponding to Lake Ontario.

Having climbed Mount Washington [ will say that I cannot
conceive of any terraces on the flanks at any latitude like 2,665 feet, as
Yeported by Prof. Hitchcock, of any other origin than that of sea
terraces. A different conclusion could be arrived at on the hypothesis
of a recent change of level, whereby the region of the four great lakes
could be supposed to have been depressed. But I have described to you
the Ottawa leda clay terraces as extending northward beyond the
Archean neck, which has been reared asa dividing line between salt
water, and the fresh waters of the pleistocene epoch. I have shown
that the ice phenomena of that region are superficial, and later than

‘the clays ; that a separating ridge in the sixty miles between Kings
Mountain and Sharbot Lake, by reason of change of level, is untenable ;
while the continuity of the St. Lawrence River and Ontario Lake shore
clays confirm these facts. If by levelling along the terraces, a change
of level can be shown to have occurred the facts I have given will still
remain to Le disposed of. Such levels have been taken by Messrs.
Gilbert and Upham, on both sides of the American boundary line.
In spite of the difficulty of identification of terraces they may readily
establish important points eounected with the pleistocene history of the
lakes.

But if you would exclude the salt water sea of the lower St. Lawrence
from the one great fresh water lake which united the areas of the four
Canadian lakes another material must be produced that could do
it other than ridges or soil of the surface. An ice dam has been suggested.
It would have lain along the region of the belt of little lakes and glacial
hummocks described between the Chats Rapids and Kingston. I have
yet to hear from any one who has ever seen such an ice dam, in any ~
of the icy regions of the globe. It must have been more than an ice
dam ; an ice stream which had the effect of a dam. A concentrated
ice stream flowing in the direction of the united upper Gatineau,
Coulonge and upper Ottawa rivers might well have filled the gap ke-

tween King’s mountain and the Adirondacks—and so replenished the
melting action of warmer water, against which diminishing influence

no other ice dam could have maintained itself. Such an ice dam—or

161

ice jam, I beg leave to amend—would account satisfactorily for the
absence of marine fossils in the Jake region.
Tt would not alter the fact of the flooding of the lake region in the

‘period of the leda clays, the same as if such ice dam had not had any

existence. If such ice dam existed, it was toward the close of the flood
period, and oniy after the clays I have described had been laid down
along the old river valleys, and over all the lower places.

In regard to the shore lines and terraces of the huge shallow St.
Lawrence sea or lake which united the four Canadian lakes during the
pleistocene epoch, on the sides toward Hudson Bay. and Winnipeg
Lake respectively, where ice dams also would appear to have been
necessary to exclude salt water, Dr. Bell and Mr. Lawson, who have
worked in those regions, Dr. Dawson who has studied the country
beyond, and others wil] probably b2 able to coritribute many more
interesting facts, the mere statement of which may carry their own

explanation with them

162
SOIREES.

Seconp.—On Thursday, the 5th January, Mr. Amos Bowman, of
the Geological Survey Staff, explained the significance of the clays,
sands and gravels of this district, and drew especial attention to their
mode of occurrence at the localities visited by the Club Excursions.
By means of a longitudinal section of the valley of the St. Lawrence,
including the Great Lakes, and’ a map marked with blue outlines, he
showed the widest expansion, and greatest elevation which the waters
of this great basin attained in the Pleistocene period. Diagrams were
also drawn on the blackboard showing the relations of the clays and sands
to the gravel deposits formed by the rivers when these ran at corres-
ponding elevations. The level of the Welch terrace, on the side of the
mountain, near Chelsea, was shown by the section to over-top the hills
of Ontario, and to intersect the grade of the St. Lawrence at Sault Ste.
Marie. ‘The paper, which was highly appreciated by all present, will
be found in the present number.

Mr. H. B. Small said thas he had listened with very much
pleasure to the lecture, which had presented to the members in a very
clear manner the very important subject treated of. It seemed to him
especially a proof of the great value of the Club outings, as a means
of elucidating such lectures, for if the localities referred to by Mr.
Bowman had not been visited by the embers, it would have been im-
possible for them to have so fully realized the character and extent of
the deposits in question. Mr. Stewart stated that he had seen in
Madoc nodules, obtained from Deer Creek, in the County of Hastings,
which exactly resembled those obtained from Green's Creek, near
Ottawa, but that not having had an opportunity of opening these
nodules he could not say whether they actually contained fossils. In
reply to a question by Mr. R. B. Whyte as to whether the boulders,
which occur in large numbers between the Ottawa River and the
Chelsea Mountains were deposited by glaciers, Mr. Bowman explained
that ice was the only known agent for the transportation of such
masses. Mr. Ami made some remarks as to the evidence of glacial
action in certain localities mentioned, and to the deposition of certain

deposits of gravel at Brittania, but owing to the late hour the discus-
sion was not prolonged.

163

Turrp.—Prof. Macoun delivered, on Thursday, the 19th January,
an address on “ Our Forest Trees,” considered both from tke geological
records, and from their present occurrence.’ The concluding portion of
the address, calling attention to the enormous annual waste of our
forests, due to careless lumbering, and frequent bush fires, appealed
‘especially to the audience, for at Ottawa people have continual evidences
of this destruction presented to them.

With reference to the lecturer’s theory that our trees originated in
the north and had been gradually pressed southward by the increasing
cold of their original habitat, the Rev. Prof. Marsan asked why more
species of trees were not now found in Europe, where the climate more
nearly resembles that of the Tertiary period, than in Canada. In reply
Prof. Macoun explained that the area of Europe had once been much
greater, but owing to subsidence large tracts had been covered by the
sea, and with the inereasing cold the trees were driven seaward and
finally became extinct, whereas on the American continent the species
had an uninterrupted retreat southward. Mr. Ami made some inter-
esting remarks on the cretaceous formations discovered by Dr. Dawson
in British Columbia, and the great forests and animals of which they
give evidence, and which show the same agreement with the flora and
fauna of Japan at that time, as the present forests of that country do
to those of America as pointed cut by the lecturer. Prof. Macoun
mentioned that at that remote time the Rocky Mountains had not yet
been upheaved, and that a vast plain—more or less undulating and
broken—stretched from the Laurentides to the Pacific, and probably
even to Japan. Mr. George Holland did not think that the citizens of
Ottawa could be accused of indifference in regard to the action of the
mill-owners in filling the river with sawdust, as they had no means of
preventing it. In the destruction of our forests there was a race between
the lumberman and the settler, and by much the greater damage was
done by the latter. He was obliged under the laws of the Province
from which he obtained his land to destroy a certain quantity of the
forest on penalty of eviction, and in his anxiety and endeavour to do so,
more of the forest was destroyed in one year by fire, than would be cut
cown in a decade by the lumberman whose interest it was to conserve
his limits. Mr. H. B. Small desired to thank the lecturer for the

164

vigorous notes of alarm he had sounded. It was a lamentable fact that
but few renmants of the vast virgin forests could now be found. There
had been at Casselman a considerable area untouched, but this was now
fast being destroyed. ‘There remained a section of original forest in
Ontario upon the head waters of the Petewawa, Madawaska and
Muskoka rivers, which it had been proposed to set apart as a Provincial
Park, for the conservation of the forest and also of the larger animals
which are so rapidly being exterminated. He had much pleasure in
moving a vote of thanks to Prof. Macoun for his valuable address.
Mr. Ballantyne, in seconding the vote of thanks, referred to the
economic questions which had been brought forward, and to the action
taken by the Ontario Government toward ascertaining the best methods
for preserving and replanting the forest areas. Rev. Prof. Marsan
asked why they did not avail themselves of the experience of other
countries in this direction, instead of spending so much time in such
investigations as had just been mentioned, while there was a continual
destruction going on, the effects of which could never be remedied. Of
minerals there was an inexhaustible store, so that waste of them did
not so greatly matter, but the vegetable and animal supplies for man’s
use were limited, and being under his control’ shovld be carefully pre-
served for the requirements of the future.

Mr. J. Stewart read a brief paper giving a synopsis of geological
work performed during the past Summer by Mr. W. R. Billings, Mr.
T. W. E. Sowter and himself in various localities. Several new genera
and species of Crinoids, etc., had been discovered, as well as many
additions to the published list of fossils for this district. In reply toa
question by Mr. H. B. Small regarding the opening of clay nodules,
Mr. Stewart explained the method of alternate boiling and freezing
adopted by him. Mr. Ami stated that he had also found this plan
very effectual, and that in some cases the splitting occurred during the
act of boiling.

Mr. Ami then read some notes on his examination of the New
Edinburgh exposures of the Utica, accompanied by a list of the species
collected from these very fossiliferous rocks, indicating those new to
the Club lists.

165
ON UTICA FOSSITS FROM RIDEAU, OTTAWA, ONT.

—————

By Henry M. Amt, M.A., F.G.S.

(Read 19th January, 1888.)

As a natural consequence of the recent annexation of the vice-regal
suburb of New Edinburgh, or Rideau, to the municipality of Ottawa,
this new ward has had extensive operations performed within its limits
during the past summer. Rideau, for the most part, exhibits through-
out its entire area the bare strata of the Utica and Trenton formations,
seeing that the newer Post-Tertiaries have been almost completely
swept away and denuded in times subsequent to the deposition of the
“boulder clays,” “ Leda clay” and ‘ Saxicava sands,’ which at some
period covered the valley of the Rideau River. An extensive series of
trenches were opened and a system of pipes laid for water supply in
the various streets, to such an extent that an excellent opportunity was
afforded the members of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club and others
of examining not only the stratigraphy of the recks occurring there, but
also of making collections in the highly fossiliferous measures brought
to view and of obtaining not a few fossils of rare occurrence, many of
which have proved new to the locality and a’ few new to science.
These latter, it is hoped, will shortly be described, and communicated
at one of the Club’s Soirées.

Detailed sections of the strata were obtained at various points
along Crichton Street and elsewhere, and these may prove valuable for
both paleontological and stratigraphical purposes. In order to give
satisfactory notes on the distribution of the fossils of the Utica here as
in other quarters, it is deemed advisable to insert these sections, giving
the sequence of strata and the precise horizon at which most of the
Species mentioned in the lists to be given hereafter properly belong.
In the description of the strata, their lithological character as well as
the thickness of the beds and the fossil remains entombed within them
and so well preserved, are given in more or less detail according as the

facts were presented to the writer in the field work.
J

166

SECTION OF UTICA ALONG CRICHTON STREET, RIDEAU.

STRATA HORIZONTAL—IN DESENDING ORDER.

Superficial deposits, road metal, &c. (RECENT).
Utica ForMATION.

Band of impure nodular argillaceous limestone belonging to the
Utica formation.

Series of thin and soft brittle shaly strata, with occasional rounded
éoncretionary masses of various sizes;distributed in the softer ma-
terial.

Band composed almost exclusively of impure nodular lime-
stone, arranged in irregular masses separated by shaly or argillaceous
material.

Shaly strata, apparently destitute of nodular or concretionary
masses, cleavage planes in the shales at right angles to the planes of
stratification.

Band of partially disintegrated nodular limestone.,

Series of very soft earthy strata, must probably shaly at one time,
but deprived of its cementing materials.

Band of dark-grey, hard, compact, impure limestone, not so
bituminous as beds in lower part of this section, nodular and concre-
tionary in certain portions which are probably so disintegrated as to
point out the lines of conchoidal fracture in which the beds would
break. Rhombohedra of calcite are rather abundant in numerous veins.
Bed holding Asaphus Canadensis, Chapman; Triarthrus Becki, Green
Leptena sericea, Sby ; Orthis testudinaria Dalman; Leptobolus and
Lingula, &e.

4 inches.

Impure
limestone,
3 inches.

“Soft, brittle

shales,

14 inches.

Impure
limestone,

8 inches.

Shales,
114 inches.

limestone,

6 inches.

Soft, earthy

strata,

104 inches.

Impure
limestone,
6 inches.

Dark brittle and bituminous shales, very thin and fissile, hoid-
ing abundant remains of the ubiquitous shell Leptwna sericea,
Sowerby.

Band of light-weathering, dark, bituminous limestone, in which
were found the remains of Bucania expansa, Hall, and Leptna sericea,
Sowerby (a rugose variety of the latter).

Nore.—Proceeding in a northerly direction, along the same street,
the above bed, of which only ten and a half inches are exposed at the
bottom of the trench where the section was taken, may be seen to
crop out on the surface of the ground, opposite house No. 101, where
the following section wa3 observed : :

Additional five inches of dark, impure, bituminous limestone
similar to above, disintegrating in certain portions of the band.

Brittle
shales,
3 inches.

Bituminous

limestone,
1023 in.,

(plus).

5 inches.

Hard, compact, dark, impure, bituminous shales or shaly lime.
stone, holding abundant fossil remains: 0. testudinarivu, Dalman ;
Leptena sericea, Sowerby ; Endoceras Proteitorme, Hall, &c., &c.

Series of black, bituminous shales teeming with fossils, typical of
the Utica formation : Leptena sericea, Sowerby ; Strophomena alternata,
Conrad ; Orthis testudinaria, Dalman; Zygospira Headi, Billings ;
Lyroiesma pulchellur, Hall; Endoceras Proteiforme, Hall; Asaphus
Canadensis, Chapman, &c., &c. (base of section).

Imp. shales
or limestone,
2 ft 1 gine

Bituminous

shales,
4 inches,
(plus).

167

Between the stratum last mentioned (sup7@) and the next mentioned, there are
a few inches of bituminous limestones and shales which connect them without break,

-and the section is thus continued in descending order :

Sy ST EE CE LEC MER CICS >) Sa YES .
Dark, impure, bituminous limestone band, holding, Leptenu

sericea, Sowerby ; aud other fossil remains.

Bituminous
limestone,
9 inches.

Soft, friable, purplish black, disintegrating, fossiliferous shales—

Soft, friable

very characteristic in its mode ‘of occurrence and distributed in other] shales,

portions of Ottawa City and elsewhere—hoiding abundance of white] 8 inches.

weathering fossil remains, amongst which were recognized: Ovthis

testudinariad, Dalman; Leptena sericea, Sowerby, and Asaphus Can-

adensis, Chapman.

~~ Band of unevenly bedded, impure, bituminous limestone with unevenly

Asaphus Canadensis and Orthis testudinaria, bedded
limestone,
7 inches.

Soft, friable shales, holding abundance of fossils ; very :imilar to
and evidently deposited under exactly sinilar conditions as the one-
and-a-half inch band below: Leptena sericea, Sowerby, and varieties
with elongate-mucronate lateral extremities, also Orthis testudinaria,
Dalman, are present in large numbers.

‘Soft, friable

shales,
2% inches.

Band of light-gray, impure limestone, bituminous, and holding:
Orthis testudinaria, Dalman ; Leptena sericea, Sowerby ; Conularia
Trentonensis. F

Thin, irregular and unevenly bedded, soft, friable, earthy shales,
disintegrating rapidly, when exposed, and teeming with fossil remains.
These fossils often appear on the unearthed surfaces white in colour
on the brownish-gray shales. Orthas testudinaria, Dakman, and Lep-
tena sericea, Sowerby, seem to be the two forms most prevalent, and
are often so preserved as to show characteristic internal and external
markings.

Bituminous
limestone,
4 inches.

Soft, earthy

shales,
13 inches.

Black, bituminous, impure limestone band, with Lepteena sericea,
Sowerby ; Orthis emacerata, Meek, and Asaphus Canadensis, Chapman.

Black and bituminous shales, holding abundance of organic re-
mains, especially those of the characteristic Asaphus Canadensis,
Chapman, of which the numbers present are exceedingly great.

Band of impure, highly bituminous limestone, yielding a strong
odour of petroleum, when struck with a hammer; black in colour, with
irregular, sharp, splintery and conchoidal fractures, in which occur
the remains of 4 saphusCanadensis, Chapman ; Strophomena alrernata,
Conrad, &e.

Black, bituminous and somewhat splintery brittle shales, holding
the following fossils: Leptograptus flaccidus, Hall; (2) Sagenslla am-
bigua, Walcott ; Leptobolus insignis, Hall; Schizocrania Jilosa, Hall ;
Leptena sericea, Sowerby ; Conularia Trentonensis, Hall; Endoceras
Proteiforme, var tenuistriatum, Hall; Asaphus Canutenss, Chapman ;
Leperditia, sp. allied to L. cylindrica, Hall.

Bituminous
limestone,
8 inches.

Bitumincus

shales,
14 inches.

lnspure,
bituminous
limestone,
11 inches.

Bituminous

shales,
7 inches,

These sections taken together give a total thickness of fourteen

Feet ten inches, so far as examined in ‘ Rideau,’ which,

-

with

the fuir

168

allowance cf a few inches of strata, which may be styled passage-beds
or beds of transition, constitute the lowest portion of the Utica ‘forma-
tion, as it is developed at Rideau, where it overlies, perfectly conforma-
bly, the black, nodular and impure bituminous limestones of the
Trenton formation, which begins immediately below these sections,
and which at the northern end of Crichton street are clearly observed
as thick bedded limestones, characterised by the presence of Murchisoma
bellicincta, Hall, Strophomena allernata, Conrad, Leptena sericea,
Sowerby, monticuliporoid corals, (probably Prasopora Selwyni, Nichol-
son), etc., all eminently Trenton in facies.

From these beds of the Utica formation in Rideau the following
species of fossils were obtained during the summer of 1887, which
illustrate the paleontology of the rocks in question and indicate the
fauna which swarmed in the old Ordovician or Cambro-Silurian sea
about Ottawa.

I. Ruapsporpuora :
1. Leptograpius flaccidus, Hall.
2. Orthograptus quadribrachiatus, Hall.+
3. 1% Sagenella ambigna, Walcott.

II. Potyzoa :
4. Helopora sp.*

5. Batostoma erraticum, Ulrich.

ILI. Bracniopopa :
6. Lingula obtusa, Hall.
bis ‘«« Cobourgensis, Billings.
8. «Daphne, Fillings.
9. Leptobolus insignis, Hall,
10. Leptzena sericea, Sowerby.
11. Strophomena alternata, Conrad.
12. Orthis bella-rugosa, Hall.

12. ‘ testudinaria, Dalman.
14. ‘ emacerata, Meek.
15: “ sp (ef. O, pectinella, Conrad.)

16. Zygospirva Headi, Billings.

169

TV. LAMELLIBRANCHIATA :
17. Ambonychia sp. nov.*
18. Modiolopsis curta, Hall.*
Eo: Se anodontoides. Conrad.*
20, Lyrodesma pulchellum, Hall.

V. PrerRopopDa :

21. Conularia Trentonensis, Hall.

VI. GASTEROPODA :
22. Bellerophon bilobatus, Sowerby.
23. Bucania expansa, Hall.
24. Pleurotomaria subconica, Hall.
25. Metoptoma n. sp.

VII. CepHatopopa :
26. Endoceras proteiforine, Hall (type).
27. & e var. tenuistriatum, Hall.
28. Trocholites ammonius, Conrad.

VIII. Crustacea :
29. Triarthrus Becki, Green.
30. Asaphus megistos, Locke (=Isotelus gigas, Dekay.)
vel platycephalus, Stokes.
lke 8 Canadensis, Chapman.

32. Calymene senaria, Conrad.

1X. ANNELIDA:

33. Serpulites dissolutus, Billings, var.

X. OstRacoDa :
34, Leperditia cylindrica, Hall.
35. “ minutissima, Hall.

+ Also a species of Diplograptus besides other obscure forms.
* Species marked with an asterisk are new to this locality.

170
NOTES ON GEOLOGICAL WORK DURING THE SUMMER
OF 1887. ;

Me. Joun STEWART.

(Read 19th January, 1888.)

During the past season, from May to September, the following
places were visited by W. R. Billings, T. W. E. Sowter, and myself,

and in addition to these, individual outings were made :—

Hull, May 14th, 19th, 24th, June 29th, July Ist, August 27th ;
New Edinburgh, May 21st, 24th, 28th, June 25th, July 9th, 23rd,
September 17th; Aylmer, June 9th, 21st, July 1st ; Hogsback, July
2nd; Division Street, May 29th, June 29th, July 17th, 24th, August
7th, 14th, 21st ; Mount Sherwood, June 5th, 26th; Little Chaudiere,
Sept. 24th ; Paquette’s Rapids, September 5th to 12th.

To avoid repetition, it is not considered necessary to mention all
specimens found during these pleasant trips, but only such as are new,,
either to the locality, or to the formation under which they are men-
tioned, or to science, although many interesting, beautiful and instruc-
tive finds were made in addition to the following :—

TRENTON FORMATION.

CrINOIDs. LocaLiry.
Paxocnieus, NSP... .<s-ceteeeee + os etter eee eerie Hull.
Cayabocrinus, N. Sp......> .J0....:...... Division Stress
Anomalecrmus, NSP... «comer 8. . 5 <.te cle cies feet Hull.
One species each of two new genera of Crinoids........ Hull.

BLasToOrbs.
A species of a new genus of Blastoids...... Division Strect.
7 GASTEKOPODS.

Pusispira terebrifocmis 5.5.4 02 eit s.ica%<ilon s/s siren ame Hull.

Metoptomaerato.' 7... <)..2. Comb 4... ods Gone ee

171

BracHIopops. Locatiry.

SPamae Cella PUNGAEIU cree =< See 5 ard o's lete ps aimee FEU:
Biarsolaricinifornis: {eee =. 8. yes aad dees sss é LUNG
ee RUMOR OU GUEIS (OME, 5-. ccc! aati as bore oe lake MLALED
Shetty (orem is. 7! A etaee- « . :'2.¢ ae ~ Sahr- - WLVISlOn Street.
Orthis pectinella...... ee . SRR ee Division Street.
Orthis plicatella.......... Between G and H, Con. C, Nepean.

UTICA FORMATION
BRACHIOFODS.

Lingula cobourgensis....................New Edinburgh.

Strophomena camerata? or Imbrex?........ New Edinburgh.

POST TERTIARY.

Nodules containing the following new species have been obtained from
Green’s Creek and Ottawa River :—

3 Starfish, i Leaf, 1 Small plant.

CHAZY FORMATION.

Several undetermined species of Tor eer tat) Haetiek
Scalites, Ctenodonta, Lingula, Rhbynchon- . ae
ella and Leperditia, which Mr. Sowter a Aylmer.
now studying.

Mr. Billings, Mr. Sowter and myself have bad the honor of send-
ing to Professor Charles Wachsmuth of Burlington, Iowa, specimens of
Crinoids frow our collections for purposes of illustration in the valuable
monograph on the Palzocrinoide of North America which he is engaged
in writing. This is a loss to the literature of the Club, as these new
species and genera would under other circumstances have been
described by Mr. W. R. Billings. The trip to Paquette’s Rapids from
September 5th to 12th was a much enjoyed period of the season’s work,
and although outside the ordinary limit of the Club’s field of operations,
this section of workers considers that the enlargement of the scene to
‘include this favored spot, on account of the exceedingly beautiful speci-
mens obtained there,—if for no other reason, and there are many others
—would be a step in the right direction.

172

REPORT OF THE GEOLOGICAL BRANCH FOR THE
SEASON OF 1887.

To the Council of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Cllub :

In presenting this the seventh annual Report of the Geological
Branch of the Club, the lealers have much pleasure in stating that
a continued and increasing activity has characterized the past season’s
work, and that in many instances rare and interesting discoveries have
been made in the strata of rocks so developed in and about Ottawa.
This region, in which there has been a considerable number of workers
in geology for years past, nevertheless contains abundance of material
as yet unfound, and only awaiting the keen and observant eyes of the
members of this Club.

As years go on this branch of the Club’s work appears to develope
more and more, so that whilst a goodly number of our members are
actively engaged in working up the ‘‘ Geology of Ottawa” in its inter-
esting details, the tield is so vast and the materials so plentiful and near
at hand that there is room for a small army of geologists, such as our
city, from its natural position, could well produce, all of whom would
find ample scone for specialties in different lines of enquiry.

Appointed by your Council, last spring, to lead the various parties
interested in geology at the excursions and sub-excursions of the Club,
your leaders have striven to do their utmost in furthering the aims of
the Club in this direction, so that scarcely a single one of these excur-
sions was undertaken and conducted without one or other of the leaders
being present. ;

Certain years often present advantages for working up definite form-
ations, and whilst the season of 1886 was particularly favorable to the
students of the Post-Tertiary, from the fact that the streets of our city
were excavated to depths ranging from eleven to eighteen feet for sewage
purposes, thereby exhibiting the glacial and post-glacial deposits, the
season of 1887 has seen, the vice-regal ward opened up and cut through
to a considerable depth, exposing in a beautiful manner the perfectly

conformable contact of the Utica and the Trenton formations. The
former consisting of bituminous shales and alternating limestones, is
replete with exquisitely preserved fossil remains, many of which were
collected and proved new to this locality.

173

From the 7th of May to the |S8th of November, inclusive, 7. e.
from the time when the ground was first rid of its proximate winter
covering to the time when a few inches of snow had already fallen,
sub-excursions and excursions were held to various objective points.
On such occasions, the leader who happened to be present usually
addressed the members, giving in a general way the summary of the
day’s outing and results in geology. These have already been reported
upon in the Orrawa Narvuratist, which each member has received
every wonth.

It 14 gratifying to recerd that during the past season ladies inter-
ested in geology joined the geological section, and were at various out-
ings, and actively engaged in collecting specimens.

On several occasions members had the pleasure of going out on
excursions 6r sub-excursions with distinguished men, non-residents of
Ottawa, actively engaged in geological research. This year Mr. G. F.
Matthew, of St. John, N.B., Prof. L. W. Bailey, of the University of
New Brunswick, Fredericton, and Mr. N. Saint Cyr, of the Department
of Public Instruction, Quebee, were amongst those who visited us, and
were shown to places of interest where collections were made and named
by one of the members.

In ‘this year’s report it has been deemed advisable not to publish
the results of the season’s work under the various formations, notwith-
standing the undoubted usefulness of that scheme, but in the form of
“< Notes,” or contributions to THe NaTuRALIstT, and to be read at the
winter soirées by the individual workers.

In conclusion, the leaders are confident, judging from the very
encouraging season’s work just closed, that there is every prospect of
progress in the elucidating in the years to come of the various forma-
tions about Ottawa. The want of a good topographical map, however,
has long been felt, and if there were such a one the geological bound-
aries of the various fermations as known at present could be laid down,
with a view to forming a basis for further’study, as this region is con-
siderably faulted: and disturbed’ at many points which are of great
interest.

January, 1882. HENRY M: AMI,. _ |
‘C. F. MARSAN, OM.1, - Leaders.
JOHN STEWART, {

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’ 175
SOIREES.

Fourtu.—On Wednesday, the 2nd February, Mr. Henry M. Ami
contributed a note on the ‘‘Sequence of Geological Formations about
Ottawa,” after which Mr. James Fletcher read a very interesting and
valuable paper on ‘‘ Vegetable Parasites.” As these papers will appear-
in future numbers of THE Orrawa NaTURALIST, it is not necessary to
give any abstract of them here. They were followed by a lengthy dis-
cussion, principally upon the degree of parasitism which might be cor-
rectly attributed to monotropa and comandra. Prof. Macoun considered:
that those present had listened toa paper of unusual interest and clear-
ness of statement, and supported Mr. Fletcher in his views on the para-
sitism of the above named plants. Dr. Baptie on the other hand was
of the opinion that comandra was capable of existing quite indepen-
dently of any other plant, as it was well supplied with roots, while the
uttachments to the roots of other plants were few in number. Prof.
Macoun said that this plant belonged to the order next to that in which.
the mistletoe was placed, and in his opinion was at least semi-parasitic.
He found it impossible to dry this plant green, and this fact would, as
mentioned by the lecturer, point to the absence of true chlorophyll.
With reference to monotropa, Dr. Baptie held that it was not parasitic,
or that at least there was no evidence of parasitism, and he thought that
the intermediary stage suggested by Mr. Fletcher, had as yet no grounds
for acceptance. No connection of monotropa with the roots of any
plant had yet been recorded, and no person had ever seen the under-
ground root-growth which had been suggested. Mr. Fletcher in reply
said it would be almost impossible for any one to observe this stage, on
account of the growth being entirely underground, but he trusted at-
tempts would be made to grow the plant from seed, and so definitely
settle the question. Mr. R. B. Whyte supported the idea that the
plants mentioned were in a greater or less degree parasitic, according as-

they showed the presence or absence of chlorophyll. A short discussion
then followed on the paper which had been read by Mr. Ami, chiefly:
with reference to the prospects of natural gas being found near Ottawa
in quantities available for economic purposes. Mr. J. Stewart, Rev.
Prof. Marsan, Prof. Macounand Mr. Harrington joined in this discus-
sion, as wellas Mr. Ami. A fine series of the parasitic plants men~_
tioned in Mr. Fletcher’s paper was exhibited by Prof. Macoun.

176
AFTERNOON LECTURES.

Frrst.—On Monday, 9th January, Prof. Macoun gave the first of
a course of Afternoon Lectures arranged—as in former years —for the
purpose of introducing the study of the several Branches of Natural
History to the members of the Club, and also to any persons desiring
to profit by the instruction offered gratuitously by the Club. The sub-
ject discussed was Ornithology, and the wider principles of the classifica-
tion of birds were presented in a clear and interesting manner.
Specimens of the skins of well-known species were exhibited in illustra-
tion of the structural differences pointed out. The address was
followed by an instructive discussion on the food habits of certain -
Species.

Sec onp.-—Mr. Ami was to have delivered the lecture on Monday,
16th January, taking as his subject Geology, but as he was unfortunately
prevented hy sickness from being present, his place was taken by Prof.
Macoun, who gave a most agreeable address upon the same subject.
He outlined in.a graphic manner the supposed formation of the earth,
passing from the gaseous, through the liquid condition, until by cooling,
the mineral substances were precipitated, and the land, water and’ air
were formed. The appearance first of plant life, and then when the
atmosphere had been freed from its carbonic avid gas— the carbon being
deposited in the form of coal—of air breathing animals was briefly
sketched, and the geological evidences of their development noted. The
importance of geology in this connection was thus forcibly shown, and
the necessity for its careful study made apparent. In the discussion
that followed Mr. Ballantyne expressed himself as fully believing in the
theory of evolution of species, as opposed to that of specific creations. «

Turrp.—On Monday, 23rd January, Mr. Henry M. Ami gave a
most interesting address on the study of Geology. This science he
stated dealt with the origin of our planet, the formation, rise and fall
of continents. It was the physical history of our earth, as well as the
physical geography. He then briefly considered the advent of life on
earth ; its progress in time ; the characteristic floras and faunas of dif-
ferent epochs; the time when certain types were introduced, ‘and the
periods of their abundance and decay. The economic minerals deposi-

177

ted during the different geological epochs were next discussed, and the
origin, mode of occurrence and distribution of some of the commoner
ones, such as coal, petroleum, lead, silver, copper, iron, gold and phos-
phate were touched upon. Mr. Ami showed that the study of Geology
was useful, healthful and interesting, and that it was not so difficult as
to deter any of his hearers from entering its attractive fields. In in-
vestigating the geological features of any locality, a few fundamental
principles alone were necessary for the beginner. The leading rocks
occurring about Ottawa were then considered, with the different forma-
tions exhibited. There were two well defined series of rocks ; those of
igneous and those of aqueous origin. The Chelsea hills afforded examples
of the former, whilst the Parliament Hill belongel to the second, being
of sedimentary origin. The various ways in which such stratified rocks
were formed were briefly outlined, and the sequence given of the forma-
tions found at Ottawa, with the forms of life which characterize them.
In conclusion Mr. Ami referred to the extensive fields open for study
at Ottawa, and made an earnest appeal to those present to become
workers.

A number of specimens were exhibited, amongst which was one
of ‘‘ mountain cork,” a mineral of rare occurrence, which had been
sent to him by Mr. Warwick, of Buckingham. Several interesting
points were discussed by Messrs. Stewart, Fletcher, Whyte and the
lecturer.

Fourtu.—On Monday, 30th January, 2 valuable address was given
by Me. F. R. Latchford on Conchology. Shells, he stated, were por-
tions of certain animals cailed Molluscs, and were objects in many in-
stances both of utility and beauty, while the softer portions of many
Species, such as the oyster, mussel, and clam, furnished large supplies
of palatable and nutrituous food. They might conveniently be divided
into two great groups, viz., univalves and bivalves. The latter were
represented more largely in America than in any other pact of the
world. In the basin drained by the Ohio River for instance there
were found about three hundred species of Unionide, whilst all
Europe furnished only seven or eight. While freshwater shells of
some families were well represented in Canada, the land shells dimin-

ished greatly both in species and individuals us these northern latitudes

178

‘were obtained; and one family which only affords one species here has
hundreds of-species in the Southern States. Our land molluses could,
‘with a few exceptions, be placed in two groups, the Helicide and tlie
Limacide, the latter containing the slugs, or species having rudimentary
shells. Our species were not climbers, and were to be looked for
mostly in damp situations. The larger species could be obtained by
turning over logs and stones where the ground was rich and moist, and
many of the smaller forms occurred plentifully in the same situations
but required to be closely searched for. The small species could also
be obtained by coliecting moss, grass, leaves. etc., from snitable
localities and sifting these materials. Of water shells, such as the
Limneide, the greatest abundance would be found in warm shallow
bays, while the Unionide were to be searched for when the water in
rivers and lakes was at the lowest stage. Other forms would best be
found in the rapids of streams at low water. Some admirable direct-
‘ions for cleaning and preserving specimens were given, and mention
made of certain books for reference, and of the value of exchanging
with collectors elsewhere.

Mr. Latchford exhibited a number of beautiful specimens which
were greatly admired by all present, and an interesting discussion fol-
lowed in which Messrs. White, Harrington, Fletcher, Macoun, Small
~and Ami took part.

Frera.—On Mondzy, the 9th February, Dr. H. B. Small was
tunable to be present to deliver his promised talk on Zoology, but Prof.
Macoun very kindly filled the gap and gave an admirable elementary
discourse on the vertebrates. omitting the birds, of which he had
already spoken on a former day. Of the fishes, which stand at the
bottom of this division of animal life, we had still surviving in the
Ottawa river representatives of some of the earliest, and lower forms,
in the gar-pike, or bill-fish, and the sturgeon. Regarding many of the
numerous species of fish found in the varied and extensive waters of
this region scarcely anything was known, especially of the smaller
forms, and it was most desirable that some member of the Club should
take up the study. The influence of habitat upon the size of trout and
other fish was well illustrated. Of the Reptiles, mention was first

wuade of the three genera of Anura which occur here, and which

179

include our toads, frogs and tree frogs; then the salamanders were
briefly discussed. Of our snakes and turtles much remained to be
learned, and special attention should he given to their study and col-
lection. Passing on to the Mammals, the speaker gave a very interest-
ing comparison of the marsupials, or pouched mammals, now chiefly
found in Australasia, with the placental forms which ars elsewhere
found. The different groups, such as the rocents, ungulates and
carnivores were outlined, and finally reference was made to man and
the evidences of his existence in bygone days.

In the discussion which followed, further interesting points . were
brought forward by the several speakers and by Prof. Macoun’s r ply
to them, especially in regard to the failure of the Nornial and cther
public schools to teach Zoology, which was brought forward by Mr.
J. Stewart. Mr. Harrington exhibited a fine specimen of Hesperomis
leucopus, the white-footed mouse, which he had trapped the previous
night in his shed. Attention was ea'led to the great beauty ef this
native field mouse and «a few remarks were made on its habits. The
President, Mr. RK. B. Whyte, urged the collection and study of our

small mammals, of which there are many species but little known ‘to
the members. Mr. Ami made some remarks on the abundance of the
lower forms of animal life and the interest attaching to their study.

ANNOUNCEMENTS.

SorrEes.—<As the Soirée fixed for the 16th February, had to be
postponed because the Concert of the Philharmonic Society took place
upon that date, two of the evening meetings still remain to be held,
and will be as follows :—March Ist, A Paper by Mr. J. Ballantyne
upon ‘Our Squirrels” and Reports of the Botanical and Entomological .
Branches; March 15th, A Paper by Mr. A. O. Wheeler entitled
** Autumn on the Ottawa,” and Reports of the Conchological and
Ornithological Branches.

Monpay Arrernoon Lectures.— February 29th, Mr. R. B.
Whyte on Botany ; March 5th, Prof. Macoun on Mosses ; March | 5th,
on Classification of Plants.

AwnnuaL Meetine.---March 20th, Third Tuesday in month—the
Annual Meeting for Election of Officers will be held at 4.15 in the
Museum of the Ottawa Literary and Scientitic Society. A full attend-
ance of the embers is greatly to be desired in the interests of the

Club.

180
7 BEE) Bex.

Afternoon Lectures, 176; Programme of,
136.

Ami, H. M., Great Ice Age at Ottawa, 65,
81; Siphonotreta Scotica, 121: Utica
Fossils, 165.

Announcements, 32, 48, 64, 80, 92, 104,
179:

Annual Meeting, 1887, Report of, 11.

Balance Sheet, 1886-7, Treasurer’s, 16.

Baptie, Dr. Geo., on Monotropa, 40.

Beetles. Grain and Flour, 133.

Billings, W. R., on a new genus and three
new species of Crinoids, 49

Botanical Branch, 188€ /, Report of, 75

Bowman, Amos, Testimony of Ottawa |
Clays and Grave’,, etc., 149.

Brodie, Wm., on Monotropa, 118. {

Clays and Gravels, Testimony of Ottawa,
to the Expansion of the Gulf of St.
Lawrence, etc., 149.

Concholgical Branch, 1886-7, Report -*
107.

Constitution, 6.

Cougar, or Panther, 127.

Council, 1886-7, Annual Report of, .-.

Crinoids, new genus and three
species of, Ottawa, 49.

Editorial, 29, 119 ; Announcemeni, 9.

Entomological, Report of Branch, 1886-7,
22; Society of Ontario, Annual Meet-
ing, 109.

Excursions, Aylmer, 62 ;
Buckingham, 77; Kingsmere,
Kirk’s Ferry, 111.

Experimental Farm, 59.

Fletcher, James, on Monotropa, 43.

Flora Ottawaensis, additions to, 77.

Geological, notes of work during 1887, by

new

Brittania, 92; |
44; '

J. Stewart, 170; Report of Branch,
1886-7, 93 ; Report of Branch, 1887-8 a
172.

Harrington, W. H.,.on Flour and Grain |
Beetles, 133.

| Sub-Excursions, Beaver Meade~,

Ice Age, Great, at Ottawa, 63, 81.

Latchford, F. R. on Salamanders, 103.

Lett, W. P., on Cougar or Panther, 127.

Librarian, Record, 31, 56, 89, 117 ; Re-
port 1886-7, 26.

Macoun, Prof. J., President’s Address, 17.

Members, List of, 4; List of Correspond-
ing, 6; New, 25, 134, 148.

Meteorological Abstract, 174.

Mines of Ottawa Region, development of,
33.

Monotropa uniflora. 118 ; a Paiasite ? 40.

Officers, List of, 3.

Ornithological Brauch, 1886-7,
98.

Panther, Cougar or, 127.

President’s Address, Prof. Macoun, 17 ;
R. B. Whyte, 137.

Royal Society of Canada, Report of Dele-
gate to, 1886, 27; 1887, 55.

Salamanders, Ottawa, 105.
vhonotreta Scotica, Notes on, 121.

Soirées,147,162,175; Programme of, 1”

Stewart, John, Notes on Geological Work,
1887, 170; Development of Mines of
Ottawa Region, 33.

Report of,

Hr
58, 91, 113, 114, 134; Beechwood,
46, 115; Billings Bridge, 47, 113; °
Canada Atlantic Ry. Track, 134; Cave
Creek, 57; Dow's Swamp, 79, 134;
Dnck island, 114; Experimental Farm,
59 ; Gatineau Point, 91 ; Green’s Creek,
116 ; Hemlock Lake, 59; Roekliffe, 80.
1i4; Stewart’s Bush, 91.

| ‘Treasnrer’ s Balance Sheet, 16.

Utica Fossils, found at New Edinburgh,
165.

Whyte, R. B., President’s Address, 137 ;
Report of Delegate to Royal Society,

o7

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