(m-f/
1908. VOL. XXII. 1909
THE
OTTAWA NATURALIST,
Being Vol. XXIV. of the
TRANSACTIONS
OF THE
OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS' CLUB.
Organized March, 1879. Incorporated March, 1884.
OTTAWA, CANADA:
The Rolla L. Grain Co. Limited, Printers
1908
^be ©ttawa Jricl^^1Waturali0t0^(Ilub, 1908^=1909
patron:
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE EARL GREY,
GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF CANADA.
prestDent:
A. E. Attwood, M.A. -' ,
\t)ice=lpre0iOentg:
A. Halkett. Rev. G. Eifrig.
Xibrarlan :
C. H. Young.
Secretary: treasurer:
T. E. Clarke, B.A. Arthur Gibson,
(470 O'Connor Street). (Central Experimental Farm).
Committee :
Mr. L. H. Newman.
Mr. J. M. Macoun.
Mr. H. H. Pitts.
Mr. E. E. Lemieux.
Mr. Alex. McNeil.
Miss Q. Jackson.
Miss E. E. Currie.
Miss M. B. Williams.
JluOltors:
R. B. Whyte. F. T. Shutt.
Standing Committees ot Council:
Publishing: A. Gibson, J. M. Macoun, H. H. Pitts, L. H. Newman. Alex.
McNeil, Miss Q. Jackson.
Excursions: G. Eifrig, E. E. Lemieux, T. E. Clarke, C. H. Young,
A. McNeil, Miss E. E. Currie.
Soiries: H. H. Pitts, J. M. Macoun, E. E. Lemieux, L. H. Newman,
A. Gibson, A. Halket, Miss M. B. Williams.
XeaDers :
Geology: H. M. Ami, W. J. Wilson, W. H. Collins, M. F. Connor,
M. W^ilson.
So/OM)'.- J. Fletcher, John Macoun, D.A.Campbell, S. B. Sinclair, A.
McNeil, L. H. Newman, T. E. Clarke.
Entomology: W. H. Harrington, J. Fletcher, A. Gibson, C. H. Young, J. W.
Baldwin.
Conchology: J. F. Whiteaves, F. R. Latchford, J. Fletcher, S. E. O'Brien.
Ornithology: G. Eifrig, W. T. Macoun, A. G. Kingston, A. H. Gallup, H. F.
Tufts.
Zoology: E. E. Prince, A. Halkett, W. S. Odell, E. E. Lemieux.
ArchcBology:T. W. E. Sowter, J. Ballantyne.
Meteorology: Otto Klotz, A. E. Attwood, D. A. Campbell, A. McNeil
THE OTTAWA NATURALIST
JEDitOt:
James M. Macoun, (Geological Survey of Canada),
associate BOitorS:
Dr. H. M. Ami, Geological Survey of Canada. — Department of Geology.
Dr. J. F. Whiteaves, Geological Survey of Canada. — Dept. of Palaeon-
tology.
Dr. J as. Fletcher, Central Experimental Farm. — Botany& Nature Study.
Hon. F. R. Latchford. — Department of Conchology.
Mr. W. H. Harrington, Post Office Department. — Dept. of Entomology.
Rev. G. Eifrig, 210 Wilbrod St.— Dept. of Ornithology.
Prof. E. E. Prince, Com. of Fisheries for Canada. — Dept. of Zoology.
Dr. Otto Klotz — Dept. of Meteorology.
Membership Fee to O.F.N.C., with "Ottawa Naturalist",
$1.00 per annum
LIST OF MEMBERS
OF THE
Ottawa Kield-Natiaralists' Club
April, 1908
Adams, Prof. F. D., M.Sc, Ph.D.
(Montreal).
^ Ami, H. M., M.A., D.Sc, F.G.S.,
F.R.S.C.
Ami, Mrs. H. M.
Ami, S. T.
Anderson, Miss Constance.
Anderson, James R. (Victoria,
B.C.)
i^ Anderson, Lieut. -Col. W. P. C.E.
v' Attwood, A. E., M.A.
Baker, R. M.
Baldwin, J. W.
Ballantyne, James.
Bangs, J. S.
Barber, H. G.
Barlow, A. E., M.A., D.Sc.
F.G.S.A.
Bate, Miss Marjorie.
Bate, Miss Morna.
Beaupr^, Edwin, (Okotoks, Alta).
Bell, Robert, B.A.Sc.,M.D,L.L.D.
F.R.S., F.R.S.C, F.G.S.A.
Bell, George.
Belliveau, A. H.
Bennett, Miss K. E.
Bennett, L. H., (Regina).
Billings, C. M.
Billinss, W. R.
Blackadar, Dr. E. H.
Blackadar, Lloyd.
Blackball, John, (Toronto).
Borden, Hon. Sir F. W., M.D.
Bowen, Miss Alice, (Quebec).
Bradshaw, G. H. (Morden, Man.)
Brainerd, Dwight, (Montreal).
Brennan, Mrs. H. H.
Brewster, W. (Cambridge, Mass.)
i/Brock, R. W., M.A.
Brown, Mrs. R. D.
Brown, W. J. (Westm un', Q.)
Bruce, L. (Rossland, B.C.)
, Bryce, P. H., M.D..
V Burgess, T. J. W.. M.D., F R.S.C .
(Montreal).
Burman, Rev. W. A. (Winnipe;)-
Calder, Alex. (Winnipeg).
yCameron, E. R., M.A.
V Cameron, Roy.
Camsell, C, B.A.
Carter, J. J.
Carson, W. H.
Casson. Rev. C. W.
/ Campbell, D. A., B.A.
Campbell, A, M.
Campbell, J. S. (Magog, Que.)
Campbell, R. H.
Clark, G. H., B.S.A.
Clarke, T. E., B.A.
Cobbold, Paul A. (Hailevbur\ ,
Ont.)
Cooper, H. W.
Cole, H. W.
Cole, John (Westboro', Ont.)
Cole, Mrs. John (Westboro', Ont.)
Collins, J. Franklin (Providence,
R.I.)
CoUins, W. H.
Connor, M. F., B.Sc.
Cot6, J. C.
Courtney, Harold D.
i/^ Craig, Prof, "ohn (Ithaca, N.Y.)
Criddle, N. (Treesbank, Man.)
Currie, P. W.
Currie, Miss E. E.
Dawson, S. E., C.M.G.. Lit.D.,
F.R.S.C.
Dearness, J., M.A. (London, Ont.)
Deam, C. C. (Blufifton, Ind.)
Dempsey, J. H. C. (Hamilton).
Denny, J. D.
Dewar, Miss Ethel.
Director, Christian Brothers'
Academv.
Dixon, F. A.
Dixon, Miss M. F.
Doherty, T. Keville.
Dowling, D. B., B.A.Sc.
Dulau & Co., (London, Lng.)
Dunne, J. P.
Dwight, Jonathan, Jr.,.y.D. (New
"^Eifrig, Rev. G. York).
Ells, R. W., LL.D., F.G.S.A.,
F.R.S.C.
Evans, Jno. D., C.E. (Tr nton,
Ont.)
./"Ewing, W. ('., M A.
Ewart, D.
Farlev, Miss J. E.
Farlev, F. L. (Red Deer, Alta.)
Farr, Miss E. M. (Philadel])hi;i\
Finn, J. P., B.A.
Fisher, Hoii. Svdnev.
FitzHenry, W.' (Mvrtlc, Man.)
Fitzpatrick, f^on. ("has.
Fleck, A. W.
Fleming, J. H. (Toronto).
Fleming, R. F.
Fleming, Sir Sandford, K.C M.G.
C.E., F.R.C.L, F.R.S.C.
1908]
List of Members
i/ Fletcher, J., LL.D., F.L.S.,
F.R.S.C.
Fraser, Geo., (Ucluclct, B.C.)
Gallup, A. H.
\^ Gibson, Arthur.
Gibson, J. W. (Kingston).
Gilbert.son, Miss B.
Glashan, J. C, LL.D., F.R.S.C.
Gorman, Al. J., LL.B.
Graham, W.
Grant, .Sir]. A., K.C.M.G., M.D.,
F.R.C.S. Edin. F.R.S.C, F.G.S
Grisdale, J. H., B..Agr.
Grist, Henry.
Grist, Miss Mary L.
•/^Halkett, Andrew.
Hamilton, Mrs. F. L. H.
Hampson, E.
Hann, H. A. (Summit, X.J.)
Harcourt, Geo. (Edmonton, Alta.)
Hargrave, Miss I.(Sherbrooke, Q )
Harmer, Miss G. (Mosgrove, Ont.)
v^Harrington, W. Hague, F.R.S.C.
Harrison, Edward.
Harvey, R. V. (Victoria, B.C.)
Hay, George, Sr.
Hay, G. U., D.Sc, M.A.,Ph.B.,
F.R.S.C. (St. John, N.B.)
Hayes, J. A., (Calgary).
Hennessey, F. C.
Herriot, W. (Gait, Ont.)
Hewit, H. O.
Hodge, C. F., Ph.D. (Worcester,
Mass.)
Hodson, F. W.
Hope, James.
Houghton, J. A. (Bennington, \'t).
Ide, Wm.
Irwin, Li'nit.-Col. D. T.
Jackson, Miss Oueenie.
Jacobs, Miss C. M. (Hamilton,
Ohio).
y Jacombe, F. W. H., M.A., M.F.
James, C. C. M..\. (Toronto).
James, H. C.
Jenkins, S. J., B.A.
Jennings, O. E. (Pittsburg, Pa.)
Johnston, W. A., B.Sc.
Joly de Lotbiniere, Hon. Sir Henry
(Victoria, B.C.)
Jones, Harold (Maitland, Ont.)
Kearns, J. C.
Keefer, Thos. C, C.M.G., C.E..
F.R.S.C.
Keele, J., B.A.Sc.
y^ Kingston, A. G.
Klotz, Dr. Otto.
Klugh, A. B. (Kingston).
Labarthe, J. (Trail, B.C.)
Laidlaw,G. E., (Victoria Rd.,Ont.)
Lajeunesse, Rev. J. A.
Lambart, Hon. O. H.
./"Lambe, L. M., F.G.S., F.G.S. A.,
F.R.S.C.
Latchford, Hon. F. R., B..A.
Leavitt, T. W. H. (Toronto).
Lee, Miss Kath. (Clinton, X.Y.)
Lees, Miss V.
Lemieux, E. E.
Letourneau, Jos. A.
Lewis, J. B., C.E.
Leyden, Miss M.
Liebner, E. O., B..A. (Brampton.
Ont.
t^Lochhead, W., B.A., M.Sc. (St
Anne de Bellevue, Qae.
Lvman, H. H., M.A. (Montreal).
McCready, Prof. S. B. (Guelph).
McDougall, Miss J. C.
McDunnough, Jas. (Berlin, Ger-
many) .
McElhinney, M. P.
McElhmney, Dr. M. G.
McGiU, A., B.A., B.Sc.
McGillivray, H.
Mcllmoyle, Miss.
Mclnnes, Wm., B.A.
MacLaughhn, T. J.
McLeod, Miss M. F.
i/'McXeil, Alex.
McVeigh, Miss K.
MacCraken, John L, B.A.
MacKay, A. H., LL.D., B.Sc.
F.R.S.C. (Halifax).
JVIacnamara, C. (Arnprior).
'^Macoun, Prof. John, M.A., F.L.S.
F.R.S.C.
v^Macoun, J. M.
</" Macoun, W. T.
Malcolm, Jno. (Fergus, Ont.)
Mallock, G. S., B.A.
Matthews, Miss Annie L,
Megill, W. H. T., B.A.
Metcalfe, W.
.Millar, H. H. (Chicago).
/Miller, Prof. W. G. (Toronto).
Milne, Win.
Moore, W. H. (Sotch Lake, X.B.)
Morris, F. J. A. (Port Hope, Ont.)
Morris, H.
Murphy, John.
Murray, James, B.S.A. (Brandon,
Man.)
Nash, C. W. (Toronto).
Nelles, D. H., D.L.S.
/Xewcombe, C. F., M.D. (Victoria.
/Newman, L. H.. S.5.A. B.C.)
O'Brien, S. E.
Odell, W. S.
Orde, J. F.
List of Members
[1908
O'SuUivan, Owen.
Perrin, Vincent, C.E.
Pitts, H. H.
/Power, ].¥., B.A.
/Prince, Prof. E. E., B.A., F.L.S.
i/Putman, J. H., B.A.
Raine, Walter (Toronto).
Richard, Rev. A. E.
Ritchie, Miss Isabella.
Robertson, C. N.
Robertson, Prof. J. W., LL.D. (St.
Anne de Bellevue, Que.)
Robinson, Miss M.
Robinson, Hirain.
Rodman, Miss A. E.
, Rush, M. L.
y/ Saunders, Wm., C.M.G., LL.D.,
F.G.S., F.L.S. ,F.R.S.C.
Saunders, W. E. (London, Ont.)
Saunders, H. S. (Toronto).
Scott, Geo. Inglis.
Scott, Mrs. G. I.
Scott, Norman M.
Scott, John A.
Scott, Harry S.
Scott, Miss Mary McKav.
Scott, W., B.A. (Toronto)
Scott, Rev. C. T. (Montreal, Que.)
Seton, E. Thoinpson (Coscob,
Shannon, Frank. Conn.)
Shearman, F. J. W.
Shore, John W. -
/ Shutt, F. T., M.A.\F.LC., F.C.S.,
F.R.S.C.
Simpson, Willibert.
Sinclair, S. B., B.A., Ph.D.
Skales, Howard (Mt. Forest, Ont.)
Small, H. Beaumont, M.D.
Snider, W. W.
Soper, John.
Sowter, T. W. E.
Souliere, O.
Spence, J. C, B.A.
Spreckley, R. O.
St. Jacques, H.
Summerby, Wm. J., M.A. (Rus-
sell, Ont.)
Sutherland, J. C, B.A. (Rich-
mond, Que).
Sutton, Mrs. L. L.
Sullivan, J. F.
Symes, P. B.
Taylor, F. B. (Fort Wayne, Ind.)
Terrill, L. M. (Montreal).
Thompson, R.
Thomson, Evan, (Red Lodge,
Alta.)
Thorne, James, B.A.
Toplev, Mrs. W. J.
Tufts,' H. F.
Tyrrell, J. B., B.A., B.Sc, F.G.S..
F.G.S.A. (Toronto).
Venables, E. P. (Vernon, B.C.)
Waddell, Miss K. F.
Walker, B. E., F.G.5. (Toronto).
Walker, Bryant (Detroit).
Wallace, J. S. (Toronto).
WaUis, J. B. (Winnipeg, Man.)
Warwick, F. W., B.Sc. (Bucking-
ham, Oue.)
Weld. Wm. E.
Weston, T. C, F.G.S.A. (Minnea-
polis, Minn.)
Whelen, Peter.
Whelen, Miss A.
White, E. G.
White, George R.
White, James (Snelgrove, Ont.)
White, J. F., Dr., M.A.
•^ White, Lt.-Col. W., C.M.G.
Whiteaves, J. F., LL.D., F.G.S.
F.R.S.C., F.G.S.A.
Whyte, Miss Ida.
Whyte, Miss Isabella.
y Whyte, R. B.
WiUiams, Miss M. B., B.A.
Williams, }. B. (Toronto).
Willing, T.' X. (Regina, Sask.^
Wilson, Morley E.
^ Wilson, W. J., Ph.B.
Wilson, E. (Armstrong, B.C.)
Winchester, H. S.
Wolf red, J.
Wood, Hon. Josiah (SacVrville,
N.B.)
Young, C. H.
Young, Wm., B.Sc.
CORRESPONDING MEMBERS.
Bethune, Rev. C. J. S., M.A., D.C.L., F.R.S.C. Guelph, Ont.
Greene, Dr. E. L., United States National Museum, Washington. D.C.
Hill, Albert J., M.A., C.E., New Westminster, B.C.
Holm, Theodor, Ph.D., Brookland, Washington, D.C, U.S.
Merriam, Dr. C. H.\rt, Department of Agriculture, Washington, U.S.
Smith, Prof. John B., D.Sc, Rutger's College, New Brunswick. X.I.
Taylor, Rev. G. W., M.A., F.R.S.C, F.Z.S., Wellington, B.C.
WiCKHAM, Prof. H. F., Iowa City, Iowa, U.S.
THE OTTAWA NATURALIST
VOL. XXI. OTTAWA, APRIL, 1908 No. 1
THE REPORT OF THE COUNCIL OF THE OTTAWA
FIELD -NATURALISTS' CLUB FOR THE YEAR
ENDING MARCH 17th, 1908.
Membership.
During the year thirty-nine new members have been
elected, making the present membership 291, composed of 283
ordinary members and eight corresponding members.
Soirees.
No more successful series of lectures has ever been provided
by the Club than that of the -past winter. Every subject was of
popular interest, the addresses were all able efforts, the pro-
gramme was carried out exactly as printed, and the attendance
throughout the entire course was most gratifying. Reports of
the work done by the various branches during the year were
presented at the different meetings; and in this way, the aims
of the Club were kept before the public.
The opening soiree was held on Decem^ber 10th in the Normal
School. It is a time-honored custom of the Club to make the
first meeting the occasion for an annual re-union of members ;
and to this end the programme is of a rather informal nature.
An exhibition of specimens has become a feature of the opening
night as providing a centre of interest and an opportunity for
the exchange of personal experiences, as well as giving the
leaders a means of becoming acquainted with new members
and those interested in the subjects of the lecture course.
Principal White of the Normal School delivered an address
of welcome. Five of the older members, most of them past
presidents, recounted personal experiences in the field during
the past season. Dr. S. B. Sinclair described successful methods
employed by his party in fighting a stubborn bush fire in the
Parry Sound District. This address was of so great merit that
it was secured by the Canadian Forestry Journal and has since
been published in that organ. Dr. Fletcher, whose word pictures
have made the Club familiar with the Rockies, described the
8 The Ottawa Naturalist [April
"Mountain Sprites" that allure the entomologist to their wind-
swept homes. Dr. Ami, who represented the Geological Survey
at the Centenary of the Geological Society of London, recounted
interesting incidents of that gathering. Prof. F. T. Shutt
followed with a paper on "Rain and Snow," describing the
influence of these elements of nature in the industrial world,
in the agricultural world, and upon the health of the race. Mr
Halkett, who spent the sum.mer collecting in Alberta and Sas-
katchewan, submitted a list of the fishes of these two provinces,
and described many interesting features of the birds and
mammals observed.
At the second soiree, held on January 7th, Dr. P. H.
Bryce delivered an address on "Some Sanitary Considerations
in the Construction, Heating, and Ventilation of Dwellings."
A verbatim report of this able address will appear in an early
number of The Ottawa Naturalist.
The programme for January 21st brought out a large
audience including several local apiarists. Mr. P. H. Selwyn
gave an address on "The Life and Work of the Honey Bee, as
observed from Spring to Fall," and Dr. Fletcher spoke of "The
Honey Bee and Other Bees." Both addresses were published
almost in full in the February number of The Ottawa Natur-
alist.
On February 4th the President, Mr. W. J. Wilson, described
"The Height of Land Country between the St. Lawrence and
the Hudson Bay Waters." He showed a map of the country
and' explained the various topographical features, mentioning
that there are large areas of good clay soil, but also much swamp
and muskeg. He described, and illustrated by means of lantern
slides, the various types of forest covering the country. The
Height of Land is rather a broad plateau than a sharp dividing
ridge. The rivers flowing from this plateau descend several
hundred feet before they reach the coastal plain; and in this
distance, they form many waterfalls which can be made to
produce almost unlimited power. The lecturer illustrated the
mode of travel, described the Indians of the district, and spoke
of the abundance of fish, especial] v the speckled trout, with
which most of the rivers teem.
At the following soiree, held on February 18th, Dr. Chas.
Saunders, Cerealist, Dominion Experimental Farms, gave a
valuable address on "Wheat, its Improvement and Uses."
After pointing out the reasons for the steadv increase in the
popularity of wheat as human food, the lecturer discussed the
methods available for the improvement of this cereal, especially
those employed on the Experimental Farms. The operations
of cross fertilization and selection were illustrated bv lantern
1908] Report of the Council 9
slides and clearly explained. The uses of the various types of
wheat were pointed out, and some account was given of the
milling and baking tests carried on by the lecturer in determin-
ing the value of different varieties.
On March 3rd. a large audience, including many members of
the teaching staffs of the city, heard Dr. John Brittain of
Macdonald College discuss "The Time and Place for Nature
Studv in the Public Schools." The lecturer made a strong plea
for the introduction of Nature Study in the lower grades. At
the conclusion of his address proper. Dr. Brittain gave a practical
demonstration of Nature Study methods by teacliing a lesson,
replete with simple experiments, on "The Composition of Wood."
The final lecture of the course, "What is the Shamrock?"
is to be delivered this evening by Prof. John Macoun.
The Soiree Committee is usually forttmate enough to secure
the services of some visiting scientist for a special lecture. On
May 31st of this Club year, Prof. Chas. Pollard, Secretary of the
Wild Flower Preservation Society of America, delivered an
address before a large gathering in the Assembly Hall of the
Normal School. The address was illustrated with more than a
hundred hand-colored slides from the fam.ous Van Brunt collec-
tion, perhaps the most beautiful ever shown before the Club.
The older botanists of the Club comment on the number of species
now locally extinct, due to the steadv expansion of the city
and the consequent destruction of such collecting grounds as
"Stewart's Bush."
Excursions.
The following programme of excursions was drawn up :
April 20th, Rockliffe.
April 27th, Beech wood.
May 4th, Blueberry Point.
May 11th, Leamy's Lake.
May 18th, Tetrauville and Beaver Meadow.
May 25th, Victoria Park and Experimental Farm.
June 1st, General Excursion, Chelsea.
Sept. 14th, Beaver Meadow, Hull.
Sept. 21st, Queen's Park, Aylmer.
Sept. 28th, Rockliffe and Hemlock Lake.
The fact that only one excur.sion was cancelled is striking
evidence of the drv weather conditions that prevailed throughout
the season. The lat^eness of the spring is similarly emphasized in
the published reports of the excursions by the constant mention
of the unusually small numbers of birds and insects observed.
The fall exctirsions, however, were held under very favorable
conditions, and were so largely attended that the Council, by
10 The Ottawa Naturalist. [April
request, continued the Saturday outings into the month of
October.
The Council recommends that in future a programme of
excursions for the entire season be drawn up at the first meeting
of the Council, and that a printed copy of the programme be
mailed to each member of the Club.
The Ottawa Naturalist.
Volume XXI of The Ottawa Naturalist, the official
organ of the Club, has been published under the editorship of
Mr. J. M. Macotm. It consists of twelve numbers paged 1-120
and 153-244, as explained on page 204. The numbers of this
volume present a more attractive appearance than those of
former years, due to the better quality of paper used and to the
clearer letter-press. The distinctive characteristic of this
year's publication, however, is the prominence given to the
proceedings of the Club. Full reports of papers read at the
soirees have been published, meetings of the Council have been
reported, the discussions at the branch meetings have been
excellently summarized and the lady members of the Club have
written the most interesting accounts of excursions ever pre-
pared for The Ottawa Naturalist.
The follovving are among the papers that appear in this
volume.
On Geology.
1. "On a Tooth of Ovibus from Pleistocene Gravels near
Midway, B.C.," Lawrence M. Lambe, F.G.S.
2. "Description of a Canadian Species of Peltoceras,"
Dr. J. F. Whiteaves.
3. "Notes on the Geology and Mineral Resources of
Trinidad and the Barbados," Dr.R. W. Ells.
4. "On an Occurrence of Hvbocvstis in Ontario." W. A.
Parks, Ph.D.
On Botany.
1. "How the Seeds of Plants are Spread in Nature,"
Norman Criddle.
2. "Fungi from the Kawartha Lakes, incltiding several
new Species," Cephas Guillet.
3. "Notes on the Genus Vaccinium in British Columbia,"
E. Wilson.
4. "Some of the Infltiences Affecting Seed Production,"
W. T. Macoun.
On Entomology.
1. "The Great Leopard Moth," Arthur Gibson.
2. "List of Coleoptera collected by Mr. J. M. Macoim in
British Columbia."
1908] Report OF THE Council 11
3. "The Life History of the Honey Bee," Perev H. Selwyn.
4. "The Honey Bee' and Other Bees," Dr. Jas. Fletcher.
5. "Mountain Sprites," Dr. Jas. Fletcher.
On Conchology.
1 . "Marl vShells from Cobalt," Bryant Walker.
Ox Ornithologv.
1. "Remarkably Early Arriya] of the First Migrants of
this Spring," Rev. C.'W. G.'Eifrig.
2. "New Brunswick Flycatchers." Wm. H. Moore.
3. "Spring Migration on the Bruce Peninsula," A. B.
Klugh.
4. "Notes on Some Seal Island Birds." H. F. Tufts.
5. "The American Goshawk near Ottawa," Rev. C. W. G.
E if rig.
6. "How to Make a Bird Sanctuary Anywhere," C. de
Blois Green.
7. "Dates of Arrivals of Birds at Camrose, Alta., in 1906
and 1907," F. L. Farlev.
8. "Winter Birds 'in Montcalm County," L. M. Terrill.
9. "Dates of Departure in the Fall Migration of the More
Common Birds of Ottawa," Rev. C. W. G. Eifrig.
10. "List of Sable Island Birds," James Bouteiler.
11. "Bird Notes from. South-western Nova Scotia," H. F.
Tufts.
On Zoology.
1. "A New Mouse for Canada," W. E. Saunders.
2. "A Viviparous Snake." J. M. Macoun.
On Meteorology.
1. "Climate in Relation to Health," Dr. P. H. Bryce.
2. "The Weather," Dr. Otto Klotz.
3. "Rain and Snow," Prof. F. T. Shutt.
In addition to the above-named papers, the index pages
will show numerous short notes sent in by collectors and ob-
servers from various parts of Canada. Much of the original
work done by the individual members is reported at the branch
meetings; and for this reason, the reports of these meetings
will be found to contain a great deal of new information regard-
ing the Ottawa district not specially mentioned in the index.
Reports of Branches.
The branches report a busy and successful year. The field
work of the members of the Club, as the published notes show,
extends over practically the entire Dominion. Some of the
branches hold monthly or fortnightly meetings throughout the
12 The Ottawa Naturalist. [April
winter for the discussion of questions belonging more par-
ticularly to their own departments. In the Botanical Branch,
it is the custom for the host of the evening to present a paper
dealing with his own personal researches in the field, or to intro-
duce the discussion of some subject, after which the members
take part in the general discussion, with the host acting as
chairinan. Other branches, for instance the Entomological
Branch, expect each member present to furnish a small exhibit
from his private collection, or to contribute in some other way
to the programme of the evening.
The Zoological Branch.
The Zoological Branch notes with pleasure the establish-
ment of marine biological stations by the Dominion Govern-
ment at St. Andrew's, N.B., and Departure Bay, B.C.
Prof. Prince gave an address at the May meeting of the
Royal Society of Canada on Canadian Marine Biology. Mr.
Halkett spent the summer collecting and observing in Alberta
and Saskatchewan, devoting special attention to the fishes of
those provinces, a list of which appears in the report of the
branch. Mr. Lemieux made a capture of more than local
interest on October 1st near the Chats Falls in a specimen of
the milk snake (Matrix sipedon) which contained over forty
young, each about eight inches in length. This extends the
breeding season of this species to a later date than hitherto
recorded. The most remarkable addition to local species is
the soft-shelled turtle (Trionynx spinifex) from I'Ange Gardien,
Que. Prof. Prince prepared two special government reports,
"The Local Movements of Fishes," and "The Unutilized Fishery
Products of Canada"; and Mr. Halkett prepared a report of
the Canadian Fisheries Museuin, dealing with the vertebrates
in the Museum.
Ornithological Branch.
The local ornithologists' report continued progress in their
work on the local list. They also draw special attention to the
abnormal records of the spring migration for 1907, as fully
recorded in The Ottawa Naturalist. An interesting feature
of the report is the description of a Great Horned Owl sent in
from Labelle County, pierced with scores of quills from a por-
cupine, which probably hunger had driven it to attack.
The branch invites all those interested in the study of birds
to send their names and addresses to Mr. A. G. Kingston, 241
Nicholas Street, because in this section of field work, the co-
operation of numbers is especially desirable. Finally, the
branch makes an appeal for the protection of bird life. The
1908] Report op the Council 13
Massachusetts Board of Agriculture finds the domestic cat to
be one of the worst foes of birds; and, in some German cities,
cat-catchers are employed to rid the parks of these enemies.
During the nesting season, at least, the house cat shotdd be
kept indoors.
Geological Br.an'ch.
The report of this branch contained a summary of the
work done by members at the excursions of the Club. Additions
to the lists of organic remains obtained from various localities
in the Ottawa District, were recorded as w^ell as interesting
observations made in several of the geological formations in and
about the city.
Records of work done by geologists in the Ottawa Valley
before the advent of the Club were also given from the observa-
tions of Bigsley in 1822 at the limestone fonnation of the
Chaudiere Falls, to the work of Sir Wm. Logan, Alexander
Murray, James Richardson. Dr. Wilson of Perth, Sheriff Dickson
of Pakenham, Rev. Mr. Bell of L'Orignal,and Elkanah Billings.
Special reference w^as made to the work of Billings and the
high esteem in which he was held. The Club had been instru-
mental in having a suitable portrait of the first Palaeontologist
of the Geological Survey painted and presented to the Survev.
The report pointed out many avenues of work still remain-
ing open to members of this branch, and it suggested the forma-
tion of a Geological Club with the object of furthering the
interests in common.
Entomological Branch.
The annual report of this branch shows a marvellous
amount of work accomplished, w'hen one considers that the
past season w^as decidedly unfavorable from an entomological
point of view. The work done by this branch is \evy systematic
as most of the members are specialists, confining their efforts
largely to some particular branch of entomology. The result
of this intensive method is seen in the list of species new to the
Ottawa district, practically every member of the branch having
contributed to the additions.
Two interesting papers are promised for early publication.
Dr. E. M. Walker is preparing one on the dragon-flies of the
Ottaw^a district from specimens and data furnished by local
collectors. The other paper wdll be contributed by Mr. W. D.
Kearfott, the well-known specialist in microlepidoptera, as a
result of collections made by himself and local members last
June in the Ottawa district.
The Library.
^ Your Council regrets to report that, in the remodelling of
14 The Ottawa Naturalist. [April
the interior of the Normal School, the room formerly occupied
by the Club as a Library has been converted into a cloak room,
and that it has been necessary to remove the copies of The
Ottawa Naturalist and the unbound exchanges to a store-
room in the basement of the Normal School. A Committee
consisting of Dr. Jas. Fletcher, Dr. H. M. Ami, and Mr. A. H.
Gallup, has been appointed to ascertain if a suitable room can
be secured elsewhere.
The Library Committee appointed last year has had
printed a uniform label for the bound volumes in the Carnegie
Library. The Club has on hand 250 copies of each of the forty-
two papers on Nature Study published in The Ottawa Natur-
alist, and the Council is of the opinion that a number of these
should be bound.
The Treasurer's report shows a balance on hand of $197.24.
The President, Mr. W. J. Wilson, represented the Club at
the May meeting of the Royal Society of Canada.
As in other years, several of the leading members have
contributed to the lectvire courses of various local societies.
A special bulletin on "Farm Weeds of Canada" was issued
during the year by the Seed Branch of the Department of
Agriculture. This bulletin was exclusively the work of three
members of the Club, Mr. G. H. Clark. Seed Commissioner, Dr.
Jas. Fletcher, Entomologist and Botanist, Dominion Experi-
mental Farms, and Mr. Norman Criddle of Aweme, Man. This
is undoubtedly one of the best government publications of its
kind ever issued by an}^ country.
The Club desires to express its hearty appreciation of the
efforts of the Horticultural Society towards beautifving Ottawa ;
it likewise appreciates the kindness of Her Excellency the
Countess of Grey, in making it possible for so many school-
children of Ottawa to actively participate in flower-gardening
at Rockliffe under expert supervision.
The Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club extends its best wishes
to two new sister societies in the West, the Edmonton Natural
History Society, and the Regina Natural History Society.
The thanks of the Club are again due to Principal White
for kindly placing the Normal School at its disposal, to the
Library Board of the City Council and the librarian, Mr. Burpee,
for the use of the lecture hall of the Carnegie Library, and to the
Press of the citv for its co-operation in furthering the aims of
the Club.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
T. E. Clarke,
Secretary.
313
00
103
50
75
02
50
3
90
300
00
S844
55
1908] Treasurer's Statement IS
TREASURER'S STATEMENT FOR YEAR EXDIXG
17th march, 1908.
Receipts.
Balance from previous vear : S4S 63
Subscriptions— 1907-1908 S175 00
Arrears 138 00
Advertisements in Ottawa Naturalist
Nature Study separates sold
Ottawa Naturalists sold
Net proceeds, General Excursion to Chelsea, 1st June. . .
Government Grant
Expenditure.
Printing Ottawa Naturalist, Vol. XXI, 12 Nos., 244
pages, including cover S37 5 48
Illustrations 24 78
Author's extras 25 15
Miscellaneous printing — circulars, maihng envelopes,
post cards, etc 42 50
S467 91
Postage on Ottawa Naturalist 35 91
Editor 50 00
$553 82
Less 2 per cent, for cash on printers' accounts.. . . 9 80
544 02
Secretary 25 00
Treasurer 25 00
Soiree expenses 31 25
Library expenses 3 76
Sundry expenses, postage, etc !> 28
Balance 197 24
«844 55
ARTHUR GIBSON, Treasurer,
Examined and found correct,
R. B. WHYTE, I , ... ^
F T SHUTT I ^"O"0rs.
Subscriptions for the new club year are now due, and should be paid
at once.
It is to be hoped that members will carefully examine the advertise-
ments in this volume of The Ottawa Naturalist, and make a point
of dealing with those firms who thus help the Club.
16 The Ottawa Naturalist. [April
THE DRAGONFLIES (ODONATA) OF THE OTTAWA
DISTRICT.
By E. M. Walker, B.A., M.B., Toronto
During the past year several small collections of Odonata
or Dragonflies from the Ottawa district have been sent to the
writer for determination, and at the request of Dr. Fletcher,
from whom most of the material has been received, the follow-
ing notes upon the species examined have been prepared, and
are offered as a basis for future work in this field on the part
of collectors in this locality.
To aid the novice in the determination of his captures,
brief mention is made of the characters by which the various
families, genera, and species may be most easily recognized,
and figures of the characteristic parts are given where these
are deemed preferable to verbal descriptions. At the same time
the student is reminded that determinations made from such
brief descriptions should not be considered final. They may
enable him to classify his specimens in a preliminary way, but
for accurate and reliable diagnoses recourse should be had to
some of the more complete treatises on the group, of which the
following will be found the most useful to the beginner: —
Calvert, P. P. Catalogue of the Odonata of the vicinity
of Philadelphia, with an introduction to the studv of this group
of insects. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. 1893, XX, p. 152a-272.
Kellicott, D. S. The Odonata of Ohio (a posthumous
paper, completed and edited by J. S. Hine) Ohio State Acad.
Sci., special papers, No. 2, 1889.
Williamson, E. B. The Dragonflies of Indiana. Dept.
Geol. and Nat. Resources of Ind., 24th An. rep't., 1900, p.
233-333.
Needham, J. G. Aquatic Insects in the iVdirondacks,
Odonata. N.Y. State Museum, Bull. 47, 1901, p. 429-540.
Needham, J. G. Aquatic Insects in New York State.
N.Y. State Museum, Buh. 68, Ent. 18, 1903, p. 218-279.
The collections which form the basis of the present paper
were made by the following gentlemen: Dr. James Fletcher,
Messrs. Arthur Gibson, J. Letourneau, W. H. Harrington, and
C. H, Young, and the Rev. G. W. Taylor. Dr. Fletcher tells me
that no systematic attempt has been made to collect all the
species inhabiting the Ottawa district, but that the material
consists chiefly of odd specimens picked up from time to time
by the various collectors, while seeking specimens of other
orders. This being the case the list, which embraces 47 species,
1908] Dragonflies of the Ottawa District 17
is a fairly good one, and the species comprising it indicate a great
variety of aquatic environment. Species inhabiting the larger
lakes and rivers, ponds, sluggish creeks and rapid streams are
all represented.
Of these 47 species 42 range southward throughout Ontario,
or have been taken in neighboring parts of the United States at
moderate elevations. Seven or eight of these are more common
in the upper Austral Zone, and probably do not range far into
the Canadian Zone. The remaining five are more or less
characteristic of the Boreal Zone.
The Dragonflies (order Odonata) are readily separable into
two large groups or sub-orders, the Zygoptera or Damsel-flies,
and the Anisoptera or Dragonflies proper.
The damsel-flies are mostly small deUcate forms, with a
slender abdomen and comparatively feeble powers of flight.
They are easily known by the somewhat hammer-shaped head
with its wideh^ separated eyes, and by the fact that the two
pairs of wings are similar in form, and in repose are held together
in the vertical plane or only half spread.
The Anisoptera, on the other hand, are generally larger
and more robust than the Zygoptera ; the hind wings are broader
than the fore pair, and are held in the horizontal position. The
eyes are commonly larger and closer together frequently touch-
ing one another above.
Sub-order 1. ZYGOPTERA.
This sub-order contains but one family, the Agrionidag,
although Calopteryx and its allies are placed by some authors
in a separate family.
Genus Calopteryx, Leach.
Comparativelv large species with bright metallic green
bodies and broad rounded wings, which, unUke those of our
other damsel-flies, are partly or entirely clouded with dark
brown or black. They frequent woodland streams, flitting along
the banks like butterflies, or chasing each other over the water.
Two species occur in Ontario, and both have been met
with at Ottawa.
1. Calopteryx maculata (Beauv.), Burm.
Ottawa, Hull, 3 males, 3 females (Gibson, Letourneau,
Harrington, Young).
Length of body male, 46 mm., female, 52 mm.
Length of hind wing . . " 32 mm., " 36 mm.
Width of hind wing.. . " 10 mm., " 10 mm.
This is the commoner of our two species of Calopteryx,
and ranges throughout the southern part of the province and
18 The Ottawa Naturalist. [April
northward at least 30 miles beyond the Soo. The male is easily
known by its deep brown or black wrings, those of the female
being lighter brown, each with a white spot on the costal margin
near the tip.
2. Calopteryx .??quabilis, Say.
Ottawa, Hull, 2 males, 2 females (Gibson, Letourneau,
Harrington, Young).
Length of body male, 50 mm., female, 52 mm.
Length of hind wing . . " 32 mm., '" 36 mm.
Width of hind wing. . . " 9 mm., " 10 mm.
As seen from the measurements this is a larger insect than
C. maculata, and has relatively narrower wings. In the male
these are clear with the apical fifth or less of the front pair, and
about three-fifths of the hind pair black or dark brown, the
depth of color as in the preceding species deepening and becom-
ing better defined with age. In the female the whole wing is
more or less stiffused with Ijrown, the apical portion only faintly
deeper than the rest, except in old specimens where the contrast
may be fairly well marked.
While often found in company with the preceding species,
cequahilis prefers the larger streams, and is considerably warier
and swifter of flight than its congener.
Genus Lestes, Leach.
The members of this genus are easily recognized in life by their
habit of resting with the wings half spread. The genus is separated
from the remaining genera of Agrionidae by the position of
the median sector, which arises nearer the arculus than the
nodus (Fig. A). The superior appendages of the male form a pair
of curved forceps, toothed along the inner margin, and these
together with the inferior pair offer the best characters for the
separation of the different species. These are mostty dark
bronze-green or brown forms, the males having the last two
joints of the abdomen and the space between the wings covered
with a bluish w^hite dust. The females of the different species
are not readily separated, but can generally be recognized in
the field by their associating with males of their own species.
3. Lestes congener, Hagen. Fig. B.
Hull, September 14th, 1907, 1 male (Letourneau).
This is rather smaller than the other species of Lestes
belonging to our fauna, and is somewhat local in its occurrence.
It was common in Algonquin Park in 1903-04, and I have taken
it at Nepigon and in Niagara Glen.
Its appendages resemble those of L. eurimis, which probably
also inhabits Ontario, in that the inferior pair is not more than
1908] Dragonflies of the Ottawa District 19
half as long as the superior, but curinns is a large metallic .green
insect, while congener is small and dark bronzy-Vjrown in color.
4. Lestes unguiculatus, Hagen. Fig. C.
Ottawa, July 15th, 16th, 1907, 1 male, 5 females, all teneral
except 1 male, (Gibson). July 30th, 1907, 4 males, 1 female
(Gibson, Letourneau); 2 males, 2 females (Fletcher, Harring-
ton); Clark's Bush, July 11th, 30th, 1907, 3 females (Letourneau).
Widely distributed in the United States and in Canada,
ranges from Nova Scotia at least as far west as Regina, Saskat-
chewan.
The males are easily known by the sigmoid curve of the
inferior appendages (Fig. C).
5. lyESTES uncatus, Kirby. Fig. D.
Ottawa, June 26th, 1906, July 9th, 11th, 15th, 16th, 30th,
1907, 15 males, 4 females (Fletcher, Gibson, Letourneau,
Taylor, Young); Clark's Bush, 1 male, July Uth, 1907,
(Letourneau).
This appears to be the most abundant Lestes at Ottawa,
though less so than the next species in most parts of the province
of Ontario, where I have collected. It is a widespread species,
and is very common in the Canadian Northwest. It is a rather
robust metallic green form, and is easily distinguished from
the other members of the genus by the broadly expanded apices
of the inferior appendages of the male. The female is known
by the robust form, metallic coloration, and the very narrow
humeral thoracic band.
6. Lestes disjunctus, Selys. Fig. E.
Ottawa, August 1st, 1907, 1 male (Letourneau); 2 females
(Fletcher).
This seems to be the commonest Lestes in Ontario, judging
by my own experience in the field, but in the Ottawa district
it would appear to be far outnumbered by L. uncatus and
unguiculatus, if the relation between the numbers of specimens
of these different species in the collections examined approxi-
mates that which obtains in life.
L. disjunctus is somewhat smaller and more slender than
either of the other two forms mentioned, and the male is easily
separated from them by the - form of the appendages. The
inner margin of the superior ones bears two acute teeth of
nearly equal size, and the inferior pair reach beyond the
second tooth, and are straight and scarcely at all dilated apically.
This species is somewhat difficult to separate from L. for-
cipatus, which may possibly also occur in the Ottawa district.
In the male of forcipattis the second tooth of the upper appendage
20 The Ottawa Naturalist [April
is much smaller than the first, the inferior appendages are some-
what more dilated apically, and the antehumeral band is broader.
It is also larger than disjunctus, as seen from the following
measurements: L. disjunctus, length, oi abdomen, male 27-30.5
mm., female 26-29 mm. L. jorcipatus, length of abdomen,
male, 30-35 mm., female, 28-34 mm. (Calvert).
Two other Lestes, L. rectangularis and L. vigilax, are likely
to be met with about Ottawa, and a third, L. in(equalis,niay
perhaps occur there. L. rectangularis, which is common in
Algonquin Park and generally distributed throughout most of
the Province, may be known in the male sex by the exceed-
ingly long attenuated abdomen, the brown color and form of the
appendages. L. vigilax is a large slender metallic green species,
the male of which has inferior appendages very straight and
slender. The superiors are less curved than irr our other species,
and have but a single basal tooth.
Genus Argia, Rambur.
Of the three species of Argia known from Ontario two are
found at Ottawa. In these the spines of the tibiae are about
twice as long as the spaces between them. In the remiaining
genera they are always shorter than this, generally shorter
than the spaces between them.
7. Argia putrida (Hagen), Selys.
Ottawa, 4 males, 5 females (Fletcher, Harrington, Taylor) ;
July 21st, 1907, 1 male (Young); Meach Lake, July 21st, 1907,
1 male, 1 female (Gibson); Sand Hill, Rideau River, Juty 2nd,
1906 (Fletcher).
On account of its large size this species is not likely to be
mistaken for any other member of our fauna, unless it be a
Lestes, from which it differs in the characters given. The
males are at once known from those of Lestes by the appendages,
which are very short and not forcipate as in tha^t genus.
.4. putrida is at first a dull brown or clay-colored insect,
but the old males are quite conspicuous on accoiirit of the
bluish-white dust which covers most of the body.
Unlike our other Agrionidae, which prefer quiet marshy
haunts, putrida inhabits exposed rocky shores, piers, etc., often
where there is considerable wave action. It is probably common
about all the larger bodies of water in the Ottawa district.
8. Argia violacka (Hagen), Selys.
Ottawa, 3 males, 1 female (Tavlor) ; Meach Lake, Julv 21st,
1907, 1 male, 1 female (Gibson);' HuU, July 13th, Mth, 1907,
9 males, 3 females (Gibson, Letourneau).
Apparently a common species in the Ottawa district,
1908] Dragonflies of the Ottawa District 21
though elsewhere in Canada it is known only from Algonquin
Park.
The violet color of the males distinguishes them from all
our other Agrionidae, and the species is further distinguished
from A. puirida by the smaller size and shorter pterostigma,
which surmounts but one cell, that of putriJa covering H cells
or more.
In habitat violacea resembles the species of Lestes, Enal-
lagma, etc., rather than our other Argias, being found about the
marshy borders of slow streams and lakes.
Genus Chromagrion, Needham.
9. Chromagrion conditum (Hagen), Needham. Fig. F.
Ottawa, 2 males (Harrington); Hull, June 6th, 1903, 1
male (Harrington); July 17th, 1907, 1 male (Letourneau).
This pretty damsel-fly can be recognized by the form of
the male appendages and the coloration. The thorax is light
blue wnth more or less ^^ellow on the sides and below, and has a
broad irregular mid-dorsal black band, but no lateral bands.
The abdomen is, for the most part, black, w:ith interrupted blue
basal rings, v.^hile segments 8 and 9 are almost entirelv blue.
It is a somewhat longer and more slender insect than
Argia violacea v/hich it otherwise resembles in size. It does not
appear to be very common, although sometimes numerous
locally.
Genus Nehalennia, Selys.
10. Nehalennia irene (Hagen), Selys.
Ottawa, 1 male, 1 female (Fletcher); June 3rd, 1903, 1
female (Harrington).
A very sm^all delicate metallic-green species, with a blue-
tipped abdomen and narrow yellow or blue interrupted basal
rings on segments 3-6. The only other species in our fauna with
which it might be confused is A'', gracilis, whicl; we took last
summer in sphagnum logs at Go Home, Georgian Bay, Ont.
The tVv'O species are extremely similar in appearance, but in
gracilis the last two segments of the male are entirely blue;
in ireiie there is some bronze-green on the sides. The third
margin of the prothorax of the female is bilobed in gracilis,
trilobed in irene.
N . i'-ene is generally abundant v/here it occurs, but on
account of its small size, green color and lov/ flight, it is usually
overlooked l)y the genr-rrl collector.
11. Amphiagrion saucium (Burns), Selys.
Ottawa, June 20th, 1894, 3 males, 3 females (Fletcher).
22 The Ottawa Naturalist. [April
The red colour of this little species serves to distinguish
it at once from all other members of the Zygoptera in our fauna,
except perhaps the orange female of Ischniira verticalis, from
which it differs in the alisence of the two round spots on the
back of the head, the reduction of the black markings of the
abdomen (Seg. 1-5 in the male entirely red), and the uniform
colour of the dorsum of the thorax, which is dull black in the
male, reddish-brown in the female (striped in verticalis).
This species occurs throughout the United vStates, and in
Canada has been reported from Quebec. Ontario, and British
Columbia.
Genus Exallagma, Charpentier.
To this genus belong the familiar little black-banded blue
• species that are so abundant about ponds and streams through-
out the summer. The males of most species are readily separated
by the form of the abdominal appendages, but the females are
often impossible to determine with cei'tainty. Their coloration
is usually very different from that of the male, greenish or
reddish yellow being the prevailing ground color of our species.
Enallagma is separated from Ischnura bv the following
venational characters. (See Fig. A). In the former the nodal
sector arises near the fifth postcubital in the front wings and
near tiie fourth in the hind wings; in Ischnura it arises near
the fourth postcubital in the front wings and near the third
in the hind wings.
12. Exallag.ma Hagexi (Walsh), Selys. Fig. G.
Ottawa, July 23rd, 1907, 1 male (Gibson).
It is rather surprising to find but one specimen of this
abundant species in the collection, although some of the females
placed under E. ebriiim may belong here. It is our most common
and generally distributed Enallagma.
Apart from the differences in the abdominal appendages
of the male, this insect approaches the next verv closely.
13. Enallagma ebrium Hagen. Fig. H.
Ottawa, 17 males, 19 females (some of the females may
belong to E. Hageni); June 7th, 17th, 1899, 2 males; June 3rd,
1903, 1 female (Gibson); July 7th to 23rd, 1907, 7 males, 7
females ; August 1st, 1907, 4 males. 1 female (Gibson, Letourn-
eau) ; 3 males, 10 females (Fletcher, Tavlor) ; Kettle Island,
Ottawa R., July 2nd, 1906, 1 male (Gibson).
This is apparently the common Enallagma at Ottawa,
and although an abundant species in many parts of Ontario,
it seems to be more local than E. Hageni, and probably does not
range so far north.
THE OTTAWA NATURALIST
VOL. XXII. PLATE 1.
K.
T^E DRAGOXFLIES OF THE OTTAWA DISTRICT.
1908]
Dragonflies of the Ottawa District
23
14. Enallagma exsulans (Hagen), Selys. Fig. K.
Ottawa, July 28th, 1907, 1 male (Young).
A longer and more slender insect than the two preceding
species, the males readily distinguished from these bv the
coloration as well as by the form of the abdominal appendages.
In E. H agent and ehrimn, segment 2 is blue above wdth a black
spot, that of exsulans entirely black. The abdomen in the first
two is blue with black markings, in the latter, black with blue
markings.
Several other species of Enallagma will probably appear
about Ottawa. Of tliese the most likely to be found are E. car-
uncnlatum Morse, Calverti Morse, pollutum Hagen, and E.
signatum Hagen.
(To be concluded in June issue)
EXPLANATION OF PLATE.
A. Hind wing of a member of the Zygoptera, Enallagma Hageni.
Upper sector of the triangle.
Lower sector of the triangle.
Arculus.
Antecubitals.
Postcubitals.
Nodus.
Basal postcostal vein.
Pterostigma.
Basilar space.
Quadrilateral.
Antenodal cells.
1.
Costa.
12
2.
Subcosta.
13.
3.
Median vein.
14.
4.
Submedian vein.
15.
5.
Postcosta.
16.
6.
Principal sector.
17.
7.
Ultranodal sector.
18.
8.
Nodal sector.
10.
Q.
Subnodal sector.
20.
10.
^ledian sector.
21.
11.
Short sector.
22.
Dorsal view of the male abdominal appendages of:
B. Lcstes congener. E. Lestes disjunctus.
C. Lestes unguicidatus. F. Chromagrion conditum.
D. Lcstes uncatus.
Lateral view of the male abdominal appendages of :
G.J Enallagma Hageni. K. Enallagma exsulans.
H. Enallagma ehrium.
24 The Ottawa Naturalist. [April
BOTANICAL NOTES.
Anogra Nuttallii (Sweet) A. Nels., Bot. Gaz. XXXIV: 368.
CEnothera alhicaulis, Macoun, Cat. Can. PL I: 172 in part.
A common plant of the prairies from Manitoba almost to
the foot-hills. A. alhicaulis does not reach Canada.
Anogra pallida (Lindl.) Britt.
CEnothera alhicaulis, Macoun, Cat. Can. PL I: 172 in part.
Sandy plains near Lake Osoyoos, B.C., probably at or
near the place it was collected by Douglas. No. 72,804 (J. M.
Macoun). The plant collected by Hill near Spence's Bridge, B.C.,
and recorded by Prof. Macoun as alhicaulis is likely this species.
Specimens not seen. The specimens collected at Lake Osoyoos
have the narrow leaves oi A.leptophylla (Nutt.), but as Douglas
collected around Lake Osoyoos these plants may safely be
referred to A . pallida.
Epilobium Wyomingense, a. Nels., Bot. Gaz. XXX, 194.
The chief characters by w^hich Mr. Nelson has separated
this species from E. palustre are its longer smooth leaves and
smooth stems and its smooth almost beakless seed. The only
specimens in our herbarium that can certainly be referred here
are No. 12,676 from Prince Albert, Sask. {John Macoun) and No.
72,371 from Little Lake Manitou, Sask. {Macoun and Herrioi).
Erigeron Yellowstonensis, a Nels., Bot. Gaz. XXX: 198.
E. acris, L. var. Droebachensis , Macoun, Cat. Can, PI. I:
547 in part.
Easily separated from E. Drcehachensis , as it is known in
Canada, by the hirsute, generally densely hirsute, involucral
bracts. Our Rocky Mountain specimens are from Lake Louise,
No. 65,544, Laggan, No. 65,545 and 65,546, Crow Nest Pass,
No. 70,354 {John MacoMw).*^Near Banff, No. 22,162 (A^. B.
Sanson). Maligne River near head of Athabasca River, No.
19,692 (W . Spreadhorough). West of the Rockies it has been
collected near Cascade, Kettle River, B.C., bv J. M. Macoun,
No. 65,033.
Alopecurus occidentalis, Scribn. and Tweedy.
The only Canadian record is the one made by Prof. Macoun,
Cat. Can. Plants, vol. II, p. 189. It has since been collected by
Prof. Macoun at Milk River Ridge, Alta., No. 13,010, and Bragg's
Creek, Elbow River, Rocky Mountains, No. 18,626.
J. M. M.
1908] Notes o\ vSilitriax vS'iro.matoPokoids 25
NOTES ON SILURIAN STROMATOPOROIDS FROM
HUDSON'S BAY.
Hv William A. Parks, Ph.D.. Associate Professor of
Geology, University of Toronto.
Through the kindness of Dr. J. F. Whiteaves, the writer has
had the opportunity of examining a collection of Stromatopo-
roids obtained by Dr. Robert Bell, Dr. A. P. Low, and by Messrs.
Wilson, Dowling and 0 'Sullivan in the Silurian area to the
westward of James Bay. The exact locality of each specimen
will be found under the different species, iDut in general, it mav
be stated that the material was procured on the following
streams: Pagwachuan River, Equan River, Little Current
River, Attawapiskat River, and the Fawn Branch of the Severn,
also on Cormorant Lake. None of the material can be said to
l^e in a satisfactory condition, as the minute structure is, to a
great extent, destroy^ed by interstitial crystallization. Silicifica-
tion, so common in the Niagara horizon to the south of the
Height of Land, lias played but .small part in the fossilization
of these forms. The horizon indicated by the species found is,
for the most part, comparable with the upper beds of the Niagara,
t'Ut the extreme north of the region presents one species which
occurs only in the lower Niagara and in the Clinton of southern
Ontario. In association with some of the Stromat(jporoids, Dr.
Whiteaves finds Pycnostyhis giielphensis and P. elegans, typical
Guelph corals; but no Stromatoporoid exclusively Guelph
has been identified. With the exception of two new species, a
preliminary description of which is here gi\'en, all the forms are
reviewed in an article now in press (Niagara Stromatoporoids,
University of Toronto Studies, Geological Series, No. 5.)
Clathrodictyon vesiculosum, Nick, and Murie.
This wide-spread and varied species is the commonest form
in the lower beds of the Niagara and in the Clinton of southern
Ontario and the ignited States, but only one example has been
identified from the present collection. This species is cliarac-
terized by very close-set laminae from, which the radial pillars
arise by minute inflections. The varying manner of this inflec-
tion results in different degrees of crumpling of the laminae
so that many varieties might be established, ranging from those
in which the laminae are practically straight and the pillars
independent, to those in which excessive crumpling has reduced
the interlaminar spaces to a series of vesicles, and rendered the
identification of the pillars as independent structures almost
impossible. To this latter type the specimen under review
26 The Ottawa Naturalist. [April
belongs. It is the occurrence of this example towards the north
of the region that inckices the belief that the geological horizon
is there lower than farther to the southward.
Locality. — Limestone Rapids, Fawn Branch, Severn River,
A. P. Low,' 1886.
Another specimen presents an epitheca comparable with
that of C. vesiculosum and also shows a faint evidence of the
typical structure. Its identification is, however very question-
able.
Locality. — Little Current River, 3 7 miles from mouth,
W. J. Wilson, July, 1903.
Clathrodictyon drummondense. Parks.
This species occurs on Drummond and Manitoulin Islands
and at Louisville, Ky. A full description may be found in the
above-mentioned University of Toronto Study. Briefly it is
characterized by a coarser structure than C. vesiculosum, and
like that species it is capable of considerable variation in the
crumpling of its laminae. The present example differs from
the type in a more marked crum.pling and consequent irregu-
larity, and in the fact that this appearance is presented in bands
corresponding, no doubt, to seasons of growth. If the laminae
of this species are bent into "chevron-like folds" it passes into
C. jastigiatum and there is no doubt that a close relationship
exists between the two.
Locality. — Rainv Island, Attawapiskat River, Robert^Bell,
1886. (See Pal. Fos^. Vol. Ill, Pt. IV, p. 244).
Clathrodictyon fastigiatum, Nich.
A fragment, in all probability referable to this species, is
found in association with Actinostroma tenuifilatuni and Stro-
■matopora carteri. The minute structure is largely indeterminate,
but the vesicular character of the interspaces and the folding
of the lan'iinae are faintly perceptible.
Locality. — Station 641, Pagwachuan River, W. J. Wilson,
July, 1904.
Clathrodictyon variolare, von Rosen.
A very small fragment is referred to this species. As its
vertical extent is only a couple of millimetres, it is manifestly
impossible to see the rov/s of large v^esicles which alone dis-
tinguish the species from C. vesiculosum. It is, however, possible
to make out the character of the fibre, and this, taken in connec-
tion with the mammillated surface, renders the above identifica-
tion highly probable.
Locality. — Equan River, D. B. Dowling.
1908] Notes on Silurian Stromatoporoids 27
ACTINOSTROMA TENUIFILATUM, Park<.
For description see University of Toronto Studies, op. cit.
Briefly, the species is characterized by continuous radial pillars
and straight laminae, so spaced that about se\en of each occur
in the space of one mm. Vertical sections therefore present the
appearance of a square network. While approaching the
structure of the type specimen, the examples under review
present some differences as follows: The laminae are not evenly
spaced, but show more closely crowded bands alternating with
wider spaced portions. There is also evidence of upward in-
flections in the laminae— a feature which is characteristic of
the species next to be described. It would appear therefore that
the present examples are intermediate l^etween tvpical ^4. tenui-
P.laiuin and tvpicai ^4. injlectum.
Localities. — Station 641, Pagwachuan River, W. J. Wilson,
Juh", 1^)04; Pagwachuan River near mouth, W. ]. Wilson,
July, 1004.
ACTINOSTROMA IXFLECTUM, Sp. HOV.
Judging fromi the number of specimens, this species is by
far the most prolific in the region. WHiile fragments only are
available the inference is obvious that the coenostcnm is of
hemispherical shape, and thai: it reaches considerable dim.en-
sions. Vertical sections show it to be composed of delicate
horizontal elements, the spacing of which is extremely variable —
as many as ten or as few as three lamanae occurring in the space
of one nim. The concentric layers are connected bv continuous
radial pillars which occur to the number of six or seven in a mm.
Instead of maintaining a horizontal direction, the laminae are
bent sharph" upwards at intervals of about one mm. As each
overlying lamina follows the same course, and as the identity
of the lamina is lost at the apex of the fold, the coenosteum
appears to be traversed by vertical colum.ns miade up of loose
vesicular tissue. These columns do not show the compact
structure of those of Nicholson's Siylodictyon, but the general
appearance of vertical sections is very suggestive of that genus.
A similar arrangement is not uncommon in different Stroma-
toporoids, and it is very questionable whether it is a feature of
generic vahie. These inflected portions doubtless represent
astrorhizal systems, but horizontal canals are not perceptible.
Owing to the upturnings of the laminae it is difficult to prepare
sections which follow the course of the pillars over any con-
siderable extent, in consequence one may easily mistake this
species for a Claihrodictyou.
Tangential sections do not reveal any astrorhizal canals,
nor is the preservation sufficientlv good to reveal the whorls
28 The Ottawa Naturalist. [April
of connecting anns typical of the genus. Nothing is presented
by such sections beyond the cut ends of the pillars, and the
obliquely severed upturned edges of the laminae. Typical
examples are easily distinguished from A. teniiifilatum, but
intermediate forms connect the two species, so that one is tempted
to regard the examples under discussion as representing a
variety only of the latter species.
Localities. — Pagwachuan River, Station 641, V7. J. Wilson,
July, 1904; Pagwachuan Ri^•er near mouth, W. J. Wilson,
July, 1904; Little Current River, 17 miles from mouth, July,
1903.
Stromatopora constellata. Hall.
The specimens listed below appear to be identical with
5. hudsonica, Dawson. In the writer's opinion this species is
indistinguishable from Hall's type, and therefore his name
should have precedence.
Localities. — Equan River, D. B. Downing, Little Current
River, Station 67, W. J. Wilson. July, 1903.
Stromatopora carter:, Nich.
In his description of this species Nicholson states that he
identifies one specimen from a boulder on Hayes River. There
can be little doubt that the present example is also referable to
the same species. The coenosteum shows the same irregular
shape, astrorhizae are feeble or wanting, and the character of
the reticulation is the same. The only difference is that the
horizontal elements show more persistency than Nicholson's
figures suggest. The specimen is not well enough preserved to
reveal the tabulae of the zooidal tubes.
Locality. — Pagwachuan River, Station 641, W. J. Wilson,
July, 1904.
Stromatopora wilsoni, sp. nov.
This species is founded on a poorly preserved specimen,
but one which presents features rendering it impossible to
ascribe it to any known species. The coenosteum is irregular
and botryoidal in its manner of growth, and the surface is with-
out mamelons. Astrorhizal systems are poorly developed and
do not seem to be superimposed. The skeletal fibre is minutely
fibrous, and the character of the reticulation like that of S.
carteri but much finer.
Vertical sections show both pillars and laminae to be fairlv
persistent, but absolutely fused after the manner of true Stro-
matopora. About four laminae and five or six pillars occur in
the space of one mm. The specimen is too badly preserved to
show the tabulae of the zooidal tubes.
1908] Notes on Silurian Stromatoporoids 29
Tangential sections show numerous round holes — the cross
sections of the zooidal pores. These are about one-fourteenth
of a mm. in diameter, and are separated by somewhat greater
intervals. Occasionally the pores are placed in communication
with one another, so as to form horse-shoe shaped loops, and
although astrorhizal canals can be observed, they are very
inconspicuous. Owing to the curvature of the laminae a con-
centric arrangement is exhibited by transverse sections.
Stromatopora wilsoni resembles 5. carteri in its manner of
growth and in its feebly developed astrorhizal systems, and
differs from that species in its finer grain and in the greater
persistence of its horizontal elements. From 5. constellata it is
distinguished by its botryoidal manner of growth, the character
of the surface, and the feeble astrorhizae.
Locality. — Pagwachuan River near mouth, W. J. Wilson,
July, 1904.
Stromatopora, c/. indianensis. Parks.
A minute example of a coarse type of true Stromatopora
is possibly referable to this species.
Locality. — Little Current River, Station 67, W. J. Wilson,
July, 1903.
Stromatopora, sp. indet.
Encrusting on specimens of Pycnostylus, forming "potato-
like masses" about 6 cm. by 4 cm. Surface smooth. Structure
very fine and compact but too much altered to warrant de-
scription. Appears to be closer to 5. antiqua, Nich., than to
any other species.
Localities. — Nagagami River, Station 107, W. J. Wilson,
June, 1903; Drowning River, 362 miles from mouth, O. O'vSul-
livan, August, 1903.
Besides the above the collection contains specimens from
the Drowning River, from the Nagagami River and from Cor-
morant Lake, in all of which the fibre is destroyed entirely
beyond identification.
BIRD NOTES FROM GALT, ONT.
The most striking thing about our bird life since the begin-
ning of the year has been its gxtreme scarcity. I have no re-
membrance of such a small variety of birds wintering with us,
as has been the case this winter, and I have been through the
woods and sv/amps a ;:rea-t deal snowshoeing. From January
1st to March 7th I never saw a single crow, the first time I can
remember their entire absence, but jays were very plentiful.
Outside of our regular winter residents, such as chickadees.
30 The Ottawa Naturalist. [April
woodpeckers, tree sparrows, etc., little or nothing was to be
seen. Even the brown creepers were very scarce. None what-
ever of our irregular winter visitants from the North arrived,
such as snowflakes, pine grosbeaks and redpolls, while on the
other hand, none of our irregular winter residents, such as gold-
finches and pine siskins stayed, although early in January a few
bands of cedar waxwings and golden-crowned kinglets were
noticed. The migrations from the south so far this spring have
been very irregular. As a rule robins, bronzed grackles and
song sparrows arrive about the 15th to 20th of March, followed
a few days later by bluebirds. The first indications of the spring
movement were large bands of crows arriving on March 7th, the
first I had seen this year. On March 12th robins arrived in some
numbers, and I saw and heard one bronzed grackle, but not
having seen any since think it must have travelled here with
the robins. On March 14th a flock of three kildeer were sporting
along the Grand River, which is very early for this bird. Tree
sparrows are now giving song, but song sparrows and bluebirds
have not arrived to my knowledge. To-day I saw a fine specimen
of the great horned owl. We have still a depth of 20 inches of
snowin the shelteredlevel woods asmeasuredinmanvplacesto-day.
Gait, Ont., March 22nd, 1908. W. HERRIOT.
COUNCIL MEETINGS.
A meeting of the Council was held on February 25th in
the Normal School. Members present: the President, Mr. W. J.
Wilson, Messrs. A. E. Attwood, A. Halkett, A. Gibson, E. E.
Lemieux, H. H. Pitts, andT. E. Clarke; Rev. G. Eifrig, Miss A. L.
Matthews, and Miss I. Ritchie.
Two ordinary members were elected, Mr. E. P. Venables, of
Vernon, B.C., and Mr. F. W. Jacombe,M.A., M.F., Ottawa.
The Secretary presented a letter from the newly-formed
Natural History Society of Edmonton, asking for any sugges-
tions the Ottaw^a Field-Naturalists' Club might be able to offer
to a new organization. This led Mr. Eifrig to suggest that we,
ourselves, might with profit make a distinction between members
of the Club and subscribers to The Ottawa Naturalist.
Several arguments were advanced for and against this plan, but
no action was taken.
The Treasurer was instructed to notify delinquent members
that names of those in arrears for more than two years would
be struck off the lists.
Mr. Halkett was appointed to write a descriptive article
on The Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club for publication in the
Saturday edition of one of the local papers.
The last Council meeting for the Club year 1907-08 was held
on March 10th in the Normal School. The members in attend-
1908] Council Meetings 31
ance were, the President, Mr. W. J. Wilson, Rev. Mr. Eifrig,
Messrs. A E. Attwood, A. Halkett, J. W. Baldwin, A. Gibson,
E. E. Lemieux, and T. E. Clarke, and Miss I. Ritchie.
The following ordinary members were elected :
Mr. J. S. Campbell, Magog, Que.
Mr. Jno. Murphy, 174 McLaren St.. Ottawa.
Miss K. E. Bennett, Dufl'erin St., Ottawa South.
It was decided to recommend that the Publishing Com-
mittee should take steps towards having some complete sets of
the Nature Study articles botmd.
The President reported objections urged by Principal
White of the Normal School, against the continued use of the
store-room for library purposes. He also reported that the
Library Committee had prepared a label for the bound volumes
in the Carnegie Library, and that everything was in readiness
for the work of cataloguing these.
EXCURSIONS.
The Excursion Committee has drawn up a programme
which includes the names of a number of localities not visited
by the Club in recent years. For rainy Saturdays, the Committee
proposes meeting in turn at the Fisheries Museum, the Seed
Division in the Canadian Building, and the Geological Survey.
If the weather outlook for the afternoon is uncertain, it is
proposed to visit the Experimental Farm instead of the locality
named in the programme. If it is deemed advisable to cancel
a regular excursion, notice of the change will be given at noon
of the Saturday in question on the bulletin boards of the city
newspapers. Members can get such information by telephone
from Mr. A. E. Attwood, the President of the Club, or Rev. Mr.
Eifrig, Chairman of the Excursion Committee, or Mr. A. McNeil,
Phone 294, Canadian Building.
Programme.
April 25th, Rockliffe Park.
May 2nd, Beechwood.
May|9th, Queen's Park, Aylmer.
May 16th, Beaver Meadow.
May 23rd, Ironsides and Wright's Island.
May 30th, Cumberland (General Excursion).
June 6th, Brennan's Wharf or Leamy's Lake.
June 13th, Cache Bay, Hull.
June 20th, Blackburn or McKay's Lake and Outlet
June 27th, Eastman's Springs (General Excursion).
The time of meeting for sub-excursions has been changed
from 3 o'clock to 2.30, Detailed notices of arrangements for
each excursion will be given each Thursday in all the city papers
32 The Ottawa Naturalist. [April
THE SPRING OF 1908.
One of the best means of fixing a date for the "Opening of
Spring" is the flowering of trees and shrubs. The arrival of
birds and the blooming of the Hepatica and the trailing arbutus
are often used for this purpose, but the birds come and go and
the depth of snow in the woods has a material effect on the date
at which flowers bloom. Trees, however, bloom as soon as there
is sufficient heat to cause the buds to open. Mr. W. J. Wilson
has recorded the date of the flowering of Acer das year pum since
1895, and his records show that in only one year — 1904 — was
this at a later date than in 1908. His records are: 1895, April
18th, 1896. April 16th; 1897, April 8th; 1898, April 2nd; 1899,
April 20th; 1900, April 15th; 1901. April 15th; 1902, March
27th, 1903, March 31st; 1904, April 24th; 1905. April 12th;
1906, April 15th; 1907, April 22nd; 1908, April 20th.
J. M. M.
DESTRUCTION OF WOLVES.
Circular No. 63, issued by the Bureau of the Biological
Survey, Washington, D.C., gives the results obtained during
1907, in the way of wolf destruction. The methods of cap-
turing wolves in common use are three: (1) Trapping, (2) use of
scents and (3) poisoning. For trapping, the best No. 4 double-
spring trap should be used with a heavy stone as a drag. When
possible the trap should be placed between two tufts of grass or
weeds so that it can be readily approached from one side only.
The trap, stone and chain should be buried on a runway. Scent
is used to attract wolves to the vicinity of the trap. Fetid bait
is made by placing half a pound of raw beef or venison in a
wide-mouthed bottle, and letting it stand in a warm place for
from two to six weeks. When completely decomposed, add a
quart of any animal oil, an ounce of pulverized asafetida and
an ounce of Siberian or Tonquin musk. The mixture should be
sprinkled over the grass, weeds and ground near the tiap, but
never on the trap. No poison is so effective as sulphate of
strychnine ; 4 grains should be place in a capsule and inserted
in a piece of beef suet the size of a walnut.
!±;(library
ry
THE OTTAWA NATURALIST
-^wVi'
VOL. XXII. OTTAWA, MAY, 1908 NK'2
-^,i-H\
'''^ '^t
SOME SANITARY CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING THE
CONSTRUCTION, HEALTH AND VENTILATION
OF HOUSES*
By Peter H. Bryce, M.A,. M.D., L.R.GP.S, Editor,
Chief Medical Officer Dept. Interior.
Last year I had the pleasure of addressing the Club on the
subject of climate in relation to health, and have thovight it may
be of interest and perhaps profit to speak to-night on the subject
of House Atmospheres or Artificial Climates.
The value of fresh air and sunlight' and the evils of foul
air were then set forth, while I pointed out that these evils
consisted alwavs in the excess of carbonic acid, of lessened
oxygen and deficient humidity in the house atmosphere in
winter. It will be plain that the location of the house, as regards
the nature of the soil, the free exposure to sunlight and air cur-
rents must be of much importance as regards health ; but as it
is not always possible to select the best location in the streets
of a city, it is some comfort to remember that so long as the
house can have the wind blow freely around it, there can be at
least an assurance that ample fresh air can be had if we choose
to allow it to enter the house. Let us then deal brieflv with the
nature of the soil under the house.. Ordinarilv in this countrv,
no difficulty w^ill arise with regard to the presence of decaving
organic matter under the house unless in some old filled up
ravine in a city. The upper organic mold is taken off when
the cellar is excavated, and the chief difficulty experienced, is
to get rid of ground, water when the house is. on a clav sub-
soil. Of course, in the city, an ordinary residence need not
be more than 3 or 4 feet below the ground level, but with roof
water and ground water running down the walls, provision must
be made for its rapid removal to prevent a damp cellar, pro-
moting organic decay as seen in moulds on the walls, on fruits,
*Address delivered before the Club, Jan.- 7th, 190S.
34 The Ottawa Naturalist. [May
■^etc. This can readily be effected by putting field tiles around the
outside of the house wall 6 inches below the cellar level, and
having them connected with the glazed tiles which will then
carry away the ground water to the sewer. This is much more
important and successful than attempting to keep out the water
by laying cement floors and covering the walls on the outside
with cement and wood tar, although both these are of sup-
plementary value. ■ How much difference there is in soils may
be seen in the fact that different sands hold by capillary attrac-
tion from 15 to 25 parts in 100 of water, loam some 40 parts and
clay 75 parts.
It is, however, most desirable that besides this drainage, we
have a non-conducting wall, since the moisture of a cellar is
often due to the wall of stone or cement being a good conductor
and so, by stealing away heat, condensing the moisture on the
cellar walls. This can be overcome by a wall with hollow
spaces, gotten either by using hollow blocks or making a two-
inch air space between the plaster and the wall, and providing
by windows or other method for circulation of air.
Having arrived above the ground level, locality, as regards
the price of stone, cement, brick, wood, etc., will assist in deter-
mining of what materials the house win be built. As regards
warmth and dryness, it may be said, speaking generally, that
the thicker the walls the stronger and warmer the house ; but
to even & greater degree warmth depends upon the nature of
the materials used and the mode of construction.
To illustrate, it may be said that a wall made of silver a foot
thick would be nearly ten times colder than one built of iron,
as its conductivity is 1,000 to 125, while one built of stone is
100 times colder than one foot of air hermetically sealed between
two boards, and glass 50 times colder, and brick 25 times colder
than confined air of the same thickness.
It will be seen that this fact depends upon the relative
conductivity of different materials, and of all the best non-
conductor is a dr\' gas. We have to-day in a cement hollow wall
combined much more nearly than in any other material, the
elements of strength, warmth and cheapness, since while air
spaces can be had with wooden and brick walls, the former will
not remain close owing to its dr\'ing and warping, while a thor-
oughly good grouted brick wall with a really good air space will
be notabty more costly than cement.
The aesthetic question must be decided in conjunction with
these several other elements. Having, however, gotten the kind
of walls settled upon we have something to determine regarding
the lighting of the house. The long side of the house ought,
1908] Sanitary Conditions of Houses 35
if possible, to be to the south. The direct rays of sunhght are
so active in promoting rapid metabolism in tissues, as observable
in a plant placed in a south window, as compared with a north
window, that nothing more need be said to illustrate the fact.
Hence, we should get in all the sunlight possible.
As regards lighting, the amount of light required is large
not only fo: sanitary purposes, but also for lighting up all parts
of a room. One daily sees a householder either wishing, himself,
or yielding to the desire of an architect to produce a so-called
aesthetic effect by small, low. mullioned and small diamond-shaped
panes in windows. It is absolutely wrong and only excusable
if at all in a church, not in living or working rooms. A good rule
is that the amount of the area of windows, placed as near the
ceiling as possible, should be at least 1-5 of the floor area of a
room, and direct sunlight ought to reach the farthest side of
a room. Modern science, however, has done something to
increase the diffusion of light by ribbed glass and luxfer prisms.
Having now got our house built as a protection against cold
and well lighted, we turn to the interior and enquire how we are
going to maintain its air in such a condition of normal purity,
moisture and temperature as will conduce to the highest degree
of health in the inmates. I assume, of course, that the house has
up-to-date plumbing and water supply Now, as stated in mv
lecture last year, the problem is how to maintain the air in such
as tate that the carbonic acid will not be more than 5 in 10,000
parts, also to see that the relative humidity is about 70% and
that the temperature is 60° to 65° F. It seems simple, but in a
practice it is found to be even in a small house a relativelv
complex problem. First, as regards the temperature, this mani-
festly depends upon the kind of heating apparatus. We have
practically two kinds for everyday houses, viz., hot air furnaces,
and hot water pipes, and both depend for their success upon their
ability to transmit to the air of different rooms an adequate
amount of heat economically. Almost all know that to conduct
warm air to the side of the house against which a strong wind
is blowing is very difficult, if other pipes are present to lead the
warm air elsewhere. On the other hand, hot-water pipes will
carry heat in an amount directly in proportion to the extent of
pipes in a room. It is further true that a well-constructed
hot-water furnace will transmit into the flow of water through it.
more heat units than could be transmitted to the air surrounding
a hot-air furnace.
But apart from these two economic advantages to set against
the greater one of the first cost of the hot- water svstem, there
are several other very important items as regards the effect of
36 The Ottawa Naturalist. [May
heat on persons in the room. Let us note the difference! It
will not have occurred to many of us to enquire just how it is
that we are warmed by heat, and more will be surprised when I
say we are ordinarily not warmed by a furnace, but are only
kept from getting cold or chilled. How, I am asked? We shall
see. As all know, our bodies in health are maintained at a
temperature of 98.4 F., some 30 degrees higher than the or-
dinary air of the room, so that clearly the air of the room cools
us by^ abstracting heat from us, rather than by warming us.
But we know that we have no sensation of cold and are warm;
which simply means that we have not lost our body heat to the
air of the room , so fast as to give us a sensation of cold. This
is due to the non-conducting clothing which we wear and to the
enveloping air being not too heated or too cold.
It is, however, quite manifest that wdiat too hot or too cohf
means depends directly, other things .l;eing equal, upon the
amount of fuel and upon the free circulation of the results of
vital combustion in the human organism. The old person, the
anaemic person, the person with poor circulation will be cold when
the healthy are warm and so such must put more clothingon. But.
moreover, there are in the air of the room say at from 60° to 70'^ F.
some other differences depending upon the kind of indoor heating
so great as to create very material differences in the effect of air
at different temperatures upon the same person. I would recall
to you the .three ways by which all bodies lo.se their heat: (a),
by radiation, (b) by conduction, (r) by evaporation. If we
sit in front of a grate fire the air between the fire and us ma\- he
no higher than 7.0° F., but the side of our face towards the fire
may actually be over 100° F. This is due to radiation and
means that heat waves 'penetrate into the tissues and warm the
body, penetrating indeed deeper than the skin as well as into the
walls opposite the fire. The same result, but less apparent, is
obtained by the radiation from hot-water pipes, while in ad-
dition these warm the air in contact with them and this, ascend-. '
ing, again warms, the particles of air it comes in contact with bv^
convection. Now it will be apparent that if air comes into a
room from a hot-air furnace, it in no wav fulfils the first principle
of heating by radiation; hence, it is found by experience that
the air of a room at 60° F. receiving radiant heat from a radiator
often gives a sensation of comfort as great as hot-air at 70° to 75°.
There is, however, another equally important cause affecting the
loss of body heat, viz., degree of moisture in a room or its relative
humidity. You will remetnber I' spoke of the fact last vear
that air at 0° F. holds less than 1 grain of water vapour and "that
with every 20 degrees increase, say, to 70°, such increase of its.
1908] Sanitary Conditions of Houses 37
capacity takes place that it then will hold actually 7,0 grains,
or eight times as much. Now we have already referred to moist
air being four times a better conductor of body heat than dry air
is; hence, while outer air at zero heated and brought into a room
at 80° F. is made much drier and enveloping our bodies acts as a
non-conductor of body heat, yet it actually serves to rob the
body of its heat by its causing evaporation through insensilile
perspiration from the surface at so rapid a rate as to actually
produce a sensation of cold. Indeed, experimentally we know
that a room at 60° F.. with a relative humidity of 70% approaches
the happy medium of comfort and wdth no air currents occurring
in the room lends to persons sitting still a sensation of bien ctre
perhaps greater than any other temperature. It is further most
important, from the standpoint of economy, since it is found
especially in cold weather-,- that just as radiation is proportion-
ately rapid in proportion to the difference in temperature be-
tween two bodies, so every extra degree of increased temperature
required of a furnace means notably more coal consumed.
Indeed, as much as 25% more coal it is estimated is required to
maintain 70° F., instead of 60° F. in say zero weather.
It is, however, important to remember that into this heating
problem other most important factors enter. Thus a single
window radiates heat probably 25 times as fast as would double
windows with tight space of air say 6 inches in thickness. Hence,
a double window is a sine qua non to effective heating and ventila-
tion in a cold climate. But more than this, a great difference is
found in the radiation of heat between the north and south sides
of a house, in cold weather. In the cold weather during the day the
sun streams in the south windows by radiant heat warming all
the walls as well as the air of the rooms. The north side is never
so warm; but on the contrary, is exposed to the northerly winds
which are found to rob surfaces of heat directlv in proportion,
not alone to their temperature, but also to their velocity. We
thus have illustrated how many factors enter into the heating
of even a small house. But we have said nothing of how in keep-
ing the house warm we mav also maintain its air fresh. One
thing is quite clear, viz., if we exhale some 2 lbs. of carbonic acid
in 24 hours, due to inhalation of oxygen (3 lbs.) and to tissue
combustion that placed in a box sealed hermetically we would
gradually exhaust all the oxygen or be poisoned by the carbonic
acid and other volatile emenations from the body. Clearly
we require to introduce fresh air and its oxygen, estimated to be
at the required rate of 2,000 cubic feet of fresh air per person
per hour. Naturally, when we do this, we must push out the
foul air and so it comes about that we must by some simple
38 The Ottawa Naturalist [May
mechanical means introduce into the well-built closed room
a steady current of fresh air in such a manner as will effect the
required result. If, at the same time, we have supplied this
outdoor air with adequate moisture on its ingress, we shall have
fulfilled every condition provided only that we so deliver the air
that it shall not create a draught. Various mechanical details
may be adopted to accomplish this end, varying in accordance
with the construction of a house, the amount of exposed surface,
and so on; but if we have fully grasped the conditions required,
it will not be difficult for one who has thorough y grasped the
needs to find some person of experience who will indicate the
method of dealing with any particular situation.
COUNCIL MEETING.
A meeting of the Council was held on April 29th in the
Carnegie Library. The members present were: The President,
Mr. A. E. Attwood, Rev. C. G. Eifrig, Miss Q Jackson, Messrs.
A. Halkett, A. Gibson, C. H. Young, J. M. Macoun, L. H. New-
man and T. E. Clarke.
The following were elected ordinarv members: Mr. T. E.
Perney, B.A., Mr. F. C. Poole, Miss L. M. Ross and Miss A.
Johnstone.
The President was appointed the Club's delegate to the
meeting of the Royal Society of Canada.
The President reported having made arrangements to
secure 500 copies of the Evening Journal containing the special
article on The Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club. It was decided
that members of the Council be given what copies they might
require to be used in a canvass for membership, and that the
remainder be placed in charge of the Librarian, Mr. Young,
from whom members of the Club could obtain copies.
1908] Report of Entomological Branch 39
REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL BRANCH.
1907
(Read before the Club, January 21st, 1908).
The Leaders of the Entomological Branch have again
pleasure in reporting that manv of its members have been actively
engaged during 1907 and that much useful work has been done,
even although the season, from an entomological standpoint,
was a very poor one. In the Ottawa district, the local members
have assiduously continued their studies and many new records
have been made of insects not hitherto found in the vicinity.
Special attention has been devoted to the moths and butterflies,
dragonflies, bees and the true bugs, as well as to the spiders.
The beetles and flies have also been worked to a less extent.
Large collections of Ottawa dragonflies have been made and
these are being worked into a paper for The Ottawa Naturalist
by Dr. E. M. Walker, of Toronto, with the special object of
encouraging and helping our local collectors to devote more
study to these important insects.
The fortnightly meetings of the Branch were continued in
1907, and these gatherings proved, as in the past, of much benefit
and interest to those who attended them. Much valuable
information is brought out in the discussions at these meetings
which otherwise would be lost to the members.
During the past summer some of the members of the Branch
had the pleasure of enjoying the visits to Ottawa of two dis-
tinguished entomologists from the United vStates. Tn June,
Mr. W. D. Kearfott, of Montclair, N.J., the well-known specialist
in microlepidoptera, who has identified so manv local species,
spent a week in Ottawa, and. with some of the members, made
several expeditions to localities recognized as being within the
area known as the Ottawa District. Special trips were made
to Meach Lake and the Mer Bleue and hundreds of specimens
of desirable material were collected. Mr. Kearfott is working
up the species taken while here, and a paper treating of these will,
we hope, soon be readv for publication. Almost following Mr.
Kearfott's visit, Dr. Henry Skinner, of Philadelphia, one of the
leading American authorities of diurnal lepidoptera, arrived
in Ottawa for a short stay and met some of the members of the
Branch.
During the year, six of the local members made special
collections of insects at different points in Canada. Dr. Fletcher,
with Dr. Skinner, travelled through Manitoba and the Northwest
in July and August, and specimens in all orders were
taken, at Nepigon, Ont., Aweme, Man. (the home of our
40 The Ottawa Naturalist. [May
esteemed . member,. Mr. Norman Griddle), Rudy and Radisson,
in Saskatchewan, and at Edmonton, Calgary, Banff and Laggan,
in Alberta. While along the line of the Canadian Northern
Railway thev were accompanied by Mr. T. N. Willing, of Regina,
an enthusiastic naturalist and member of the Club. Mr. Andrew
Halkett, \vhile making special collections of the fishes of the
Northwest for the Alberta and Saskatchewan Governments,
devoted some time to the collection of insects of the Beaver
Lake and Ou'Appelle Lakes districts. Mr. Arthur Gibson
spent the first three weeks of September at Rostrevor, Muskoka,
and, although late in the season, fair collections of the insects
of the immediate neighborhood were made and some records
added to the Canadian list. Our President. Mr. W. J. Wilson,
again visited the Hudson Bay Slope and. as in past years, not-
withstanding the pressing nature of other duties, collected some
insects in various orders which included several records of
scientific interest. Mr. Joseph Keele, of the Geological Survey
Department, who has again been exploring in the Yukon, along
parts of the Stewart and Pelly Rivers, has sent back a few
specimens of lepidoptera, every one of which is of scientific
interest, as exact data are given with regard to the dates and
localities. Mr. D. H. Nelles; of the Alaska Boundary Survey,
made a small collection of beetles and butterflies at Bartlett Bay,
off Glacier Bay, Alaska.
In May last our Honorary Member, the Rev. G. W. Taylor,
while attending the meetings of the Royal Society of Canada,
identified many geometrid moths for our local collectors and
also attended the spring excursion of the Club to Beaver Meadow.
Mr. Taylor, who is the leading North American authority on the
Geometridae, has published the descriptions of many species
during the year, and has been a great help to Canadian students
in identifving their material.
Mr. J. B. Wallis, one of the Winnipeg members, made large
collections of coleoptera and lepidoptera at Banff, Alta., and
Peachland, B.C. All of Mr. Wallis's collections have not, as yet,
been worked over, but these are now being studied and lists will
soon be prepared. Several very interesting captures were made
at the above localities which have considerably extended the
known distribution of some species.
Among the more interesting insects taken during the year
at Ottawa, within the district as limited by the Club, the follow-
ing may be mentioned : —
Lepidoptera: —
Cinclidia Jiarrisii, Scudd. Blackburn, June 28, July 5,
(Young). First records for the district.
1908] Report of Entomological. Branch 41
PampJiila palcemon, Pallas. (Carterocephalus mandan, Edw.)
Eastman's Springs, June 19, several specimens, (Gibson and
Young). The only previous record for the district was of a
single specimen taken in the same locality some years ago by
Dr. Fletcher.
Ampclophaga versicolor, Harr. A perfect specimen of this
rare hawk-moth was taken at the Power House on the Britannia
Electric Car Line, on Aug. 18, (Baldwin).
Sphinx canadensis., Bdv., July 6, (Baldwin). A very rare
species.
Apantesis virgo, L. var. citriiiaria, N. & D. A fine specimen
of this rare varietv, which has yellow hind wings instead of red,
was taken on Aug. 4 by Mr. Baldwin. This is the first record
of the variety having been taken at Ottawa. In a paper on the
Genus Apantesis in the Canadian Entomologist, May, 1903, the
only Canadian record then known, was of two specimens which
had been reared from larvae at Hamilton, by the late Mr. J. A.
Moffat.
Apatela radcliffei. Harvey. Mature larva found on apple,
Sept. 26, (Letourneau). The species is rare at Ottawa.
Apatela funeralis. Grt. Bred from larva found on maple,
June 10, (Young). Dr. Fletcher had previously reared the moth
from a larva found on birch. Other food plants are hickory,
elm and apple.
Apatela retardata, Wlk., June 16. (Fletcher). June 12,
(Gibson).
Gortyna immanis, Gn., Sept. 14, (Fletcher). This interesting
species has not been found at Ottawa for some years.
Papaipema pterisii. Bird. In last vear's Report this insect
appeared under the name ''Papaipema harrisii. var." but Mr.
Bird has since decided that it is not a varietv of harrisii. but a
new species, and has described it under the above name. The
larva has been found in the bases of the fronds of the Common
Brake. (Pteris aquilina).
Hydriomena contractata. Pack. , Ottawa, 10 Sept.. (Fletcher).
Only two or three specimens of this geometrid moth have been
taken at Ottawa.
Phlyctccnia acutella, Wlk. A specimen of this rare pvralid
was taken by Mr. Young. Mr. Metcalfe took a specimen at
Toronto some years ago.
Fnarmonia americana., Wlsm. June 11, (Gibson). A hand-
some little species not taken here before.
Sparganothis flavibasana, Fern. The larvae of this tortricid
42 The Ottawa Naturalist. [May-
were abundant in the arboretum of the Central Experimental
Farm, on lonkera japonka. Moths reared from larvae emerged
on July 2 to 6. The insect is rare in collections, and has never
before been found at Ottawa.
Dcpressaria sabidella. Wlsm. In house, April 16, (Gibson).
A new record for the district.
Coleoptera: —
The following are a few records of beetles taken:
Hydatkus stagnalis. Fab. In moss, (H. M. Ami). Mr.
Harrington has only twice found the species at Ottawa.
Harmonia pkta. Rand. On larch, Sept. 1, (Fletcher).
Ligyrus relktus, Sav. One specimen at Meach Lake,
(Fletcher). Rare at Ottawa, but found in considerable numbers
by Mr. Gibson at Rostrevor, Ont.
Lixus concavus, Say. Three specimens found on Polygonum
pennsylvankum, (Young.) First Ottawa records.
Otidocephalus chevrolatii, Horn. Meach Lake, Aug. 1,
(Young) .
Orchestes rufipes, Lee. This rare little weevil was very
abundant and destructive to willows at Ottawa in September,
the larvae mining in the leaves, and the mature beetles eating out
the surface in a similar way to flea-beetles. (Fletcher).
Merium proteus, Kirby. A specimen of this longicorn,
which is very rare at Ottawa, was taken on June 28, by Mr.
Ernest Guignard.
Hymenoptera: —
Pamphilius rufkeps, Hargtn. May 31. (Harrington).
Ichneumon mdvus, Cress. Meach Lake, Sept. 1, (Fletcher).
One of our rarest ichneumons.
Psithyrus lahoriosus, Fab. April 26, (Fletcher).
Collections of Canadian Bombi have recently been kindly
determined bv Mr. H. J. Franklin, of Amherst, Mass., and among
the species of local interest, the following are mentioned: —
Bomhus impatiens, Cress. Oct. 2, (Fletcher).
Bomhus pennsylvankus, De G., (Fletcher).
Bombiis per plexus, Cress. Meach Lake, July 20, (Gibson).
Bombus vagans, Sm. Aug. 25, May 5, (Fletcher).
Hemiptera: —
Mr. Metcalfe has continued his studies of these insects, and
among those recently determined by Mr. Van Duzee, of Buffalo,
the following are of special interest.
1908] Report of Entomological Branch 43
Ceresa constans, Wlk., Hull, very local, but abundant on
three special basswood trees, Aug. 25, (Metcalfe). A distinct
and readily recognized species.
Pediopsis tifasciaia. Van Duzee. Mer Bleue, on aspen
poplar, June, a good species distinct from trimaculata , Fitch.
(Metcalfe).
Peltonotclhis histriouicits, Stal. Mer Bleue, August; the rare
macropterous form of this nearly always wingless species.
(Metcalfe).
Clasioptera protcns. Fitch, subsp. ni^ra. Ball. Mer Bleue,
August. New to the Ottawa district. (Metcalfe).
Odonata: —
As mentioned above, large collections of Ottawa dragonfiies
were made during the past summer. Among these were many
species worthy of mention, but as Dr. Walker is working up this
material, along with other collections previously made at Ottawa,
for a paper for the Ottawa Naturalist, it has been thought best
not to publish these records here, as they will all be included in
Dr. Walker's article soon to appear.
W. H. Harrington,
James Fletcher,
Arthur Gibson,
C. H. Young,
T. W. Baldwin,
Leaders.
MEETING OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL BRANCH
Held on evening of February 23rd, 1908, at Mr. Gibson's
house. Present: Messrs. Harrington, Young, Fletcher, Baldwin,
Halkett, Metcalfe, Letourneau and Gibson.
Mr. Halkett spoke of his work during the past summer in
the Beaver Lake and Ou'Appelle Lakes districts of the North-
west. Large collections of fishes were made for the Governments
of Alberta and Saskatchewan, and while engaged in this work,
some interesting insects were collected from time to time. Mr.
Halkett showed three bottles containing specimens in fluid, which
he had collected. Most of these were aquatic insects in an
immature state. Some large curious larvae of a Dvtiscus was
noticed, which had been collected at the same time and place
as the perfect insects of Dyiiscns ciycnmcinctns. Dr. Fletcher
stated that some of Mr. Halkett's captures were of interest and
44 The Ottawa Naturalist. [May
were being recorded in the Entomological Record for 1907,
which will appear in the annvial report of the Entomological
Society of Ontario for that year.
Mr. Letourneau showed inflated specimens of the larvae of
Apatela radclifjei and Apaiela intemipta, both of which he had
collected on apple. Mr. Young said he had found the larva of
the former at Ottawa on Mountain Ash. A general discussion
followed on the food plants of lepidopterous insects, and many
interesting points were brought out.
Mr. Baldwin' exhibited a case containing some rare captures
which he had made during the past summer. The most interest-
ing were Sphinx canadensis, Ampelophaga versicolor (a beautiful
specimen), and Apantesis virgo, var. ciirinaria. All of these had
been taken at light.
Mr. Metcalfe showed a long series of the interesting little
homoptera belonging to the genus Psylla. He stated also that
unfortunately many of these, although clearly distinct, had never
been named. Tn the meantime he was saving all he collected
and taking careful notes as to dates, localities and food
plants. He also shov/ed a nice collection of Manitoba hemiptera
which had been sent to him by Mr. Criddle of Aweme.
Mr. Harrington showed some acorns of Red Oak which had
been collected when newlv fallen in the autumn of 1906 at Kirk's
Ferry, Que. He had found a large percentage of the fallen
acorns infested bv the galls of some cvnipid. These fusiform
whitish galls arose from the base of the nut and developed be-
tween the nut and the cup, generally protruding slightly above
the cup and causing a marked depression in the nut. The
majoritv of the infested acorns had onlv one or two galls, but
some had asinanv as five. These greatly exhausted or perhaps
destroyed the vitality of the nuts. He had not succeeded in
breeding the gall-maker or in finding anv reference to such a gall.
Mr. Harrington also exhibited a recent fascicule of the
Genera Insectorum containing a monograph of the Trigonalidse
by Mr. W. A. Schulz. The forty-two known species of these
intere.sting hymenoptera are divided into seventeen genera, and
five sub-families are indicated. The distribution of the. insects
is world-wide, but they appear to be most abundant in Central
and South America. Only one Canadian species is known which
was collected in Vancouver Island by Rev. G. W. Taylor and
was described by Mr. Harrington as Trigonalis canadensis. This
species has been made bv Schulz the type of a new genus
Bareogonalos and with B. Scnhellaris Cam. (Mex.) forms the
sub-family Rareogonaloinae. A specimen of the male was
shown and attention called to the armed scutellum and other
generic characters.
1908] Meeting of Extomological Branch 45
Dr. Fletcher exhibited a pair of the very rare Xeophasia
terlooii, Behr, which had been given to him with many other
rare species bv Dr. W. Barnes, of Decatur, lib An account was
given of a most enjoyable day spent with Dr. Barnes at his home,
in company with Dr. J. B. Smith and Mr. H. H. Lyman. Among
other specimens shown were : A grand specimen of the Tarantula,
Mygale lienizii, Girard, which had been presented to the Division
of Entomology by Mr. W. Bremner and was found in the building
of the Ottawa Fruit Exchange. Tt had doubtless been imported
with fruit from the soiith. This specimen measured over 6 inches
from, tip to tip of the outstretched legs, and the body was nearly
2 inches long. »Some specimens of both sexes of the interesting
little Boreus calif ornicus which had been received in a living
condition from Mr. J. W. Cockle, of Kaslo, B.C. A fine specimen
of Cyphoderris moustrosa, Uhler, from Peachland, B.C., a new
locality where it was discovered during the past summer by Mr
J. B. Wallis of Winnipeg. A pair of the verv handsome Scarabaid
beetle Plusioiis gloriosa, Lee, from Dr. Henrv Skinner of Phila-
delphia, who had collected them himself in the Huachuca
Mountains of Southern Arizona. Five specimens of Pontia napi,
L. var. /). Imlda, Edw. which were taken by Mr. Douglas H. Nelles,
on the lOtli of June last at Bartlett Bay, off Glacier Bay, Alaska.
Male and female specimens of the Brown-tail Moth, Vv^hich had
been reared in the Entomological Division from young larvae
collected in Nova Scotia last spring. Dr. Fletcher also exhibited
for comparison a specimen each of Belostoma americanmn and
Benacus griseus. He pointed out the difference in the front pair
of raptorial legs, but was unable to see why it had been considered
necessary to put these two insects into different genera.
Mr. Young showed two beautiful cases illustrating the life
histories of Samia cecropia and. Tela popyphemns, Cram. These
artistic cases were much admired by all present.
Mr. Gibson showed a selection of species from a collection
of insects of all kinds which he had made at Rostrevor, Ont., on
Lake Rosseau, Muskoka, last September, and spoke on the
rare or more interesting species taken. He mentioned that he
w'as preparing a list of the species of lepidoptera collected.
-A. G.
46 The Ottawa Naturalist. [May
REPORT OF THE ORNITHOLOGICAL BRANCH, 1907-08.
The Ornithological Branch of the Ottawa Field Naturalists'
Club met during the year 1907 at more or less irregular intervals.
It has carried forward the work of rendering complete and up-to-
date the local list of birds. Field work was carried on, especially
so during the spring and migration months of last year. The
spring migration of birds of 1907 was found here, as over practic-
allv the whole eastern half of North America, to have been very
abnormal owing to the protracted cold weather of that spring.
These variations in temperature, etc., render the migration of
birds doubly interesting to the observer, as there are no two
migrations quite alike. An account of the last spring migration
was published in the ''Ottawa Naturalist'' in the May and
August numbers. Other facts concerning the birds hereabouts
have V)een published from time to time. An interesting specimen
has latelv come into the hands of one of our members, namely,
a Great Horned Owl {Bubo virginianus) from Inlet, Labelle Co.,
Que. In plumage it is a much lighter one than those found here
usually are, and it furthermore bore very palpable evidences
of having, shortly before it was shot, engaged in a fight with a
porcupine. It was liberallv sprinkled over vvith quills, especially
in the sole of the right foot, the quills having penetrated even
that horny and hard skin, also under the right wing, on the
breast, neck and even two in the left eye-lid. Some of the quills
had penetrated the thick solid muscles of the breast, lying against
the sternum. Fifty-six quills and parts of quills were extracted
from the skin and flesh and about 10 more were left in. How
did this owl come to tackle such an undesirable antagonist or
pre}^? The probability is that the owl was foraging for food, and
being very hungry — which is a common occurrence for them in
winter — she swooped down on the first moving object that even
remotely appeared like legitimate prey and in her eagerness, and
possibly by reason of the darkness of the woods, did not find out
her mistake until she had reached forv/ard with one claw and
gotten that full of spines and simultaneotisly receiving a slap
from the tail of the porcupine that lodged the rest of the little
barbed spears in her anatomy. Most of the hawks and owls
which we receive here in winter have empty stomachs, showing
that hunger must be a verv frequent, if disagreeable experience
with them. It also seems that at such times the gall discharges
very copiously into the stomach, as the stomachs in such cases
are always very green, as are also the intestines. Probably a
way nature adopts to relieve the pain of hunger somewhat.
Now, a few recommendations. We would tirge such as take
1908] Report of Ornithological Branch 47
an active interest in birds and their studv to send in their names
and addresses to Mr. A. G. Kingston, 241 Nicholas St., so that
our section would become larger and more efficient, and so that
our meetings could be held with greater regularity, which is now
precluded by the preoccupation of other duties on the part of its
members.
Then, we would urge all members of the Field Naturalists'
Club to look upon themselves as protectors of birds at all times
and wherever they are. Let them hinder wanton destruction of
bird life whenever a chance offers, and instill into others, especial-
ly children, a sympathetic interest in birds, which, in the end, is
the best safeguard of birds.
At the same time other enemies of birds must be kept in
check. According to systematic investigations of the Mas-
sachussetts Board of Agriculture, the domestic cat is one of the
worst foes of birds. The cat should, therefore, be kept in the
house, especially in the outlying portions of the citv and on the
farm, particularly at the nesting time, and if a cat is found to have
acquired the habit of killing birds, the best remedy is to forever
put the cat out of harm's way. In Germany some cities, having
many parks, have during several years past employed regular
cat-catchers, who manage to take in from 10 to 'lS,OOo''cats
in one city. These are then so dealt with that they can no
longer kill birds. A good precedent to follow.
Much can also be done in the wav of protecting and increas-
ing the numbers of birds by people ha\'ing gardens, or farms, or
at least a number of trees around their houses, bv putting' up
nesting boxes. These should be made so as to be acceptable to
wrens, bluebirds, swallows, etc. Thev should be made accessible
to people, so that the nests of tlie house sparrow can from time to
time be destroved.
Let us do all we can to protect the birds, these useful and
beautiful helpers of man in the economv of nature, and to in-
crease their numbers.
The Ornithological Section,
G. EIFRIG.
A. G. KINGSTON.
48 The Ottawa Naturalist. [May
EXCURSIONS. - ■
Heavy rain made it necessary to cancel the first excursion
of the season which was to have been to RockHfife. The following
Saturday, however, May 2nd, though the weather was threaten-
ing, a surprisingly large number of members and friends of the
Club went to Beechwood. Owing to the lateness of the season,
none but the very earliest of the Spring flowers were found, and
for the same reason the insects .seen were few in number. Mr.
Eifrig, who led the ornithologists, recorded 21 species of birds
and noted their numbers. They were : One brown creeper,
about 50 bronzed grackles, 10 red-winged blackbirds,s5 chipping
sparrows, 2 kingfishers, 5 crov»'S, silent and breeding, 5 song
sparrows, about 75 tree swallows, 2 meadow larks, 25 robins
and one nest with 2 eggs, 2 bluebirds, 1 flicker, 5 juncos, 25
golden-crowned kinglets, 1 cowbird, 1 downy woodpecker, 1
bittern, 4 mvrtle warblers, 1 purple finch, 3 bluejays and 2 white-
throated sparrows. Under stones, bark and pieces of wood some
beetles and hymenopterous insects were collected. The former
were common ground beetles which may generally be collected
in such places at this time of vear. A large number of Halisidota
were noted under stones and some millipedes and spiders were
collected by the entomologists. A fine Lycos a was found by
Mr. Letourneau. These stout, hairy spiders, popularly known
as "running spiders", make conspicuous holes in the ground in
which they live. Two specimens of a salamander (Plethodon
erythronotus cinereus) were collected.
Those interested in geology examined the Utica shales along
the road leading to Beechwood and in the woods north of the
road, but no fossils were found. Keefer Bluff, at the entrance
to Beechwood, was next examined and here a number of fossils
were collected by different members of the party. These lime-
stones are of the Black River formation which produces excellent
stone for building purposes. The characteristic coral Tetradiiun
iibratum, was found in abundance.
The succession here, if complete, would be in ascending
order. Black River, Trenton and Utica, but the Utica is really
lower than the Black River, though originally there were 600
feet or more of Trenton limestone between them. The present
condition was brought about bv a fault or break which has caused
the Trenton and Utica to sink down about 700 feet.
About 5 o'clock the excursionists met at the entrance to
Beechwood Cemetery where short talks were given by Messrs.
Attwood, Halkett, Eifrig and Criddle.
J. M. M.
THE OTTAWA NATURALIST
VOL. XXII. OTTAWA, JUNE, 1908. No. 2
THE DRAGONFLIES (ODONATA) OF THE OTT.WV.-V
DISTRICT.
By E. M. Walker, B.A., M.B., Toronto.
(Continued from April Number)
Since the first part of this paper appeared Dr. Fletcher
has sent me another small collection of Odonata made at Ottawa
some years ago by Mr. T. J. Maclaughlin. The specimens are
largely destroyed by museum pests, but are, for the most part,
determinable, and among them are three genera and six species,
which I had not seen before from this region. These, together
with a specimen of Lesies rcctangtdaris , which was overlooked
in preparing the first part of the paper, increase the list of
Ottawa Dragonflies from 47 to 54 species.
I have also received from Dr. Fletcher a copy of Vols.
I-II of the Transactions of the Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club,
which contains a paper by Mr. Maclaughlin on Ottawa Dragon-
flies (Vol. II, 1887, pp. 329-342). The species mentioned in
this paper were determined by the Abbe Provancher, but it
contains some obvious errors, which may be noted here.
The description of Calopteryx virginica, Drury, evidently
refers to the female of C. aeqiiabilis. C. virginica is in fact a
S5^nonym of C . aequabilis .
Of Lestes two species are mentioned, unguiculata and
eurina. Two male Lestes in Maclaughlin's collection bearing
these specific names respectively, both belong to L. jorcipatus.
A female of L. uncatus is the only other Lestes in the lot. His
Agrion Hageni is evidently Argia ptitrida, while Agrion putridum
refers to one of the smaller Agrionidae. ^4. durum and civile
both^ now placed in Enallagma probably refer to other species
of that genus, while A. iners, which is a synonym of Ischnura
Ramburii is doubtless /. verticalis.
50 The Ottawa Naturalist. [June
(jenus LscnxuRA Charpcntier.
This geiiu-^ is distinguished from Enallagma by the char-
acters given under the latter.
Of the three specie? reported from eastern Canada, two are
found at Ottawa.
15. Ischnqra posita (Hagen), Needham.
Ottawa, 3 males. .3 females (pruinose) (Harrington, Taylor,
Fletcher).
This little dragonfly may be known by its bronze-black
color, and the interrupted antehumeral thoracic band, in the
form of an !. The abdomen of the male is black with narrow
yellow basal rings on most of the segments'. The female is paler
and the antehumeral stripe not always interrupted.
This is the first notice of its occurrence in Ontario, although
it has been reported from Quebec and is common in many parts
of the United States.
16. IscHNURA VERTiCALis (Say), Selys.
Ottawa, 3 orange females (Harrington, Ta\dor) ; Mer Bleue,
June 1st, 1903, 1 male (Gibson); Hull, July 13th, 1907, ] male,
1 black female, 3 pruinose females (Gibson); July 17th, 1907,
1 pruinose female, 1 orange female (Letourneau).
A widely distributed and very common species, flying from
spring until autumn.
The thorax of the male is yellowish -green, striped with
black, the abdomen black with pale blue interrupted basal
rings, and segments 8 "and 9 azure blue with a black stripe on
each side. A bifurcated process on the apical dorsal margin
of segment 10, together with the venational characters given,
will serve to distinguish it from certain sj^ecies of Enallapna.
which bear a slight resemblance to it in coloration.
The female appears in two color varieties, the 'black female,'
colored like the male when young, and the 'orange female,' in
which the ground color is reddish-orange banded with bronze-
black. Both forms become pruinose when old, appearing then
as though covered with a dull bluish dust. The orange female
is the conmaoner form in the spring, the black in the summer.
The latter seems to become pruinose very soon after m.aturitv.
Appendix to the Zygoptera.
17. Lestes Forcipatus Rambur.
2 males (Maclaughlin).
These are the first Canadian specimens I have seen, although
it has been recorded from Grimsby. Ont., and various parts of
British Columbia.
1908] The Dragoxflies of the Ottawa District. 51
The characters by which it is separated from the closely
allied L. disjundus have been given under that species.
18. Lestes rectangularis Say. Fig. 2.
Ottawa, 1 female (Harrington).
This specimen, which is damaged, was included in L. iin-
giiiculaius in the first part of this paper.
General color metallic brown, the face and under parts pale
yellow or greenish. The humeral stripe is rather broad and
there arc narrow interrupted yellow rings at the bases of most
of the al)dominal segments. The abdomen of the male is
extremely attenuated.
Sub-order. ANISOPTERA.
Family .^SHNIDAE.
Antecubitals of first and second series not coincident
(except the first and one other) ; inner end of the pterostigma
supported by an oblique vein (Fig. 1).
There are three subfamilies, all of which are represented in
the Ottawa collections. These are the Gomphinae, Cordule-
gasterinae and Aeshninae.
In the Gomphinae the eyes are widely separated and the
abdomen is without lateral carinae, that of the male being more
or less dilated apically. The coloration shews relati\"ely little
variation, being usually black or brown with yellow or green
bands and spots. They are more local in distribution than most
of our dragonflies, but are often exceedinglv numerous where
they occu .
The Cordulegasterinae much resemble the Gomphinae in
appearance being black insects conspicuouslv spotted with
yellow, but the eyes are larger and are separated above bv a
very narrow space or meet at a point. The abdomen is slight-
ly or not at all dilated apicalh-.
In the Aeshninae the eyes are larger and meet for some
distance on the top of the head. Lateral carinae are T)re.sent
on the abdomen, v.'hich is not at all dilated posteriori v
Sub-family GOMPHINAP:.
Of the several genera represented in the eastern provinces,
only one, Gomphus, with 4 species, has been met with at Ottawa.
Other species of this genus as well as a few belonging to allied
genera will be almost sure to reward the efl^orts of the industrious
collector in this district, and among these may be mentioned the
following: Has,euitis brevistvhis Selys, Opluoi^oiupJius rupin-
sulensis (Walsh), Hagen, Dromo^oni pl'ms s pino.sus Selvs, Gomphus
scudderi Selys, G. spicaUts Hagen and G. sordidus Hagen.
Genus Gomphus, Leach.
52 The Ottawa Naturalist. [June
This large genus may be known from the alhed genera
mentioned by the following group of characters: Triangles
without cross-veins, thorax green or yellow with conspicuous
brown or black bands, hind femora with numerous small spines,
but no large ones.
19. GoMPHUS vastus (Walsh). Fig. 3.
Hull, June 29th, 1886, 3 females (Fletcher).
Face transversely banded with black, dorsum of thorax
with a pair of narrow equal divergent yellow bands, each forming
below an acute angle with a shorter transverse band and uniting
above w4th a narrow complete antehumeral band. Segments
7-9 remarkably dilated, especially in the male.
This species is said to frequent the shores of the Great
Lakes and larger streams. I have never met with it in the field.
One of the above specimens was recorded under the name
G. adelphtis in the Entomological Record, Ann. Rep. Ent. Soc.
of Ont., 1906, p. 104.
20. GoMPHUs p>REvis (Hagen). Figs. 4, 5.
Ottawa, 1 male; Hull, June 29th, 1886, 1 female (Fletcher);
Cumberland, June 16th, 1900, 1 male (Gibson).
Face transversely banded with black, dorsum of thorax,
with a pair of broad green or greenish yellow bands widening
below. Antehumeral bands interrupted above. Segments 7-9
only moderately dilated.
This short, thick-set species is rather common in Ontario,
frequenting well aerated waters, such as rapid streams and the
exposed shores of large lakes.
21. GoMPHus ExiLis, Selys. Figs. 6, 7.
Ottawa, 1 male,. 1 female (Harrington); Hull, July 13th
and 17th, 1907, 3 males, 1 female (Gibson).
Face entirely yellow, length under 45 mm., dull brown
banded with greenish yellow, segments 7-9 but little dilated,
superior appendages of male with a blunt low inferior process.
This is our commonest Gomphus, frequenting the shores
of lakes and streams, especially the more sheltered parts. It is
exceedingly abundant on Georgian Bay.
G. spicatus and G. sordidus are often associated with G. exilis,
and both closely resemble the latter in form and coloration.
They are larger species (48-50 mm.) and differ from exilis
further in the structure of the genitalia.
22. GoMPHUs coRNUTus, Tough. Figs. 8, 9.
Ottawa, Mer Bleue, June 18th, 1907, 1 male (Fletcher).
Face entirely yellow: length (male) 5" mm.; dorsum of
1908] The Dragonflies of the Ottawa District. 53
thorax yellowish green v/ith a narrow brown streak on each
side of the middle line ; superior appendages of the male bifurcat-
ed, the inferior appendage prolonged into a pair of widelv
divergent cur\"ed processes.
This is the first notice of this remarkable Gomphus from
Canada. It has also been taken in Illinois and Iowa.
Sub-family CORDULEGASTERIXAE.
Genus Cordulegaster Leach.
We have several species of this genus, inhabitants of small
creeks and runways from springs. Owing to the nature of their
habitat they are local in distribution though C. maculatus is
sometimes abundant where it occurs.
24. Cordulegaster diastatops Selys.
One male, segs. 6-10 wanting (Maclaughlin).
This species may be known from others of the genus by
the eyes not being contiguous above and the abdomen being
marked with yellow lateral somewhat triangular spots, their
apices directed backwards.
It has also been taken at Port Sidne}', Muskoka, with C.
maculatus. According to Needham the nymph inhabits upland
spring bogs.
Sub-family .^SHNIN.^v.
Genus Anax, Leach.
23. AxAx juxius (Drury), Selys.
Ottawa, May 6th, 1899, 1 male in cop.: June 24th, 1899.
1 male (Fletcher).
This is one of our largest and swiftest dragonflies, and its
great size, bright green thorax and blue abdomen render it quite
unmistakable for any other species. > The blue color, how-ever,
is seldom seen in dried specimens and even in life does not de-
velop for some time after the green color of the thorax has been
assumed.
It is the first dragonfly to appear in the spring, being on the
wing in the vicinity of Toronto as early as the second week in
April. It flies throughout May and June, but is seldom seen
in July and August, appearing again however in September.
Genus Aeshna, Fabricius.
The members of this genus are the large blue- or green-
spotted forms which are often so numerous in late summer and
early autumn. The genus is distinguished from the other
genera of Aeshninas mentioned here by the fact that the sub-
nodal sector is apically forked, the fork being unsvmmetrical.
The North American species are now undergoing a revision
bv the writer and it has been found necessarv to alter the
54 The Ottawa Naturalist. [June
nomenclature of several species. Until the revision is published
it seems best not to make use here of the new names proposed,
so that most of the species listed belov/ are indicated onlv by
letters, the names by which thev are commonly known being
also given. These letters are the same as those used by William-
son in his paper "A collecting trip north of Sault Ste. Marie,
Ontario," (Ohio Naturalist, VII, pp. 130-148, 1907).
Several other species besides those listed will almost cer-
tainly be found to inhabit the Ottaw^a district.
2 5. Aeshna constricta. Say.
Ottawa, July 26th, 1900, 1 female (Fletcher); 1 female
(Harrington).
Anal triangle of inale 3-celled; superior appendages of male
with a prominent ventral spine near the tip ; no black line across
the face: first lateral thoracic band rather broad, its anterior
margin sinuate, not bordered with black; abdomen of male with
large blue spots; appendages of female, 7 mm. long, 2 mm. broad.
A fairly common species in southern Ontario, but apparently
does not properly belong to the Boreal Zone.
26. Aeshna Z.
Ottawa, August 17th, 1907, 1 female (Fletcher); Hull,
beaver meadow, September 14th, 1907, 1 male (Letourneau).
Closely allied to Ae. constricla and widely quoted under the
latter name, but distinct structurally as well as in coloration.
Anal triangle of male 3-celled; appendages of male as in
constricta, no black line across the face; lateral thoracic stripes
narrower, straight, more or less distinctly bordered with black;
spots of male abdomen mostly small and greenish; appendages
of female 6-7 mm. long, 1-1.2 mm. broad.
A very common species of wide range, frequenting small
streams and pools in the vicinity of woods.
27. Aeshna Y.
Ottawa, Julv 8th, 1899, 1 male (Gibson); 1 male, 1 female
(Harrington);' Hull, July 17th, 1907 1 male (Gibson).
Anal triangle of male 2-celled; superior appendages of male
with a dorsal carina which bears a few denticles near the apex,
the latter acute and bent downwards; no black line across the
face; first lateral thoracic band green or bkie, strongly sinuate
in front and widened below; appendages of female about 5 mm.
long, 1 mm. broad.
An abundant species in the Boreal and Transition Zones,
appearing early in July and common about lakes and slow
streams. It has been hitherto recorded as Ae. clepsydra. Say.
1908] Thp: Dragonflies of the Ottawa District. 55
28. Aeshxa W.
Meach Lake, July 21st, 1907, 1 female (Gibson).
Anal triangle of male 2-celled, superior appendages of male
resembling those of JE. Y, but the apices usually rounded and
the denticles less conspicuous; a black line across the face;
lateral thoracic bands each divided into 2 spots.
This species has also been quoted as .^ clepsydra. It seems
to be practically, restricted to the Boreal Zone east of the Great
Plains.
Genus Epi.-eschna, Selys.
29. Epi^schna heros (Fabricius) Hagen.
1 female, fragmentary (Maclaughlin).
This immense Dragonfly is rather a rarity in Canada,
though commoner farther south. Its huge size (hind wing,
male 56, female 60 mm.), and the symmetrically forked sub-
nodal sector render it recognizable at a gl_ance.
Genus Basl-eschna, Selys.
30. Basi.eschxa JANATA (Say), Selys.
Ottawa, June Uth, 1907, 1 female (Young); Clark's Bush,
May 2nd, 1902, 1 female (Gibson); Hull, July Uth, 1007, 1 male
(Gibson) .
This insect closely resembles the Aeshncc, but the sub-nodal
sector is not forked at the apex. There are two straight oblique
yellow bands on each side of the thorax, a brown spot at the
base of each wing, and the abdomen is brown, spotted with
light bkie.
It appears early in the spring and its season is about over
when the first Aeshnce are abroad. It frequents lakes and rivers,
flying up and dov.-n the edge of the shore in a regular beat.
Genus Boyeria, MacLachlan.
Our species are easily known by the 2 roundish spots on
the sides of the thorax and the dull brownish or greyish colora-
tion.
Until recentlv, but one North American species has been
recognized, but Williamson has described a second very closely
allied form, B. grafiana, of which a specimen has been received
from Ottawa. B. vinosa (Say), MacLachlan, is also certain to
be met with there, as it is common everywhere in wooded
districts along the shores of lakes and streams.
In B. vinosa the wings are brownish and there is a distinct
dark brown spot at the base of each ; the two round spots on the
sides of the thorax are yellow and tlie abdomen is brownish with
small obscure pale spots. The appendages of the female are
about H times the length of seg. 10.
56 The Ottawa Naturalist. [June
31. BoYERiA grafiana, Williamsoii.
Ottawa, 1 female (Harrington).
A somewhat more robust insect than B. vinosa; wings
hyahne with onlv a trace of the basal brown spots of vinosa
lateral thoracic spots pale blue, the first sometimes partly yellow-
ish; abdominal spots blue, larger than in vinosa-^ segments 9-10
of male greenish blue (in vinosa 10 is fulvous, 9 brownish) ;
appendages of female about as long as seg. 10.
Family LIBELLULID.T..
Antecubitals of first and second series mostly coincident,
inner end of pterostigma not supported by an oblique vein.
Sub-family CORDULIN.T>.
Hind margin of eyes with a small tubercle, males with an
auricle (ear-like projection) on each side of seg. 2, and the anal
margin of the liind wing excavated.
The Cordulinae generally exhibit metallic coloration to a
greater or less degree and the wings are seldom spotted beyond
the arculus. They are for the most part admirable fliers, and
are comparatiA'ely seldom seen at rest.
In addition to the species here listed, the following may be
expected in the Ottawa district: Somatochlora elongata
(Scudder) Selys, 5. Williamsoni Walker, 5. Walshii (Scudder)
Selys, 5. 'jorcipata (Sciidder) Selys and Covdidia Shurtleffi Scudder
Genus Didymops, Rambur.
32. Didymops transversa (Say), Hagen.
Ottawa, July 14th, 1899, 1 male (Gibson); July 9th, 1907,
1 female (Young); I male (Harrington); Meach Lake, Julv 21st,
1907, 1 female (Gibson).
This species, the sole member of the genus, is fairly common
in wooded districts, flying along the margins of lakes and wood-
land streams, much after the msLnnev oi Basicr'schna janata with
which it is often associated.
It is a dull brown, long-legged insect, readily recognized by
the single oblique yellowish band on the sides of the thorax and
the dull yellow basal spots upon the upper side of the abdomen.
These spots, however, are apt to disappear completely in dried
specimens. The abdomen of the male is distinctly club-shaped.
Genus Macromia, Rambur.
33. Macromia illinoiensis, Walsh.
Hull, June 29th, 1886, 1 male (Fletcher).
A fine large dragonfly with clear or flavescent wings and a
slender abdomen, club-shaped in the male. Thorax dark
metallic green and blue, clothed with pale greyish hairs; a single
oblique yellow stripe on each side. Abdomen "dark brown, more
1908] The Dragoxfliks of the Ottawa District. 57
or less spotted with yellow and with a large basal yellow spot
on the dorsum of seg. 7.
This insect frequents woodland paths and glades in the
neighbourhood of large lakes and rapid streams, coursing swiftly
back and forth over, its chosen path with almost tireless energy.
It appears about the end of June or first week in July and remains
until the latter part of August.
Genus Neurocordulia, Selys. Fig. 10.
34. Neurocordulia yamaskanensis (Prov.), Selys.
Ottawa, 1 male (Harrington).
A dull bro\vn dragonfly about 53 mm. long, the hind wings
ha^•ing an amber-colored basal patch with dark-brown veins,
extending as far as the arculus. The short sector and upper
sector of the triangle in the fore wing are parallel, or slightly
divergent, a character wdiich distinguishes it from our other
Cordulinae in which they are m.ore or less convergent.
This insect appears to be common in the region of lakes
between Georgian Bay and Ottaw^a. It frequents large lakes
or rivers and is unique among our dragonflies in its habit of
flying only after sunset, when the mayflies upon wdiich it feeds
are aV^road.
Genus Epicordulia, Selys.
35. Epicordulia prixceps (Hagen) Selys.
1 male, fragmentary (Maclaughlin).
This large insect (hind wdng, male 41, female 44 mm.), is
marked like certain species of Libcllula, having a large dark-
brown triangular patch at the base of the hind wings, and some-
times a smaller basal spot on the fore wings, a nodal and an
apical spot. The nodal spot is often absent in the males in
northern latitudes, and the apical spot much reduced, and such
examples closely resemble an immense Tetragoneuna.
It is a swift, restless species which is abroad during July
in the vicinity of lakes, often flying at a considerable height,
and frequently met w'ith over water some distance from the
shore.
Genus Tetragoxeuria, Hagen.
Dragonflies of moderate size with more or less black at the
base of the hind wings; only 4 anteculntals in the latter. Ab-
domen depressed with a row of dull yellow? dorsal spots along the
margins. The metalhc coloration of the thorax is largely
obscured by a dense growth of grayish hairs.
36. Tetragoneuria CYNOSURA (Say), Selys. Figs. 11,12.
Ott£-wa, Mav ,SOr,h, l^v9, i female (^Gi't^sonj ; June 5th, iv03,
1 male (Fletcher): Hull, June 29th, 1886. 1 male (Fletcher).
58 The Ottawa Naturalist. [June
These specimens all belong to the variety called semiaquea
in which the black patch at the base of the hind wings reaches
beyond the triangle, sometimes as far as the nodus. The
typical cynosura is found at Toronto with semiaquea, but the
latter seems to be the only form found in the north. It is
exceedingly abundant there, however, occuring in myriads about
all the lakes and larger streams during June and July. It is an
insect of splendid aerial powers and on sunny days is seldom seen
to rest.
The males of this species may be separated from those of
T. spinigera and T. cants by the absence of spines from the
superior appendages.
37. Tetragoneuria spinigera (Selys) Selys.
1 male, 1 female (Maclaughlin).
This species is generallv larger than cynosura, and has
very little black at the base of the hind wings. The superior
appendages of the male bear a small inferior spine.
It is common in the northern parts of Ontario.
38. Tetragoneuria canis Maclaughlin Figs. i3, i4.
Ottawa, 1 male (Harrington); Chelsea Road, Ottawa, Mav
27th, 1886, (Fletcher); Hull, June 2nd and 7th, 1Q03. 3 males
(Harrington).
These are the only Canadian specimens I have seen of this
species. The males may be known by the form of the superior
appendages, which are curved downwards and bear a stout
dorsal spine.
This species was recorded by me in the Entomological
Record, Ann. Rep. Ent. Soc. of Ont., 1906, as T. spinosa, Selys,
a closely allied species with which it has apparently been con-
founded by several writers. The determination T. canis was
confirmed by Dr. Calvert.
Genus Helocordulja, Needham.
39. Helocordulia uhleri (Selvs), Needham. Figs. 15,
16.
Buckingham, P.Q., May 31st, 1 female (Fletcher).
A rather small Corduline (abd. 29 mm.), olivaceous with a
blackish abdomen. Hind wings with a black spot at base extend-
ing as far as the first antecubital. Just beyond this is a yellow
spot and a few small black ones marking some of the ante-
cubitals.
This dragonfly, which appears in early summer, will probably
prove to be fairly common about the lakes and streams of the
Laurentian area.
Genus Dorocordulia, Needham.
1908] The Dragonflies ^f the Ottawa District. 59
40. DoROCORDULiA LIBERA (Selvs) , Needham. Fig. 17.
Ottawa, July 7th, 1907, 1 male (Young).
This is the daintiest and most beautiful of our Cordulinae.
It is about 40 mm. long, bronze-green with bright green eyes.
Segments 3 to 5 are very slender, especially in the male, while
6 to 9 are considerably dilated. The undivided triangle of the
fore wings and the form of the male appendages will serve to
distinguish it from certain species of an allied genus, Soniatochlora,
representatives of which are sure to be found about Ottawa.
D. libera is found about the marshy borders of lakes in early
summer.
Sub-family LIBELLULIN.^.
Hind margin of eyes without a tubercle, males without
auricles on segment 2, anal margin of hind wings not excavated.
Most of our familiar dragonflies belong here and are to
be found flitting about every pond and marsh.
Among the species not recorded below which may be looked
for in the vicinity of Ottawa are Xamwthemis bella (Uhler)
Brauer, Leucorhinia proxinia Calvert, L. jrigida Hagen, L. glacialis
Hagen, Sympeinun scoticum (Donovan) Newman, and Celithemis
elisa (Hagen) Walsh.
Genus Leucorhinia, Brittinger.
The species of this northern genus resemble those of
Sympeirmn in form and size, but difi^er in certain structural
details and in coloration. The pterostigma is shorter than in
Sympetrum, being only about twdce as long as broad; the face
is pure white, and there is always a few black markings at the
base of the wings.
The species appear in the spring or early summer and have
for the mo.st part disappeared by the time the Sympetra make
their appearance.
41. Leucorhinia hudsonica (Selvs) Hagen. Figs. 18,
19.
Hull, June 29th, 1886, 1 female (Fletcher): Eastman's
Springs, Ont., May 15th, 1903, 1 female (Fletcher).
This small species is widely distributed in Canada in the
Boreal Zone. It is black with irregular yellov/ I'lotches on the
sides of the thorax and a row of dorsal abdominal spots on seg-
ments 2 to 7 or 8. There are two black dashes at the base of
the fore wings, another at the base of the hind wings, and be-
hind this is a larger triangular basal spot. The form of the
male appendages and vulvar lamina of the female is characteristic.
42. Leucorhinia intacta (Hagen), Hagen. Figs. 20, 21.
Ottawa, May 24th, 1903, 1 male (Gibson): May 28th. 1Q04,
60 The Ottawa Naturalist. [June
1 male (Gibson); 1 male (Taylor); July 5th, 1907, 1 male.
1 female (Young); Httll, June 29th, i886, 1 male, 1 female.
A blackish insect, seginents 2-7 having a row of dorsal
yellow spots, which, with exception of the one on 7, disappear
in old individuals. Inferior appendage of male deeply iDifur-
cated.
L. intacia is extremely common in southern Ontario where
it is the sole representative of the genus. Farther north it is
replaced l)y several others, all of which are characteristic of the
Boreal Zone.
Genus Sympetrum.
To this genus belongs a number of small red, yellow or
brownish dragonfiies, mostlv with clear unspotted v.'ings, some
of which are exceedingly plentiful in late summer and autumn.
The pterostigma in our species is three or inore times as long
as broad, and the base of the wings is without black markings.
43. Sympetrum costiferum (Hagen), Kirbv, 1887,
(Fletcher).
Ottawa, 1885, (T. J. McLaughlin); Experimental Farm,
Ottawa, (det Provancher).
Femora and tibiae yellow with black on the sides ;
wings flavescent at the ex1»rei?ie l>ase and visuallv along
the costal margin; superior appendages of male without a pro-
minent inferior tooth; vulvar l?mina of female not cleft.
A somewhat local l)ut not uncommon species.
44. Sympetrum vicixum (Hagen), Kirby. Fig. 22.
Ottawa, August 23rd, 1899, 1 fem^ale (Gibson).
Femora and tibiae wholly yellow, wings flavescent only at
the extreme base, otherwise it agrees with costifenun in the
characters given.
5. vicinmn is one of our latest dragonfiies to disappear and
is characteristic of late summer and autumn. It is yellow at
first, but later becomes briglit red.
45. Sympetrum semicinctum (Say), Kirl:)y.
Ottawa, August 20th, 1885, 1 female; August 27th, 1902,
1 male (Fletcher).
Basal half of the wings brownish yellow, superior appendages
of male without a prominent inferior tooth, vulvar lamina of
female not cleft.
This pretty little dragon is rather local but sometimes
common where it occurs.
46. Sympetrum ru^icundulum CSav). Kirbv. Fw<,. 2.3,
24, 25.
1908] The Dragoxflies of the Ottawa District. 61
Ottawa. July 14tli and 18th, 1899, 2 females (Gibson);
Clark's Bush, July 16th, 1907, 1 male (Letourneau).
Wings hyaline or in the so-called variety assimilatum (Uhler)
more or less flavescent; legs black; superior appendages of male
with a prominent inferior tooth; vulvar lamina of female
cleft in the middle ; genital hamule of male (ventral surface
of seg. 2) of the fonn shewn in figure.
An exceedingly abundant species, flying from early July
until November. Young individuals are yellowish, but later
become red.
47. Sympetrum obtrusum (Hagen), Kirby. Fig. 26.
Ottawa, July 16th and 30th, 1907, 2 females (Gibson);
August 9th, 1907, 1 male (Letourneau): 1 male, 1 female
(Harrington).
Another very common Sympetrum which apparently has
not yet become quite distinct from ruhicunduhini. Generally,
however, there is no difficulty in separating the males by the
form of the genital hamules. The face too. is paler than in
riibiciuiduliim, being almost as white as that of a Leucorhinia;
and the size usually a little smaller.
Genus Erythemis, Hagen.
48. Erythemis simplicicollis (Say). Calvert.
Ottawa, July 19th, 1907, 1 male, 1 female (Young).
A beautiful grass-green dragonfly about 4.3 mm. long, with-
out thoracic markings, or with only the sutures black; the
abdomen mostly brown or black in its apical half. Wings
hyaline, pterostigma elongate, pale brown. Old males are pale
greyish blue, the thorax and abdomen becoming entirely prui-
nose.
This species, though common in southern Ontario, will
proViably not be found in large numbers at Ottawa. It frequents
marshy lakes and swamps.
Genus Libellula, Linne.
This genus consists of large stout-bodied forms in most of
Avhich the wings are m.ore or less conspicuouslv spotted or
banded. The triangle of the fore wings is narrow and very much
elongated posteriorly, and is generally crossed by two or more
parallel veins. The sexes are alike in wing pattern and the
male is without the ventral hooks on the first abdominal .segment,
which characterize the next genus.
Some of the species are among our inost familiar dragonflies
and may be seen flitting about every stagnant pond or ditch in
midsummer.
62 The Ottawa Naturalist. [June
49. Libellula ixcesta, Hagen.
1 male, 1 female, fragm,entary (Maclaughlin).
This Libellula is exceptional among Canadian species in
having no wing markings except the black pterostigma and an
indistinct brownish spot at the extreme apex. The abdomen
is more elongate than in the other species. Both sexes become
almost entirely bluish pruinose with age.
We have taken this Dragonfly at Point Pelee and at Go
Home, Georgian Bay, but it seems to be somewdiat rare.
50. Libellula exusta, Say.
Ottawa, July 21st, 1907, 1 femal^ (Young); Meach Lake,
July 21st, 1907, 1 male, 1 female (Gibson).
This is our smallest Libellula and can be distinguished at a
glance from our other species by the markings of the wings, in
w^hich it resembles a Leucorhinia. There is a pair of dark
brown streaks at the base of the fore wings, and an anterior
streak and posterior triangular spot at the base of the hind wings.
The general color is reddish brown, but in old males the dorsum
of the thorax and basal third of the abdomen is bluish-wiiite
pruinose.
This is an excee<iing]y abundant insect about the lakes in
the Georgian Bay region and probably throughout a large part
of the province, but I have not found it about the small ponds'
and pools frequented bv other Libellulce.
51. Libellula luctuosa, Bunn.
Ottawa, July 19th, 1907. 1 male (Young).
A striking species in which the basal third or half of the
wings is dark brown, the brown area sometimes margined with
white in the males. The apices of the wings are also sometimes
brownish.
This species is not uncommon in southern Ontario, but the
Ottawa specimen is the only one seen by the writer from the
country north of Lake Simcoe.
It is more generally known as L. basalis, Say.
52. Libellula pulchella, Drury.
Ottawa, July 14th, 1899, 1 female (Gibson); 1 female
(Harrington).
Our largest and handsomest Libellula, and one of the m.ost
familiar of dragonflies.
On each wing there are three dark brown patches, one at
the apex, another at the nodvis and a longer basal one reaching
out to the triangle or a little beyond it. In old males there is
a white spot on each side of the nodal spot, giving the insect a
striking appearance in the sunlight.
1908] The Dragonflies of the Ottawa District. 63
The only insect that might be mistaken for L. pttkhella is
the female of Plaihemis lydia, which is smaller (hind wing of
lydia female, 35 mm., of pidchella female, 41 mm.), and in which
the hind femur is about as long as the tibia, while in pulchella
it is a little longer.
53. LiBELLULA QUADRIMACULATA, LinUC.
Ottawa. May 28th, 1900, 1 male (Gibson); July 18th, 1907,
1 male (Letourneau).
Another familiar dragonfly of unmistakable appearance.
Yellowish brown or olivaceous; wings yellovv^ at base' and general-
ly along the front margin; a small black nodal spot and a larger
triangular black spot at the base of the hind wings.
L. qnadrimacidata is a northern species and is circumpolar
in distribution, being a common species in Europe and Asia as
well as Xortli America.
Genus Plathe.mis, Hagen.
54. Plathemis lydia (Drury), Hagen.
Ottawa, Julv 21st. 1907, 1 fem^ale (Young); Mer Bleue,
June 18th, 1907,'! male (Fletcher).
This is one of the commonest of the larger Libellulid?e in
central and southern Ontario, but is scarcer northw^ard.
It exhibits a remarkable sexual dimorphiom, the wings of
the two sexes being A'ery different in their markings. In the
female these are nearly identical with those of Lihellula pulchella,
but in the male the nodal and apical spots are substituted by a
single broad band crossing the wing from about the nodus to the
pterostigma, the apices being clear. In old males there is a
triangtilar white patch behind the basal stripe of the hind wings
and the abdomen is oruinose white.
In habits and flight P. lydia is quite like the Libelhdce.
64
The Ottawa Naturalist.
[June
EXPLANATION OF PLATE.
2, 24 and 26 on a larger scale thai
(Fig. 1 IS on a smaller scale, Figs.
the others).
Pig. 1. Hind wuig of one ot the Anisoptera, Hagenius brevistylus.
O.
P.
Q-
R.
S.
T.
U.
V.
W.
Postcubitals (1.3 m the
series, 11 in the second).
Nodus.
Pterostigma.
Basilar space.
Supra-triangular space.
Median space.
Internal triangle.
Triangle.
Anal Triangle.
tirsi
A. Costa.
B Snbcosta.
C. .Median Vein.
D. Submedian Vein.
E. Postcosta.
F. Principal Sector.
G. .Nfodal Sector.
H. Subnodal Sector.
I. Median Sector.
J. Short Sector.
K. Upper Sector of the triangle.
L. Lower Sector of the triangle.
M. Arculus.
N. Antecubitals (14 in the first
series, 13 in the second, the
first and seventh of the for-
mer coincident respectively
with the first and sixth of the
latter).
Fig. 2. testes rectangularis male, abdominal appendages, dorsal view.
3. Gomphus vastus, male, " " lateral view,
(a'ter Kellicott).
4. Gomphus brevis, male, " " dorsal view.
5. " " male, " " lateral view.
6. " exUis, male, " " dorsal view.
7. " " male, " " lateral view.
8. " corniitiis, male, ■ '" " dorsal view.
9. " " male, " " lateral view.
10. N eiirocordulia yamaskanensis, male, abdominal appendages, dor
sal view.
11. Tetragoneuria cynosura, raaXe,
12. " " male, "
13. " canis, male,
14. " " male,
15. Helocordulia Uhleri, male,
(after Martin).
16. Helocordulia Uhleri, male,
(after Martin).
17. Dorocordulia libera, maXe,
18. Leucorhinia intacta, male,
IQ. " intacta, female, terminal segments of
below, showing vulvar lamina (v.).
20. Leucorhinia hudsonica, male, abdominal appendages, lateral view.
21. " hudsonica, female, vulvar lamina (v.).
22. Sympetrum ricinum, male, abdominal appendages, lateral view.
23. " rubicundulum. male, abdominal appendages, lateral
view.
24. Sympetrum rubicundulum, male, left genital hamule.
25. " " female, vulvar lamina (v.).
26. " obtrnsnm, male, left genital hamule.
dorsal view,
lateral view,
dorsal view,
lateral view,
dorsal view.
lateral view.
lateral view
lateral view.
abdomen from
THE OTTAWA NATURALIST
VOL. XXM. PLATE II
THE DRAOOXFLIKS OF THE OTTAWA DISTRICT.
1908] Winter Birds of the Cobalt Region. 65
WINTER BIRDS OF THE COBALT REGION.
March 14th to 26th of this year the writer spent in New
Ontario in the towns along the New Ontario and Temiskaming
Railway. Although I did not go there for the purpose that
visitors to this region usually go there for, yet it was no vacation
tour, but on the contrary, a ver^- busv time for me. Every
free moment, however, I spent in looking at the things in nature;
especially was I curious to see what birds could be met with here
at this time. Whenever I could, I went into the fringe of the
woods, mostly dense stands of small black spruce, tamarack
and quaking aspen. The tamarack had also here as elsewhere
been all killed by the insect that did so much damage a few
years before, but some new growth was also seen.
The birds here are few and far between in winter. But
since faunal Hsts from this region are rare, I submit the following
Hst. Unless otherwise noted, they are winter birds, or permanent
residents of the region, for, although migration is in progress
further south, it was practically the middle of winter here.
On March 16th the temperature at Englehart was 6 ' in day time,
but the wind, from north, was certainly much below zero, as it
must have been also during the night' The lengthening' days
were the only token of approaching .spring, there was no thawing
of snow and ice as yet. The following birds were seen: —
Raven (Corvus corax principalis, one, March 16th at Englehart.
Reported as rather common at Larder Lake.
Chickadee (Pams atricapiUns), 5-6 in some pines, exposed to
tbe icy blasts, at Englehart, as lively and satisfied as usual ;
one singing their sweet: Peabodv. Seen also in two to
three other places; 10-15 on way from Brentha to
Heaslip.
Hairy Woodpecker {Dryobaics villosus), one near Heaslip.
Snowfiake (Passerius nivalis), flock of about 25 on Lake Temis-
kaming at Haileybury.
English Sparrow (Passer domesticus), abundant at Cobalt, less
so at Haileybury. None seen at Englehart and north-
ward.
Canada Jay {Perisoreus canadensis), 4-5 seen at Brentha P. O.
I had a very amusing experience with one of these birds,
showing their tameness or feariessness, to which they are
■probably driven l)y hunger. A Swiss farmer at Brentha
told me, that he had a tame "meat bird" at his place,
which would, when called, Hobie, fly on his hand and eat
out of it I told him I would come the next morning and
66 The Ottawa Naturalist. [June
take a picture of it. He remarked it might be too shy for
that, or perhaps not come at all in the presence of a
stranger. When I arrived there the next morning, the
farmer was just out; I entered his little rough log cabin
and got some rolled oats or wheat. This I held out in my left
hand calling the bird, which had already appeared in a
small poplar, sweetly singing all the time. Imagine my
surprise, when it flew right straight on my hand, eyed me
for a minute, and then commenced eating with all his
might. He w^as so fearless, that I could take a picture of
him, manipulating the camera with my right hand. He
came repeatedly. Afterwards I also took pictures of him
on the farmer's hand. The pictures of the bird on my
hand, however, did not turn out well. The object was too
ne-ir for a snapshot.
Redpoll {Acanthis linaria), a flock of 10-15 at Latchford, March
26th.
The following were undoubtedly the first migrants: Am.
Golden-eye, (C/awe;^/a aniericana) three, one male and two
females seen in a ripple in the Montreal River, near the
railwav bridge at Latchford.
Crow {Corviis brachyshaiuchus) , 5 seen at New Liskeard, March
24th, flying straight north. I had seen crows already at
North Bav, March 14th, but these at New Liskeard were
txndoubtedly the first arrivals of their kind in this section.
A person with snowshoes might have seen besides these the
rufted grouse (partridge) and the spruce partridge; also the
three-toed woodpeckers, but not many more.
G. EIFRIG.
Ottawa, Mav 8th, 1908.
REVIEW OF DR. J. M. CLARKE'S GEOLOGY OF A
PORTION OF GASPE -PENINSULA, QUE.
By H. M. Ami.
"Early Devonic Historv of North-Eastern North America."
Memoir Q. New York State Museum, New York State Education
Department, 366 pp., 48 plates, sections, diagrams, maps, etc.
Albany, IQOS, by J. M. Clarke, State Geologist and Director of
the New York State Museum.
1908] Geology of Gaspe Pexinsula, 67
In this magnificent Memoir, with its princelv plates and
exqmsite illustrations, the State of New York has once more
shewn the world how far science and art has reached towards a
realization of satisfactory results in describing and illustrating
the hard facts of Geology in an orderly and d'elightfu! manner
To the student of palaeontology and stratigraphical geology
this handsome contribution to the history of early Deyonian
times will be most w^elcome. It fills a long-felt want', and ser\-es
to tie together a number of faunas and formations with others in
the State of New York, as well as beyond. Science, and geology
especially, knows no political boundaries. As Dr. Clarke yery
aptly puts it, "The New York series of formations spreads away
from Its typical region to all points of the compass, and in all these
directions, howeyer far it extends, light is to be sought for the
explanation of past geologic conditions in New York." " Neyer-
theless, the State .... does not and ne^•er can in itself afford the
solution of Its own prol-lems." Prof. James Hall, for the sixty-
three years that he was in office at Albany had shewn that the
New York series extended beyond the limits of New York State
The standard laid down by the fathers of geology in North-Eastern
America, Hall, Logan, Dana, Billings, Emmons and many others
were to be kept high and to the fore.
The subject matter dealt by the distinguished successor
to James Hall m the Memoir before me was obtain-d by Dr
Clarke in the Peninsula of Gasne. in South-Eastern Oiieb-c
After describing the general distribution of the "Early Deyonic
of New ^ ork" and oointing out their extension north and east
then sets to the taslc of giying the geology of the rec^ion coyered
by the Memoir. The geology o^ the Forillon. of Pe'rce ^a brief
sketch of Y/hich had appeared in 1903 in adyance sheets from
the report of the Palaeontologist. 1904, and in Bulletin 107
Geological Papers, Albany, 1907), the Gaspe .sandstones etc are
followed by descriptions of the yarious faunas. Three distinct
faunas are noticed, and their rich haryest of forms new to science
or recorded afresh, constitute the bulk of the material on which
the Memoir is based. They are as follows-
I. Fauna of the St. Allan beds. Forty-eight species.
II. Fauna of the Cape Bon Ami beds Of this fauna
eleyen species are recorded.
Ill Fauna of the Grande Greve limestones. One hundred
and sixty species.
Observations on the Dalmanites of lhe early Devonian are
introduced m the text which throw light upon race character-
68 The Ottawa Naturalist, [June
istics, debility, as exemplified in ornamentation of different
parts of the organism Gaspelichas Forillonia, a new species, is
indeed "the most extravagant instance of the development of
spines among the trilobites."
This monumental work by Dr. Clark only serves to enhance
his deserved fame as a distinguished palaeozoic palseontologist.
The plates are all that can be desired, the text likewise so satis-
factory, both as to quality and precision. References are made
to the good w^ork done in the peninsula by Logan, Billings, Ells,
Low and others whom the author does not forget in bestowing
names on the new formis met with. Nor does he forget those
intrepid missionaries and early French explorers like Lejeune,'
Jvimeau, Lescarbot, Leclercq and de Thune. and the Jersevmen
and other settlers of the district, all who have in anv measure
contributed to the history and development of Gaspe.
The geology of the "Forillon" with map, is given in which
the Gaspe sandstones, the Grande Greve limestones, the Cape
Bon Ami beds and the St. Alban beds are separated on palfeon-
tological and stratigraphical grounds. This remarkable point
juts out into the Gulf of St. Lawrence "like an index finger,"
from the broad fist of Rosier Cape and Cove, and two of the four
geological formations constitute the narrower portion of the
slender point, with Cape Gaspe to the north and Shiphead to the
south. The vertical distribution of species, the faunas of the
different formations and their mode of occurrence, together with
a special chapter on the "Geology of Perce." in which a geological
map in detail, is presented giving the succession of the strata,
including formations from the Carboniferous down to the
Lower Silurian. They comprise the Bona venture conglomerate
(Carboniferous and Devonian in age), the "Perce massive"
(Lower Devonian), the Cap Barre massive, (Lowest Devonian),
Mt. Joli massive, north flank, (Upper Silurian). Mt. Joli massive,
south flank, (Lower Silurian). Cape Canon massive, including
limekiln beds, (Lower Silurian). The faults noted bv Dr. Clarke
appear to be of the some character as those of the "Quebec
Group" and "Appalachian" folded region, a series of thrust
faults, very much like those movements so characteristicallv
described by Lugeon of Swit?:erland , where strata seem to plav
leap-frog one over the other. Their reproduction of a number of
old historic maps and early illustrations of this most interesting
and picturesque, as well as easily reached region, forms no in-
conspicuous portion of the volume, nor can the delightful water-
colour reproduction of Perce rock, forming the frontispiece, go
unnoticed. The excellent drawings by Barkentin illustKvting
the extinct faunas are exquisitely reproduced. y^^^^^Al
THE OTTAWA NATURALIST
VOL. XXII. OTTAWA, JULY, 1908 No. 4
FAUNA OTTAWAENSIS.
Hymenopter.\— Superfamily III— Vespoidea.
By W. Hague Harrington, F.R.S.C, Ottawa.
In Volume XV a list was published of eighty-one species
of Ottawa wasps, belonging to the superfamily Sphegoidea, and
the following list gives an equal number of the species mcluded
in the adjoining Vespoidea. This superfamily contams sixteen
families of which nine are represented in the list. Some of the
remaininc^ families have representatives in Canada, but these are
mostlv w'estern forms, such as Trigonalis and Masaris. and it is
probable that Sapvga is the only form which may be expected to
occur in this district. For those who have not made a study of
the numberless interesting forms belonging to our Hymenoptera,
a few introductorv remarks on the appearance and habits of
the members of the several families may prove of more interest
than the Ust itself.
The Ceropalidae (Pompilids) are mostly small, or medium-
sized black wasps, with frequently bluish or purplish reflections
and occasionallv with red or white markings , while the wi ngs may be
clear smokv or maculate. Thev are very swift and agile insects,
and the females, in common with those of other families, have
stines which, especiallv in the larger species, can inflict a painful
wound Anoplius (Pompilus) and Salius (Priocnemis) All their
burrows in the ground with spiders, which they will take even
out of their webs. The species of Agenia, which are smaller,
construct mud nests in which they also store spiders. The spiders-
thus provided for the offspring of the genera mentioned are
rendered immobile by the stings of their captor and often have
their legs nipped off so that they may be more easily stowed m
the nests The wasp then lavs an egg in the cell and seals it up.
The members of the genus Ceropales are parasitic upon the other
genera the females watching for an opportunity to place their
Iggs in the nests which are being provisioned.
The Vespidde are the typical Social Wasps, the yellow-
70 The Ottawa Naturalist. [July
jackets'' and "white-faced hornets" whose stings are so much
feared by marauding youngsters bent on destroying their
colonies. They are the original pulp and paper-makers, and
the nests of some species are very large and conspicuous objects
attached to trees or buildings. Some of the species construct their
homes in hollow trees or in holes in the ground. No inatter
how large a nest may be, it results from the initiative energy of
one individual and is the work of one season, at the close of which
it is deserted. The founder is a fertilized female which, after
passing our long cold winter, say November to April inclusive,
in a rotten log or other suitable retreat, emerges with the return of
revivifying spring and at once starts the foundation of a colony.
Gnawing off a little bundle of fibres from the nearest old fence,
telegraph pole, or other convenient dead wood, she masticates
and works them into a pulp with which a cell is commenced. As
soon as a few cells are completed an egg is placed in each, and
dailv the nest grows larger by the constant addition of cells and
protective covering. After a few days the eggs commence to
hatch and the mother wasp has to toil more assiduously than
ever to keep her establishment going. As the days lengthen and
grow warmer so are her labours prolonged and intensified. In
addition to paper-making and house-building, she has now to
provide suitable nutrition for a constantly increasing family of
voracious larvae. The food for these consists chiefly of macerated
insects and each grub, hanging head downward in its cell has
to]^be separately fed. Flies form the chief prey of the wasp and,
fortunately for her, these are now abundant. As so many of
the diptera are obnoxious, the labours of the wasp tend to benefit
us indirectly. Juices of fruits, especially of over-ripe or injured
ones, are attractive to the yellow-jackets, but any loss which thev
mav inflict in gathering the sugary secretions is abundantly
compensated for by the destruction of innumerable flies attacking
plants and animals. At the end of four weeks from oviposition
the voung wasps have passed through their various stages and
are able henceforth to assist in the various duties of the establish-
ment. They are all sterile, or imperfectly developed females,
which are known as w^orkers. and which are smaller than the
queen mother. The latter is gradually relieved from the gather-
ing of building and food supplies, and remains chiefly in the nest,
placing her eggs in the cells as they are built or emptied. The
continuance of the colony is now more assured than when the
queen was exposed to the dangers which daily beset her when
flving abroad. Workers are now constantly maturing and the
nest increases in size, until it may be as large as a football, and
contain several discs of comb suspended one below the other,
1908] Fauna Ottawaensis. 71
the cells opening downward, within the protecting oval coverings.
As the sinnmer draws to a close, larger cells are constructed and
males and perfect females are developed. After mating the
males graduallv perish, and the whole colony succumbs to cold
and starvation, with the exception of such females as may find
suitable hibernating quarters and survive to found new colonies
next year. Notwithstanding their fierce dispositions and
venomous stings, the wasps cannot protect their nests from
parasitic intruders. Forty years ago Mr. W. Couper, who then
resided in Ottawa, bred from a nest of V. maculata a tryphonid
which was sent by Mr. Billings to Mr. Cresson, who described
it in the Canadian Entomologist, Vol. I, page 104, under the
name Eticeros burnis. The species has been redescribed by
Rev. J. L. Zabriskic as Sphecophagtis (?) .predator, and more
recentlv has been referred to the genus Cacotropa by Mr. Davis.
Dr. Fletcher has found apparently the same species, though
varving somewhat in coloration, abundant in nests of V. diaboUca.
Polistes belongs also to the social wasps, but its colonies are small.
The nest consists of only one layer of cells, without any covering,
and is attached to the under side of a stone, or occasionally in
buildings or in some other sheltered situation. A nest recently
found (19th April, 1908), under a flat stone in a sandy field,
consists of 98 cells and was attached by a large central pedicel
and several small ones around the edge. Between the nest and
the stone a lively female wasp was found which had apparently
hibernated there and which might possibly have used the nest
again instead of starting a new one.
The Eumenidce haA'e longitudinally folded wings like the
Vespidce, but are smaller wasps which are solitary in their habits
and are not paper-makers. All our species are black, w4th
yellowish or whitish markings, and are abundant at the end of
summer on Spiraea, golden rod, etc., in common with many of our
other wasps which may then be easily captured. Eumenes has
a petiolated abdomen and constructs of clay a curious little vase-
shaped nest attached to twigs. The cell is provisioned with
small caterpillars, of wdiich those called loopers or measuring-
worms seem to be preferred, and the egg is suspended from the
torj of the cell bv a slender thread so that it may not be crushed
bv the inoving about of the caterpillars. The rest of our
Eumenidge are included in the extensive genus Odynerus which
contains according to the Genera Insectorum 796 described
species. The twelve Ottawa species are divided equally between
the three subgenera Leionotus (Nos. 37-40), Ancistrocerus
(Nos. 41-44) and Symmorphus (Nos. 45-^8). Their nesting
habits are varied; some building clay cells under stones or in
72 The Ottawa Naturalist. [July
crevices, some forming cells in the hollow, or excavated stems
of plants in which only the partitions are of mud, and others
making their nests in burrows in the ground. Like Eumenes
they provision their cells with caterpillars, but much yet remains
to be learned regarding the habits of our species.
The Chrvsididffi are parasitic insects nourished in the cells
of various bees and wasps. The female Chrysid watches for a
chance to deposit her egg in a nest which is being stored by her
unwilling host, and the resulting larva either devours that of the
host or starves it by using up the food supply. From their
parasitic habits they are known as "cuckoo bees" or, more
properlv. "cuckoo wasps," and from their brilliant colours are
also called "ruby-flies." Our species are all small insects, seldom
over one quarter of an inch long, of a deep metallic blue colour,
varied with red, purple or green tints. The abdomen has fewer
visible segments than in the other wasps, and is excavated
beneath so that the wasp can roll itself into a ball, when attacked
by the insect whose nest it invades, and be quite safe against
injurv. Thev are exceedingly active insects, and are often seen
exploring the trunks of trees, the crevices of rocks, or the surface
of the ground for the nest of the species which they infest.
The Bethvlidae are small ant-like insects which were formerly
classed as subfamilies of the Proctotrypidae, but which are now
considered as more closely allied to the wasps, and have been
placed as one of the families of the Vespoidea. The members
of the subfamily Bethylidae are parasitic upon coleopterous and
lepidopterous larvae, while those of the Dryininffi feed upon
immature Homoptera, chiefly fulgorids, membracids and jassids.
In both subfamilies the females are frequently wingless, and the
females of the Dryininae have curious chelate anterior tarsi,
probably to enable them to cling to the insects on which their
eggs are placed.
The Tiphiidae are represented by only two species of rather
large shortlegged black wasps which belong to the genus Tiphia.
The members of the family, which was formerly included in the
Scoliidse, are parasitic upon the larvae of ground-inhabiting
beetles.
The few remaining species of our Vespoidea belong to the
families Thynnidae, Myrmosidae and Mutillidae; the first two
families being considered by many authors as only subfamilies of
Mutillidae. These groups are very poorly represented in our fauna
and the few species which do occur are usually rare. The females
are all wingless and resemble ants in general' appearance, but the
males are winged and differ much in form from the females, and
are black while the females may be variegated in colour. These
1908] Fauna Ottawaexsis. 73
insects are parasites of various nest forming hymenoptera and
the larva is stated to attach itself to that of its host and to
complete its growth at the cost of its victim's life.
Family XXVII. — Ceropalidae,
Subfamily I. — Pcpsince.
1. S a 1 i u s n e b u 1 o s u s, Dahlb. Our largest species of which only
one female has been taken.
2. Salius conicus, Say. A black wasp with fuliginous wings,
common in midsummer; 8 females, 1 male.
3. Salius germanus. Cress. A small form of which one female
was taken near Hull on 29th July, 1894.
4. Salius alienatus, Say. This is a pretty little species with
abdomen partly red; the wings clear, with a dark patch on the
front ones; 7 females in June and July.
5. Salius n o t h u s. Cress. Resembles the forgoing but has no
patch on wings; 1 female only taken.
Subf amil y II. — .4 geniincs.
6. Agenia architect a. Say. A small bluish clear-winged species
reared from small clay cells built under stones; 6 females and 2
males.
7. Agenia pulchripennis, Cress. This handsome polished
black species with bimaculate wings is not uncommon; 6 females,
1 male.
8. Agenia bombycina, Cress. A slender clear-winged insect
determined for me by Mr. J. C. Bridwell; 3 males.
9. Agenia atrata, Prov. Both sexes of this insect were des-
cribed from specimens collected by Mr. Guignard near Hull;
not represented in my collection.
10. Agenia p u 1 c h r i n a, Cress. One female taken 8th July,
1894, determined by Bridwell.
U. Agenia calcarata, Cress. A small species with pale legs;
3 males. One of these, received from Mr. Guignard, is labelled
Ceropales nigricoxis, Prov., female, but I do not find any species
described under that name, and Provancher credits Guignard
with having sent to him the male of A. calcarata.
12. Agenia rufigastra, Prov. This species, with red abdomen,
was described from a female taken by Guignard near Hull. I
have not found it yet.
Subfamily III. — Apori}UB.
13. An o pi i us as t h i o p s. Cress. This is our largest species of
the family and is a fine velvety black insect with dark wings.
It is also a strong and vigorous foe of our larger spiders.
14. Anoplius biguttatus, Fabr. This is one of the commonest
species, and is readily recognized by the white markings (vary-
ing in number) on the abdomen, although unspotted individuals
occur. The species is very variable in size; 8 females and 3
males.
74 The Ottawa Naturalist. [July
15. Anoplius n. sp. ? Two specimens sent some years ago to
Dr. Fox were stated to be a new species (?) near biguttatus.
16. Anoplius scelestus, Cress. A purplish-black species with
smoky wings (not so dark as those of No. 13); 4 females 2 males.
17. Anoplius luctuosus, Cress. Closely resembles the pre-
ceding but has paler wings; 7 females, 4 males.
18. Anoplius hyacinthus, Cress. With bluish or purplish
reflections; 3 females, 2 males.
19. Anoplius angustatus, Cress. A purplish, dark-winged
insect, of which only one male has been taken.
20. Anoplius cylindricus. Cress. This is a smaller and slender
species represented by 3 males.
21. Anoplius virginiensis. Cress. A somewhat common
slender species; 6 males.
22. Anoplius americanus, Beauv. This insect has the first
and second segments of abdomen red; 1 female.
23. Anoplius tenebrosus. Cress. Appears to be a common
species but males seem rare; 6 females.
24. Anoplius marginatus. Say. An abundant and pretty
species with an orange or red band on the second segment of
abdomen. It reseinbles No. 22, but has the third submarginal
cell distinctly petiolate instead of inerely narrowed toward the
marginal; 12 females and 1 male.
25. Anoplius parvus, Cress. ? A specimen received from
Guignard is labelled as the male of this species determined by
Provancher. It is, however, a female and does not agree very
well with Cresson's description, except in size.
26. Anoplius n.sp. Two speciinens sent to Dr. Fox were so de-
termined by him. One male also yet in my collection.
Subfamily VI. — Ccropalince.
27. Ceropales bipunctata, Say. This is a large handsome
species with very long hind legs, the femora of which are con-
spicuou-sly red. One year it was abundant in the Beaver
Meadow (Hull) on the flowers of Spiraea, but since then I have
only taken one male.
28. Ceropales fraterna, Smith. A smaller species which is
gaily banded and spotted with yellow. It is abundant and varies
greatly in size. It has been reared from the nests of Anoplius
liictnosiis. C. minima, Prov. described from one of Guignard's
specimens is evidently only one of the small males, and one of
my females is not much larger; 3 males and 7 feinales.
29. Ceropales Robinsoni, Cress. One female received from
Guignard, determined by Provancher as his C. superba. It is
a very fine insect; thorax and head black with yellow markings
and silvery pubescence; abdomen and legs red.
Family XXVIII.— Vespidae.
Subfamily I. — Vespince.
30. Vespa diabolic a, Sauss. This is our commonest yellow-
jacket and constructs its nests even attached to houses or in
barns, etc.; 9 females, 7 workers and 6 males.
1908] Fauna Ottawaexsis. 75
31. Vcspa b o r e a 1 i s, Kirby. The markings of this wasp are
similar to those of the preceding species but are white instead
of yellow. It is probably a diinorphic form as Dr. Fletcher
found both species inhabiting a nest attached to his house at
the Experimental Farm, and also in a nest at Meach Lake; 1
female, 5 males.
32. V e s p a m a c u 1 a t a, Linn. This is our largest wasp and is the
so-called "white-faced hornet." In Harper (January, 1908) there
is an interesting illustrated article by Dr. McCook on the nest-
building of this species; 1 male and 5 females.
33. Vespa arenaria, Fabr. {marginata, Kirby) is also black
and white, but is easily recognized by its smaller size and paler
legs. It seems to be rare here; 2 females and 2 workers.
34. Vespa germanica, Fabr. This species closely resembles
No. 30 in its conspicuous black and yellow livery, but it builds
its nest under ground and is not so common; 2 females, 1 worker.
35. Polistespallipes, St. Farg. This is a common black and
yellow wasp which is longer and slenderer than the species of
Vespa. In the autumn it may be often found sunning itself
on the walls of houses or on fences. .Vest usually found under
stones; 3 females, 4 workers, 1 male.
Family XXIX. — Eumenidae.
36. Eumenes globulosus, Sauss. A coinmon and easily
recognized species; 4 females, 6 males.
37. Odynerus pennsylvanicus, Sauss. This small species
appears to be common; 3 females, 8 males.
38. Odynerus leucomelas, Sauss. One of our largest white-
banded species and abundant; 5 females and 12 males.
39. Odynerus foraminatus, Sauss. Closely resembles the
preceding species but the markings are yellow; 4 females, 7 males.
40. Odynerus sp. One small female determined by Mr. Bridwell
as near mohicanus, Sauss. It may be only a variety of No. 37.
41. Odynerus capra, Sauss. One of our largest forms with
bright yellow markings; 5 females, 6 males.
42. Odynerus a 1 b o p h a 1 e r a t u s, Sauss. A smaller species
with white markings, which is one of our commonest forms; 7
females, 1 1 males.
43. Odynerus catskillensis, Sauss. Resembles very closely
the preceding but the markings are yellow; 13 females, 9 males.
One of the females has attached a female of the parasite Xenos.
44. Odynerus tigris, Sauss. This is a sinall species of which
I have only 4 males.
45. Odynerus philadelphi ae, Sauss. A medium sized slender
species which is not common; 5 females and 3 males.
46. Odynerus debilis, Sauss. Our smallest and slenderest
species, and one of the commonest; 7 females, 15 males.
47. Odynerus Walshianus, Sauss. This seems to be a rare
species as only one female has been taken.
48. Odynerus albomarginatus, Sauss. Differs from the
three preceding species in having white markings; 2 inales only
taken.
76 The Ottawa Naturalist. [July
Family XXXI.— Chrysididae.
Subfamily II. — ChrysidincB.
49. Tetrachrysis Norton i, Aaron. Four specimens.
50. Tetrachrysis coerulans, Fabr. One of our commonest
species and varies considerably in size and colour; 12 specimens.
51. Tetrachrysis nitidula, Fabr. Closely resembles the
preceding species, and some individuals are difficult to separate.
Fourteen specimens, of which one was bred from the cells of an
O d y n e r u s.
52. Tetrachrysis a u rich alee a, Prov. This species should
perhaps be placed in Dichrysis, as Aaron placed it in his
group, distinguished by having two apical teeth. Provancher,
however, in describing the species states that the apical border
of the abdomen is cut into four teeth. The lateral ones are not
prominent, being rather angles than teeth. This is our most
beautiful species and our only real "ruby-tail." The abdomen
of my only specimen (a female) is of a golden bronze, with ruby
reflections. The male has been taken by Mr. Guignard.
53. Trichrysisparvula, Fabr. Four specimens, of which two
were reared from the clay-built cells of Pelopa'tis cementarius,
Drury, our cominon mud-dauber wasp.
54. Gonochrysis perpulchra. Cress. This is a somewhat
more robust and greener species than the preceding forms, and
the apex of abdomen is notched instead of dentate. Nine
specimens.
55. Chrysogona verticalis, Cress. This is a small insect
which seems to be abundant; 9 specimens.
56. Chrysogona hilaris, Dahlb. Provancher credits me with
having sent to him a female of this species, which differs from
verticalis chiefly in the absence of a carina above the frontal
basin.
Subfamily I II. — Hcdychrince.
5 7. H o 1 o p y g a v e n t r a 1 i s, Say. Five specimens.
58. H e d y c h r u m v i o 1 a c e u m, Brulle. Three specimens. This
species closely resembles the preceding in its compact, robust
shape, but is smaller, and is easily separated by the differently
toothed claws.
Subfamily IV. — EliDiipiucc.
59. N o t o z u s V i r i d i c y a n e u s, Norton. Two specimens; one
taken 6th June, the other received from Mr. Guignard, and
determined by Provancher.
60. Notozus margin at us, Patton. A smaller species which
also seems rare. Three specimens, of which one was received
from Mr. Guignard. Determinations by Provancher and Brid-
well .
61. Notozus nitidus, Aaron. Provancher records this species
from Ottawa. The types were from Montana and California.
62. Elampus speculum. Say. Also rare, only two specimens,
captured 14th and 30th June.
63. Elampus Cressoni, Aaron. Provancher credits Ottawa
with this closely allied species.
1908] Fauna Ottawaensis. 77
64. I) i p 1 u r r u s p 1 i c a t u s, Aaron. One specimen taken 20th
June and determined by Mr. Bridwell. This is a small insect
with black abdomen, which was described from specimens from
Montana and Colorado. Dr. Fletcher took a specimen in July,
1895, at Winnipeg, the only other Canadian record.
65. O in a 1 u s i r i d e s c e n s, Nort. Seven specimens, captured
chieiTy in Jun^.
66. O m a 1 u s 1 ae v i v e n t r i s, Cress. Four specimens.
67. O m a 1 u s c o r r u s c a n s, Xort. Six specimens. This species
is thj largest of oar representatives of the genus.
68. O m a 1 u s s i n u o s u s. Say. This is a common species and
variable in size It is of a violet or purplish bronze colour, the
thorax bring redder than the abdonien, and was named by Pro-
vancher for this reason p:irpnrascens. Nineteen specimens, of
which nine were taken on the same day (2nd June).
Subfamily VI. — Clcptincc.
60. C 1 e p t e s s p e c i o s a, Aaron. This beautiful little insect was
described from Montana, and in his Additions, etc., is recorded
by Provancher as sent froni Ottawa by me. It does not appear in
my collection.
Family XXXII. — Bethylidae.
Subfamily I. — Bcthylincs.
70. I s o b r a c h i u m m y r m e c o p h i 1 u m, Ashm. One male taken
at old race course (Glebe) 22nd August, 1894.
71. Mesitius bifoveolatus, Ashm. Three females taken in
May and August.
72. A n o X u s C h i t t e n d e n i i, Ashm. One male taken near Hull,
28th July.
7.^. Perisemus formicoides, Prov. One male (the type).
The species is perhaps only a variety of the next one.
74. Perisemus prolongatus, Prov. Eight females and one
male taken May to August.
7 5. Goniozus foveolatus, Ashm. One female and two males,
taken in June, July and August.
Subfamily III. — Dryinince.
76. Gonatopus contort ul us, Patton. One female taken
29th July.
77. Gonatopus flavifrons, Ashm. One female taken in Beaver
Meadow, Hull, on 15th July.
78. Chelogvnus canadensis, Ashm. One female taken 4th
June. The type in Coll. Ashmead was also from Ottawa.
79. Anteon politus, Ashm. Three females taken in Julv and
August.
80. Aphelopus melaleucus, Dal. One male now in Coll.
AshiTiead. This is a European parasite of Typlocyba.
78 The Ottawa Naturalist. U^'^^y
Family XXXVIL— Tiphiidae.
81. Tiphia inornata, Say. A large black wasp which is not
uncommon. Females are about two-thirds of an inch long, but
the males are much smaller. It is parasitic upon the larvae of
June-beetles (Lachnosterna) known as "white grubs," and its
parchment-like cocoon, an inch long, may be found sometimes
in the ground infested by these grubs. Six females, nine males.
82. Tiphia tarda. Say. This is a much smaller species and
apparently rare, as I have only taken one female (upon a pine
tree) and one male. Mr. Guignard also sent a male to Provancher.
Family XL, — Thynnidae.
Subfamily II. — MethocincB.
8.3. Met hoc a bicolor, Say. This insect looks like a large slender
reddish ant. Two females, of which one was taken 8th Jub-,
1887, and the other was received from Dr. Fletcher.
§^. Met h oca stygia. Say. This is a larger, winged, entirely
black insect, probably the male of the preceding species, though
differing so greatly in appearance. One male taken on 22nd
July.
Family XL I. — Myrmosidae.
Subfamily II. — Myrmosince.
8.^. M y r m o s a u n i c o 1 o r. Say. A rugose, rather pubescent black-
insect which is considered to be the male of M. thoracica, Blake,
which has not yet been taken here. Four males, June to August.
Family XLIL— Multillidae.
Subfamily I . — MultillincB.
86. Pseudomethoca canadensis, Blake. The females of
this species are moderately abundant, and are found running
about on the ground on sandy soils where grass and other vege-
tation is scanty. They resemble stout, reddish ants, with bands
of pubescence on the abdomen. The winged males are black and
slenderer, and are the Photopsis Crcssoni of Fox, by whom the
species was determined for me. Twelve females, from May to
September, and three males in August.
87. Photopsis canadensis, Prov. This species was described
from a male contributed bv me from Ottawa, but has not occurred
again. It differs from the preceding species in having vellow
legs.
1908] Council Meeting. 79
COUNCIL MEETING.
A meeting of the Council was held in the Carnegie Library
on May 13th, with the President, Mr. Attwood in the chair.
Other memliers present were Miss M. B. Williams, Messrs. A.
Halkett, A. Gibson, C. H. Young, E. E. Lemieux, L. H. Newman,
and T. E. Clarke.
The following. were elected ordinary members: —
E. A. LeSueur, Ottawa.
J. W. Jones, Macdonald College, Ste. Anne de Bellevuc.
F. C. Hart, B.S.A., Gait.
Dr. John Brittain, Macdonald College, Ste. Anne de Bellevue.
Mr. C. Rose, Ottawa.
Mr. A. Gordon Spencer, Ottawa.
Mr. C. A: Crabtree, Ottawa.
Mr. Arthur Gibson was appointed to act as Editor of The
Ottawa Naturalist during the absence of Mr. Macoun from the
city.
By formal motion, the Council expressed its opinion that
the Editor of The Ottawa Naturalist should be a member of
the Council. T. E. C.
EXCURSIONS.
Owing to the inclemency of the weather, the excursion of
the Club, which was to have been held at Aylmer Park, on the
afternoon of Saturday the 9th of May, was cancelled, and the
members met instead at the Fisheries Museum.
Mr. A. E. Attwood, President of the Club, was in charge,
and about thirty members attended. Much interest was dis-
played in looking at the various aquatic specimens of natural
history which this institution contains, and which have been
brought together from many parts of the Dominion. Many
questions Avere asked in regard to the structure, development,
hal its and environments of the various kinds of fishes and other
denizens of the sea, lakes, and rivers, specimens of which are on
exhibition in this institution. Great interest was taken in a
specim.en of Octopus from the coast of British Columbia.
After spending an hour or so in the Museum, the members
went down to the basement of the building and viewed the Fish-
hatchery, and were shewn the process of hatching out the fry
of the white-fish, the speckled-trout, the salmon-trout and the
-Atlantic salmon.
Altogether a pleasant and instructive time, occupying some
two hours, was spent; and those who attended expressed them-
selves as well satisfied with tlieir visit. A. H.
so Thp: Ottawa Naturalist. [Juh-
BOTANICAL NOTE.
Two Newly Introduced European Plants.
Among some plants recently presented to the herbarium
at the Central Experimental Farm by the Rca-. Brother Marie
Victorin of Longueuil College, Que., were specimens of two
introduced European species, which are of more than usual
interest, viz.: the beautiful so called Flowering-rush, Butomus
umbcllatus, L. and the strong-smelling Danewort or Ground
Elder, Sanibucus Elnilus, L. These two plants are easily recog-
nized. Butomus is a water pk.nt of great heauty, which is
classified by some botanists with the Water-plgntain Family,
the Alism.acege and is there placed in the "Hand-list of Her-
baceous Plants of the Ro^'al Botanic Gardens", Kew (England),
1902, but in Gaston Bonnier's "Flore complete de la France" the
Butomeae are ranked as a separate family on account of their
nine stamens. The genus Buiomtis is interesting also from the
fact that it bears ovules all over the internal surface of its
carpels. Butomus mnhellahis is referred to by the eminent
English botanist, Dr. Leo. IT. Grindon, as "one of the hand-
somest plants England produces. It is well-known under the
erroneous name of Flov/ering-rush and is frequently cultivated
in botanic gardens." This plant has tall stems two to four feet
high, bearing at the summit of each a large umbel of showy
rosy-red flowers. The peduncles are from three to four inches
long, and each bears three rosy petals and three similarly
coloured sepals, which inclose six carpels and nine stamens.
The leaves are linear, two to three feet long, acutely three-
edged and more or less spirally tv.isted at the tips. Brother
Victorin writes that he first collected this species about two
years ago, when it was identified for him by his confrere the
Rev. Brother Roland Germain, who knew it M'ell in France.
The first specimens were found at Laprairie on the St. Lawrence
River, opposite to Montreal, in 1905, then in 1906 at Longueuil
and Beauharnois, and in 1907 at Chateauguay. Brother Victorin
believes that it also grows around the Boucherville Islands,
a few miles below Longueuil. The Rev. Professor Oliver of
Mont St. Louis, Montreal, has found the plant at Valois on
the Island of Montreal. Brother Victorin feels confident that
Butomus ripens its seeds at Longueuil, and this certainly seems
to be the case from specimens which he has forwarded. The
plant grov/s there to a considerable height, notwithstanding
the late date at which the water recedes from the river flats
where it o-^curs, so that it cannot appear above the surface
1908] Botanical Note. 81
until rather late in June. It is found associated with various
species of [uncus, Scirpus americanus, Pers., the Wild Rice
{Zizania aquatica, L.), Silverweed (Poteniilla Anserina, L.),
Wild Pennyroyal (Mentha canadensis, L.), Cocklebur (Xan-
ihium canadense. Mil.), Bugleweed (Lycopus virginicus, L.),
Arrowhead (Sagittaria variabilis, Englm.).
The Banewort, Samhucus F.bulus, has, so far, only been
found by Brother Victorin at one place, on the side of a ditch
which crosses the "Bord de I'eau" road between Longueuil
and Boucheryille. It grows there vigorously and in abundance.
This is not a very attractive plant. It is practically a herb-
aceous perennial Elder, the coarse, grooved stems of which,
from two to three feet high, die down every year. The leaves
consist of from seven to eleven lanceolate leaflets, and have
at the base of the petiole conspicuous green stipules, a character
by which the species ma}^ be readily distinguished. The flowers
are white, tipped with pink, and the cymes have three main
branches. This is not nearly as desirable an introduction as
the showy aquatic Flowering-rush, on account of its rank odour
and its aggressive mode of growth. We have had the plant
growing for some years in the Botanical Garden at the Central
Experimental Farm, and Mr. W. T. Macoun tells me that it
requires constant attention to prevent it from becoming a
troublesome weed.
j. Fletcher.
NEW BIRDS FOR BRITISH COLUMBIA.
Mr. Charles de Blois Green, of Fairview, British Columbia,
has been working energetically this season on the birds of the
Lower Okanagan Valley, and has added no less than three species
to the Canadian list; these are: the White-throated Swift, the
Canyon Wren and the Sage Thrasher, and all have been found
breeding near Mr. Green's home.
Years ago Mr. Green collected the butterflies and moths of
the Okanagan Valley, and added several new species of butter-
flies to the Canadian list. I. F.
82 The Ottawa Naturalist. [July
REPORT ON A COLLECTION OF FOSSIL WOODS FROM
THE CRETACEOUS OF ALBERTA.
Bv D. P. Penhallow, D.Sc, F R S C , F.G.S.A.
Early in the present year, Mr. L. M. Lambe, of the Geological
Survey, placed in my hands a specimen of fossil wood for deter-
mination. It was without number, but it was described as having
been collected by Mr. Milliken from the Edmonton Series of
the Red Deer River, 100 miles west of Gleichen, Alberta.
At a later date, Mr. Lambe sent me six additional specimens
for determination. These were all reported as derived from
the Judith River (Belly River) Series of the Red Deer River,
Alberta. The catalogue numbers on the specimens correspond
to the following general description: —
Nos. 275, 276, 319 and 330 — Silicified woods.
No. 838 — Silicified wood not determinable in conse-
quence of extended decay and distortion of structure.
No. 1676 — A longitudinal section of a cone.
Picea albertensis, n. sp.
The specimen numbered 1676, is a longitudinal section of
a cone, the basal portion of which has been removed. As found,
it measures 38 mm. in its greatest length, and 18 mm. in its greatest
width. The upper end is complete, and the general structure
is also intact within the limits of the specimen. The basal
portion of the cone appears to have been carried away by fracture
of the matrix.
The character of the specimen does not admit of full deter-
mination, but the shape immediately suggests comparison with
a cone of Picea, while both the size and general outline invite
comparison wath P. columbiensis, Penh., recently described as
having been obtained by Dr. R. A. Daly from the Tertiary
deposits of the Kettle River, B.C.' Measurements of the two
cones show that the Alberta specimen is slightly narrower, and
that about one-fifth of its length has been removed. The
cojrespondence is so close that the two might well be regarded
as the same species, but in the absence of external characters,
such a correlation would be unsafe, and it seems desirable to
designate the cone by a distinctive name, P. albertensis, n. sp.
CUPRESSOXYLON M ACROCARPOIDES , PeNH.
Specimens 319 and 330 proved to be fairly well preserved
woods of Cupressoxylon macrocarpoides, with which it was pos-
sible to compare them without difficulty.
1. Rept. on Foss. PI. from the Internat. Bound. Surv. for 1903-05. Trans. R.S.C.,
VIII, 1907, iv.
1908] A Collection- of Fossil Woods. 83
This is a species originally described from the Cretaceous
of Medicine Hat, Alberta, but which has more recently been
found in the Tertiary of Kettle River, near Midwav, B.C. ^
Its present occurrence in the Edmonton Series is, therefore,
fully in accord with its previously known distribution.
Sequoia .^lbertensis, x. sp.
The unnumbered specim.en from the Edmonton Series
represents a wood which is exceedingly well preserved in many
portions, and admits of a detailed diagnosis. It is therefore
taken as the type to which specimens 275 and 276 also belong,
and they all clearly represent the same species of Sequoia. The
diagnosis is as follows: —
Sequoia albertexsis, x. sp.
Transverse. — Growth rings variable; the summer wood
dense, sometimes rather open and occasionally double, the
transition from the spring wood rather abrupt ; spring wood open,
the tracheids thin- walled, large, distinctly squarish-hexagonal
and often much elongated radially. Resin cells scattering,
sometimes rather numerous throughout, but especially dominant
in the summer wood. Medullary rays distant 2-8, more rarely
10 roivs of tracheitis. Tracheids rather uniform, sometimes in
irregular rows in the summer wood.
Radial. — Ray cells straight or more often contracted at tlie
ends, equal to about 4 spring tracheids; the upper and lower
walls rather thick, entire or sparingly pitted; the terminal walls
rather thin, not pitted; the lateral walls with oval, conspicuously
bordered pits, the broadly lenticular orifice usually diagonal to the
cell axis , at fi rst 1 or 2, at length becoming 1 per tracheid in the summer
wood. Bordered pits large, numerous, round or oval, commonly
in two rows in the earlier spring wood. Pits on the tangential
walls of the summer tracheids numerous and prominent and
large, but rather narrowly lenticular. Resin cells numerous,
resinous.
Tangential. — Medullary rays numerous, often upwards of
54 cells high, frequently more or less two-rowed. Cells frequently
very re.sinous, oval or squarish, sometimes oblong, but chieflv
uniform and equal throughout.
A comparison of these woods with that of the existing
S. sempervirens, or red-wood, shows most interesting and very
close relations. In the diagnosis of 5. albertensis , certain of the
structural details are given in italics. These indicate the res-
pects in which there is an essential difference between it and
5. sempervirens. In all other features the two woods are
2. lUd.
84 The Ottawa Naturalist [July
essentially identical, and one might well be led, at first, to question
if they are not, after all, only one form of the same species. But
the number of pits which characterize the radial walls of the
ray cells, the number of rows of pits on the radial walls of the
tracheids, and the size and form of the pits on the tangential
walls of the summer tracheids, point with certainty to specific
differences, and the fossil is, therefore, described under a new
name, for which purpose that of the province seems to be ap-
propriate.
General Coxclusioxs.
The character of the material discussed in the foregoing
studies, leaves very little room for any conclusions which would
be of value in stratigraohical determinations.
The specimen of Picea offers only one of a very few examples
of the occurrence of cones of this genus in Cretaceous deposits.
Berry has recently shown the existence of beautifully preserved
cones of Picea diffwoodensis in the Upper Cretaceous of New
Jersey. ' These he regards as comparable with the cones
of P. excelsa. They, however, offer no points of comparison
with P. alhertensis, inasmuch as they are much larger and more
linear-oblong.
As already noted, Penhallow has recorded the sparing
occurrence of cones of P. colmnbiensis in the Tertiary of Kettle
River, British Columbia. Knowlton has found cones of P. har-
rimani ^ in theUpperEoceneofKukak Bay, Alaska, a form which
is in no sense comparable with P. albertensis, though it presents
many features strikingly similar to those of P. diffwoodensis.
It may be recalled in this connection, that the foliage of
what are at present regarded as distinct species — P. tranquil-
lensis, Penh., and P. qnilchensis, Penh., ^ — has been
obtained from the Tertiary of the Tranquille River and from
Quilchena, B.C., and there is no present evidence to show that
the more recently observed cone from the Cretaceous of Alberta,
is not related to one of them, rather than to P. cohimhiensis.
If these two were to be regarded as specifically identical, it would
be possible to recognize a wider geological range for the species
than has heretofore been known; but in the absence of external
characters in the Alberta spiecimen, such a correlation would be
unsafe.
Cupressoxylon macrocarpoides, Penh., has been determined
on previous occasions, to be common to both the Tertiary and
Cretaceous, "^ and its present occurrence in Cretaceous deposits,
1. The Flora of the CHffwood Clays. Geol Surv. N.J., 1905.
2. Fossil Plants from Kukak Bav Harriman Expd., 1904, iv, ISO.
3. Report on the Tertiary Flora of British Columbia. Geol. Sxirv. Can., Monogr. 1908.
4. N. A. Gymnosperms, Penhallow. 238.
^^^^] A Collection of Fossil Woods. 85
cannot be regarded as having any special stratigraphical signifi-
cance.
As bearing upon the present studies, it is worthy of note that
m his discussion of the Flora of the Judith Ri^•er beds Knowlton
records at least three species of Sequoia. s Two of these are
represented by foliage and small branches only. 5. reichenbachii
(Gemitz) Heer, is known to extend from the Dakota formation
to the Belly River vSeries, m whicn it is found in Canada 5
heterophylla is a well known Cretaceous form of both Europe and
America, and m the latter it ranges from the Later Potomac
to the Willow Creek Series.
The third species is represented bv a cone only, as obtained
from the Judith River beds ten miles north of Wild Horse Lake
Alberta. This species, which Knowlton does not distino-uish bva
specific name, he nevertheless finds to be very near to'^'s heerii
Lesq., although it likewise greatly resembles certain cones of
5. reichenbachii from the Kome beds of Greenland as described
by Heer. It may be the fruit of the wood now under discussion
It IS, however, impossible to correlate these isolated specimens
more completely at this time.
From the brief survey of the material thus presented it is
clear that the different species possess no special value for strati
graphical purposes, but they do extend our knowledge of their
geological range and geographical distribution in important and
interesting ways.
5. Geol. & Pal. Judith River Beds. U. S. Geol. Surv., Bull. 2S7,~1905, 131-132
DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES.
Sequoi.^ Albertensis .\. SP.
Fig. 1 . Transverse section showing the general character of the structure.
Fig. 2. Transverse .section showing the double summer wood of the
broader growth rings, x 52.
Fig. 3. Tangential .section showing the character ol the mcduihiry rays.
Fig. 4. Radial section of a medullary ray, sh<.wing character and
numbers of pits, x 227.,v * cuaiacier and
Fig. 5. Radial .section showing the two-seriate bordered uits nf th^
spring tracheids. x 227.5. ' '^"^
Fig. 6. Radial section showing the number and position of bordered
pits on the tangential walls of the summer wood.
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
6!>l :1 @)III^TT33IC'
:^^^IS(^III®
-JL
"^Wptt^t^
iW
Fig. 4
88
>&»
iO«f,
BRARY
The Ottawa Naturalist.
[July
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
^"r
NESTING [OF COOPER'S HAWK.
Afnend/who happened to be spending a few days ^at
Woodlands, Quebec on tl- ^ -re ^^^^^^ ^f^e 'eggs; but stated
he had found an owl s nest ^^^h^J^^^-^^ becausfthe bird had
flv from the vicinity ot ^ne nesu evergreen tree, was
placed about 3 5 feet up ^^/^X^s and onl? contained the
Lilt of sticks, bark, and a few feathe^^^^ ^^ ,^
three eggs, which, on sight, pnwed to ^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^
Hawk. The eggs are a trifle sma^^^^^^ ^^ ^eing somewhat
Winged Hawk, and are of a hght ^^^ ^ ^^'^^ ^^^ ^ays.
soiled. Incubation T;^.\^^^; ^^fans common in these parts, as
. • ^^fhe' fiirautLntic'recoTd w: have of it nesting about the
^S:nd^^^S|ldu^-P^^^^ ,3, .03.
C^
THE OTTAWA NATURALIST
VOL. XXII. OTTAWA, AUGUST, 1908 No 5.
LYMN.^A UMBILICATA C. B. ADAMS IN CAxNADA.
By Bryant Walker.
The history of this species has been an unfortunate one.
It was originally described in 1840 from specimens collected at
New Bedford, Mass. Gould in 1841 (Invert. Mass. p. 218)
recognized it as a vaHd species. But Haldeman in 1842 (Mono-
graph, p. 34) referred it to L. caperaia Say. In this he was
followed by W. G. Binney (L. & F. W\ Shelis'Pt. II, p. 56, 1865)
and all subsequent writers with one exception. Dr Pilsbrv
in 1891 (Proc. A.N.S.P. 1891, p. 320) stated that umbilicata
was synonymous with L. cubensis Pfr., and "perfectly dis-
tinct" from both L. caperaia Say and L. humilis Say. " That
this opinion is correct, I have recently had the opportunity
of verifying from an inspection of one of Adams' original speci-
niens now in the Museum of Middlebury College, Vt. (Naut.
XXII, p. 7, 1908). The only Canadian citation for this species
that I know of, and for this I am indebted to Dr. J. F. White-
aves, is by D'Urban in 1860 (Can. Nat. VI. p. 97), who quotes
it from near the village of Grenville in the County of Ottawa.
"D'Urban was more of an entomologist than a'conchologist
and he expressly states that Dr. Isaac Lea named most of his
fresh water gastropods" (Whiteaves). As he does not cite
L. caperaia in his list, in the absence of his actual specimens
it is impossible to say whether the identification was correct
or not. Dr. Dall in his recent report on Alaskan Mollusks
(Harr. Exp. XIII p. 79) includes umbilicaia in the synonymy
oi caperaia but expresses "strong doubts as to the validity of
this species (caperaia) which may prove entirely heterogeneous."
But he does not attempt to differentiate the 'two forms. Nor
does he state whether the local references cited from the litera-
ture refer wholly to caperaia or not. Apparently no Canadian
specimens of either form had been examined by him. In 1880
Mr. G. C. Heron (Trans. Ott. Field-Nat. Club No. 1, p 39)
90
The Ottawa Naturalist.
[August
published a "List of the Shells found about Ottawa" in which
he cited L. humilis Say and L. caperata Say but not L. umbili-
cata. Shortly after this he sent to me a set of the Ottawa
"humilis. "
In revising my LymncBidce recently, I found tliat these
shells were not humilis but were utnbilicata. A similar discovery
in regard to several lots of " humilis " from Maine
and its recognition from one locality in Michigan, would indicate
a probable range for this form from New England westward to
Michigan and northward into the St. Lawrence Vallev. Its
occurrence in Canada is definitely determined by Mr. Heron's
specimens.
In view of the confusion which has existed in regard to
these three species L. umbilicata, caperata and humilis, it would
seem worth while to call attention to their differences, so that
Canadian collectors may more readily distinguish them.
Fig. 1.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 3.
L. humilis Say. Clinton River, Macomb Co., Mich.,
Alt. 10, diam. SI mm.
L. caperata Say. Hammond. Ind.
Alt. 12^, diam. 6 mm.
L. umbilicata C. B. Ads.
Alt. 9, diam. 5 mm.
Ottawa, Ontario.
As shown by the figures, the three species differ radically in
shape and considerably in size. The surface sculpture is also
quite different.
Caperata is uniformly larger than the others and is well
characterized by the elevated and revolving lines which are
verv conspicuous in young shells and more or less persistent
in maturity and, when present, give the surface a velvety
appearance.
Humilis is so different in shape from the others that it seems
strange that any confusion should have occurred. It never has the
thickened lip so common in both of the other species and its
1908J Lymn^a umbilicata C. B. Adams ix Canada. ^.l
sculpture of rather fine, but irregular growth lines, with no
trace of either raised or incised spiral lines is also characteristic.
The specimen figured is the usual northern form which is ap-
parently not typical and barely, if at all, distinguishable from
the L. modicella of Say.
Umbilicata is about the size of humilis but in shape is
nearer to caper ata. It is more ventricose than that species
and has one less whorl. In full matured specimens, the lip
is thickened by a callous deposit, which is more or less tinged
with pink. The columella is without a fold and is broadlv re-
flected over the conspicuous umbilicus. The surface is apparent-
ly smooth and polished, but under the glass shows usually on the
body-whorl some traces of the revolving, incised spiral lines
mentioned by Adams and, on the apical whorls, a light, but
characteristic longitudinal, sculpture.
As stated elsewhere ('Naut. 1. c.) L. umhilicaia seems to
be a northern variety of L cubensis Pfr. characterised bv its
more globose shape, more obtuse apex and usually shorter spire
and the thickened lip. The additional material that has come
under observation since that view was expressed has ser\^ed to
confirm the opinion and therefore, this form should be properlv
designated as L cubensis ttmbilicata C. B. Ads.
COUNCIL MEETING.
A meeting of the Council of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists'
Club was held on June 2nd in the Carnegie Librarv. The
following members were in attendance: The President. "Sir.
A. E. Attwood; Messrs. A. Halkett, A. Gibson, C. H. Young,
J. M. Macoun, E. E. Lemieux, A. McNeil, L. H. Newm.an and
T. E. Clarke; Miss Q. Jackson and Miss E. E. Currie.
The following were elected ordinary members: Dr. E. M.
Walker, B.A., M.B., 99 St. George St., Toronto; Mr. T. A. Brown,
Normal School, Ottawa; Mr. A. E. Mel drum, Percv St. School,
Ottawa; Mr. E. C. Wight, 34 Gilmour St., Ottawa.'
Some changes were made in the programme of excursions,
and a discussion took place on Dr. White's proposed combined
lecture course, in order that the Club's representati\'es might
present the views of the Council at the meeting of the joint com-
mittee to be composed of representatives from different societies
in Ottawa giving courses of lectures throughout the winter.
T-. E. C.
92 The Ottawa Naturalist. [August
EXCURSIONS.
The sub-excursion of the Club to Beaver Meadow on May
16th under the direction of Vice-President Halkett proved a
dec ded success and although the attendance was not as large
as mic^ht have been expected, this did not aftect the enthusiasm
of tTio^se present. With the object of seeing and learning about
nature evervone was keenly on the alert for any natural object
from the tiniest insect to the largest fossilized rock
\fter a dehghtful walk through the woods on the banks of
the west side of the meadow, the different groups with their
adeT: assembled on a beautiful piece of t-f near the A^dr^^^^
Road where short addresses were given about the different
obiects seen or collected during the afternoon.
Mr N Criddle being first called upon, expressed his pleasure
at having the opportunitv of meeting the members m the held
and in the absence of the leaders of the Ornithological
Branch undertook to make a few remarks upon some of the birds
observed Special mention was made of the Baltimore Oriole,
White-crowned Sparrow, Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Oven-bird,
Cat-bird Brown Creeper, and Wilson's Thrush.
Mr 't E Clark followed and described in general terms
the characteristic flora of the places visited, and identified with
brief running comments the different species collected.
The plants in full flower were, Hepatica tnhola and H acu-
tiloha Trillium erectum and T. grandiflorum, Dog s-tooth Violet
B shop's Cap, Wild Ginger, Blue Gohosh,Indian Turnip and a few
others Some plants coflected in bud only, were the Sma Her Bell-
° or/ TwLTed'^Stalk, Small Soloman's Seal and Wild Columbine.
Dr Blackader drew attention to some of the features
that made Beaver Meadow the most beautiful locahtv from a
Naturalist's point of view in the Ottawa district. He also ga^ e a
practical talk on the tvpical trees of the locality, many species
Sf wluch could be seen from the place where the excursionists
had assembled. ^, , . ■ ^ a
Across the road in the little cemeterv Dr. Blackader pointed
out all the local species of elm— the American, or \\hite, the
Cork or Rock, and the Red, or Slippery.
Mr Lemieux described in an interesting manner the things
he had met with and exhibited a little red Salamander. Speak-
ina to the vounger people present he advocated the advantage
of making notes on the different things discussed, therebv gaining
valuable information and interesting reading for the ^Mnter
months.
1908] Excursions. 93
Mr.Halkett followed, speaking of the food of the Salamander,
caught by Mr. Lemieux, and showed some land shells which it
eats. He also spoke of some spiders' capsules, remarking that
at the excursion held at Beechwood two weeks previously, such
capsules held the eggs of spiders, but that now the young spiders
had hatched out. One capsule was found to contain hymenop-
terous parasites.
Air. Wilson described how the party under he and Mr. E.
Wilson had examined the rocks as exposed along the west side
of Beaver Meadow. The party went into a quarry where many
interesting geological facts were noted. Attention was called
to the dip of the beds Vv'hich is clearly shown at the quarry,
and the use made of the dip and strike in working out the geology
of a country was also explained. The quarry is in the lower
Trenton and" probably near the junction of that formation with
the Black River.
The following fossils collected during the afternoon have
since been detemiined by Dr. Ami. Pachydictya acuta, Orthis
plicatella, Strophomena incurvata, Rhynchotrema iiKsqmvalvis
Asaphiis sp., Illmtus sp., several Montictiliporidce. Prasopora
Selwyni, Batostoma sp., and other branching forms.
After a few concluding words from Mr. Halkett, the party
broke up, all well pleased with their outing.
N. C.
The sub-excursion on the afternoon of Saturday the 23rd
of May was held at Ironsides, and those who attended spent an
enjoyable time roaming the woods in search of insects and flowers,
or in observing the general phenomena of nature, and the geo-
logical character of the locality.
The following interesting notes, bearing on the geological
features of the district, are by Mr. W. J. Wilson:
" Ironsides is situated on a clay terrace about 182 feet above
sea level. Chelsea .Station is on a similar terrace or old sea
beach and is 365 feet above the same datum, so that in less than
three miles there is a rise of 183 feet. Nearly forty years ago this
slope was fire swept and the forest completely destroyed; then
the soil, bare and unprotected, suffered most severe and rapid
denudation. Wherever there were watercourses, however small,
deep gullies were cut into the clays and much material was
(^arried to lower levels. In a short time after the fire deciduous
trees began to spring up and a fierce battle raged for some years
between the forest and the eroding agencies. Gradually the
3^oung trees forced their roots deeper into the soil and steadily
gained a firm hold till now they have the complete mastery
94
The Ottawa Naturalist. [August
Erosion has largely stopped, the trees are becoming large and
shady, and the decaying leaves and plants are forming humus
which is constantly enriching the soil.
Good exposures of Leda clay and Saxicava sand are seen
in the railway cuttings, and along the banks of the Gatmeau
river Onlv one exposure of solid rock was noted near Ironsides.
This 'occurs on the west bank of the Gatineau river just below
Wright's Bridge, and is a rather fine grained Potsdam sand-
stone. On account of the clay covering, onlv a small surface
is exposed The part seen is evidently some distance above the
base of the formation which is usually a conglomerate. ihis
sandstone is the same as that used in the construction of the
Parliament buildings, and also in the new Victoria Museum. Ihe
sandstone used in these buildings came from a quarry on lot 6,
Concession IT, Nepean Broken Front, where there is a consider-
able area of this rock. Blocks from the same quarry are used
for paving parts of the streets of Ottawa.''
\t the addresses, which were delivered from a beautiful in-
clined slope Dr E. H. Blackader spoke on the plants,Mr.Norman
Griddle on the birds, and Mr. Arthur Gibson on the insects.
The following description of the plants observed or collected
is supplied in manuscript by Dr. Blackader, and in effect embodies
what he said about them:—
"There is a tiny plant with very beautiful purple coloured
flowers which was known to grow in this locality many years
aao It is a plant which has a fairlv wide distribution, but yet
rather limited to special locahties. One may scour all the other
localities in the neighborhood of Ottawa, that we are ^ the habit
of visiting in our Saturdav afternoon outings, and yet not hnd
this plant. It was feared that it had become exterminated
from this localitv also, but this afternoon we have found that
it is fairly abundant. It belongs to the Milkwort family and is
known botanicallv as Polygala paucijoha. The Flowering Wm-
tergreen seems 'to me to describe it very well m popular
language; the other name, Fringed Polygala, is considered
more scientificallv appropriate. • t . i a
The Lilv familv is well represented m this neighborhood
We have found the large Bell wort, Uvularia grandtjlora and
its poor neighbor, the little pale-coloured Smaller Bellwort,
Oakesia sessilifolia. Besides these we have seen the Rosy i wisted-
Stalk, the Clintonia, the Indian Cucumber-root and several
other representatives of this family, some of which are going to
seed, and some scarcely opened into flower. ^. a-
Two specimens of the Orchis family have been gathered,
the Showy Orchis and the Early Coral-Root, which is rather m-
conspicuous and retiring in its habits.
1908] Excursions. 95
Among the ferns gathered are the Christmas fern which
is just opening out its pale green bristly fronds; the Marginal
shield-fern; the delicate Beech-fern, and the graceful three-divided
Oak-fern.
The Maples are represented by two species which never
become trees, and are not seen in the city. They prefer the moist
shady hillsides near streams. These are the Moosewood, Acer
peiiusylvaiiiciDn, which has a very large leaf for our woods,
and drooping greenish racemes; and the Mountain Maple, .4.
spicaiion, which has upright racemes while in flower, but they
become drooping in fruit."
Following, Mr. Criddle spoke on the birds observed, which
included the Black-billed Cuckoo, pointing out that this species
is chiefly distinguishable from the Yellow-billed Cuckoo, both
of which are found in Eastern Canada, by the colour of the bill,
as their names imply; and that both build nests and rear their
voung, thus differing from the Old World species which lay their
eggs in the nests of other birds*; the Rub3'-throated Humming-
bird ; the Phoebe , whose plaintive cr}^ was heard ; the Rose-breasted
Grosbeak, mentioning that the male bird is of a brilliant black
and white with a rose coloured breast, whilst the female is dull
coloured and is therefore protected as she sits on her nest
unseen by enemies; the Reel-eyed Vireo; the Black-and-White
Warbler; the Yellow Warbler; the Oven-bird, commenting on
♦Whilst it is true, as Mr. Criddle says, that our two species of Cuckoo
build nests and rear their young, still there are cases on record where they
have followed the habit of their congener, the European Cuckoo, Cuculus
canorits, and our own Cow-bird, Molothrns ater, by laying their eggs in
the nests of other birds; such as in those of the robin, cat-bird, mourning-
dove, and others. Futherniore, the black-billed cuckoo sometimes lays
eggs in the nest of the vellow-billed cuckoo and vice versa. There
seems indeed to be an erratic trait in the whole group of the cuckoos
which number some two hundred species of wide distribution, in the
manner of their doinestic proclivities. The nests of sonie are
rudely built, whilst others are of slender structure; and a nest may con-
tain at the same time eggs in various stages of incubation and hatched
out 3'oung ones. Owing to such irregular oviposition, it may not be
wondered at that the instinct of the bird might lead her sometimes to
drop an egg in the nest of some other bird, as by so doing a purpose m.ay
be served to the young bird in being reared in a nest where the depositing
of the full complement of eggs is attended by the regularity usual among
birds. An interesting instance of the domestic deviations of the cuck-
oos is that of the Ani, Crotophaga ani, a bird of South America and the
West Indies. It is said that a number of those birds form a community
among themselves and construct a huge nest in which the females in com-
mon lay their eggs, which number as inany as fourteen or more. .-Alto-
gether the cuckoos as a group appear to be very erratic and eccentric in
their manners of nest-building or non-nest-building, as well as in their
habits of depositing their eggs, or in attending to the wants of their young.
96
The Ottawa Naturalist.
[August
its curious mouse-like shaped nest, and mentioning that although
this nest is difficult to find yet it was often discovered by the
female cow-bird, and used as a means for the rearing of her
young at the expense of the rightful tenants; the Redstart;
the Wood Thrush, and Wilson's Thrush.
In speaking of the insects, Mr. Gibson mentioned the in-
terest now taken in Mosquitoes owing to the important part
they play in the spread of malaria, 37ellow fever, and other
diseases. He spoke of some of the early butterflies, which had
been noticed for the first time, namely, the Large Yellow Tiger
Swallow-Tail ; the Clouded Sulphur; the Northern Dusky-Wing,
and the Spring-blue. Bumble-bees, he also said, were particu-
larly abundant, remarking that in the spring of 1907 there were
very few specimens on account of the severe open winter of
1906-7, which killed them. Bumble-bees are very valuable in-
sects on account of the good work they do in fertilizing red
clover. He showed specimens of the cocoons of the Hickory
Halisidota Tussock-Moth. These insects were enormously abun-
dant in August and September of last year, and much anxiety
was caused in Eastern Canada by the caterpillars attacking fruit
and other trees. Other insects collected during the afternoon
were exhibited by Mr. Gibson, and questions were answered in
regard to them.
An interesting find of the afternoon was a specimen of the
Grass Snake, a species which is not over common in the vicinity
of Ottawa. A. H.
BIRD MIGRATION, 1907.
OBSERVATIONS MADE ON SABLE ISLAND, NOVA SCOTIA.
BY JAMES BOUTEILLER.
NAME OF SPECIES. AVHEN FIRST
SEEN
Redpoll Jan. 20. . .
Nuthatch " 20...
Saw-whet Owl Feb. 21...
American Robin March 1 . . .
American Crow ,
vSlate-coloured Junco April
White-throated Sparrow
Canada Goose
AmerJ-^an Robins
Belted Kingfisher
Fox Sparrow
Terns
Greater Yellowlegs
NUMBER
SEEN
One.
24 "
1 Sever'i.l.
1
S Two.
1 L Several.
14 One.
14 Several.
26 A few.
28 One.
-m
1908J
Bird Migration, 1907.
97
Night-hawk May
Piping Plover
Crow
Swallow
Red Phalerope "
Northern Phalerope "
Least Bittern
Roseate Tern
White Crowned Sparrow
Pine Warbler
Least Semipalmated Sandpiper. . . "
Curlew June
Kingbird Jul v
Squa Gulls
White Rumped vSandpiper
Yellowleg "
Black-bellied Plover Aug.
Rail : . . "
Pectoral Sandpiper Sept.
Connecticut Warbler
American Pipit "
Canada Goose
American Osprey "
White Throated' Sparrow "
Mourning Dove "
Black Throated Blue Warbler "
Black and White Warbler "
Bron/.e Grackle
Yellow Palm Warbler Oct.
House Sparrow
Fox Sparrow "
House Wren "
Slate Coloured Junco "
Golden Crested Wren
Red Throated Loon "
Vesper Sparrow ._
American Robin
White Throated Sparrow "
Hermit Thrush "
Yellow-billed Cuckoo "
American Bittern
Snow Bunting
Hermit Thrush Nov.
Nuthatch "
Scaup Duck "
Long-tailed Duck "
Northern Shrike "
1 One
7 "
12 Three
12 One.
13 In flocks.
13 One.
13 "
16 "
13 "
16 "
19 Three.
10 One.
9 ■'
IS Several.
28 About 50
30 One.
12 Two.
14 One.
7 "
IS "
18 About 2 dz.
IS About 1 dz .
26 One.
26 "
26 "
28 "
28 "
29 Two.
3 In numbers
6 One.
15 Two.
17 One.
17 "
IS Two.
19 One.
21 "
24 In numbrs.
24 In numbrs.
24 A few^
26 One.
27 "
2 7 In numbrs.
1 Several.
1 Several.
1 Several.
1 About 50.
16 One.
98 The Ottawa Naturalist. [August
ENTOMOLOGICAL NOTES FROM CENTRAL NEW
BRUNSWICK.
By Wm. H. Mooke, Scotch Lake, N.B.
The following notes were jotted down during the seasons of
1901 and 1907.
April 4th, a species of Grapta, probably faunus, was observed
on the house.
April 1 1th, two Vanessa antiopa, one V. milhertii.
April 12th, Grapta j. -album: Graptas were common.
April 18th, one V. milbertii. Very few examples of this
species are seen here.
May 6th, LyccBna marginata, common by 9th.
May 14th, Pieris napi, rather rare here now.
May 21st, Thecla augustus, very scarce here.
May 23rd, Papilio turnus; last seen July 19th.
May 24th, P. asterias. Full grown larvae were found on
carraway July 12th. Very small larva; were noticed on carrots
July 26th. A full grown larva taken July 26th was sluggish
the next day and pupated on 28th. The chrysalis was a beauti-
ful shade of light green with the protuberances on the back
yellow. On August 8th the colour was decidedly darker and
before noon a male butterfly emicrged.
August 6th, a caterpillar of P. asterias was found hung up
in a crevice of a barn; the following day it had changed to a
chrysalis, which was much darker in colour than the first one
mentioned.
Many imagoes oi P. asterias were seen from August 4th to 8th,
changing to chrysalis form. A period of thirteen days elapsed
from full grown larva to imago; but some individuals winter
in the chrysalis stage. A female when laying her eggs hovers
over a leaf and with curved abdomen places the egg upon the
under side of the leaf.
May 26th, Pieris napi and P. rapes and Papilio ttirnus seen.
June 4th, Thanaos icelus.
June 5th, Brenthis myrina first seen. P. turnus and Pieris
rapce very plentiful.
June 11th, Lyccena lucia, Phyciodes tharos, Eudamus pylades
and Thorybes hobomok.
June 15th, Chrysophanus hypophlceas, Basilarchia disippus.
June 13th, Anosia plexippns taken on choke-cherry bloom,
another seen the next day. One secured August 8th was newly
hatched. August 16th, a chrysalis of this species was found
1908] Entomoligical Notes from Central N. B. 99
hanging in grass near some milkweeds. August 28th, a full-
grown larva was secured.
June 16th, Basilarchia arthemis first seen, became plentiful
but by July 16th was about over. On September 10th, a remark-
ably late date, the last one of the season was seen.
June 26th, Argynnis atlaniis, abundant.
June 27th, Pyrameis caniui, a very rare butterfly here.
Phyciodes marcia, Thanaos icelus, Eudanms pylades, and Colias
interior, and some unidentified skippers are noticed.
Julv 10th, Satyrodes canthus and Satyrus alope are added
to the list.
Julv 18th, a very rare species is added, it being Thecla
acadica. Only two examples of this species have been seen
here before.
August 7th, Feniseca tarquiniiis. first found, but in May
and Jime, 1907, they were abundant.
August 22nd, Basilarchia hulstii was taken. This is the
onlv example of this species ever seen here. It differs from
disippiis in having white spots on the hind wings.
Two specimens of Dehis porilandia have been caught in this
section. Grapta progne and G. gracilis have also been taken.
MelitCBa harrisii was secured July 16th, 1907.
July 24th, 1906, w^hile watching skaters on a brook, one
was observed to leap upon a small green bug commonly known
as a spit grass-hopper or frog-hopper. The bug was drawn
beneath the body of the skater, which evidently began to suck
its juices. The current was carrying the skater down stream
so it began moving toward a tuft of grass, upon a blade of which
it obtained a resting place. In the meantime other skaters
had scented the bug and were circling about the captor evidently
in search of some slight repast. A couple of weeks later Mrs.
Moore was near the brook at this same place and heard a buzzing
among some grass and brush. Investigation proved the
sound to be produced by a very large dragon-fly that was en-
gaged in mortal combat with a large hornet. The hornet was
frightened away from its antagonist yet it did not go far away,
and within a minute returned to the, fray. All the while the
dragon-fly kept up its buzzing, evidently to frighten its enemy.
The hornet was not to be cowed by a noise, and again attacked
the dragon-fly, worrying it from the under side , apparently try-
ing to cut off its legs. It had succeeded in amputating one leg
when the fight was stopped and the dragon-fly secured as it
was of a species not in our collection. Had the hornet suc-
ceeded in its endeavors it would have been master of the situa-
tion, as it is with its legs the dragon-fly embraces its prey, while
it bites it.
100 The Ottawa Naturalist. [August
While taking a half-mile walk, one Sunday afternoon in Aug-
ust, along a road bordered with alders, and leading through a
swamp, numbers of reddish dragon-flies were seen. Two pairs
were secured, the males were cardinal, with chocolate coloured
heads and black side markings upon each segment of the body.
The females had greenish faces. One was light-brown with
blackish markings, while the other was red and black, yet not so
bright red as the males. When caught both females voided
eggs which were transparent, round, and of a yellowish shade.
Several species of damsel and dragon-flies are found along
the afore-mentioned brook and road. They are coloured in differ-
ent shades of grey, blue, green, yellow, red, white and black.
BOTANICAL BRANCH.
On the evening of May 7th, a regular meeting of the Botani-
cal Branch was held at the home of Mr. Geo. H. Clark, Seed
Commissioner, Ottawa. There was a large attendance and a
most interesting discussion took place upon the following
topics : —
(1) Process of making w-ater colour drawings — by Norman
Criddle.
(2) Group and family characteristics of seeds and their
import in the identification of plants — by W. Bond, Seed Branch,
Ottawa.
(3) Conditions unfavorable to the resumption of growth by
the dormant embryo — by G. H. Clark, B.S.A., Seed Com-
missioner, Ottawa.
Mr. Norman Criddle, Aweme, Man., who has done such
excellent work in preparing tlie illustrations for the book on
"Farm Weeds" recently published by the Seed Branch of the
Department of Agriculture, outlined his methods of procedure
in the production of his paintings. Mr. Criddle explained that
whatever measure of success he had enjoyed was due to the early
encouragement he had received. This explanation, how^ever,
was not considered sufficient in itself to account for the marked
ability shown by the artist. It was discovered later that Mr.
Criddle showed special talents in this direction when a mere
child. The ability to reproduce exactly what one sees in the
minutest detail, is a rare gift and one possessed by Mr. Criddle
to a high degree.
Mr. Bond, Assistant in the Seed Laboratory, described the
methods followed by the Seed Branch in identifying weed
seeds. The speaker explained the difficulty that was met
1908] Botanical Branch. 101
with owing to the absence of any definite method of classification
similar to that relied upon when the flower is available for identi-
fication purposes. While this fact necessitated the use of a
large reference collection of correctly named seeds taken from
authentic samples, yet many families of plants were found to
produce seeds of a certain type common to the family to which
they belong and which were therefore easily placed in the proper
family. As instances of this, the characteristics of the seeds
of the following families were submitted: —
Ranunculaceae. (Crowfoot Family).
Genera having achenes. Achenes flat, irregularly oval in
shape with pointed base. Persistent style of varying length,
attached.
Papaveraceae. (Poppy Familv).
Seeds kidney shaped with raised reticulated surfaces.
Seeds of several genera crested.
Cruciferae. (Mustard Family).
Seeds generally with depression along each side of the
radicle causing it to project prominently. Hilum white. Acrid
taste. Pericarp often finely pitted.
Caryophyllaceae. (Pink Familv).
Seeds kidney shaped with characteristic tubercles or warts
generally arranged in parallel rows or concentric rings.
Malvaceae. (Mallow Family).
Seeds kidney shaped, resting sides flattened or compressed.
Legumixosae. (Pulse Family).
Seeds with hard pericarp. In manv genera the radicle
projects prominently; others are globular with a long character-
istic hilum.
Umbelliferae. (Parsley Family).
Carpels usually with five prominent ribs, ventral surface
flattened. I\Iany produce aromatic odour from essential oil.
Compositae. (Composite Family).
Achenes oblong and stick-like, often having ribs running
longitudinally. When the pappus is detached a conspicuous
crown or impression remains.
Labiatae. (Mint Family).
Achenes mostly attached at the base, leaving characteristic
depressions. Many genera show two flattened sides through
pressure in ovary. Somewhat resemble small insects.
Plantaginaceae. (Plaintain Family).
Seeds boat-shaped with rounded ends. Dorsal surface
convex, ventral showing a deep groove with an oblong spot
resembling an eye.
Polygonaceae. (Buckwheat Family).
Achenes usually sharply triangular, an occasional genus
102 The Ottawa Naturalist. . [August
lenticular with pointed end. Generally highly glazed.
Gramineae. (Grass Family).
Grain or caryopsis has small embryo placed at the base
of the grain. Wheat grain is typical of the grain of manv
genera with palets removed. Some genera have highly glazed
palets closely adhering to the caryopsis.
From the above it will be seen that the seeds of some families
at least have certain characters peculiar to them which aid
materially in their identification.
The identification of the species is a much more difficult
matter and generally speaking requires long experience in order
to become at all proficient in this connection. In the species of
the genus Brassica for instance, it was pointed out that it is neces-
sary to plant the seed of dotibtful samples and produce the first
foliage leaves at legist in order to be sure of their identity.
Within recent years that part of the study of botany which has
to do with the seed has been largelv overlooked although a most
interesting field of work is offered in this connection.
Mr. G. H. Clark next presented the following paper: —
Conditions Unfavorable to the Resumption of Growth
BY THE Dormant Embryo in Seeds.
True germination in seed producing plants takes place
when the oospore germinates after fertilization within the
ovule has been secured, which process of fertilization produces
the oospore. The succeeding generation then commences in
the development of the embryo, which, when ready to separate
itself from the mother plant, is surrounded by, attached to, or
contains within its cells a supply of nutriment necessary to its
further growth. The seed is then said to be ripe, and the
embryo plant ma}' then be said to be ready to enter upon a
period of rest. It is well known that with many kinds of seeds
a rest period is enforced, which mav be taken as one
of nature's methods of providing for the perpetration of the
species. Experiments conducted in the seed laboratory with
many kinds of cultivated plants and with weed seeds make clear
that this preservation of life, or delayed germination, varies
considerablv, even with fully ripened seeds taken from the same
plant.
Conditions that arc unfavorable to germination.
(a). Maturity of embryo. Although the seed may be said
to be ripe when it has naturally separated itself from the mother
plant, the embryo is not necessarily fully matured in the ap-
parently ripe seed until such time as it may be able to commence
with the process of secreting enzymes, which are necessary to
the digestion of the food stored bv it for the purpose of its nutri-
1908] Botanical Branch. 103
ment when growth is resumed. It is stated or suggested by
some botanists of repute that this so-called non-maturity of the
embryo in sound and apparently ripe seeds is the cause of de-
layed germination of most seeds that seem to require a rest
period. Some recent work by Crocker, however, would seem to
disprove this theory with many, but not all, kinds of seeds.
The hawthorn, for instance, will germinate very sparingly
during the first two years, even though ideal conditions for growth
be provided, by artificial or other means.
(b). Water content. The ideal condition for preserving
life and vital energy within the embryo of most seeds is storage
in a relatively cool, dry place. Even under the best conditions
of storage, seeds gradually part with their moisture content.
The rapidity wath which this takes place is believed to be due
largely to the condition of the seed coat. If the seed coat be
such as to hermetically seal the embryo with its food supply,
then life is preserved, under proper conditions of storage, for
a longer period.
Germination of the seed or resumption of growth on the
part of the embryo can not take place unless the embryo is able
to secure a sufficient supply of water, even though the embryo
may be fully matured and ready to commence growth. Crocker
found that in most kinds of seeds, such as are to be found among
the cruciferae, borraginaceae, the plantains, the iris, and many
species of water plants, that the embryo and its store of food
was so completelv sealed in a seed coat, impervious to water,
that germination could not take place. He conducted extensive
experiments wilr £eed^ of various kinds of plants by germinating
them at dift'erent temperatures, with some of which seeds he
artificially striated, or clipped the seed-coat, in a way not to
injure the embryo, and compared the germination with seeds of
the same kind on which the seed coat remained intact. With
very few exceptions he found that the artificial clipping of
freshly-ripened seeds (by which process of clipping he enabled
the water to reach the embryo) induced prompt growth,
whereas those with seed coats not clipped failed to germinate
or germinated very sparingly; further, that the various kinds of
seeds differ in respect to the temperature best suited to the re-
resumption of rapid growth on the part of the embryo. It
was found that w'ith some of the seeds that were not entirely
impervious to water but in which inhibition took place slowly,
that the embryo swelled and filled the cavity occupied by it,
and yet growth did not commence. As soon, however, as the
"plug", or that small portion of the seed coat of some species
of seeds (iris) which is contiguous to the embryo, was removed,
artificial growth at once commenced. Crocker's work entirely
104 The Ottawa Naturalist [August
bears out the result of tests conducted in our seed laboratory
with fresh seeds of cucurbits, radish and other cruciferous
seeds and such kinds as are known to have a relatively hard
seed coat , as clover seeds and others. Samples of red clover
and alsike seeds that are sent in for test in the fall of the year,
directly after they are harvested, are expected as a
rule to give a low percentage of germination and a high percent-
age of seeds that remain sound and hard. Ordinary storage
for a period of six months apparently breaks down the natural
condition of the seedcoat of clover seeds which renders them
difficultly pervious to water. One sample of red clover seed,
produced in the province of Manitoba, when submitted to the
usual germination test, showed only 17% of growth during the
first month and less than 50% at the end of three months.
From the original sample 50 grains were taken and artificially
clipped (without injuring the embryo,) in order to secure the
admission of water. From these 50 seeds made pervious to
water by artificial means, 50 plants were promptly produced,
when submitted to the ordinary methods of germination.
The question of how this difficulty may be over-
come with commercial seeds has apparently occupied the at-
tention of expert seedsmen and brewers. It is well known that
these freshlv ripened seeds are entirely satisfactory in respect
to their germination after they have had a rest period of six
months or a vear. Radish seeds, for instance, are known to be
more satisfactory, from the seedsman's standpoint, when they
are fully one year old. It is known that some skilled seedsmen
are able, within a few hours, by treating their supplies of cruci-
ferous seeds (and other seeds which, when fresh, show delaved
germination) to secure as satisfactory results as by keeping them
over in storage for a year ; and it is believed to be a quite common
practice on the part of some seedsmen to kiln dry their fresh
stocks of such seeds for a few hours, at a temperature that is
not dangerous to their vitality. That is done also by brewers
with some lots of barley of mixed varieties, for the purpose of
reducing the barlev to a uniform rapidity of germination."
L. H. N.
Mr. Norman Criddle, who has been in Ottawa for the last
three months, left on the 5th August for his home at Aweme,
Man. Mr. Criddle has been a member of the Club for many
years, and during his stay he attended most of the spring ex-
cursions and did much to make them a success.
THE OTTAWA NATURALIST
VOL. XXII PLATE
§
3
^
16
12
13
15
CHAZY PELECYPODA
THE OTTAWA NATURALIST
VOL. XXII. OTTAWA, SEPTEMBER, 1908 No. 6.
NOTES ON THE PELECYPODA OR BIVALVE MOL-
LUSCA OF THE CHAZY FORMATION IN CANADA,
WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF ONE NEW GENUS
AND FOUR NEW SPECIES FROM THE
CHAZY SANDSTONE AT THE HOG'S
BACK, NEAR OTTAWA.
By J. F. White.wes.
All bivalve mollusca, whether fossil or recent, such as
clams, mussels, oysters, and the like, belong to a class for which
various names haA^e been proposed by systematists. Among
these names some of the best known are AWupa, Aristotle ;
Bivalvia, Linnaeus (1767); Acephala, Cuvier (1798); Lamelli-
branchiata, Blainville (1816); Conchifera, Lamarck (1818),
and Pelecypoda, Goldfuss (1821). For many years the name
Lamellibranchiata has been in use for this class, but Pelecypoda
is the one now preferred for it by some of the latest authorities,
on account of its uniformity with other molluscan class names,
such as Gasteropoda, Scaphopoda, and Cephalopoda.
The pelecypoda of the Chazy .formation in Canada have
not been studied at all exhaustively, and not many of the
species that occur therein have been either determined or
described.
In the late Mr. E. Billings' excellent paper on the "Fossils
of the Chazy Limestone," which was published in the "Canadian
Naturalist and Geologist" for December, 1859, about tw^o pages
are devoted to the consideration of the pelecypoda of that
formation, under the name lamellibranchiata. Fossils belonging
to this class, Mr. Billings writes, are "rare in the Chazy lime-
stone, yet the species appear to be somewhat numerous. I
think I can make out 17 species belonging to Ctenodonta, Cyrto-
doita, Vauuxemia, Modiolopsis, and probably two or three
other genera. As the specimens consist mostly of casts, they
106 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Sept.
must remain un described until better can be procured." He
then proceeds to identify some specimens from the Canadian
Chazy with Ctenodonta nasuta (Hall), and to describe three
new species, under the names Modiolopsis parviuscula. Cyrto-
donta breviuscida, and Vantixemia Montrealensis, but figures
only the latter. In regard to these four species the following
notes are submitted.
Ctenodonta nasuta (Hall).
Mr. Billings says that this species "occurs in the Chazy
sandstone at Lac Aurau River above the River Rouge, and
also at the Mingan Islands in the Chazy limestone." The
writer has not seen any specimens of it from the first of
these localities, which should read — at Lac Oureau River,
above the Riviere Rouge, in Joliette Co. In the Museum
of the Geological Survey there are two casts of the interior
of the shell of specimens, labelled "Ctenodonta nasuta
(Hall, sp.), Mingan Islands, Logan and Richardson, 1856."
These are probably the specimens referred to on page 134
of the "Geology of Canada" (1863), which are said to be
from the "bay above Clear Water Point," which is on the
north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, opposite the
Mingan Islands.
Modiolopsis parviuscula, Billings (PI. Ill, figs, l and 2).
This species is very inadequately defined, and it has
not previously been figured. All that is said of it by Mr.
Billings is that it "closely resembles M. modiolaris (Conrad);
but is always less than half the size of that species. It
occurs in the Chazy limestone at Montreal, near Cornwall,
at the Mingan Islands, on the Islands at Lake Huron, and
also at Punk Island, Lake Winnipeg." The only authenti-
cally named specimens of M. parviuscula that the writer
has seen are a single right valve from Cornwall (fig. 1),
collected by Mr. Billings; and four badly preserved casts
of the interior of single valves from Punk Island, collected
by Professor H. Youle Hind in 1858 (one of which is repre-
sented bv fig. 2). All of these are in the Museum of the
Geological Survey.
In regard to the comparative size of M. modiolaris
and M. parviuscula, the following measurements may be
of interest. The maximum length of the largest and most
perfect Canadian specimen of M. modiolaris in the Museum
of the Geological Survey is 68 mm. (or nearly 2| inches);
and that of another, in the same museum, is 61^ mm. (or
1908] Chazy Pelecypoda 107
nearly 2^ inches). The greatest length of the right valve
of M. parviiiscula from Cornwall (fig.l) is 24 mm. (or a
little less than an inch) ; and that of one of the largest valves
of a specimen of the same species from Punk Island (fig.
2) is about ii mm. (or an inch and a quarter).
M. parviiiscula is rather an inappropriate name for
the species for which it was proposed, as it is by no means
the smallest of the genus. In the Museum of the Survey
there are two specimens of M. faba (Conrad, 1842), from
the Black River limestone at Paquettes Rapids, that are
onlv 4 and 5 mm., respectively, in their maximum length.
Cyrtodonta breviuscula, Billings (PI. III. fig. 3).
The type and only known specimen of this species,
in the Museum of the Geological Survey of Canada, is the
left valve figured on Plate III. It is said to have been
collected b}^ Mr. Billings from the "Chazy sandstone three
miles east of the city of Ottawa, half a mile back from the
river."
Vanuxemia Montrealensis, Billings.
The types of this species, from the "Chazy limestone
on the Island of Montreal and near L'Orignal," were
collected b}' Sir W. E. Logan and Dr.R. Bell. In regard to
this species Mr. Billings writes, "I have placed it in the
genus Vanuxemia provisionally, but it may be necessar}^
hereafter to remove it to some other genus." Ulrich places
Vanuxemia in his family C yrtodontidoe , but it has long
seemed to the writer that V. Montrealensis, with its thin
test and compressed mytiloid form, is rather referable to
the Anthony chiidce . In 1903, Dr. H. M. Ami made an
interesting collection of fossils from the Chazy limestone
at Van Home Avenue, Montreal. Among these fossils
there are twenty-five or more that appear to be referable
to V. Montrealensis, though most of them are only imperfect
and badly preserved casts of the interior of single valves.
If these specimens are correctly identified with V. Mon-
trealensis, then, in the writer's judgment, that species must
belong to Ulrich's genus Clionychia, there being, apparently,
no bvssal opening as in Psilonychia.
In an Appendix to Dr. R. W. Ells' Report on the Geology
and Natural Resources of the Area included in the Map of the
City of Ottawa and vicinity, published in 1889, in the Annual
Report, New Series, Vol. XII, of the Geological Survey of
Canada, Dr. H. M. Ami records the occurrence of Vanuxemia
108
The Ottawa Naturalist. [Sept.
Montrealensts, Billings, in the Black River formation at the
Hog's Back- and of Ctenodonta (it should be Cyriodona) breviiis-
cula Billings; Ctenodonta, sp.; and Modtolopsis parvtuscula
Billings- in^he Chazv formation at the Hog's Back.
Lastly in a paper on the "Fauna of the Chazy limestone,
published' in the American Journal of Science for November,
1905 Mr Percy E. Ravmond describes 13 species of pelecypoda
from' the Chazv of the' State of New York, and Canada. Three
of these are from the neighbourhood of Ottawa, viz., Ctenodonta
parvidens, from the Hog's Back; and Whitella Canadensis,
and Modtolopsis Sowteri, from Aylmer. The types of these
three species are in the Yale University Museum at New Haven.
Connecticut. For the opportunity of examining these types
and those of Clionychia marginalis, Ambonydna {f)curvata, and
Modiolopsis jabcejormis, the writer is indebted to Mr. Raymond.
The pelecvpoda that are described or referred to on the
following pages, were collected by Mr. Walter R. Billings from
the Chazv sandstone and shale on the east side of the rapids
at the Hog's Back, in the township of Gloucester and county of
Carleton, principally in the years 1906 and 1907. They are
all mere casts of the interior of the shell, which rarely show
any clear indications of the hinge dentition, or well defined
imprints of the muscular scars. _
From the sandstone which,- Mr. Billings says, immediately
underlies the Birds eve limestone at this locality, there appear
to be about eight species of pelecvpoda in the collection, though
two of them are too imperfect for identification or description.
These pelecypoda are associated with Ungida Lyelli, Billmgs, a
Holopea, and casts of the interior of the shell of a species of
Spyroceras. . ^ , ,i • .i
From the immediately underlying shale there are.m the
collection specimens of Ctenodonta parvidens, Raymond, that
show imprints of some of the hinge teeth, and several casts that
may also be referable to that species, but which show no traces
of such imprints. These are associated with Ltngula Belli,
Billings. . , . . , ,• 11 a.-
The species of pelecvpoda m this interesting collection
may be provisionally described or determined as follows:—
A. From the Chazy sandstone at the Hog's Back.
Clionychia Ottawaensis, sp. nov.
Plate III, fig. 4.
Shell as indicated bv casts of the interior of single valves,
small strongly convex in the median region longitudinally;
narrowly, obliquely and acuminately subovate, or mytiloid.
1908] Chazy Pelf.cypoda 109
in its marginal outline, with nearly straight, prolonged and
terminal umbones; and about one-third longer than high.
Ventral margin gently convex behind the umbones; hinge
line straight and moderately elongated, forming an obtusely
subangular junction with the posterior margin, which is some-
what obliquely subtruncate above and narrowly rounded below;
umbones rather attenuate; beaks small, depressed, incurved.
Test unknown; surface of casts marked with concentric
lines of growth. Hinge dentition and muscular impressions
unknown.
Represented in the collection by eight casts of the interior
of single valves.
A much smaller and more convex species than C. marginalis ,
Raymond, and with more strongly curved beaks.
Clionychia (?) GiBBOSA, sp. nov.
Plate III, figs. 5 and 6.
Left valve, the only part of the shell known, tumid, strongly
convex and gibbous on the umbonal declivity, but flattened
obliquely on the anterior side; marginal outline varying from
rounded subpentagonal in one specimen (fig. 5) to obliquely
subovate in another (fig. 6).
Anterior margin truncated almost vertically above, and
curving abruptly and convexly backward into the narrow and
somewhat pointed base below (as in fig. 5); or narrowing
rather rapidly and uninterruptedly both inward and downward
from the umbo to the base (as in fig. 6). Posterior margin
either subtruncated rather obliquely, and nearly parallel with
the anterior margin above, and rounding into the base below
(as in fig. 5) ; or broadly convex (as in fig. 6) ; hinge line
straight and moderately elongated; umbo broad, obtuse and
terminal ; its under or inner surface flattened.
Test unknown; surface of the cast apparently concen-
trically striated. Hinge dentition and muscular impressions
unknown.
Represented in the collection by two imperfect and badly
preserved casts of the interior of two left valves. The outline
of the posterior margin of fig. 6 is a little restored. A peculiar
species, whose characters are as yet but very imperfectly
indicated.
110 The Ottawa Naturalist [Sept.
MoDioLOPSis fab^formis, Raymond.
Plate III, figs. 7, 8 and 9.
Modiolopsis fabczformis, Raymond. 1905. Amer. Journ. Sci., Fourth
Series, Vol. XX, p. 374.
A few specimens that are probably referable to this species,
though the dorsal margin of each is not quite so high posteriorly
as is that of a typical specimen of M . jabcejormis, a right valve
from Valcour Island, kindly lent to the writer by Mr. Raymond.
Three of the best of these specimens from the Hog's Back are
figured on Plate III. They may be described as follows: —
Shell very small, rather strongly convex, most prominent
and tumid on the posterior umbonal slopes, with a faint, wide,
shallow and oblique depression in front of them ; maximum
thickness through the closed valves nearly as great as their
maximum height; valves elongated, twice as long as high and
very inequilateral.
Anterior portion of the valves short, narrowly rounded at
its extremitv below; posterior portion thereof much longer
and a little higher and deeper than the anterior, its extremity
either obliquely subtruncate above and apparently bluntly
pointed below, as in figs. 7 and 9, or evenly rounded, as in
fig. 8. Ventral margin very shallowly, and in some cases (fig.
7) rather obliquely concave anteriorly, and gently and broadly
convex behind. Superior border descending rapidly and
obliquely in front of the beaks, nearly straight and horizontal
behind thein; valves highest and deepest at the posterior
termination of the hinge line, in consequence of the slight
convexity of the ventral margin posteriorly; umbones low,
obtuse; beaks small, depressed, incurved, and placed at a short
distance from the anterior end.
Test unknown ; surface of the cast marked with a few con-
centric lines of growth. Hinge dentition and muscular impres-
sions unknown,
The original of figure 7, on Plate III, is a cast of the interior
of both valves. The specimen represented by figure 8, on the
same plate, is a cast of the interior of a right valve, with a some-
what straighter ventral margin, and more regularly rounded
posterior extremity. In its size and marginal contour this
specimen closely resembles the Trenton fossil figured by Hall
as a "large and characteristic form" of Modiolopsis faba
(Conrad) on Plate 35, fig. 6 a, of the first volume of the Palaeon-
tology of the State of New York. The cast of the interior of
a right valve represented by fig. 9 on Plate III, is rather like
1908] ■ Chazy Pelrcypoda 111
Modiolopsis Nats, Billings, from the Black River limestone at
Paquettes Rapids, but is flatter and distinctly though shallowly
depressed in front of the posterior umbonal slope. It looks
as if it had been abnormally compressed.
The type specimen of M. fabcejormis is in }.ir. Raymond's
collection.
Orthodesma AXTiguu.M, sp. nov.
Plate III, fig. 10.
Shell somewhat compressed, most convex and prominent'
on the posterior umbonal slope of each valve; slender, elongated,
and nearly four times as long as high.
Anterior portion of the valves verv short and narrowly
rounded; posterior portion of the same more than five times
as long as the anterior, a little higher and deeper behind the
midlength than in front of it; superior border or dorsal margin
increasing slowly in height posteriori v, nearlv straight, but
slightly convex ; its inferior border or ventral margin also
nearly straight, but faintly concave; posterior extremity rrther
obliquely subtruncated, and apparently forming a subangular
and somewhat pointed junction with the ventral margin. Beaks
small, inconspicuous and appressed, placed at a short distance
from the anterior end.
Test unknown; surface of casts marked with concentric
lines of growth. In one specimen these growth lines are rather
numerous and closely disposed. Hinge dentition unknown;
muscular impressions indistinctly defined.
Five badly preserved and for the most part ver}- imperfect
casts of the interior of single valves.
This species occurs also in the Chazv sandstone at Aylmer,
where specimens have been quite recently collected bv Mr.
T. W. E. Sowter, associated with Whitella Canadensis. It
is provisionally referred to Orthodesma on account of its re-
semblance, in marginal outline, to certain well known species,
such as O. rectum. Hall and Whitfield, and O. suhnasntum
(Meek and Worthen). If it is an Orthodesma, it is the oldest
known species of that genus.
Vanuxemia pakvula, sp. nov.
Plate III, figs. 11 and 12.
Shell small for the genus, valves moderatelv con\-ex, broadly
subovate, or ovately subtrigonal, and very little longer than
high.
112 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Sept.
Anterior portion of each valve short, and comparatively
broadly rounded; posterior moiety of the same longer, mode-
rately produced, narrowing rapidly both above and below, and
bluntly pointed at its extremity; ventral margin forming a
longitudinally semiovate curve; superior border descending
rapidly in front of the beaks, and rather more gradually so behind
them; umbones broad and prominent; beaks incurved and
placed at a short distance from the anterior end.
Test unknown; surface of casts of the interior smooth.
Hinge dentition also unknown. Anterior muscular scar deeply
impressed and concentrically striated; posterior scar indistinctly
defined, apparently narrowly subovate and acutely pointed
above.
Three casts of the interior of single valves, two of which
are figured, and one cast of the two valves united.
SowTERiA, gen. nov.
Shell rather small, equivalve, moderately convex, some-
times tumid and always most prominent on the oblique posterior
umbonal slope; subtrapezoidal in marginal outline, a little
longer than high, and very inequilateral. Posterior area defined
by an abrupt inflection of each valve at and behind the sub-
angular umbonal declivity.
Test unknown; in casts of the interior the greater part of
the surface is marked by a few large concentric rib-like folds,
but the posterior area of both valves is nearly or quite smooth.
Hinge dentition and muscular impressions unknown.
Type and only known species of the genus, Whitella Cana-
densis, Raymond.
All the specimens of W. Canadensis that have yet been
collected show only the general shape of the shell and its coarser
surface markings. These, however, are so peculiar as to be
readily distinctive. The reference of these shells to the genus
Whitella can scarcely be regarded as satisfactory, and the
writer would prefer to regard them as more probably indicative
of a new generic type, whose precise affinities have yet to be
ascertained, and for which the name Soivteria is here provisionally
suggested.
SowTERiA Canadensis (Raymond).
Plate III, figs. 13, 14 and 15.
Whitella canadensis, Raymond. 1905. Amer. Journ. Sci., Fourth
Series, Vol. XX, p. 373.
The cotypes of this species are casts of the interior of two
detached left valves from the Chazy sandstone at Aylmer, Que.,
1908] Chazy Pel?:cypoda 113
collected by Mr. Sowter, and now in the museum of Yale Univer-
sity. At this locality numerous casts of right and left valves
have been collected' by Dr. H. M. Ami and by Mr. Sowter.
In Mr. BiUings' collection of fossils from the Hog's Back
there are eleven casts of the interior of single valves of 5. Cana-
densis. Most of these are imperfect and badly preserved, the
three specimens figured on Plate III being the most perfect but
bv no means the largest. In figure 14 on that plate the ventral
rnargin is a little restored. The generic definition of Sowteria
is largelv based upon these three figured specimens, and the
following description of some of their presumably specific
characters may be added. Anterior portion of each valve very
short, in some specimens truncated almost vertically at its
extremitv, in others faintly concave under the leaks above,
and rounded at or below the midheight; posterior portion
moderatelv elongated, its extremity obliquely subtruncate
above and narrowly rounded belov.-. Superior border and
ventral margin nearly straight or very gently convex; beaks
nearlv or quite terminal.
In a right valve of 5. Canadensis from Aylmer, collected
by Dr. Ami in 1893, there is an oblique, shallow, median de-
pression.
B. From the Chazy shale at the Hog's Back.
Ctekodonta parvidens, Raymond.
Plate III, fig. 16.
Ctenodonta parvidens, Raymond. \90S. Amer. Journ. Sci., Fourth
Series, Vol. XX, p. 372.
The cotvpes of this species are two specimens from the
Chazv shale at the Hog's Back, collected by Mr. Sowter and
now m the museum of Yale University. Both of these specimens
show impressions of the hinge teeth.
C. parvidens appears to be the most abundant and charac-
teristic fossil of the Chazy shale at this locality, where specimens
have been collected by Dr. Ami and Mr. Sowter, as well as by
Mr. Billings. Dr. Ami has also found numerous specimens of
it in the Chazy shale at Rockland, on the Ottawa River, twenty-
one miles below Ottawa, in the township of Clarence.
In Mr. BiUings' collection from the Hog's Back there are
nine casts of the interior, either of separate valves or of the
two valves united, all of which show impressions of at least
some of the hinge teeth. The following is an original description
114 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Sept.
of these specimens, in which the shorter, higher and deeper
portion of each valve is regarded as anterior, and the prolonged
portion as posterior.
Shell compressed convex, about one-third longer than
high, narrowly subovate and very inequilateral.
Anterior (?) portion of each valve short, its margin shallow ly
concave above the midheight, convexly curved and narrowing
rapidly inward to the base below ; posterior ( ?) portion much longer
than the anterior, decreasing gradually both in height and
depth, its extremity obliquely subtruncate above and narrowly
rounded below. Ventral margin convexly curved anteriorly,
almost straight but slightly concave behind. Cardinal border
descending very gradually behind the beaks and much more
rapidly so in front of them ; umbones broad and more or less flat-
tened; beaks appressed, incurved, with a forward (?) inclination,
placed considerably in advance of the midlength.
Surface marked with numerous, fine, close-set, concentric
raised lines, or minute narrow ridges. Impressions of the hinge
teeth minute and very indistinctly defined in all the specimens
that the writer has seen. On the shorter and presumably an-
terior portion of the hinge line there appear to be about four
of these impressions ; and on the longer and presumably pos-
terior portion, about twice as many.
Associated with these specimens there are quite a number
of badly preserved casts of the interior of the closed valves of
a shell which may be referable to this species, but which show
no impressions of any of the hinge teeth. These casts have much
the same marginal outline as the typical C. parvidens, but in
some of the former the valves seem to be proportionately more
convex, the umbones farther apart, and the beaks more curved.
EXPLANATION OF PLATE IIL
(The originals of all the figures on this plate are mere casts of the
interior of the shell, and the whole of the figures, except figs. 7 and 14,
are of the natural size. The originals of figs. 4-15, both inclusive, are
from the Chazy sandstone at the Hog's Back).
MoDioLOPsis PARViuscuLA (page 106).
Fig. 1. A right valve of this species, from Cornwall, Ontario.
Fig. 2. A left valve, from Punk Island, Lake Winnipeg.
Cyrtodonta breviuscula (page 107).
Fig. 3. The type of this species, a left valve, from three miles east of
Ottawa.
1908]
Chazy Pklecypoda
115
Clionychia Ottawaensis (page 108).
An unusually perfect left valve of this species.
Clionychia gibbosa (page 109).
The "rounded subpentagonal" left valve referred to on page 109.
?he imperfect and "obHquely subovate" left valve referred to
on the same page.
MODIOLOPSIS FAB.-EFORMIS (page 110).
Enl-ireed side vie^v of the left valve of the specimen wi^h both
valfes retrred to on page 110. The cross hnes to the nght
show the exact length and height of the shell.
The rieht valve referred to on page 110. , . , • k ki„
The niht valve also referred to on page 110 xvhich is probably
referable to this species.
Orthodesma antiquum (page 111).
The type of this species, a nearly perfect but not very well
preserved left valve.
Vanuxemia parvula (page 111)-
Side view of a left valve of this species.
Another and very similar left valve.
SowTERiA Canadensis (page 112).
A rieht valve of this species, of about the average size.
\ sma 1 nght x-alve, s ightlv restored at the base, and enlarged
ThTcro^s lines to the nght show the exact length and height
of the specimen.
A left valve of this species.
Ctenodonta parvidens (page 113).
An abnormallv compressed and presumably _ right valve ol
this species, from the Chazy shale ai the Hog s Back
NESTING OF HENSLOW SPARROW IN ONTARIO.
By W. E. Saunders, London, Ont.
Henslow Sparrow is one of the rarest breeding sparrows in
Western Ontario and its nest and eggs are rare m collections and
always desirable. Prior to this year a nest had not been found
xn (Canada although it was known that the birds were reason-
ably common about fifteen miles west of Chatham m some
fields near the mouth of the Thames River.
On June 17th, 1908, Mr. L. B. Brown and I went to this
region for the express purpose of endea^'orlng to find the nest
of tWs rare bird We found the birds there m considerable
numbers and were delighted by taking a nest -d five eggs
on the evening of our arrival. The next day we started out
w^th hi'h hopes, but after a whole day's fruitless search we
Tame to the conclusion that we were too early, as we saw more
Fig. 4.
Fig. 5.
Fig. 6.
Fig. 7.
Fig. 8.
Fig. 9.
Fig 10.
Fig. 11.
Fig. 12.
Fig. 13.
Fig. 14.
Fig. 15.
Fig. 16.
116 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Sept.
pairs of birds than one would expect if the breeding season
were in progress. We also found one pair in the act of building.
The nest which we found was prepared exactly as stated
bv Mr. PeabodV in the Auk, namely, in long grass partly fallen
over, not placed on the ground, but three or four inches above
it, supported mostly by dead grass. This differs widely from
published reports, some of which are quoted below.
The nest was built of grass exclusively, the inner being, of
course, finer. The five eggs which it contained varied in size
from .69 x .5 to .7 x .54 and are strikingly different from eggs
of the Savanna and Song Sparrow type, resembling rather
some sets of Field Sparrow but larger. The ground colour is
pure white and the spots a very light reddish-brown in a rather
heavy wreath near the large end. The rest of the egg is almost
unmarked.
The bird flushed from the nest when we were about five feet
on each side of her, and the nest was found without difficulty,
but, in other parts of the large field where the birds were, we
would probablv have had trouble in finding one even if the bird
had been flushed as the grasses were so heavily matted.
The field contained perhaps 75 acres and had grown up to
wild grass entirely. A small part only had been ploughed in
some earlier year, but had not been harrowed, and the rest was
apparently in its original condition. I should judge that the
grass would grow to a height of three feet and the birds nest,
as stated, in the matted dry grass of the previous year's growth.
Most of the field was burnt off since last summer, and conse-
quently our search was confined to the comparatively small
portion which the fire had left untouched. The ground is only
slic^htly raised above the Lake level and has doubtless become
dry since the construction of a ditch and dyke nearby.
In Baird, Brewer and Ridgway's "Birds of North America,"
it is stated that the nest is placed "on the ground in a depression
or apparently an excavation scratched out by the bird itself.
The nest is a'well made structure."
Davies' "Nests and Eggs of North American Birds," states
that the nest is placed on the ground, sometimes in a slight de-
pression, beneath a tussock made of grasses and a few cow hairs.
In the Nidologist, Vol. 1, p. 180, L. W. Watkins describes
the taking of a nest similar to ours, about 4 inches above the
ground in a tuft of grass.
From these notes it will be seen that the position of the
nest is variable.
The Short-billed Marsh Wren inhabits similar ground to
Henslow Sparrow, although I have ne\'er as yet found them
1908] SXOW-WHITE EUGOXIA 117
together, but in the course of the careful search to which we
subjected this old grass, Mr. Brown found a nest of the Wren
which I think is worthy of description. When one locates a
pair of Short-bills he immediately begins to find nests in the
tall waving grasses, covered on the outside with green grass.
These nests are, in my experience, invariably empty, but now
it appears that nearby there is probably a different nest with
eggs. The one found by Mr. Brown was set low down so that it
was verv inconspicuous and instead of being built of green
grasses, as are the false nests, it was constructed of last year's
growth in the same manner as that of the Long-bill.
In this nest were the remains of a set of five eggs, two
badlv broken and three which made moderately good cabinet
specimens. The nest had been deserted for probably a week or two.
A REMARKABLE VISITATION OF THE SNOW-WHITE
EUGONIA, EXNOMOS SUBSIGNARIUS, HBN.
By Arthur Gibson, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa.
On the evening of July 23rd, last, Ottawa was visited by
enormous numbers of the Snow-white Eugonia, the caterpillars
of Vv'hich are known as the Elm Span worm. Thousands of the
moths appeared in all parts of the city, being attracted to the
arc lights. Around many of these electric lights hundreds of
specimens were flying and resting on any available place. Some
of the electric light poles were literally covered with them, and
from a short distance the poles looked as if they had been
whitewashed or given a coat of white paint. On the main streets,
such as Sparks and Bank, the moths were much noticed and
caused considerable comment. Stores which had their doors
opened were invaded by the insects, much to the annoyance and
discomfort of the people inside. The many brilliant lights at
Britannia also attracted great numbers of the moths.
The Snow-white Eugonia,
although a common insect and
widespread in distribution, has
not, as far as we know, ever
been noticed in such numbers,
in Canada, as it was on the
above evening. The following
evening, July 24th, a few speci-
mens were seen fluttering a-
bout, such as might be noticed
(luring any season when the in-
sect is in its normal numbers.
SXOW-WHITE eugonia.
118 The Ottawa Naturalist [Sept.
The figure herewith gives a good idea of the size and ap-
pearance of the moth. As its name impHes, it is pure white,
expanding about an inch and a half when the wings are spread.
In the United States, the caterpillar of this moth has, on
many occasions, appeared in very destructive numbers, and,
on account of its injuries to the elm and being one of the measur-
ing-worms, it has been called the Elm Span-worm. Its injuries
to shade trees, particularly elm and basswood, in some of the
larger cities, have been specially reported upon by several
observers. It is also recorded as an apple tree pest.
The female moth, soon after emerging from the pupa, lays a
large number of eggs .usually on the underside of the branches of the
trees. The eggs remain on the liinbs until the following spring,
only hatching, it is stated, when the leaves unfold, the
young caterpillars feeding on the new and tender foliage.
In from five to six weeks from hatching the caterpillar has
reached its full grow-th, and in colour resembles the twigs of the
tree on which it has been feeding, the body being brownish; the
large head and terminal segment of the body are bright red.
When mature the larva changes to the chrvsalis state, and in
about 10 days the moth emerges.
The sudden great abundance of this insect on the above
evening was certainly remarkable and very extraordinary. Not
a single specimen of the larva was seen in the Ottawa district
during June or July by any of the officers of the Division of
Entomology, or by other local entomologists, and it would be
most interesting to know where all the moths came from.
The sparrows of the city had a great feast early the follow-
ing day. Along the main streets, the wings of the moths were
very noticeable, the bodies having been eaten.
In an article on the White-marked Tussock Moth, Dr.
E. P. Felt, in his "Insects Affecting Park and Woodland Trees,"
says: "Dr. J. L. Le Conte has placed on record an interesting
instance of the effect this bird mav have on our local fauna.
He states that the English sparrow was imported for the purpose
of keeping in check the Snow-white Linden Moth, Ennomos
subsignarius, Hbn., and that in Philadelphia, after the sparrows
had destroyed the Ennomos larvae, the White-marked Tussock
Moth caterpillars found abundant food, and being unmolested
by the sparrow, on account of their irritating hairs, they soon
became even worse pests than the other species."
Since the above article was prepared, similar visitations, in New York State, of
apparently the same moth, have been reported in the daily press and certain agricultural
papers. — Ed.
1908] Excursions 119
GENERAL EXCURSION TO CHELSEA.
The first General Excursion of the year was held on May
30th, to Chelsea, the most favourite resort of all. Nearly 200
members and friends attended the outing. President Attwood
was in charge and he had with him an unusually large number
of Leaders. After enjoying the afternoon in roaming the woods,
in search of specimens, or making observations on natural
objects, the whole party met again in the grove at 5 o'clock,
and listened to interesting talks l)y many of the prominent
members of the Club.
Dr. H. M. Ami, who was one of the first Leaders called upon,
in speaking of the geology of Chelsea said, in part: "We are
standing on ground which is the meeting place of the two
extremes in the geological scale. This locality is situated where
the earliest rock-formations that we know of, constituting the
earth's crust, are in close contact with the most recently
deposited in the last phase of the history of this part of our
continent. The former consists of highly metamorphosed and
hard crystalline rocks, making up part of the original crust of the
earth; the latter, of comparativelv soft sands, gravels, clays
and boulder clays, constituting the soil and land surfaces
generally, which are tilled by the agriculturist of to-day. The
former holds minerals of great economic value; — mica, felspar,"
iron ores, marbles, asbestos, graphite, molvledenite, and other
materials used in the arts and manufactures, not to speak of
rocks, such as granite, gnei&s, dolomite, etc. The older rocks
are ascribed to the Laurentian and Huronian systems in
geology, whilst the more recent ones are referred to the Pleis-
tocene or Post-Tertiary (sometimes called the Quarternary)
system. Chelsea Station stands on the edge of a terrace, or
old sea beach, estimated at 365 feet above present tide level (the
datum point) on the St. Lawrence at Three Rivers. Salt water
shells, well known as living or recent species in the salt waters
of the Gulf and River St. Lawrence below the Island of Orleans,
were obtained in a gravel pit a few hundred yards north of
Chelsea Station and are exhibited as evidence of the marine
origin of the sands and clays from which they were obtained.
Scratched pebbles (glaciated) of the district, revealed the
presence of a sheet, or mantle of 'till,' laid down by the Labra-
dorean glacier. It was a land ice-mass, possibly two or three
thousand feet in thickness at the maximum period of refrigera-
tion of this part of the continent and no organic remains have
been detected in the Labrador formation which constitutes
the lowest of the three series forming the Pleistocene system as
developed at this locality."
120 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Sept.
Specimens, illustrating the geology of Chelsea and the
vicinity, were exhibited, including some of the minerals named
above.
In calling upon the botanists, Mr. Attwood mentioned that
there were present the three authors of the now famous book,
"Farm Weeds of Canada," namelv, Dr. Fletcher, Mr. Norman
Criddle, and Mr. G. H. Clark.
Dr. Fletcher spoke about some of the rarer plants found
during the afternoon, particularly the orchids. He showed
specimens of Orchis spectabilis, Habenaria Hookeri, and Cypri-
pedium acaule. He deprecated the digging up of the roots of this
last which could not be cultivated like the other species. Through
this useless destruction the plant was now very rare here.
Mr. Criddle spoke briefly of his work as illustrator of the
book on Farm Weeds, and emphasized the necessity of careful
observation for exact reproduction.
Mr. G. H. Clark described the methods by which the book
referred to had been distributed to approved schools under
the supervision of the inspectors, to be used as a reference work
for the school section. He also referred to a proposed work
by the Department of Agriculture on Fodder Plants.
Mr. W. T. Macoun gave a practical demonstration of the
means of distinguishing the evergreens fotmd at Chelsea. He
also pointed out the conditions accounting for the remarkably
large numbers of maple and beech seedlings observed during
the afternoon.
Mr. Power, of the Normal School, spoke appreciatively
of the benefits derived by the Normal School students from the
outings of the Club. He exhibited an interesting series -of
beech seedlings in various stages of development, and drew
attention to a number of the interesting plants collected.
Mr. Halkett and Prof. Prince spoke on some zoological
specimens which thev had collected during the afternoon, and
Mr. Caesar, of the Wellington Field- Naturalists' Club, of Guelph,
Ont., stated his pleasure at being able to attend the excursion
and meet the members.
T. E. C.
Sub-excursion to Cache Bay, Tetreauville, Que.
On June 13th the above interesting locality was visited
by about 25 members and friends of the Club. The afternoon
was particularly pleasant in the woods, and an enjoyable and
profitable time was spent by those who attended the outing.
Mosquitoes were rather abundant and very aggressive in their
attacks. - Cache Bay is a rather good locality for Cypripedium
1908] Excursions. 121
puhescens, but we were too late to see this attractive plant in
bloom. One or two faded specimens were noted. Fifteen
different species of birds were seen, the most interesting of which
was the Pine Warbler, a rather rare bird everywhere, and one
wdiich is always found in pine woods. One nest each of the
Spotted Sand-piper and of the Song Sparrow was found. A
great manv different kinds of insects were noticed and some
interesting specimens were captured. A nice specimen of the
butterflv, Phyciodes batesii, was taken; a rare insect at Ottawa
which is probablv its furthest eastern station. A single specimen
of Ephialtes gigas was captured; this large ichneumon-f^y is
also uncommon in the Ottawa district. The foliage of elm, bass-
wood and wild cherry was seen to be badly disfigured by the
small pocket galls caused b}' species of mites belonging to the
genus Eriophyes. One or two nice specimens of the small
reddish salamander which occurs at Ottawa were found, as well
as some spiders, millipedes, land shells, etc., all of which were
exhibited at the close of the outing, when short addresses were
given by Messrs. Attwood, Gibson, Eifrig, Wilson, McGillivray,
Shannon, Lemieux and Halkett.
A. G.
General Excursion to Carlsbad Springs.
On June 20th, the second General Excursion was held to
the Mer Bleue, Carlsbad Springs. The day was a perfect one
in many ways, but unfortunately a very strong wind was blow-
ing which made it difficult to study birds, or to collect insects.
The Mer Bleue is one of the most interesting hunting grounds
for the naturalist in the district, and it is to be regretted that
there was such a poor attendance of members at the excursion.
Those who did attend were delighted with what they saw or
collected during the day. The early part of the morning was
spent in the bog, but on account of the strong wind, the party-
soon divided, only a few remaining in the swamp, the others
returning and going into the woods nearby. The beautiful
rosy-pink flowers of the pale Sheep Laurel, Kalmia glauca, were
everv where to be seen in the bog, with here and there clumps
of the Cotton Grass. The rare orchid, Arethusa bulbosa, was
found in numbers, and outside of the swamp, nearby, two fine
specimens of the even rarer orchid, the large Purple- Fringed
orchis, Hahenaria fimbriata, were found by Mr. Criddle and the
writer. A single worn specimen of the rare butterfly, Argynnis
friclaris, was taken in the Mer Bleue by Mr. Young. On June
9th three fine examples of this insect were captured in the bog,
one by Mr. Criddle, one by Mr. Young, and the other by the
122 The Ottawa Naturalist [Sept.
writer. It is some years since this butterfly has been taken in
the Ottawa district. Dr. Fletcher has collected it once or twice
previously at the Mer Bleue, which is probably the most southern
locality known for this insect. All the specimens which have
been taken here have the markings slightly suffused on both
the upper and lower surfaces.
In a wood near the Mer Bleue, Mr. Lemieux found a fine
specimen of the Spotted Salamander, Amblystoma punctatum,
and also some specimens of Plethodon erythronotus and Plethodon
erythronotus cinereus. These latter salamanders occur commonly
in the Ottawa district.
The small, curious caterpillars of the plume moth, Ptero-
phorus eupatorii, were found in numbers feeding on the leaves
of Joe Pye Weed, Eupatorium purptireum, and in some pasture
fields the Hard-hack, Spircea tomentosa, was seen to be badly
infested by the galls of a cecidomyid. Many of these plants
were entirely covered by these galls. Since, the small fly has
been reared and specimens have been determined by Dr. E. P.
Felt, of Albany, N.Y., as Rhabdophaga salicifolia, a species which
has been found abundant in Massachusetts and New York, on
the above plant and also on Spircea salicifolia.
A. G.
MEETINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL BRANCH.
Meeting held at the residence of Mr. Harrington, 13th
February, 1908. Present, Messrs. Fletcher, Letourneau, Halkett,
Nelles, Gibson, Young, Baldwin, and Mr. Harrington, in the Chair.
Mr. Letourneau showed a perfect nest of Etimenes glohu-
losus, with the insect which had emerged from it during the
past summer. The specimen had been found on the twig of a
bush on the Experimental Farm.
Dr. Fletcher showed a fresh supply of Boreus calijornicus
which had just come to hand in a Hving state from^Mr. J. W.
Cockle, of Kaslo, B.C. He also spoke of some most interesting
observations by Mr. Cockle upon the mating of these insects.
Specimens apparently of another species had been collected
by Mr. N. B. Sanson, in the Rocky Mountain Park, Banff, Alta.
Other interesting specimens shown were: a specimen of the
remarkable Snow fly, Chionea valga, taken at Banff by Mr.
Sanson; the strange heteropterous bug, Emesa longipes, which
was one of five specimens taken by Mr. W. A. Dent, at Sarnia,
Ont. ; some living larvae of the Brown-tail Moth in their winter
web, also a fine series showing inflates of the full grown larvae
and the perfect moths. Collections of insects made by Mr. D.
1908] ExcuRSioN^^^^^J^*<JSAS5>^^^ 123
H. Nelles in Bartlett Bay, off Glacier Ba>T-2L*«4?l!frand by Mr.
W. J. Wilson on the Hudson Bay Slope, were exhibited and
examined with much interest by those present. Dr. Fletcher
also exhibited the first number of the new Journal of Economic
Entomology, and a photograph of Prof. Aldrich, the author of
the Catalogue of North American Diptera.
Mr. Halkett showed a series of larvae, pupae, and the male
and female beetles, of Dytiscus circiimcincliis , which he had taken
in the Qu'Appelle Valley and also in Cooking Lake, Alta.
This species is sometimes remarkably abundant at electric
lights in some of the western prairie cities. Mr. T. N. Willing,
at Regina. and Mr. J. D. Evans, in Winnipeg, saw early in
October enormous numbers of these beetles frying around the
street hghts. Mr. Halkett's larvEe and pupae were collected
in the beginning of August and the perfect insects were flying
in the beginning of October. Mr. Harrington exhibited his fine
collection of Dytiscidae containing many named types which
had been examined by Mr. John D. Sherman, of New- York.
Mr. Nelles showed some beautiful photographs which had
been taken during his expedition of the past two years on the
Alaska Boundary Survey. These were examined with great
interest by all present.
Mr. Baldwin shov/ed a handsome case of insects, the two
most interesting of which were a fine specimen of Eitbaphe
Iceta taken at Graham's Bush, Britannia, on July 7th, and a nice
specimen of Anarta cordigera taken on June 2nd.
Mr. Gibson show^ed specimens of food stuff's infested b}-
the Grain Weevil. Calandra granaria, also pease infested by the
Pea Weevil, Bruchus pisorum, and beans by the Bean Weevil,
Bruchus obtectus. He drew attention to the different methods
of attack and gave a sketch of the life -history of the two species.
The seeds of Indian corn destroyed by Ptinus fur were shown
and it was stated that this was an unusual attack. Some galls
of the Prickly Raspberry gall made by Diastrophus nebulosus
were shown together with the gall m.aker.
Mr. Young showed specimens of beetles of unusual occur-
rence at Ottawa wdiich he had taken during the past season.
Among these were DiccBhis ieter, Ditylus caeruleus, Phyxelis
rigidus and Lixus concavus. Of the last of these he had collected
three or four specimens upon a plant of Polygonum pennsylvani-
cum. Dr. Fletcher stated that this beetle was sometimes
injurious to rhubarb, the larvae boring in the stems and oc-
casionallv doing a considerable amount of harm. The Polygonum
belongs to the same natural order as the rhubarb.
Mr. Harrington showed several of his beautifully arranged
124 Thp: Ottawa Naturalist [Sept.
cabinet drawers, among others his collection of Japanese insects
which contained some specimens of remarkable beauty. He
described the habits of a large wasp, Vespa mandarina, and spoke
of his visit to Japan some years ago, giving a most interesting
sketch of the history of the capture of some of the specimens
shown in the cases. J. F.
Meeting held on Thursday evening, 12th March, at the
residence of Mr. Andrew Halkett, besides whom there were
present, Dr. Fletcher and Messrs. Harrington, Gibson, Young,
Baldwin, Metcalfe, Letourneau.and Newman.
Mr. Baldwin showed a box containing lix'ing larvae in the
cocoons and a few moths of the Wax Moth, Galleria cerealella;
also a miscellaneous collection of moths captured at Ottawa.
Mr. Gibson exhibited a box containing moths of the genus
Homoptera, among which was a specimen of a new species to
be described soon by Dr. J. B. Smith as H. helata. This was
taken bv Mr. Baldwin, and is the first record of the moth from
the Ottaw^a district. In the same box also was a specimen of
the butterfly, Pamphila palcemon, taken at Carlsbad Springs.
Mr. Metcalfe showed specimens of two small moths showing
secondarv sexual characters, and a water Hemipteron.
Mr. Harrington exhibited, among other specimens, a series
of cocoons of various insects and spiders, and caddis-fly larva
cases; also a series of Buprestian beetles of the genus Chalco-
phora from different lands.
Mr. Letourneau produced a box containing a number of
different kinds of caterpillars nicely inflated. Among these
were several specimens of the Silver-spotted Skipper, the
Zebra caterpillar, the Hedgehog caterpillar and the Fall webworm.
Dr. Fletcher showed two enormous galls from California,
with a few specimens of the makers, Andricus caUf amicus ,
and read some interesting paragraphs from Miss Evelyn Groes-
beeck Mitchell's recent -work entitled: "Mosquito Life." Dr.
Fletcher spoke in the highest terms of this work and of the
convenient arrangement of the facts for reference.
Mr. Young exhibited two artistic cases of Lepidoptera, one
illustrating the life history of the Spotted Halisidota, Halisidota
maculata, the larvae being on their food plant, the willow; and
the other case, specimens of the larvae and imagoes of the Milk^
weed Moth, Euchaeiias egle, on their food plant, the milk-weed.
The recently issued Annual Report of the Entomological
Society of Ontario was laid on the table. Dr. Fletcher drew
attention to some of the more interesting local captures which
had been recorded in the Entomological Record. A. H.
THE OTTAWA NATURALIST
VOL. XXII. OTTAWA, OCTOBER, 1908 No. 7.
INFANT CANNIBALISM AMONG ANIMALS.
By Professor Edward E. Prince, Dominion Commissioner
OF Fisheries, Ottawa.
In a paper which I read to the Royal Society (Sect. IV) in
May last I dealt with the two series of phenomena grouped
under the somewhat forbidding titles, polyembryony and
psedophagy. They may be regarded as the two opposite ex-
tremes of embryonic evolution and the survival of the fittest.
In the former (polyembryony) we find that a few eggs give
origin to an excessive number of young, while, in the latter,
very few young result from a large number of eggs. Biologists
have generally accepted the late Dr. W. B. Carpenter's definition
of an individual animal as the total product of a single ovum,
but our ideas of the potentialities of the egg will require revision
with the foregoing phenomena before us, and in my Roval
Society paper I ventured on some suggestions as to the signifi-
cance of recent observations, very curious ones, made by certain
biologists. Dr. Gilchrist, Dr. Sylvestri, Marchal, and others,
which I intend to publish with plates ere long, but in the present
brief article I shall deal only with paedophagy, avoiding technical
terms as far as possible.
Fifty years ago Dr. Carpenter, one of the profoundest and
most philosophical physiologists and morphologists of the 19th
century, discovered that, from the numerous eggs (500 or 600
at least being produced by one parent each season), of that
common sea-shore mollusk, the dog whelk (Purpura lapillns),
not more than thirteen to twenty lembryos finally emerged into
the open water. To quote the succint description of Carl Claus,
"The Prosobranchs enclose their ova in capsules . attached... to
each other or to foreign substances. Each nidamental capsule
of the group shows an aperture, and contains a certain number
of vitelline globes or eggs, floating in clear jelly-like albumen.
Only a portion of these develop into embryos. One only may,
126 The Ottawa Naturalist/ [Oct.
in an extreme case, finally quit the ovigerous capsule."* Koren
and Danielsson in 1857 studied the eggs of the large whelk
(Buccinum) and decided that many eggs united to form one
large embryo, the remaining eggs dying and breaking up; but,
immediately after the publication of the Danish observers' views,
Dr. Carpenter gave the correct account of the strange phenom-
enon, an account supported by the later researches of Dr.
Dyster. Part of the eggs are fertilized and part are not ferti-
lized but are devoured by the former while still contained in
the capsule. Long before the infant mollusks become active
"veligers." or free-swimming larvae, with a crown of waving
cilia, they turn cannibal. Dr. Carpenter noticed that some
larvae did not devour their fellows; but depended for nutriment
upon their own stock of volk-macromeres. These became
stunted, and many died. The macromeres, it is hardly necessary
to say, are the large segments at one side of the egg, as dis-
tinguished from the micromeres at the other side, the latter form-
ing the germ. Selenka confirmed Dr. Carpenter's results but
held that the cleavage of the early unfertilized egg was not true
segmentation, and inferred that, while the minute features of
the yolk, in both kinds of eggs, appeared to be the same, there
was no nucleus discoverable in the unfertilized eggs. In the
Gastropod Tergipes ansea he found that when this irregular
segmentation took place, portions of the volk were thrown off,
developed cilia, and became independent moving " cosmellas,"
as Von Nordmann called them, and they have been regarded as
parasitic in nature. Edouard Clapareda, again, from his study
of Neritina fluviatilis w'as able to further confirm Carpenter, and
Blochmann discovered, in the same small fresh- water shellfish,
that one embryo only may survive out of 70 or 80 contained
originally in one capsule. Dr. W. K. Brooks announced, more
recently, that in the egg-case of Urosalpinx, containing six to
twenty ova, many of them are devoured by the others both in
the earlier and the later stages of embryonic development.
Professor J. P. McMurrich, of Toronto, has confirmed these last
results by a study of Crepidula and Purpura floridana, finding
that a number of eggs always break down or disintegrate to
serve as food for their surviving brethren. In Fasciolaria tulipa,
one of the Muricidae, he noted that four, or five, or six, embryos
may ultimately emerge from one nidamental capsule, which
originally contains about two hundred eggs. But not only in
*Haacke has stated that in certain AustraUan Rays (Tryogorhina
and Rhinobatis) more than one ovum is contained in one homy capsule,
and Dr. Otto Klotz, of Ottawa, brought the same fact to my attention
in the huge British -Columbia skate (Rata cooperi, Gir.)
1908] Infant Cannibalism among Animals. 127
mollusks has this curious fact of paedophagy long been known
it has been noticed among the Crustacea. Thus in Daphnia,
the dehcate water-flea, wliile the eggs are still in the tubular
ovary, the ovigerous cell may divide into four, one of which
becomes an ovum and increases in size by devouring the other
three. In the Phyllopod A pus, the egg when first distinguish-
able, is not a single cell, but a group of four cells each with a
large nucleus. The nucleus in one assumes a different character,
becomes clearer, and more rotund, exhibiting two or more large
granules or germinal spots, while the three others show a mass
of granules in the nucleus. The.se three nuclei grow rapidly,
elaborate food, and feed the fourth cell so that it survives, w'hile
they themselves disintegrate. No doubt this strange phe-
nomenon of cannibalism, in the earliest stages of development,
mav be more widespread than is at present supposed. Botanists
have long been familiar with a parallel condition in certain
plants. Thus, in the Mistletoe {Viscum album), one seed may
contain two or three embryo plants. Some years ago Dr.
Beard, of Edinburgh, boldly compared the embryo of the
highest Vertebrates to a parasite receiving nutriment by a
placental arrangement from its parent. About the same time
Professor Mcintosh, of St. Andrews, published an account of
the remarkable features of the ovary in Zoarces viviparus, the
viviparous blenny, the ovarian walls being complexly folded
and richly vascular so that the young fish inside are bathed in a
nutritive serum until far advanced in larval life. In making
sections of the ovarv, and contained voung, of that species over
a quarter of a century ago, I found what appeared to me to be
particles of yolk in the alimentary canal which I had difficulty
in tracing to the so-called absorption or inclusion of the yolk-
sac. Dr. Scharff, of the Royal Museum, Dublin, was at the
same time making a study of the early egg in Zoarces and other
fishes, and the number of eggs present in the ovary of the
viviparous blenny struck me as remarkable if only 12 or 15 young
were ultimately produced. Could it be that in some way the
non-developing eggs serA-ed as food to nourish the rapidly grow-
ing larvae emerging from a limited number of ova ? The question
presented itself to me. It appeared possible but hardly probable.
Dr. Gilchrist, a distingtiished Scottish biologist, and
officially in charge of the fisheries of Cape Colony for some years,
has shown that such a surmi.se was not far astray. He has
proved it to be true in the South African CatcBtyx messieri,
Gtinther, a fish 1 to 2 feet long, and occurring apparently at
considerable depths ranging from 400 to 700 fathoms. H.M.S.
"Challenger," in her famous scientific cruise, secured a male
128 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Oct.
specimen 8 inches long in Messier Straits, but Dr. Gilchrist's
specimen 2 feet long obtained in September, 1903, about 40
miles north-east of Cape Point, proved to be a mature female
specimen in which the ovaries were very advanced and crowded
with reddish spherical eggs, numbering probably not less than
30,000.*
The eggs were formed in the hanging transverse folds of
the inner ovarian surface, and later they collected on the floor
of the chamber of the ovary. They flowed freely from the fish,
and Dr. Gilchrist was led to regard them, at first, as ordinary
demersal eggs, deposited by the fish on the bottom of the sea.
To his surprise he found, on closer examination, very young fish
hatching out within the parent. Eight small larval fish were
curled up among the loose ova. In the mouth of one larva he
found some oil-globules, and in another a mass of soft food-
matter, in which were oil-globules and spots of black colour.
The mass was carefully removed and turned out to be part of a
young fish which was being devoured by another baby fish, and
the rest of the body of the victim was found close to its devourer.
Alcock had already made the important announcement that in
Saccogaster, a deep-sea species, developing embryo fish were
found inside the parent and hinted that they fed on the sur-
rounding ova; but Dr. Gilchrist's discovery proved that some
embryo fish actually swallowed and fed upon other embryos of
the same brood, and thus lived and grew inside the ovarian
chamber. The larger larvae 10 mm. (f of an inch) long, lived on the
smaller newly-hatched young, not simply upon the surrounding
eggs. These'larval cannibals showed well-developed breast fins,
and anal and pre-anal fin-lobes, but the tail had not any caudal
fin-lobes.
Most fish, of course, produce eggs or spawn, and the young
develop and hatch after they have been laid by the parent.
The formation of the young inside the deposited egg of a fish,
may take from 2 days to 6 or 8 months in different species, the
shad being an example of rapid development (a few days) , while
the salmon or trout take a long period of time (many months).
But in the parent forms of many viviparous fish the young may
be found not only already hatched out and lively, but may be
very advanced, and exhibit the almost mature form and appear-
ance. I have frequently examined specimens of viviparous
species both on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, and can confirm
Dr.Gunther's description that the young, in such fish as Zoarces,
on the Atlantic, and Cymatogaster, on the Pacific, coasts,
*Dr. Gilchrist had in August, 1903, secured a fine specimen 2 feet long.
1908] Infant Cannibalism among Animals. 129
are so matured at the time of their first extrusion, they swim
about with the utmost agility, and Dr. Dowler's remarks on
Pcecilia multilineata that twenty-two young were packed away
in the ovarian sac of the parent, and though no ova were dis-
covered . . . the young fish were one-half inch long, all
alike, and exactly resembling the maternal form and proportions.
The parent was, it may be added, only 2 inches long. In the
sea-perch (Cymatogaster) of British Columbia, a viviparous
form 6 or 8 inches long, I counted forty-three small, perfectly
formed young. They were so advanced and active that when
dropped into the sea, just after being extruded from the parent
by pressure, they swam away with great agility. It mav be
that they did not long survive, but to all appearance they were
able to look after themselves. Inside the parent I found them
closely packed, overlapping each other in the sac, and bathed in
a clear serum or fluid, no doubt of a nutrient nature. That they
have solid food is ver\' probable in the light of the recent obser\-a-
tions just outlined, and though no loose eggs have been noticed
in the sac, such eggs may form nutriment for them after their
own ball of food-yolk is exhausted.
In the higher orders, the mammals for instance, ova are
produced in prodigious numbers each season, even though the
young developed and born be extremely few. One author records
that over 70,000 primordial eggs are produced annually in a
mammalian o\'ary though the young born may be only one to
three in the course of the year.
The survival of the fittest is a principle not applicable only
to the mature period of an animal's existence, but may begin
with the earliest stages of embryonic and larval life. We see
that it finds illustration in the first stages of an animal's life,
in the most diverse forms from MoUusks up to Man.
MEETING OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL BRANCH.
Meeting held at residence of Mr. Arthur Gibson, 9th April,
1908. Present: Messers. Harrington, Baldwin, Letourneau,
Metcalfe, Young, Halkett, Fletcher, Wilson, Newman and
Gibson.
Mr. Harrington exhibited 2 cases, which contained his
Ottawa collection of Chrysomelidae. Over 100 local species
were represented. This collection proved of exceeding interest
to all present and much discussion took place on many of the
species. Mr. Harrington drew special attention to those species
which are of uncommon occurrence, some of which were repre-
130 The Ottawa Naturalist [Oct.
sented by only a single specimen. The Chrysomelids, or "leaf-
beetles," are mostly short-bodied, and more or less oval in out-
line. They are all vegetable feeders and some are very injurious.
The well known Colorado Potato Beetle is one of the bad pests
belonging to this family.
Mr. Baldwin showed samples of several kinds of blank
labels which he had received from the American Entomological
Co., of Brooklyn, N.Y. It was pointed out that these labels
were very cheap and useful, and as this firm advertises in the
Ottawa Naturalist the members were requested to bear it
in mind when making purchases of an entomological nature.
Mr. Metcalfe exhibited a small box containing a number
of spiders' nests, from which parasites had been reared. The
common local nest, fiat in shape and oval in outline, of a satiny
brown colour, had been chiefly collected and from these some
parasites of the genus Pezomachus had been secured. The name
of the spider that made the nest was unknown to those present.
Dr. Fletcher showed a very large specimen of the ichneu-
monid fly, Ophion macrurum, which had been reared from the
cocoon of Telea polyphemus. It was noticed that the Poly-
phemus cocoon had been punctured by a w^oodpecker, but the
cocoon of the Ophion inside had not been injured, doubtless
because of its toughness. The little moth shown at a previous
meeting by Mr. Harrington, the larvae of which fed on Lemna,
was reported by Dr. Fletcher to be Nymphula ohliteralis, the
identification having been made by Dr. H. G. Dyar, of the
U.S. National Museum. Dr. Fletcher also exhibited specimens,
in fluid, of the larva of the Mexican Orange Fruit-worm fly,
Trypeta ludens, which had been found at Ottawa in a bitter
orange, and brought to one of the botanical branch meetings
by Mr. G. H. Clark. When first noticed the larvae were dead
and discolored. A list of species of the genera Bombus and
Psithyrus from various parts of Canada, which had recently
been determined by Mr. H. J. Franklin, of Amherst, Mass.,
was read by Dr. Fletcher and proved of much interest. Local
species included in the list were: Bombus borealis, B. impatiens ,
B. pennsylvanicus , B. perplexus, B. vagans and Psithyrus labori-
osus.
Mr. Young exhibited a large case containing about 900
specimens of local microlepidoptera, many of which had been
reared by him from larva. It is always a pleasure to look over
any of Mr. Young's work, and this exhibit was an extremely
interesting one. Many of the rarer or recently described species
were pointed out and information given as to the food plants
of the larvae.
1908] Snapping Turtle. 131
Mr. Gibson showed specimens of inflated larvae of some
noctuids, which had been collected at Ottawa, or reared from
eggs secured from captive female moths. The handsome
larvae of Mamestra assimilis, Peridroma astricta and Cucullia
intermedia were included, and attention was drawn to the
remarkable change which takes place in the appearance of the
latter larva after it passes its last moult. An interesting orange
colour variety of the larva of Cimbex americana, which had been
found on V)asswood, was also exhibited.
A. G.
NOTE ON A YOUNG SPECIMEN OF THE SNAPPING
TURTLE (CHELYDRA SERPENTINA).
A young Snapping Turtle has been received through the
kindness of Mr. Capel St. George, of Tramore, Ont., and as it
presents certain features which become modified or obscured
during growth, the following note may be of interest to the
readers of the Ottawa Naturalist.
The length of the specimen from the snout to the tip of the
tail is about 4f inches when the creature is fully stretched; the
length of the carapace (or upper shell) 1 11-16 inches, the breadth
at the broadest part If inches, and the length of the plastron
(or under shell) 1 3-16 inches, the breadth 1-J- inches. The length
of the tail is about that of the carapace, whereas in the half-
grown and adult it is proportionallv shorter. The carapace is
verv rugose and ridged, features w^hich gradually become smoother
as age advances. The crests on the tail, which are so pronounced
in the adult, are rudimentary. The shell is feebly ossified. The
skin, as in the adult, is warty; the warts on the under parts of
the juvenile being whitish in colour. The under sides of the
marginal shields are white with dark dots, and there are white
spots at or near the borders of the plastron.
The Common Snapping Turtle belongs to the family
Chelydridae of the order of the Chelonia or the Turtles; and it
may be pointed out that the comparatively small carapace, the
small and cruciform plastron, and the incompletely retractile
head, indicate the rather primative character of the family, which
contains only two other recorded species : the Snapping Turtle of
Mexico and Guatemala (C. rossignonii) and the Alligator Snapper
(Macrochelys temminckii) ; the latter being the largest of the
fresh water tortoises.
The little turtle has been fed at intervals of a few days with
dead salmon-trout fry which it eats with avidity.
Andrew Halkett.
132 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Oct.
THE NITROGEN COMPOUNDS IN RAIN AND SNOW.
It may be remembered that one of our addresses at the
opening meeting of last winter's lecture course was on "Rain
and Snow," the lecturer, Mr. Frank T. Shutt, Chemist of the Ex-
perimental Farms, outlining their influence iipon the industries,
the agriculture and the health of the world.
Perhaps the most interesting part of the paper from the
strictly Canadian point of view was the presentation of certain
data concerning the nitrogen content of snow — the first of the
kind, so far as was known, obtained in the Dominion. The
fertilizing value of the "blanket of white " was clearly shown, the
1,000 tons (approximately) of snow per acre which falls dtiring
the winter at Ottawa containing a considerable amount of this
all important element of plant food — nitrogen — in readily
assimilable forms.
For some time past every fall of snow and rain has been
analysed at the Chemical Laboratory of the Central Experi-
mental Farm, Ottawa, and in the forth-coming report of that
institution further interesting data on this subject will appear.
From these results we have been permitted to make the following
summary :
For the year ending February 29th. 1908, there fell 24.05
inches of rain and 133. inches of snow, making a total precipitation
of 37.35 inches — 10 inches of snow being reckoned as the equival-
ent of 1 inch of rain. The total amount of nitrogen in this pre-
cipitation amounted to 4.323 lbs. per acre, and of this approxi-
matel}^ 75% or 3.243 lbs. was present in the rain, and 25% or
1.080 lbs. in the snow. We further learn that the solvent action
of rain is much greater than that of snow, i.e. that rain is much
richer, weight for weight, in nitrogen compounds, than snow.
Rain, therefore, is the better or more thorough cleansing agent
of the atmosphere as regards the ammonia and other gases
present that contain nitrogen compounds. Another point brought
out by this work is that the first portion of the rain or snowfall
is richer than that which falls subsequently and that the period
elapsing between the falls has a marked effect on the composition.
Data of a similar character have been obtained in many
European and other countries and this work is therefore both
useful and interesting for the purpose of comparison. It may be
cited as an illustration of one of the many valuable researches
undertaken by the Experimental Farm system.
1908] Notes on Ph^ocyma. 133
NOTES ON THE SPECIES OF PH.^OCYMA, FOUND IN
CANADA.
By John B. Smith, Sc.D., Rutger's College, New Bruns-
wick, N. J.
The species of Homoptera were studied by the Rev. C. J. S.
Bethune in 1864, and the North American forms were listed and
described in the Canadian Journal, Vol. X, for 1865 ; — a publica-
tion not easily gotten hold of at the present time. Most of the
material came from Port Hope, Canada, and several new forms,
from that locality, were described. That paper forms the basis
of our knowledge of the American forms to-day, and as I have
just finished a revision of the species from fuller miaterial than
was available over 40 years ago, a few notes on the species
found in Canada or likely to be found there, may not be amiss.
And first, the name Homoptera, Bdv., must fall in favor of
PhcBocyma, Hbn., an earlier name for the same generic concept
and Ypsia, Gn., comes under the same head. Zale, Hbn., differs
only on minor points and secondary sexual characters; but may
be retained as a section of Phceocyma in a subgeneric sense.
P. LuNATA, Drury. Occurs throughout the Dominion east
of the Rocky Mountains, after midsummer and until late fall.
This is the largest of the species and extremely variable in
colour and maculation. The males are more or less marked with
blue and may have the entire terminal area blue powdered,
and that is the form described as edusa, by Drury, the female
having been first described as hinata. There is a form occurring
in both sexes in which the median area is decidedly yellowish,
and that was described as sounder sii by Dr. Bethune.
P. Undularis, Drury. Redescribed by Dr. Bethune as
nigricans, wdiich is quite as appropriate a name; for the species
is intensely black, besides having the wings crossed by undulat-
ing lines. I have seen specimens from the eastern provinces only ;
but the range is probably as great as that of the preceding
species, though it is much less common. It flies in June and
July. The variety umbripennis, Grt., differs in having the
median area of primaries much lighter, with a violaceous tint.
P. .-Eruginosa, Guen^e. Similar to the preceding and
occurs with it; but is much rarer. It differs in having an irro-
ration of green or bluish scales and in structure as well.
P. NoRDA, Smith. A very brilliant species from Kaslo and
other points in British Columbia and Manitoba; the type
material coming from Mr. J. W. Cockle of Kaslo. It ranges
134 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Oct.
eastwardly however, Dr. Fletcher having sent me specimens for
determination from Ontario. It is the form listed by Dr. Dyar as
calycanthata from the Kootenai district. Flies in May and June.
P. MiNEREA, Guenee. More like lunata in appearance and
often confused with it. It is more mottled, however, and differs
structurally. An easy way to distinguish it is by the date; it
flies in May, June and Juh" and disappears before lunata comes
on the scene. It is found throughout the eastern provinces and
mingles with norda, which may be confused with it, in Ontario.
Dr. Bethune redescribed it as albofasciata, a well marked male
serving as type. It inight be said that in this and the preceding
species the males tend to bluish irrorations, especially in the
terminal area.
P. LuNiFERA, Hubner. This is a much slighter species
than any of the preceding and of a more even gray tint. I have
no actual Canadian records; but I have it from the States just
south of the line, where it flies with the next species. It will
almost certainly be found in Ontario.
P. LiNEOSA, Wlk. This has been confused with lunifera
and resembles it very much. It is yet slighter, usually paler, and
without contrasting maculation. I have it from points in
Ontario, and from Winnipeg, Manitoba, June to August. It
probably occurs throughout the Dominion east of the Mountains.
P. Untlineata, Grote. A very characteristic species for
which I have no definite Canadian records. It has been generally
recorded from Canada and flies in early spring.
P. Largera, Smith. Belongs to the series in which the
wings are less trigonate and the undulating very oblique trans-
verse lines are replaced b}?- simpler more upright maculation.
The types are from Vancouver Island, May 8th, collected b}?"
Rev. G. W. Taylor and sent in by Dr. Fletcher, (male) and
Winnipeg, Manitoba, sent in by Dr. Barnes (female). These are
the only examples of the species known to me.
P. Duplicata, Bethune. A much smaller representative
of the same series and a verv distinct species. It was recorded
from Port Hope, by Dr. Bethune, I believe.
P. CiNGULiFERA, Walker. I have no Canadian localities;
but the species occurs in Maine and other New England States,
so will almost certainly be found in the eastern provinces.
P. HoRRiDA, Hubner. A common and well-known species
which flies from May to August and occurs throughout the
eastern provinces and westward, probably to the Mountains.
From the list of species heretofore credited to Canada P.
calycanthata, Sm. and Ab., must be dropped. It is strictly a
1908] Notes on Ph^ocyma. 135
southern species, and the identifications under that name of
Canadian material are erroneous.
On the other hand it is more than probable that several
other species will yet be found in the Dominion. These are
obliqua, Gn., nietata. Sm., curema, Sm., helata, Sm., squanunu-
laris, Dru., benesignata, Harv., and bethunei, Sm. One of the
objects of this paper, indeed, is to call the attention of Canadian
collectors to this genus and the work that yet remains to be
done in it.
Additional Notes to the Above Paper.
By Arthur Gibson.
As an addition to the above interesting paper by our
honoured corresponding member. Dr. J. B. Smith, the following
notes, made chiefly from specimens in the collection of insects
at the Central Experimental Farm, are presented,
Ph.«ocyma norda. Besides specimens from the type
locality, Kaslo, B.C., there are in the collection of the Division
of Entomology, specimens from Cartwright, Man. (Heath), and
Ottawa (Young) The species has also been taken at Chelsea,
Que. (Gibson).
P. Calycanthata. In Dr. Fletcher's Entomological Rec-
ord, 1904 (Rep. Ent. Soc. Ont. 1904), this species is recorded
from Kaslo, B.C. As stated in Dr. Smith's paper this record
should now refer to the new species norda.
P. MiNEREA. In the Entomological Record, 1906, (Rep.
Ent. Soc. 1906), this species is recorded from White River,
Hudson Bay Slope, June 2nd (W. J. Wilson). On further ex-
amination Dr. Smith could not confirm this identification, as the
specimen was much rubbed and crushed, and might possibly be
another closeh^ allied species. The above record had, therefore,
better be cancelled.
P. duplicata. This species has been found at Digby, N.S.,
by Mr. John Russell. One specimen taken there on June 6th,
is in the above collection. It has also been collected at Truro,
in the same province, by Mr. L. A. De Wolfe. In the Entomolo-
gical Record, 1904, a specimen of this moth is recorded as having
been taken at Wellington, B.C., by Rev. G. W. Taylor. This
specimen is the one referred to in Dr. Smith's paper under the
name largera. Duplicata. therefore, must now be removed from
the British Columbia list.
P. CiNGULiFERA. This occurs at Ottawa. Last year several
specimens were taken by Dr. Fletcher, and Mr. Young has also
collected it. All the examples were taken in May. At Orillia,
136 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Oct.
Ont., the species has been captured by Mr. C. E. Grant, on June
10th.
P. OBLiQUA. A single specimen of this species was collected
in 1900, at Bristol, Que., by Dr. Fletcher.
P. Helata. The only Canadian record we have for this
insect is a single specimen taken at Ottawa on June 20th, 1907.
by Mr. J. W. Baldwin.
METEOROLOGICAL OPTICS.
By Otto Klotz, LL.D, F.R.A.S.
As we were returning one evening from one of our delightful
afternoon natural history excursions, the bright disk of the moon
rose slowly from the eastern horizon and soon emerged as a huge
platter, arresting the attention and calling forth remarks from
every one.
Probably no illusion in the heavens is so apparent as the
increased size of the full moon when rising. Every one knows
that the disk of the full moon when seen on the horizon appears
very much larger than about six hours later when it is in the
south and high up in the heavens. One might infer that the
moon is a great deal nearer to us when rising than when seen
high up in the sky. As a matter of fact, the reverse is the case,
for when the moon is above us it is nearer by the radius of the
earth, say about 4,000 miles, or 1-60 of its average distance. If
there were any question about the delusion, it is very easily
settled by turning an instrument onto the satellite and measur-
ing its diameter, when of course it would be found that the
diameter was practically the same in the two positions. Quite
a different phenomenon is the flattening of the disk of the moon
when seen in the horizon, for this would be confirmed by the same
instrument that we used for measuring the horizontal diameter.
The explanation of the flattening lies in the fact that the nearer
we approach the horizon the more the rays are bent or refracted,
so that the lower edge of the moon looks relatively higher than
the upper edge, i.e., the lower edge is thrown up more than is
the upper one, so that the moon looks broader than it is deep,
in short its figure is elliptical. But the discrepancy in the ex-
aggerated size of the moon when rising is not due to the refrac-
tion of the rays of light. We may state at the outset that the
illusion is a physiological phenomenon.
We are accustomed to speak of the sky as the celestial vault,
1908] Meteorological Optics. 137
or dome, or hemisphere. However, if we sweep the sky with the
■eye from the horizon to the zenith, or the reverse, it will be seen
that the dome is not spherical but that it is flattened, the ap-
pearance being that it is farther to the horizon than to the
point overhead. The preceding is true whether looked at by
day or by night, particularly in a cloudless sky. This is easily
demonstrated by estimating say the point of the heavens midway
between the horizon and the zenith or the point overhead, and
then measure with an instrument the elevation of the point of
b)isection. It will be found that the halving point is only about
half as high as it appears to be. The physiological effect of
passing the eye from its normal position towards the horizon, to
overhead, is to give the impression of a depressed vault or dome,
and the arc we bisect is not that of a semi-circle but the segment
of a larger circle. Any one who has been in our Rocky Mountains
will recall the impression of "the giants towering to the skies,"
l)ut when we measure their angular elevation we find the "tower-
ing" very much lessened; physiological effect, due to our con-
stitution. A similar illusion we mav notice in the apparent size
of constellations near the horizon.
The most familiar object for this illusion is of course the
moon, although the stm shares it equally, but I suppose the
most of us see the moon rise more frequently than the sun,
reminding one of the man who when asked, if he ever saw the
sun rise, answered, "I don't go to bed as late as that."
Many observations and measurements have been made on
the sun and moon by setting up a circular disk and viewing
alternately, say the moon and disk, always moving to or from
the disk until it appeared the same size as the moon, and then
measuring the distance to the disk. From such and mathematical
considerations it is found that the moon appears of its proper
size when elevated between 30° and 35°, while when it is on the
horizon it is nearly two and half times larger, and when high up
in the sky only about half as large as it should be.
When Coleridge lets the "Ancient Mariner" say: —
"All in a hot and copper sky,
The bloody Sun at noon,
Right up above the mast did stand,
No bigger than the Moon,"
he gave expression to the fact, just stated above, that our dis-
penser of life and light, and our satellite appear small when they
are high in the heavens.
Now for another phenomenon, that we observed later as
the gloaming was receding. Let us paraphrase the well-known
couplet into,
138 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Oct:
"Twinkle, twinkle little star, how I wonder — what makes
you twinkle?"
The twinkling or scintillation of the stars has been noticed
and noted from ancient times. Aristotle remarks that "the
stars twinkle, but the planets do not." Although planets do not
scintillate, or do not scintillate as much as stars, yet their twink-
ling has often been observed. Associated with the scintillation,
the sparkling "like a diamond in the sky" is often seen, but this
rapid change of color is confined to low altitudes, that is, when
the star is not high above the horizon. What seems somewhat
puzzling is the fact that when a twinkling star is viewed through
a telescope the scintillation ceases, and instead one sees a little
disk with ill-defined edge. The phenomenon of twinkling is due
to refraction or bending of the rays of light coming through our
atmosphere. When the air is "unsteady," this bending becomes
unsteady too, with the result that the rays of light from a star
are "trembling" and flit to and fro across the pupil of the eye,
and make the star twinkle. As a telescope has a very big eye,
the object glass, and although the trembling ravs fall upon it, it
gathers so many that when viewed at the eye-end, the twinkling
has apparently ceased, but it makes itself apparent by the little
disk of light mentioned above, for it must be remembered that
the stars are mere points of light and the most powerful telescope
reveals no disk. From this it is obvious why the moon does not
scintillate, it has a surface that radiates light, and the individual
scintillations from points thereon are drowned, so to speak, in
the multitude. As to sparkling, or rapid change of colour, the
light, as we ordinarily see it, is white, in reality it is composed of
all the colours of the rainbow. These various colours do not tend
to the same degree, when passing through our atmosphere, some
bend more and some less. From any particular bundle of
(white )rays we would receive say only the red rays, from another
bundle only the blue and so on; so that collectively we would
have the impression of white light, i.e., of all colours combined.
This is generally the case when the successive layers of our
atmosphere are fairly homogeneous. When, however, this is not
the case, when irregular layers of varying densities traverse the
air, then the dispersion of the white rays into their constituent
colours becomes apparent to the eye, the blending of the colours,
or rather of the particular rays which give us the sensation of
colour, not taking place so continuously. Hence the star appears
momentarily of that colour which is represented by the particular
ray that meets the eye. When these irregular conditions prevail
in our atmosphere then sparkling besides twinkling of the stars
is possible. As these irregularities are mostly confined to the
1908] Thymus Serpyllum. 139
lower and denser parts of the atmosphere we can understand
why stars only sparkle at a low altitude, not much above 30° above
the horizon, or about a third of the elevation to the zenith or
point overhead. While the twinkling or scintillation is greatest
too, near the horizon, and diminishes as the stars get higher and
higher, it is not wholly absent at or near the zenith, as is the case
with sparkling.
THE OCCURRENCE OF THYMUS SERPYLLUM AT
RICHMOND, QUE.
By J. C. Sutherland, B.A.
In August of this year (1908) Mr. G. H. Pierce, C.E.. of
Beechmore Farm, Richmond, brought me a flower specimen
which was entirely new to me. As it was, however, plainly a
Labiate, I turned to Gray's Manual to identify it. It seemed to
answer the description of Thymus Serpyllum, but the given range
of this species (E. Mass. to Penn.) made the determination
doubtful. I therefore forwarded it to Dr. James Fletcher, stating
that the nearest I could make of it was that it was a thyme or a
savorv. He replied at once that it was the Wild Thyme of
England, Thymus Serpyllum, and that its occurrence here at
Richmond was interesting in view of the fact that in Macoun's
catalogue the only record of its occurrence in Canada, is at True-
manville, Nova Scotia, where it is naturalized in an old field.
He therefore asked me to furnish a note as to its occurrence at
Richmond.
On the 14th of the month, I visited Beechmore Farm, and
Mr. Pierce accompanied me to the large field where it was grow-
ing. The largest patch was on the east side of a knoll, about a
quarter of a mile from the G.T.R. main line and the same distance
from the Richmond and Quebec branch of that railway. The
elevation is over 100 feet above the railway. The extent of this
patch would be about twenty-five feet square, and the plant
had spread in a peculiar semi-circular fashion. There were
other patches elsewhere in the field of about a yard square, and
there were still smaller ones on the west side of the knoll. The
latter ones quite plainly owed their distribution to the harrow.
The plant first appeared, Mr. Pierce informed me, some
three or four years ago. Its situation makes it improbable that
it is an escape from any garden. The only likely source of in-
troduction would seem to be the grass and clover seed which had
140 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Oct.
been sown in the field several years ago. This assumption, of
course, adds the problem as to where the grass and clover seed
received the contamination. Possibly other records of its
occurrence in Canada may be forthcoming.
From an agricultural point of view, Thymus Serpyllum is
not welcome. Its habit of growth here would indicate that it
might prove sturdily aggressive. But from the artistic point of
view it is very beautiful; and to a Canadian amateur botanist
gives meaning, for the first time, to the poet's line, "I know a
bank whereon the wild thyme grows."
NOTES ON THE LEPIDOPTERA OF LAKE ROSSEAU
DISTRICT, MUSKOKA, ONTARIO.
By Arthur Gibson, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa,
At the head of one of the many small bays of the above
charming lake, the delightfully quiet summer resort of Rostrevor
is situated. Surrounded with rich, varied and even virgin woods,
it offers many interesting studies to the naturalist. During a
three weeks' stay at Rostrevor in September, 1907, the writer
spent some time in making collections of the insects of the
immediate vicinit}^ It was late in the season, however, to get
any fair idea of the insect fauna of the district, and the weather
too, most of the time, was unfavourable. The lepidoptera were
given special attention and the following list of species taken is
merely presented as a contribution towards a better knowledge of
that order of insects occurring in that portion of northern Ontario.
It will be noticed that many of the species are common or of
widespread distribution, but a few are interesting on account of
their rarity or owing to the fact that they are the first Canadian
captures of which we have record. The majority of the specimens
were collected "at light." Besides the moths which were attracted
to the bright acetylene lights on the verandah of the boarding-
house, two other kinds of insects were very abundant, viz.:
the common and widespread Polystcechotes punctatus, and the
" lamellicorn " beetle, Ligyrus relictus. The former has the habit
of flying quietly and lazily, but the latter appeared suddenly from
out of the darkness, circling around the lights and making a loud
buzzing noise, much to the consternation of the guests.
1908] Lepidoptera of Lake Rosseau. 141
Rhopalocera.
t
Pontia rapae L. Single specimens of this the well-known Small
White Cabbage Butterfly were observed from time to time
during our stay.
Eurymus philodke Godt. Several examples flying in a pasture
field.
Argynnis cybele Fab. \ These are all common species
Argynnis aphrodite Fab. I in Ontario. In the Muskoka
Argynnis ailantis Edw. i district, atlantis is probably the
Brenthis myrina Cramer. ) most abundant.
Polygonia progne Cramer. A few specimens along a roadside.
Euvanessa antiopa L. The Morning Cloak Butterfly was seen
occasionally.
Basilarchia archippus Cram. One taken on Sept. 8th.
Anosia plexippus L. This usually common butterfly was notice-
ablv scarce during 1907. At Ottawa very few specimens
were seen, and only one at Rostrevor.
Heodes hypophleas Bdv. A single example on Sept. 16th.
Heterocera.
Sphinx kalmiw S. & A. A nearly full grown larva of this hawk-
moth was found on Sept. 15th. It was heavily parasitized
bv a small hymenopterous fly belonging to the sub-family
Microgasterinse.
Telea polyphemus Cramer. One cocoon found Sept 10th.
Automeris io Fab. A mature larva was beaten from basswood
on Sept. 12th.
* Lycomorpha pholus Dru. One specimen, Sept. 8th. The larva
feeds on lichen.
Crambidia casta Sanborn. Several examples of this wide-
spread species were taken on Sept. 4th.
Hypoprepia miniata Kirby. A few, Sept. 5th.
Hyphantria textor Harr. The work of this, the Fall Webworm,
was seen Sept. 1st.
Diacrisia virginica Fab. Mature larv^ae of this common arctian,
were occasionally seen.
Apantesis parthenice Kirby. Specimens taken almost every
evening during our stay. This is doubtless the most abund-
ant tiger moth in Canada. The larva is described by the
writer, in all its stages, in the Canadian Entomologist,
October, 1905.
Halisidota iessellaris S. & A. A few mature larvae seen. These
caterpillars are general feeders.
Halisidota maculata Harr. Larvae commonly found on alder.
142 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Oct.
Halisidota carycs Harr. Larvae very abundant in the rich woods
of maple, birch, etc., wandering about in search of suitable
places to make their cocoons. The caterpillar of this species,
known as the Hickory Halisidota, and that of H. maculata,
known as the Spotted Halisidota, were extremely abundant
in Canada and northern United States in August and Sep--
tember. Much anxiety was felt by fruit growers and others
in districts where the caterpillars appeared in great numbers.
The writer published an account of this outbreak in the
Annual Report of the Entomological Societv of Ontario,
for 1907.
Apatela americana Harr. One parasitized larva was collect-
ed, the parasite Rhogas intermedius Cr6ss. emerging at
Ottawa, Sept. 2Sth.
Caradrina multijera Wlk. A single specimen taken Sept. 12th.
Hadena modica Gn. Sept. 16th.
Hadena duhitans Wlk. Sept. 3rd.
Hadena devastatrix Brace. Sept. 2nd, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th.
Hadena arctica Bdv. Sept. 3rd.
Hyppa xylinoides Gn. Sept. 16th.
Rhynchagrotis placida Grt. One specimen, Sept. 15th.
Rhynchagrotis alternata Grt. Two specimens, Sept. 15th, 16th.
Peridroma occidta L. Sept. 3rd.
Noctua smithii Snel. Sept. 4th.
Noctua normaniana Grt. Sept. 7th.
Noctua c-nigrum L. Sept. 2nd. ■
Noctua rubifera Grt. Sept. 12th.
Noctua collaris G. & R. Sept. 8th.
Noctua clandestina. Sept. 10th.
Feltia siibgothica Haw. Sept. 9th.
Feltia jaculifera Gn. var. herilis Grt. Sept. 9th.
Feltia venerabilis Wlk. Sept. 5th, 15th, 16th.
Porosagrotis mimallonis Grt. Sept. 5th.
Paragrotis jumalis Grt. Sept. 3rd. This species is uncommon
in Ontario. The only other record we have is of a specimen
taken at Ottawa by Mr. C. H. Young.
Paragrotis niessoria Harr. Sept. 16th.
Paragrotis insulsa Wlk. Sept. 8th.
Paragrotis albipennis Grt. Sept. 5th, 8th, 15th.
Paragrotis ochrogaster Gn. Sept. 15th.
Mamestra meditata Grt. Sept. 9th, 16th.
Mamestra picta Harr. Sept. 5th.
Mamestra renigera Steph. Sept. 2nd, 5th, 12th.
1908] Lepidoptera of Lake Rosseau. 143
Nephelodes minians Gn. This noctuid was the most commonly
occurring species and some beautiful clean specimens were
taken.
Heliophila unipHUita ¥La\x. Sept. 11th.
Xylina fletcheri Sm. Sept. 8th.
Cucullia convexipennis G. & R. Sept. 2nd.
Gortyna nictitans Bork. var. americana, Speyer. Sept. 15th.
Goriyna immanis Gn. Sept. 8th. This is the most northern
record we have for this species.
Xanthia fiavago Fab. Sept. 16th.
Eucirroedia pampina Gn. Sept. 4th.
Orthosia bicolorago Gn., var. jerrugineoides Gn. Sept. 2nd, 15th.
Orthosia euroa G. & R. Sept. 8th.
Drasteria crassiuscula Haw. Sept. 5th.
Catocala ultronia Hbn. Sept. 8th.
Epizeuxis americalis Gn. Sept. 15th.
Epizeuxis luhricalis Geyer. Sept. 2nd.
Zandognafha ochreipennis Grt. Sept. 5th.
Palthis angidalis Hbn. Sept. 15th.
Datana ministra Dru. Mature larva Sept. 15th.
Gyn(Bphora rossii Curtis. A single larva of what we take to be
this species was found, and fed sparingly on dandelion
and plantain after my return to Ottawa. The specimen
unfortunatelv died during hibernation, but it resembled very
much the larva of rossii, which had been received by Dr.
Fletcher from Messrs. Percy B. Gregson and Dalton Tipping,
of Blackfalds, Alta., and also other examples of the larva
which had been brought back from Hudson Bay by Mr.
Andrew Halkett, of the Fisheries Museum.
Tolype velleda Stoll. Sept. 9th.
Eupitheciaquebecata Taylor MS. Sept. 16th; a recently described
new species. This is the first Ontario record.
Percnoptilota fluviata Hbn. Sept. 15th.
Hydriomena contractata Pack. Sept. 15th.
H ydriomena latirupta Walk. Sept. 8th, 16th.
Gypsochroa designata Hufn. Sept. 15th.
Petrophora jerrugata Clerck. Sept. 8th.
Deilinia variolaria Gn. Sept. 2nd.
Haematopsis grataria Fab. Sept. 8th. 9th.
Lycia cognataria Gn. Full grown larva on Striped Maple, Sept.
15th.
Ennomos magnarius Gn. Sept. 15th.
Sabulodes lor at a Grt. Sept. 3rd.
Subulodes transversata Dru. Sept. 8th.
Nomopkila noctuella D. & S. Sept. 4th. I5th.
144 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Oct.
Pyrausta fumalis Gn. Sept. 3rd.
Scoparia basalts Wlk. Very abundant ; observed at light every
evening.
Crambus leachellus Zincken. Sept. 2nd, 5th, 15th.
Crambus prafectellus Zincken. Sept. 4th, 5th, 15th, 16th.
Crambus vulgivagellus Clem. Sept. 8th.
Crambus trisectus Walk. Sept. 2nd, 8th.
Thaumatopsis gibsonella Kearf. MS. Sept. 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 15th.
This pyralid was very abundant and specimens could have
been taken at light almost every evening. The species was
submitted to Mr. Kearfott, who pronounced it new, and it
has been described under the above name. Co-types are in
the collection of the Division of Entomology at the Central
Experimental Farm.
Eucosma conftuana Kearf. Sept. 8th, 16th. Mr. Kearfott says
the species is common throughout the Eastern States, and
that in Ontario it has been taken at Trenton (Aug 24) bv
Mr. J. D. Evans.
Aclerisniyisellana Walsm. Sept. 7th. According to Mr. Kearfott,
this is a common northern species, ranging from Eastern
Canada to the Pacific slope, and down to the Rocky Mount-
ains into Nevada.
Aristotelia roseosuffusella Clemens. Sept. 8th.
Machimia tentorijerella Clemens. Sept. 8th. An eastern species
some years abundant in autumn. It has been taken at
Toronto in September by Mr. H. S. Saunders. Mr. Kearfott
tells us that the larvae make a web on the underside of the
leaves of mostly all of our hardwood trees.
Depressaria lythrella Walsm. Sept. 7th. Mr. Kearfott reporting
on this specimen says: "Walsingham bred this from larvae
on Lyihrum alatum, in Illinois. Nothing but the type
specimens were known until Beutenmuller sent me larvae
from the Black Mountains of North Carolina several years
ago, on a plant which I believe to be the above species.
Your specimen matches those bred from Beutenmuller 's
material, making the third locality so far known. If the
above plant occurs in the neighborhood of Rostrevor, I have
no doubt my determination is correct." Dr. Fletcher tells
me that Lythrum alatum is not recorded from so far north in
Ontario, but that Lythrum salicaria might be there and the
closely allied Nescea verticillata almost certainly is.
Collecting in the above locality in June or July, would, I feel
sure, be most satisfactory. Mr. Dinsmore, the proprietor, told
me that earHer in the season great numbers of insects are at-
tracted to the acetylene lights on the verandah.
THE OTTAWA NATURALIST
VOL. XXII. OTTAWA, NOVEMBER, 1908 No. 8.
THE IMPORTANCE OF NATURE STUDY, WITH SOME
SUGGESTIONS AS TO METHODS.*
By J. F. Power, M;A., Toronto.
Since most of us were pupils at the primary schools,
marked changes have taken place in the subjects taught therein.
This need create no surprise. Strange it would be if reforms in
education did not keep pace with the revolutionary changes
going on in the world around us. To-day, as never before, the
plea is being made for a course of study which will better adapt
the child to his environment. Hence, subjects like manual train-
ing and domestic science are receiving a place on the curriculum.
Nor need there be any conflict between those subjects and what
have been always considered the essentials of a proper school
course ; rather will they supplement the latter. I think we are
all pretty well agreed as to their educational importance; if so,
it is our duty to do all we can to encourage their existence. This
we can do by speaking well of them and by giving them our
sympathy and hearty support.
There is another subject, nature study, which has been
attracting a good deal of attention. It is now about four
years since it was formallv introduced on the curriculum; and
the question may well be asked, what has been accomplished?
I venture to say a good deal has been done. We may not fully
realize this ; we may not be always conscious that we are dealing
with nature study when, perhaps, we are doing some of our best
work in the subject. We have heard a good deal about it and
have listened to considerable discussion upon it; and I think
we are, perhaps unconsciously, more interested in the things
around us than ever before. I fully believe also that our pupils
have imbibed someof this enthtisiasm, and that they are begin-
ning to see pleasures in the common things of evcrv day life.
♦Read before Ottawa Teachers' Association,^ .May 8th, 1908.
146 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Nov.
There seems to be some . difference of opinion as to what
nature study is. With some it is a method of teaching — the
natural method. With this opinion I must disagree. I do
admit there is such a thing as natural or common sense method
in teaching, e.g., if we wish to teach carpeting in arithmetic, the
natural method is to have the pupils go through the actual
operation of carpeting. There is no question as to the value of
this method, but it is not nature study. How can it be, shut
off as we are from the very face of nature ? With others nature
study is confounded with elementary science. 'Tis true that in
actual practice it is sometimes difficult to distinguish the two.
At least, as teachers, we are so anxious to im-part knowledge that
I'm afraid we do not always avoid the domain of science. Nature
study, however, is not science; it is the study of the objects and
conditions everywhere environing us, that we may the better
see and comprehend the common things of life; above all, that
we may acquire a sympath}^ with, and a love for nature. Inmv
opinion, it matters little what name we give it, whether nature
study or elementary science, or whether we give it a name at all,
so long as we endeavor to acquire this sympathy with nature ;
and, as Bailey says, "To see what we look at and to draw proper
conclusions from what we see."
As to its educational values, I need offer no special plea.
On this topic you have alreadv listened to much discussion. It
rests upon the same psychological basis as domestic science and
manual training, and is advocated by most of the distinguished
educators of the present day. We are all well aware of the
"knowledge never learned of schools," which a child acquires
during his early years; the idea is to continue, as far as possible,
the same natural means of educating. It is claimed our school
work has been too bookish; we talk about sense perceptions,
sense training, objective teaching, and concrete notions; and
yet, we cling to our books as closely as ever. If there is anything
in the educational principles, from percept to concept, from
particular to general, surely it is in nature study, with its objective
realities, that tliev receive their truest and widest application.
The subject, therefore, rests upon rational and sound pedagogical
principles. Moreover, few other subjects on our curriculum give
anvthing like the same training in observation, nor does it stop
here ; the child must interpret what he sees, thus his reasoning
and judgment are exercised and trained ; his mental activities
are made the most of and are directed along useful lines. The
child is interested in the common things about him ; if we are to
succeed as teachers we must take advantage of this interest and
1908] Nature Study. 147
seize upon this mental desire for knowledge, otherwise it will
fade away and a golden op])ortunity is lost.
Not only is nature study pedagogically sound, but it is also
the verv foundation of many of the other subjects we are called
upon to teach. Much of geography is essentially nature study.
I'm afraid, however, we do not always go to nature and the
world outside to give our classes concrete notions in this subject.
We have been too long adhering to the text-book and the class-
room. In art much of the material employed is taken from
nature, and the better a child is al'le to see and to interpret this
material, the better will he be able to give expression to it.
Much of the literature taught in the various grades al)Ounds in
nature pictures, and what child, who has never learned to
examine and to verify these, will appreciate and enjoy the
sentiments of the poet ? The material for much of our work in
composition may also be taken from nature study topics, thus,
by correlation, it will prove a help in our ordinary sc hool work
and not a hindrance.
There is another and, in my opinion, the most important
value of nature study, viz.: the influence it has on the character
of the child. We emphasize character building, and rightly so,
as the chief object of education. In no way, however, can we in-
fluence a child's character more than by giving him a love for nature ,
a love which will prove a solace to him when tired of the monotony
of everv day hfe. It gives a sympathy not onlv between teacher
and pupil, but also with every living thing. The more we know
of nature the more humble we must necessarily become — since a
knowledge of nature lifts the veil of science, that unlimited field
of knowledge, and makes us feel how very little we know. Not
onlv does it make us humbler, but also kinder, more patient and
more considerate. This may be said to be the aesthetic or
emotional vake of tlie subject; and who will denv t^iat tba
aesthetic training of our pupils isdaily becomingmorene-essary ?
As this country grows older and becornxs letter settled
more attention will be given to decorations and general improve-
ments. Already in this city, tlie matter is assuming k'rge pro-
portions, in the efforts that are being made to make Otta .va the
Washington of Canada. If tlie work is to be a success we must
do something in our schools to lielp it along and to enable our
future citizens to better enjoy tlieir surroundings. We look upon
the C.P.R. as a soulless coiporation v.ithout a spark of sentiment
or refinement; and yet, I notice that orders went forth the
otlier dav to have a flower garden Ft every station ; ross the
continent and seeds were distributed for tliat purpose. Think
of the comfort, the pleasure, the solace that will come '•o many a
148 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Nov.
weary traveller when beholding those flowers; and to the
station agent and his family, in many an out of the way place,
in tending and caring for them. If the C.P.R. is alive to the
necessity of those things, surely we, the teachers of this province,
should not be left behind. What an opportunity there is to
give such a training by raising flowers in connection with our
schools! Perhaps the most valuable lesson that has been
given in this city in this connection was that given last fall by
His Excellency, Earl Grey, when he had some hundreds of the
school boys take part in the planting of bulbs at Rockcliffe.
The animal nature is evident in us all; let us check it by cul-
tivating the emotional and aesthetic side. For this purpose
nature study has the same claim on our curriculum as art,
music, or even good literature.
While the educational value of the subject is pretty freely
admitted tliere are some imaginary objections to its universal
adoption. Tlie chief of these is the lack of time; it is quite true
that teachers are, as a rule, pretty busy. So far, however, as
our urban schools are concerned I need scarcely remind you
that overteaching is one of our greatest weaknesses. Too much
is done by the teacher and too little self-eftbrt or self-investiga-
tion is demanded from the pupil. I am old-fashioned enough
to champion the three R's. These, in my opinion, must continue
to form the basis of our school work. Is it not possible, however,
that we are spending too much tim.e in grinding them and that
equally good results might be obtained in a shorter period?
I have every faith too in giving our boys and girls a taste for
the right kind of reading ; and the teacher, who is succeeding in
doing this, is doing a work of the highest educational value.
I am well aware that some of the advocates of nature study are
apt to speak slightingly of books and to maintain that our
pupils must become original investigators. While it is important
that we, as teachers, should encourage, as far as lies in our power,
the spirit of self-discovery, the great majority of mankind mtist
ever depend upon books for the bulk of their knowledge. There
is, however, no quarrel between nature study and the three R's.
Those teachers who fly in the face of nature study in defence
of the three R's are not always the ones who are doing the best
work in the latter; as a rule, the teacher who does the three R's
best will also do nature study best and will find time to do it.
Let me repeat, nature study, if properly taken up, will prove
an assistance to the rest of the schoolwork; and the three-
quarters of an hour or hour devoted to it each week will prove
a delightful recreation from the ordinary school grind. I am
satisfied too that manv of the lessons we give in nature studv
1908] Nature Study. 149
will remain green in the memories of our pupils when perhaps
many of those given in other subjects are gone and forgotten.
Another objection, frequently advanced, is that the teachers
are not specially prepared to teach the subject. This is no in-
surmountable objection. A great deal of knowledge is not
necessary. What is specially required on the part of the teacher
is a belief in the educational values of the subject combined
with a strong desire to do the work, and with an earnest effort
and a will to become better acquainted with the common things
around us. That most of us are entirely unacquainted with
our surroundings need scarcely be affirmed. Is it not our dutv
to do all we can to remedy this state of affairs? The old saying,
"Where there's a will there's a way," holds specially true in the
teaching of nattire study. Enthusiasm counts for more than
anything else. The difficulty is we have become so accustomed
to the pouring out of knowledge to our pupils that we are ashamed
to say "I don't know"; after all, how little any of us know! Why
can't we give our pupils some topic to investigate and at the
same time work with them? It may be how an apple is formed
in the bud, or how a maple tree gets out of the seed, or the various
changes through which a butterfly passes. In investigating
these topics w^th our pupils, being willing to have them teach us
if necessary, our knowledge will soon increase; and our con-
fidence in and love for the subject will lead us to do better things.
Moreover this mutual effort of teacher and pupil to investigate
together will do more to stimulate the latter to self-exertion than
will all the second-hand information we can otherwise give
him. I am not denying the importance of and the necessity
for knowledge on the part of the teacher; what I do say is,
that lack of knowledge need not deter us from taking up the
work. Besides, too much knowledge mav lead us into our
present fatal error of telling what the child should seek for
himself.
It is true that the subject, as dealt with in many of the
texts, is quite -exhaustive; and is sufficient to discourage the
average teacher who has done little in the various sciences.
Nature study, however, as I have already said, is not science.
It takes things as they are around us and endeavors to under-
stand them without any attempt at svstematic order or classifica-
tion; it is wholly informal and is free from definitions and
technical terms. We mav be interested in insects, their haljits
and metamorphoses without attempting to know anything
about them from a scientific point of view. Leave all that to the
specialists. We may take much pleasure in birds, their songs,
migrations, habits, and uses. _ without ever having heard of
150 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Nov.
ornithology. Just as in literature we may appreciate the beauty,
the sentiment, and the feeling without entering into a detailed
analysis of it, so in nature study we may learn to love a flower,
a bird, or an insect without having any technical knowledge
concerning anv of them. Of course in taking up the work a
vast fund of knowledge is sure to be acquired by the pupil and
this knowledge will form, later on, an excellent scientific founda-
tion.
There is no doubt, however, that the complexity of material
is a stumbling block, hence the necessity for some outline of
work for the various grades. There must be a great deal of
elasticity in the course laid down and there need be no special
order for taking up the work, except what may be incidentally
suggested, as the teaching of a lesson in literature, a topic in
geography or any other individual occurrence. It is well too,
in graded schools that, while each teacher is given great latitude,
some definite course be followed in each grade. Otherwise
much confusion and useless repetition are sure to follow. The
work for each grade, as outlined in the school regulations, is
merely suggestive and may be supplemented to meet any local
conditions. The course to be followed should deal with plant
and animal life, the earth itself, the sky, the atmosphere, in fact
evervthing around us. I understand some such course is being
outlined for the various grades in your schools; it is, therefore,
unnecessary that I say more on this phase of the subject.
I do strongly advocate, however, that, during the long
winter seasons when out-door work in nature is practically
impossible, or at least very difficult, more attention be given,
especially in the Third and Fourth Forms, to elementary science.
I am fully aware that it has been, and is to-day, customary to
introdvice this phase of school work in the High or Secondary
School. This I consider a mistake. There is much in elementary
physics and even in chemistry that the average child, who will
never go beyond the primary school, might take up with great
profit. In fact the course outlined in the regulations covers
some of this work. I see no valid reason why those Forms
should not have simple experiments to show them the chief
properties of air — such, e.g. as its composition, weight, pressure,
the structure and uses of a barometer; simple experiments on
water, e.g. hard and soft, chief impurities, filtration, evaporation,
condensation and buoyancy ; on heat, such as sources, expansion
by heat, conduction, convection, radiation and the structure
and uses of thermometers; simple lessons on the cause and
transmission of sound, light, etc. There is, in all this work,
much valuable information which will enable pupils to better
1908] Nature Study. 151
understand their surroundinj^s ; for what things are so common
as air, water, heat and soil. The proper understanding of these
will enable the pupils to more easily comprehend the facts of
geography, physiology, and other subjects that are taught.
I realize that this would involye having in each school simple
apparatus to carry on the work. The cost would not be great
and the interest taken by the pupils and the value derived from
two such lessons each week would more than make up for it.
Let me pass on to what we may call the general method of
treatment of nature study. It is so wide and is of such a nature,
it may be said that each teacher must be a law unto himself.
Certain it is, that the method to be employed must be almost as
informal as are tlie topics to be studied. It would prove fatal to
the subject to set down hard and fast rules for its treatment.
It may be truthfully said that the feeHng and disposition of the
teacher towards the work counts for more than any formal
method. What the teacher requires more than method is a love
for nature; this love, combined with a reasonable amount of
knowdedge and with a desire to get more, will doubtless bring
success. This does not mean that children are to be taught by
the teacher. The former are to find out facts for themselves
under the guidance and direction of the latter who must always
keep her knowledge in the background. It is a golden rule that
the child must not be told w^hat he can reasonably find out for
himself.
We frequently hear it said that a child is a born naturalist.
This statement I consider extreme. It is quite true, I think, that
childhood is the age when most enthusiasm can be produced ;
when the mental activities are seeking to be satisfied. In later
Hfe we become set in our ways and notions, and it is more difficult
to produce an impression upon us. Our own experiences, how-
ever, will teach us that a child may live daily surrounded by
nature without learning to interpret what he sees. The direction
of a teacher is necessary. How many people there are who
are quite familiar wdth mosquitoes and with the "wrigglers"
of a water barrel, but who never for a moment connect the two
and who are surprised when they are told that both are stages
in the life history of this insect. We must take care then that
children do see; and by well directed and judicious questioning
w^e must assist them to interpret what would otherwise have no
meaning for them. Mere contact with nature or with natural
objects is insufficient.
If nature study teaching consisted in setting before the
pupils a number of facts in nature to be memorized, or a number
152 The Ottawa Naturalist. (Nov.
of objects about which they were to find out facts as best they
could, the work might be easily done. But it is neither the one
nor the other. The main question for the teacher is, what is the
best w^ay to bring the material before the pupils in order to get
the most self-effort from them? A question is always a
challenge to a child, especially if that question is in the shape of
a problem, to be solved, e.g., where do the birds that remain
with us all wdnter secure their food? On what kind of day
do the streets dry up fastest ? In what part of the sky do you
look for a new moon? How is a duck specially adapted for
swimming? Why can it keep warm while swimming in cold
water? By questions such as these the children are kept on the
alert looking for something on which they are to report. Thus
are tliey learning to look around them and soon the habit is
formed. Another thing in which the teacher must be very careful
is not to discourage pupils by forgetting to take up problems thus
set them, or by giving little attention to objects they may bring
in for examination. Children are very sensitive in this matter
and a little thoughtlessness on the part of the teacher may cast
the shadow of discouragement over them.
The time of year, too, must necessarily influence the work
to be done, e.g., spring time is the season for the germination
and planting of seeds, the setting out of flowers, the opening of
buds, the return of the birds, etc. In t\\e fall, comes fruits and
seeds, the means of dispersion of the latter, caterpillars and
cocoons. Some topics may require more than one season to
work out, e.g. the metamorphosis of a butterfly, the growth of
a plant from seed to fruit, etc. The weather we have always
with us ; and it furnishes many interesting topics for investiga-
tion.
Many of the lessons in our readers abound in nature study
topics and furnish an excellent means of treating it incidentally.
In ovir general literature too, is to be found much, both in prose
and poetry, w4iich is descriptive of nature, and the reading of
which by our pupils will do a great deal to create a disposition to
become better acquainted with her. Moreover, this incidental
treatment of the subject is of great value and does away with
the excuse of lack of time for more formal nature work.
The teachers of this city have every advantage in cultivating
the acquaintance of nature.' I know of no other city offering like
facilities. Here live many of the best experts in Canada wdio are
ever ready and willing to render assistance, and an association
with whom is an inspiration in the work. You have here also
the Field-Naturalists' Club, an organization of wide reputation,
1908] Nature Study. 153
the president and the secretary of which, we are proud to number
among our fellow teachers. Take advantage of these facilities
and I am sure you will soon become more interested in a subject
which, for pupils in our day, had no existence.
In conclusion, I have tried to present this subject to you
not from the standpoint of the faddist, but from the standpoint
of one who believes that our primary schools, dealing as thev do
with the masses, mtist continue to fit our people for the affairs
of every day life. At the same time I am convinced we can do
much to train the future men and women of this province, that
there is lying everywhere around them a means of creating a
disposition to appreciate the sentiments of the poet who said:
"Nature never did betray
The heart that loved her; 'tis her privilege,
Through all the years of this, our life, to leap
From jpy to joy ; for she can so inform
The mind that is within us, so impress
With greatness and beauty, and so feed
With lofty thoughts, that neither evil tongues,
Rash judgments, nor the sneers of selfish men,
Nor greetings where no kindness is, nor all
The dreary intercourse of daily life.
Shall e'er prevail against us, or disturb
Our cheerful faith, that all which we behold
Is full of blessings."
SOME BIRD HABITS.
By Norman Criddle, Treesbank, Manitoba,
Several years ago my brother Stuart drew my attention to
some remarkable habits practised by the Killdeer Plover while
endeavoring to preserve its eggs from enemies. He had observed
that this bird, while sitting upon its eggs, when disturbed by a
dog, would leave the nest and flutter along the ground as if
badly injured, as many other birds are known to do, and so
entice the dog away. But, if the danger came from a cow, or
horse, the tactics were changed and the bird, with wings and
feathers spread out, would run into the animal's face and so by
startling it drive the intruder aside. In the former instance the
154 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Nov.
bird left its eggs while the dog was some distance away, but
with cattle it waited until almost touched before moving, so that
its sudden appearance was more startling.
It would, of course, be a fatal mistake were the latter
method employed to drive away a dog, or coyote ; while the
former would prove useless as a means of preventing cattle
from treading upon the eggs. Hence, two habits to gain the
same end.
It might be asked how a bird had acquired so much wisdom
in being able to distinguish between an enemy which would eat
both bird and eggs if opportunity offered, and a generally harm-
less cow from which the only danger would be of accidentally
treading upon the eggs. And also, how it had learned to employ
methods of defence so totally different. I believe the answer is
this. Before the advent of civilization the prairies were in-
habited by countless numbers of buffaloes, while coyotes as well
as foxes were also more numerous than they are to-day. The
Killdeer is a bird that nests in open spots, usually on dry low
hills not far removed from water. Consequently, the eggs and
young would often come in contact with these mammals, and
if the parent bird did not resort, to some artifice, their offspring
would often suffer. The parents which contended most success-
fully with enemies would naturally rear more young. Thus,
by the "survival of the fittest" the instinct — I believe it is
an instinct — has been acquired. I have observed these birds
practise both methods with success when contending against
crows, but man, they rank with coyote and dog and only feign
injury. They consider — unfortunately rightly — that we are
not to be trusted.
The American Goldfinch, often wrongly called Wild Canary,
nests very late in the season, in spite of the fact that in some
parts of the country, such as at Ottawa, it is a permanent
resident. I remember puzzling over the reason of this late
nesting until it occurred to me that the young were fed principally
upon the seeds of wild sunflowers and similar plants such as
Gaillardia, burdock, thistle, etc. Then the reason became
plain: these birds waited until the seeds were ripe so that they
would have an abundance of food both for their young and for
themselves, during the breeding season. In Manitoba the sun-
flowers are much preferred, and I believe this is due partly to
the birds' plumage harmonizing so remarkably with the flowers.
Earlier in the season they feed to a large extent upon dandelions
and Gaillardia seeds, both vellow-flowering plants.
1908] Some Bird Habits. 155
At one of the Ottawa Field -Naturalists' Club excursions
last spring, at which. I had the pleasure of speaking, I made the
rather loose statement that the American Cuckoos differed
from the European species in that they reared their own young.
While this is. generally speaking, true, the habit — ^as pointed out
by Mr. Halkett*- — is not quite so distinctive as my remarks
might lead one to imagine. I have never personally found
American Cuckoo eggs in the nests of other birds, though, I
believe, there are records of such having been found. I have,
however, on several occasions discovered more than the usual
number of eggs in a nest, and in one instance found ten under
one bird, which would indicate that at least three birds were
responsible for them. Unfortunately the eggs were abandoned
and consequently never hatched. There are also, I believe,
instances on record of the European Cuckoo rearing its own
young.
Writing of Cuckoos, brings me to a doubtful case of the
same habit practised by the Red winged Blackbird. The usual
number of eggs is four or five, but on several occasions I have
found nests containing six or eight, and once nine, which leads
me to the belief that these might be from more than one bird.
I am also suspicious as to whether the birds are not somewhat
sociable in their nest-building operations. That is, whether more
than one bird engages in building one nest. But this subject
must be dropped for the present as not proven. I have intro-
duced it in the hope that others might be able to throw light
upon the matter.
The Mourning Dove has increased very largely within the
last twenty years and in some respects is taking the place of
the once abundant Passenger Pigeon, which it somewhat re-
sembles in coloured markings. It seems well adapted to the
changed conditions brought about by the ploughing up of the
country. It delights to feed upon stubble fields or on waste land
where weed seeds are plentiful, and seems rather partial to
Green Foxtail {Setaria viridis), also not taking aniiss to a good
feed of wheat when opportunity offers. These birds often con-
gregate in small flocks, sometimes several hundred being seen
together, but they nest in solitary pairs. They are very fond of
salt, like the domestic pigeon, and- if they ever become too
numerous could probably be captured by using salt as a bait.
On examining the nests of doves at different times of the year,
I have noticed the ratlier interesting fact that the nests are
*Ott;awa Naturalist, Aug. 1"^)08, page 95.
156 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Nov.
usually, if not always, more warmly built late in the season, doubt-
less to protect the eggs and young from cold, though I have no
records tending to show that the habit is practised in the spring
when the weather is often equally cold.
The young of the Osprey are said to have an inclination to
hunt birds and mammals. Some naturalists claim that they
are taught to abandon this habit by the parent birds, after which
they devote their time to hunting fish. I am always rather
skeptical about this "schooling" idea. It seems to me that a
certain modern class of nature writers attribute altogether
too much to this method of acquiring knowledge among wild
animals. I have observed that young Marsh Hawks have much
the same habits of differing from the adults in the matter of food.
The young, as soon as they learn to catch for themselves, devote
a large portion of their time to hunting young grouse which they
destroy in considerable numbers. This habit only lasts about
a month, after which small rodents form the bulk of their food
supply, as is the case with the adults. The question is, do these
young birds later find the grouse too strong and fast, and so are
obliged of necessity to turn their attentions elsewhere ; or are
they taught by their parents that grouse hunting is bad for
them? The question might be answered by another. If these
hawks can capture grouse to advantage why should they leave
them to seek other food of which a larger quantity would be
required to appease their appetites?
There is no doubt, however, that parent birds do teach their
young certain habits. I have watched both the Marsh and
Swainson's Hawk teaching their young to catch the food that is
brought to them. The old bird would soar above the young,
which seemed keenly on the watch, and suddenly drop the food
to be caught. If it were missed the parent would swoop grace-
fully down and secure it again before it had time to reach the
ground, and the lesson was continued until one of the yoimg
accomplished the task. So we must admit the teaching of parents
in wild life. The problem is where to draw the line between
teaching, learning by experience, and instinct.
The 45th annual meeting of the Entomological Society of
Ontario, will be held at the Ontario Agricultural College,
Guelph, on November Sth and 6th. Dr. E. P. Felt, New
York State Entomologist will deliver the evening popular
lecture. At the day sessions papers of economic and scientific
interestTwill be read. Dr. James Fletcher is the retiring
President.
1908] Council Meeting. 15/
COUNCIL MEETING.
A meeting of the Council was held in the Carnegie Library
on September 8th, with the following members in attendance:
the President Mr. A. E. Attwood, Miss E. E. Curne, Messrs.
A. Gibson, H.' H. Pitts, and T. E. Clarke. The folio wmg were
elected ordinary members: —
1. Mr. Thos. Jamieson, B.A.. Inspector of PubUc Schools.
Carleton Count v.
2. Mr. H. Groh, B.S.A., Central Experimental farm.
3. Mr. J. W. Swaine, Macdonald College, Ste. Anne de
Bellevuc.
4. Mrs. F. W. Carman, Ottawa.
5. Mr. Ward M. Irvin, Ottawa..
6. Miss F. J. McNeill, Ottawa.
7. Mr. W. A. Dent, Collegiate Institute, Sarnia.
The Secretary reported that a meeting of representatives
from various literarv and scientific associations of Ottawa was
held in the Speaker's Room, House of Commons, on June 3rd,
when the following resolution was adopted unanimously : —
"Resolved that this meeting recommends to each of the
societies represented, and other societies of a similar nature m
Ottawa, the consideration of the desirability of having one
course of free popular lectures under the auspices of the various
societies united for that purpose only, it being understood that
the proposed course of lectures is not to interfere with the meet-
ings or lectures of each society under its own special arrange-
ments. That a joint committee meet for consideration of the
subject as soon as all are chosen. That each society send m the
name of the delegate elected to Dr. J. F. White, Principal of
the Normal School, who will call the meeting."
A programme of autumn excursions was arranged for as
follows: —
September 12th— Central Experimental Farm.
September 19th— Fairv Lake and Beaver Meadow.
September 26th— Rociccliffe, McKay's Lake and outlet.
Mr.- Gibson suggested the advisability of making a Club
Exhibit at the Central Canada Exhil)ition on some future occa-
sion, the exhibit to be composed of material from the collections
of individual members.
T. E. C.
158 The Ottawa Naturalist [Nov.
THE COTTON-TAIL RABBIT IN ONTARIO.
By J. H. Fleming, Toronto.
This rabbit was not, so far as can be ascertained, indigenous
even in south-western Ontario, where the faunal conditions are
strongly CaroHnian and favourable to its increase. While no
very definite date can be given for its first appearance in the
south-western counties, it has been a resident in Essex for at
least forty years. At Niagara the first cotton-tails were noticed
in 1871 ; this is the date given by Mr. C. W. Nash and agrees
closely with that of others. Mr. Ernest Seton says that rabbits
were seen in Peel in 1872; westward they were recorded at
Strathroy by Mr. Walter Brett in 1882. At Toronto, there is
some confusion, owing to the attempted introduction of English
rabbits and the coming of the cotton-tail was overlooked ; but
Dr. Brodie considers the date was about 1884. Specimens were
taken at Lome Park, by Mr. Seton, in 1887, and Mr. Allan
Brooks states that they were not abundant at Milton till 1888.
During the last twenty years the range has steadily in-
creased, but the centre of abundance still remains south of the
line drawn from a few miles north of Sarnia, to the west end of
Lake Ontario, as shown on the accompanying map. North and
east of this line the cotton-tail is subject to climatic conditions
that keep it in check, and were it not for a constant migration
from the south and west counties very few would remain after
an unfavourable season; and in any case, the natural increase
is kept down by the hunting the animal is subject to at all times.
The cotton-tail in winter often finds refuge under bams,
but it is usually to be found near the woods, showing a decided
preference for hardwood ridges. Solitary ones mav be found
in old skunk holes at all seasons. A common way of hunting
them is with ferrets. There have been numerous attempts to
introduce this rabbit, but the present range is due to the migra-
tion of the animal itself.
EXCURSIONS.
The first of the autumn excursions of the Club was held
on September 12th, to the Central Experimental Farm. The
members of the Ottawa Horticultural Society also visited the
Farm the same afternoon, and the two societies joined forces
and were conducted around the Farm by Dr. Fletcher, Mr. W.
T. Macoun and other members of the staff. About 150 in all
1908]
CoTTOx-TAii. Rabbit.
159
160 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Nov.
were present. Mr. Macoun directed special attention to the
hedges near the poultry houses and to the different groups of
trees and shrubs in the Arboretum, or Botanic Garden. The
various beds of late flowering plants in the central lawn, such as
cannas, asters, etc., were much admired. An interesting feature
of the excursion was a visit to the new horticultural building.
Here everyone was treated to a liberal supply of plums, apples
and melons. The musk melons were in fine condition and, of
course, were very much enjo3^ed. While in the building short
addresses were delivered by Dr. Fletcher and Mr. Macoun.
Dr. Fletcher outlined some of the work which is carried on at the
Farm, referring particularly to that of horticulture bv Mr.
Macoun, the Horticulturist, and spoke in high terms of the
success which had attended his efforts in developing that branch
of agriculture in Canada. Mr. Macoun explained the objects
of the new building and said that he hoped during coming
seasons to have on exhibition samples of the different kinds of
vegetables and fruits which were best grown in the Ottawa
district. These would be shown in glass covered cases and
could be seen in their proper season. He hoped also to have
meetings of horticulturists, from time to tiine, in the building,
when the new car line to the Farm is in operation. Froin the
standpoint of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club, the excursion
was a most unique one, and was much enjoyed by all the inembers
who were present. It is to be hoped that another joint excursion
of the two societies may be arranged for at some future date not
too far distant.
A. G.
SUB-EXCURSION TO BeAVER MeADOW AND FaIRY LaKE.
The second of the autumn excursions of the Club was held
to Beaver Meadow and Fairy Lake, on Saturday, September
19th, under the leadership of the President, Mr. A. E. Attwood.
The day was ideal, a timely rain the previous night having
cleared the air of the dense and oppressive smoke with which the
forest fires had obscured everything. Over sixty members and
others, including a strong representation from the Normal School,
availed themselves of the opportunity for a pleasant outing,
in a hunting ground well and favorably known to all of the older
meinbers. While this is not the season for the best results from
the collector's standpoint, there was nevertheless much to be
observed; and the freshness of this retreat was particularly
remarked upon, in view of the general parched condition of
vegetation, owing to the long-continued drought. After some
time spent in skirmishing in the woods flanking the meadow,
1908] Excursions. 161
the party proceeded to Fairy Lake, a beautifully retired spot.
On its rocky banks, the afternoon's treasures were discussed,
and several interesting addresses were listened to.
Dr. Blackader reviewed the half dozen species of ferns
which had been collected. Some of these were shown to be in
the fruiting condition; and examples of the curious "bladders"
on the leaves of the Bladder fern were also exhiVjited.
Prof. McCready, of the Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph,
was then called on. In view of the presence of so many from
the Normal School, he spoke more particularly on what the
Macdonald Institute is prepared to do for teachers. A three
months' Summer School will be held again next year, at which
teachers may get a training in nature study, school garden
w^ork and elementary agriculture. Rural school teachers should
be able to appreciate the conditions on the farm, and while they
can not be expected to teach the people how to farm, they can
still be, to quite an extent, a medium between the college and the
farm. Prof. McCready also believes in nature study, which has
an agricultural bearing, or in other words, which utilizes the
everyday things of the farm as its objects of study.
Mr. J. W. Gibson, of the Normal School, called attention
to tlie various maples seen, and also explained some points with
regard to the autumn colouration of leaves, examples of which
were already to be found.
Mr. J. H. Putman exhibited several climbing plants, in-
cluding Canada Moonseed and Climbing Bittersweet. He also
called attention to the Poison Ivy growing all about, and showed
that its poisonous properties were often over-estimated.
Some alder twigs bearing specimens of woolly aphis were
shown by Mr. H. Groh, who spoke about the nature of the
secretion which gave this woolly appearance, and about the
honev dew secreted by many apliids.
Mr. Arthur Gibson, besides presenting some specimens of
interest, outlined briefly some of tlie aims of the Club. One of
these was to still further increase the already large membership ;
and to this end he extended the Club's invitation to all who were
interested in its work, to become members. The improvement
of the Ottawa Naturalist, its official organ, was another im-
portant aim of the Club. It continues to attract articles from
many of the best known naturalists.
In the course of his duties as Chairman, Mr. Attwood con-
tributed many valuable points. In speaking of oaks, he classified
them all as either black or white, and gave several easily re-
membered characteristics by means of which they could be placed
in one or the other of these groups. H. G.
162 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Nov.
Sub-excursion to McKay's Lake.
This autumn's sub-excursions have been most interesting
and enjoyable and the one held on September 26th at McKay's
Lake was certainly not an exception. The woods around this
charming little sheet of water are beautiful at any time, but the
gay colouring of the fall season seemed to lend additional charms.
The attendance was not as large as at some former outings, there
being only about fifty present, but never has greater interest
been shown in the finds of the day.
Strolling slowly along through the woods on the lake side,
the whole topic of conversation seemed to be on the different
points of interest in nature about them.
Some time was spent at the sand pit, and here Mr. McNeill
gave much interesting information concerning the sand deposit
and also about the formation of marl found in that locality.
Returning at 4.30 to a pleasant knoll, overlooking the lake,
the company listened with much interest and profit to addresses
by several of the Leaders.
Mr. Arthur Gibson presided, in the absence of the President,
and first called on Mr. W. T. Macoun, who spoke of the various
trees met with during the afternoon, making his talk doubly
forcible bv passing around a small branch of each kind, and
explaining the difference between closely related species. This
created such an interest that quite a discussion followed.
Mr. McNeill spoke of certain aquatic plants, and of the
pleasure to be had from keeping an aquarium. He gave many
practical hints of how to manufacture one at a very slight ex-
pense. Mention was made that great care should be taken in
fiUing the aquarium, so as to have the right balance of animal
and vegetable life, or the consequences would doubtless be dis-
couraging.
Mr. J. W. Gibson corroborated what had been said by Mr,
McNeill and afhrmicd that lie had found an aquarium a source
of great interest as well as profit. He also spoke of the difference
to be found among plants at different elevations.
Mr. H. Groh said a few words about the birds noticed during
the afternoon, giving a list of those observed, and Mr. Arthur
Gibson showed the very beautiful chrysalis of the Monarch
butterflv and described the life-history of the insect. He also
told something of the insects that spend the winter in the heads
of the common mullein and in the stems of the golden rod.
E. E. C.
1908] The Ottawa Naturalist. 163
NOTES.
The Worm-eating Warbler in Ontario. — On the morn-
ing of May 28th, 1908, I took a male Worm-eating Warbler in a
maple wood, with chestnut ridge, about three miles west of
London, Ont.
My attention was attracted by a song which seemed to be
that of a Chipping Sparrow, delivered very rapidly 1 ut with a
tone a trifle more musical than is the case with the sparrow.
After some search we found him sitting still about fiftv feet up
and with a glass I could see a warbler's bill and could tell that
it was flesh coloured, although the light was too poor to show
anything more. A lucky shot brought him down and I had the
pleasure of picking up the first Worm-eating Warbler recorded
for Canada.
In thinking the matter over I remembered having heard a
similar, but not identical, song about a week before, ten miles
farther west but was unable to even see the author of the note.
Since then I have been told that this warbler was accurately
described by a boy living not far from where mine was taken,
so that it is possible more than one have been about. Three or
four years ago Prairie Warblers were reported and taken in
several places throvighout the province where they liad not been
seen before and it is possible that this year may see an oc urrence
of Worm-eating Warblers which will parallel that of the other
species. — W. E. Saunders, London, Ont.
Nesting of the Bartramian Sandpiper. — On Mi v 26th,
1908, while passing through some fields near Morrisburg, Ont.,
I was surprised by flushing a bird of the above spe^^ies. In a
minute the nest and four fresh eggs were found. The nest was
built in a dry, scrubby field, where Meadowlarks were nesting.
Tlie bird had excavated a hole about the size of a srurer, and
lined the same with a few dead grasses, the whole 1 eing - rrtially
concealed by long grass. — W. J. Brown, W^estmount, Que.
Cypripedium .\rietinum on the Shore of Lake Erie. —
On May 30tli, while exploring Turkey Point with Mr. J. S.
Wallace, of Toronto, we found a large patch of Ram's Head
Lady Slipper within one-quarter mile of Lake Erie, which was
growing in the more open places in a cedar thicket and ?T^peared
to be flourishing. We brought away about 20 roots for t'^e garden
but we made no serious impression on the numbers of the colony.
I had found this plant on the shore of Lake Huron in t o places.
but never on Lake Erie.
164 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Nov.
Turkey Point is a small marshy piece of land extending
about two miles out into Long Point Bay, on the north shore of
Lake Erie, some 40 miles south-west of Hamilton. — W. E.
Saunders, London, Ont.
Unusual Nesting Habit op Slate-colored Junco. —
While at Armstrong's Point, Youghall, N.B., in July last, I was
surprised to see a nest of the Slate-colored Junco, Junco hyemalis,
built on a ledge beneath the gable of the house in which I was
staying. When examined on July 20th, it contained two young
birds, about half grown, and one old egg. The nest was situated
about 10 feet from the ground and the house was partly sur-
rounded by the edge of a spruce grove — Arthur Gibson.
Extension of the Range of Peronyscus Michiganensis.
— Some months ago I published an account of the taking of thia
mouse at Point Pelee. Subsequently Mr. John Morden found
these in great numbers at the base of Point Pelee on the main
land, so that one is led to expect them throughout the Lake
Erie District of Ontario, but I was rather surprised on May 13th
to find in my traps on the shore of Lake Huron several of these
mice. The locality was about twenty-five miles east of Sarnia,
just at the south-east corner of Lake Huron. The mice were
inhabiting the beach in the same way that they lived at Point
Pelee.
I have received from Mr. Norval Jones at Grand
Bend, two more specimens of this mouse. Grand Bend is only
fifteen miles north-east of the Point where I took the mice on
May 13th, but the district is very northern in its characteristics.
Crossbills are to be seen there during the summer, and the
White-throated Sparrow and Olive-sided Fly-catcher spend the
summer there, so that the range of this mouse in Ontario receives
quite a northern aspect from these facts. In June, 1908, at the
niouth of the Thames River in Lake St. Clair I trapped another
of this species, and there is no doubt that it occurs all throughout
the South Western Peninsula in considerable numbers.- — W. E.
Saunders, London, Ont.
A Black-fruited Thorn in Ontario. — Mr. Frank
Moberley, C.E., has sent down from Abitibi, specimens of
black fruit of a CraicBgiis, presumably Douglasii, which Mr.
James M. Macoun records as far east as Manitoba. I know of
no black-fruited thorn having been previously found in
Ontario. — J. Fletcher.
THE OTTAWA NATURALIST.
VOL. XXII PLATE IV.
Seedlings of Ph.^xogamous Plants.
THE OTTAWA NATURALIST
VOL. XXII. OTTAWA, DECEMBER, 1908 No. Q.
OBSERVATIONS ON SEEDLINGS OF NORTH AMERICAN
PH.^NOGAMOUS PLANTS.
By Theo. Holm, Brookland, D.C.
(With three plates, drawn from nature by the author.)
There was a time when botanists were deeply interested
in the study of seedlings and the subsequent development of
the plant-individual from a morphological point of view. This
was during the first half of the nineteenth centurv when Bernhardi,
De Candolle.Mirbel, Richard, Tittmann and some others publish-
ed their fundamental works on the germination, soon followed
by Buchenau, Caspary, Irmisch, Warming, and Winkler, while
Klebs and Sachs, but several years later, extended these mor-
phological researches to the equally important and very interest-
ing physiological. However, the literature on this subject may-
be followed still further back, and Malpighi was actually the
first author who contributed to the knowledge of the germination
of pheenogamous plants; this may be seen from his works:
Anatome plantarum (1675), Opera omnia (1687), and Opera
posthuma (1697). To Ray we are indebted for dividing the
plants into Morwcotyledones and Dicotyledones , names invented by
him, and described in his Methodus plantarum (1703). But, as
stated above, it was not until the beginning of the nineteenth
century that the study of seedlings became undertaken more
generally and by some of the ablest writers on botany. In
recent years, or let us say the last decennia, very few botanists
have paid much attention to this particular question, and it is
extremely little that has been brought to light by American
writers. This is the more surprising since the American plants
are exceedingly interesting from this point of view; moreover,
it appears to the writer that the mere systematic treatment
of the American flora is not sufficient so long as the younger
stages of our plants remain ignored; the sad consequence is that
the study of the organs of vegetative reproduction has been
neglected to the same extent. It is only, at least in a number
166 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Dec.
of instances, through following the development of the in-
dividual from seedling to mature plant that the real structure of
the subterranean stem-portions may be ascertained. The
beginning of the formation of the rhizome, the location of the
overwintering buds, the numerous modifications observable in
the root-system, the structure of the foliage, etc., all these points
deserve equally as much attention as the floral organs; they
really deserve a place in the general diagnosis of the species.
But it is a slow process to study and follow these various phases
of plant life in nature, besides much literary research is
involved.
Having been called upon to contribute a paper to the
Ottawa Naturalist, I thought that it might be appropriate to
present a brief sketch of some of the various types of seedlings
which I have observed in this country, in the hope that some of
the Canadian botanists might take the matter up and continue.
At the same time I take the opportunitv to insert some drawings
which m.ight serve to illustrate some of the characteristics of
these seedlings; if sometimes too elementary, the text as well
as- the figures, I inust ask for indulgence on the part of the
reader.
Of the two large classes, of phaenogamous plants, Monocoty-
ledones and Dicotyledones , as proposed by Ray, the former germ-
inate with a single, the latter mostly with two cotyledons; there
are, however, several exceptions. In certain plants the seedling
resembles a thallus, consisting merely of a globular mass of
cellular tissue with no root, stem or leaf, as for instance in
OrchidecB, Monoiropa, Orobanche, etc., and finally among the
Dicotyledones there are some cases where only one cotyledon
becomes developed, the other being either rudimentary or
totally wanting. But, common to both classes, when the
germination begins the primary root is generally the first organ
which appears, then follows the hypocotyl, and after this the
cotyledons. Moreover, we find in both classes two t^'pes of
cotyledons: above ground or epigeic, and subterranean or
hypogeic ; in the former of these, which is the most frequent,
the cotyledons are leaf-like, green and thin, provided with
stomata, and are thus able to assimilate: in the latter the
cotyledons remain mostly enclosed by the seed; they are pale,
fleshy, thick, and frequently grown together. These hypogeic
cotyledons, especially characteristic of seeds without endosperm,
are the bearers themselves of the reserve food-substance. In
Pinus the cotyledons combine both types, since they at first
serve as organs to absorb the endosperm, and subsequently
beconie organs of assimilation; or the cotyledons contain some
food-material and begin the function of assimilation as soon as
1Q08] Observations ox Sekdling Plants 167
the reserve food is assimilated (several Cruciferce). Very peculiar
is the structure of the cotyledon in several Monocotyledottes ,
for instance the Graminecv, where a part of the cotyledon is
developed as a flat, shield-shaped origan, the so-called scutellum,
whose function it is to absorb the food-substances of the
endosperm ; a similar organ occurs, also, in Palms, Conwiclinacece,
Canna, etc., where it represents the apex of the cotyledon.
It is, therefore, very natural that the cotyledons exhibit a
number of forms depending upon their function ; beside that
their varied position in the seed necessarily exercises some
influence upon the outline of their leaf-blades. However, the
cotyledons are not the only part of the seedling in which modifica-
tions as to structure and function may be observed; the primary
root and the hypocotyl exhibit, also, some certain types of
development, which are of no small interest. The root, for
instance, may develop as a nutritive or a storage-root; or it may
be the only organ by which the vegetative reproduction takes
place in the first season, as in Rhexia. Finally, the hypocotyl
may persist during the whole life of the plant or die off after the
first season ; it may persist as an ordinary stem, or develop as an
organ for storing nutritive matters. It is, also, important to
notice the position and vitality of the plumule ; most frequently
it gives rise to the main stem above ground, but not a few cases
are known, where it stays under ground during the first year,
developing into a rhizome; or, it lives only one season, after
which it becomes replaced V>y buds from the axils of the cotyledons.
In this way we must expect to find a rich illustration of biologic
plant-types by merely examining seedlings; and, if we follow
the successive development of these same seedlings, we are grad-
ually led into that inost interesting chapter of botany, which
teaches us about the morphology of the shoot with its innumerable
variations in respect to position anfl form of the vegetative and
floral organs.
In the present paper I intend only to describe some types
of seedlings during the first year of their growth, and we might
begin with the M onocotyledones .
Characteristic of the seedlings of this class of plants is the
presence of a single cotyledon, which may be epigeic or hypogeic,
and the short duration of the primary root .
A very simple type is represented by Ai^ave (Fig. 1). We
notice in this that the primary root does not become arrested
in its development so early as in most of the other Monocotyle-
dones, but that it attains quite a considerable length; the
cotyledon is thread-like and forms a sharp knee for penetrating
the soil, while the apex remains enclosed in the seed until the
endosperm has become absorbed; after that the apex of the
168 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Dec.
cotyledon becomes freed from the seed and stretches itself to-
wards the light. The plumule is located at the base of i the
cotyledonary sheath and develops mostly only one green leaf
during the first season. This manner of germinating is known,
also, in Sisyrinchium and several Liliacece, for instance many
species of Allium.
Another type may be observed in Alisma Plantago, L. var.
Americana R. et S. (Fig. 2). So far as concerns the structure of
the cotyledon, the seedling does not differ from that of Agave,
but if we examine the root we notice that this remains very short,
and that it bears a dense tuft of root-hairs at the base, where it
passes into the more or less distinct hypocotyl (H). We have,
thus, in this type of seedling an indication of a hypocotyl, and
among other plants that exhibit this manner of germinating,
and in which the seeds have no endosperm, maybe mentioned
Butomus, Typha, Triglochin, etc. ; in Juncus hujonius the seeds
contain endosperm, but the seedling shows, nevertheless, this
same structure, according to Mirbel (1810).
We now proceed to a type of seedlings which is very frequent,
and much more so than those described above; in this, the third
type, the apex of the cot}dedon remains enclosed by the seed in
order to absorb the nutritive matters stored in the endosperm.
Moreover, the free portion of the cotyledon constitutes a sheath
of various length, at the bottom of which the plumule is located;
the primary root attains sometimes a considerable length
(Fig. 6), or it ceases to grow shortly after the germination has
taken place (Figs. 3 and 4). As shown in Figure 7, a hypocotyl
is developed, and this stem-portion is more distinct inthis type
of seedlings than in the former. In Ariscema iriphylhnn, Torr.
(Fig. 3), the apex of the cotyledon is readih' visible in longitudi-
nal section, and is surrounded by the endosperm; the'^plumule
with its first leaf is yet enclosed within the sheath, while the
primary root is free, and provided with hairs. A more advanced
stage may be seen in Fig. 4, where the leaf has broken through
the sheath, and where two secondary roots have developed.
During the first season the rhizome becomes formed by the growth
in thickness of the short primary axis (Fig. 5), and' attains the
shape of a round tuber bearing three secondary roots, which
rapidly increase in length, but without ramifying. In Smilax
rotundijolia, L. (Fig. 6), we notice a long primar}' root, which
stays active for at least one season, and the hvpocotyl (H) in
Fig. 7) is very distinct; otherwise the cotyledon shows the
same structure as in Ari.scema. The foliage of Smilax consists at
the seedling stage of several minute, scale-like leaves preceding
the green ones, of which mostly only one appears during the
first jj season. It is interesting to notice that a bud becomes
1908] Observations on Seedling Plants. 169
developed in the axil of the cotyledon, and that this bud develops
into a small tuber (B in Fig. 7). So far as concerns the structure
of the cotyledon, its apex and short sheath, this type of seedling
is common to many, Liliacece. Amaryllidece. PalmcB, Dioscoreacece,
IridecB, etc.
A fourth type is characteristic of CommelinacecB, and it differs
from the former by the prolongation of the free part of the
cotyledon, which here represents a long, filiform organ between the
apex and the sheath; moreover, the primary root is surrounded
by a sheath, the so-called coleorhiza, which it has to penetrate.
These four types thus illustrate the most frequent structure
of seedlings of Monocotyledones ex-cl., CyperacecB and GraminecB,
and the principal distinction consists in the position of the
cotyledon, being epigeic or hypogeic ; moreover, in the varied
development of the cotyledonary sheath. In regard to the
hypocotyl we have seen this to be well differentiated in Smilax,
while it is either obsolete or undeveloped in the others. The
primary root may persist for a longer or shorter period, but the
most important character derived from this organ is the presence
of a coleorhiza as observed in Commelina.
A feature common to these types is, however, that the root
is the first organ to appear when the seed germinates; then
follows the cotyledonary sheath, and finally the first leaf of the
plumule. In this respect the Cyperacecc make a notable exception
from all the other Monocotyledones with perfect embryos. We
might examine Cy penis vegeUisy^iWd., as an example of this type
of germination, illustrated on Plate IV, Figs 8 and 11.
When the seed germinates (Fig. 9) the plumule surrounded
by the coleoptile is the first to appear, pushing out through
the opened base of the achene, and carrying with it the small
root, merelv visible as a minute wart. If we remove the cotyledon
from the seed (Fig. 10), we notice the very simple structure of the
embryo: the large clavate cotyledon, the sheath of which
(coleoptile) covers the plumule completely, and finall5' the small
root with a wreath of hairs. All these organs are, also, readily to
be observed in the still younger embryo (Fig. 8) just before germ-
ination. The further development of these organs may be
observed in Fig. 1 1 , where the root has commenced to grow out,
and where the coleoptile has attained its final shape : as a tubular
leaf with a small, blade-like apex ; no such advanced development
of the coleoptile was observed in the other types described above.
In the CyperacecE the coleoptile thus develops into a long sheath
raised high above the plumule, and it turns its back toward the
absorbing portion of the cotyledon. Sometimes, as for instance
in Fuirena squarrosa, Michx., a long stem-like organ develops
between the coleoptile and the enclosed portion of the cotyledon,
170 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Dec.
thus the coleoptile becomes situated at some distance from the
cotyledon, as if it represented the first leaf of the seedling. If
this be really the case we would have two leaves (cotyledon and
coleoptile) situated at the same side of the axis, above each
other, and such arrangement of leaves would not be very prob-
able. A like structure is exhibited by Rhynchospora alba, Vahl.
(Fig. 12), but in this the primary root does not develop at all,
being replaced by three secondary roots. The structure of the
cotyledon, however, is the same as in Cyperus; inside the
coleoptile is the first green leaf from the axil of which a long bud
has developed, provided with a smah, adonsed fore-leaf, thus
representing the first ramification of the young plant.
In the CyperacecB we have thus the same structure of the
absorbing portion of the cotyledon, while the coleoptile is much
further developed than in the third and fourth type described
above. The generally adopted explanation of the coleoptile is
that it merely represents the sheath of the cotyledon, and in
cases where a stem-like organ is developed, in Fuirena,ior instance,
this organ is defined as a node, but as a node that has become
unusually stretched. It deserves notice, however, that a root
sometimes develops from this "node," while roots evidently but
very seldom develop from the nodes, but from above or below
these. The greatest difficulty by considering the coleoptile as
an independent leaf, the first of the seedling, depends of course
upon its position, since it is placed on the same side of the axis
as the cotyledon ; to overcome this difficulty some authors have
expressed the opinion that a leaf is lacking,' and this leaf should
then be the small, lobe-like organ "epiblast" so very character-
istic of certain genera of GraminecB; this organ is in these
situated opposite the cotyledon, and below the coleoptile, thus
the arrangement of these three organs would correspond very
well with that of normal leaves. But, so far, the epiblast has
not been detected in any member of the Cyperacece.
Now, in regard to the GraminecB, the structure of the em-
bryo is very compHcated, and has been the subject of an extensive
literature from the hands of a number of the most notable
morphologists. But so different are the views expressed that
the only point which seems settled beyond doubt is that the
Graminece have at least one cotyledon ; some authors think they
have two.
Let us, however, examine a few of these embryos before
we review the various explanations that have been offered. On
the accompanying plate (Plate IV) I have figured some germina-
ting grains of Secale and Zea (Figs. 13-17), and in these we notice
the following organs: the primary root (R) with its sheath, the
so-called coleorhiza, and frequently accompanied by one or
1908] Observations ox Seedling Plants. 171
several pairs of secondary roots (Figs. 13, 14 and 17); the so-
called "scutellum" (S), which is more or less shield-shaped, and
closely appressed to the endosperm, which it absorbs; further-
more, the sinall lobe-like organ called "epiblast " (E)), which is
situated opposite the scutellum, and which is not developed in
Zea; between the scutellum and epiblast is the plumule (PL.)
covered by a sheath, the so-called "coleoptile," which in Zea
is borne on a stem-like organ of quite considerable length. The
first green leaf of the seedling (L.) is to be seen in Fig. 17, having
broken through the coleoptile. Considering the position of
these three organs, scutellum stands opposite the epibla.st, and
the coleoptile is not onlv situated on the same side of the axis as
the scutellum, but, furthermore, it turns like this toward the
plumule, or let us say toward the first green leaf. In other
words, in cases where the epiblast is suppressed, which is very
commonly the case, the scutellum and coleoptile appear as two
organs situated above each other, on the same side of the axis.
The question then arises to define whether the cotyledon is
represented by one or several of these organs, and whether these
organs are really leaves, parts of leaves or independent leaves.
Strange to say, but according to Richard, A. de Jussieu,
Hofmeister, and Sachs, the coleoptile should represent the
cotyledon, while the scutellum and epiblast should merely be
parts of stem and root. Another view was held by Schleiden,
and Decaisne, who identified the scutellum and the epiblast
as the cotyledon, the coleoptile as the first leaf succeeding
this. Or these three organs may be defined as cons-
tituting the cotyledon, as proposed by Gaertner, who has
been followed by Hegelmaier, Klebs, Van Tieghem (1872),
Celakovsky and Schlickum; thus the scutellum should represent
the absorbing portion of the cotyledon, the coleoptile its sheath,
while the epiblast should be a mere protuberance of the coleorhiza
(Schlickum) or a part of scutellum (Van Tieghem , Celakovsky) ;
to this may be added that Van Tieghem, by means of the
anatomical method, reached the conclusion that the stem-like
portion between the coleoptile and scutellum is not an internode,
but a node which has become unusually stretched.
Depending more on the mutual position of these organs than
on their structure and homologies Warming has made a very
different suggestion, and he considers scutellum alone as the
cotyledon, the epiblast as the first leaf succeeding this, and the
coleoptile as the second, thus presuming that the epil)last should
actually have become completely suppressed in the Cyperncece;
hence the peculiar position of the sheath just above the cotyledon
in these. According to this .same* author the stem-like portion
necessarily becomes an internode. The reason why Van Tieghem
172 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Dec.
would not recognize the epiblast as an independent leaf, was
because he found no vascular system in it; however, in Avena
sativa Didrichsen observed the epiblast to possess a very regular
lobation corresponding with the presence of several mestome-
strands. So far as coficerns the internode. which Van Tieghem
has declared to show the structure of simply a node, I must say,
that in Coix for instance, the structure is verv different from
that of a node, but identical with that of an internode, and
especially of a subterranean. In order to settle this question,
whether this stem-like portion, by Celakovsky called "mesocotyl,"
be a node or an internode it is necessary to examine the internal
structure in a larger number of genera, when it is fully matured;
in Coix it is an internode, but it ma}^ not be constantlv so in
GraminecB and Cyperacece. Furthermore the presence of a bud
in the axil of the coleoptile, or according to Warming, in the
axil of the second leaf succeeding the scutellum, speaks in favor
of defining this leaf as independent of epiblast and scutellum.
Such axillary buds have been observed in a number of genera of
Hordecs; beside that Van Tieghem observed them in Avena,
and Bruns in Bambusa. The explanation offered by Warming
seems so simple and readily to be understood, that it is undoubt-
edly the most natural.
In re\-ising these various views we notice that there is one
point, however, in w^hich all these authors agree, namely, that
the Graniincce have only one cotyledon. We shall see now that
there were formerly some authors who attributed two cotyledons
to this family, the scutellum and epiblast, thus the Graminecs
should possess one large and one small cotvledon; these authors
were Mirbel, Poiteau and Turpin. Recentlv Van Tieghem (1897)
has abandoned his former theory, and adheres now to the views
of these authors; in his new system he thus removes the
GraminecB from the other Monocotyledones , and places them
among his "'Inseminees." How untenable this classification is
has been shown by Celakovsky, who calls attention to a fact,
known long since, that in some genera oi Graminece the seed is not
grown together with the pericarp, but is free as in Eleusine,
Sporobohis, Crypsis and Heleochloa, and these genera should
consequently in accordance with Van Tieghem 's system be
separated from the other Graminecs, and referred to his
"Semin^es."
The last type of monocotyledonous seedlings which may be
described here is exhibited by Peltandra undulata, Raf. (Fig. 18).
In this plant the fruit is a berry with a thin, almost black pericarp,
and contains mostly a single seed with noendosperm. The seed
is globular, surrounded by a tenacious jelly which, according to
Baillon and Engler, is the transformed exterior integument of
1908] Observations on Seedling Plants. 173
the seed. The plumule is green and located in a furrow formed
by the large cotyledon, the margins of which tightly enclose the
plumule. The germination commences while the seed is still
floating upon the water, and the first sign of the young plant is
the plumule breaking out through the mucilaginous envelope and
separating itself from the clasping margins of the cotyledon; the
first leaf succeeding the cotyledon is exactly opposite this, and
represents merely an open sheath-like organ with two ribs. This
rudimentary leaf-structure may be frequently observed also
in the second and third leaf of the seedling, while in some seed-
lings I noticed that already the second leaf showed a distinct
petiole and a small elliptic blade. In regard to the root system,
the primary root does not develop, but secondary roots in pairs
appear at an earl}^ stage, and attain a considerable length,
though without ramif3dng.
Orontium aquaticum, L. germinates in the same way, but the
plumule is here located in a shallow cavity of the cotyledon
without being surrounded by this. The first leaf succeeding the
cotyledon is terete, not bicarinate, and this form of foliage be-
comes repeated in several of the following leaves; the primary
root stays rudimentary, but soon becomes replaced by several
lateral.
We have thus in monocotyledonous seedlings several
interesting types, in which quite a prominent variation is notice-
able in respect to the structure of the cotyledon, the first leaf
or leaves succeeding this, and the root system. In some of these
the seed is exalbuminous, and the cotyledon epigeic, as in
Alisnia; or we have the peculiar, globular cotyledon in the
exalbuminous seeds of the aquatic Orontium and Peltandra.
Epigeic is, furthermore, the cotyledon of Agave, but not until it
has absorbed the food-substances of the endosperm. The
hypogeic cotyledon is much more frequent, but varies in regard
to the structure of the absorbing portion, for instance, if we
compare the scutellum of the Graminece with the club-shaped
cotyledon of Cyperacecs, Smilax, Commelma, Ariscenia, etc.
Sometimes the cotyledon possesses a distinct sheath which
envelopes the plumule, as in Arises ma, Smilax and Agave; if the
coleoptile of the Gramine(B and Cyperacece might prove to re-
present the sheath of the cotyledon, this would then frequently
appear at some distance above the scutellum, separated from
this by an internode or node, according to some authors. The
cotyledon may subtend a bud as in Smilax, and we remember
that in several GraminecB a bud has been observed in the axil
of the coleoptile, whether this be an independent leaf or merely
a part of the cotyledon. The foliage of these seedlings is, also,
characteristic; for instance, the epiblast and coleoptile in
174 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Dec.
Graminece, the bicarinate leaves in Peliandr a. the small, scale-like
in Smilax, and finally the large, green leaf in Aristema with
petiole and blade. However, the structure of the first leaf
succeeding the cotyledon does not always depend upon the
presence or absence of an endosperm, for instance in the AracecB.
A hypocotyl is, sometimes, developed, as for instance in Alisma,
Agave and Smilax. In regard to the roots we have seen the
development of a coleorhiza in GraminecB, CyperacecB and
Commelinacecs ; furthermore, the relative strong growth of the
primary root in Zea, in Agave and Smilax, but most frequently
the root system consists of secondary- roots replacing the early
fading primary.
(To be continued).
Explanation of Plate IV.
In the figures the letters indicate as follows. — "
R, the primary root; Cot., the cotyledon; Ll, the first green leaf;
PL, the plumule; S, the scutellum; H, the hypocotyl; B, bud in axil of
cotyledon (Fig. 7), or of the first leaf (Fig. 12); E, the epiblast.
Figure 1. Agave Antericana, L., natural size.
2. Alisma Plautago, L., var. Attiericana, R. et S., x 8.
3. Ariscema triphyllum, Torr., longitudinal section; x 4.
4. Same, a little older; x 4.
5. Same, still older, showing the first green leaf fully developed;
natural size.
6. Smilax rotundifola, L.; natural size.
7. Same, part of the seedling, removed from the seed; x 5.
8. Cyperus vegetus, \^illd., the embryo; x 75.
9. Same, germinating seed, surrounded by the pericarp; x 26.
10. Same, the seedling, removed from the seed; x 26.
11. Same, a more advanced stage; x 18.
12. Rhynchospora alba, Vahl., seedling; magnified.
1.3. Secale cereale, L., germinating grain, seen from the front, but
upper half of grain cut of; magnified.
14. Same, seedling removed from the grain, side-view; magnified
15. Zea mays, L., germinating grain; natural size.
16. Same, longitudinal section; natural size.
17. Same, a more advanced stage; natural size.
18. Pcltandra undulata, Rafin., natural 'size.
BLUE BIRDS OF THE MARITIME PROVINCES.
By Wm. H. Moore, Scotch Lake, N.B.
As there seems to be a general inisunderstanding among
people in regard to our blue birds, t.^. birds having some blue in
their plumage, it has occurred to me that a short paper on this
subject might prove of considerable benefit, for at anv meeting
that the writer has addressed, about birds, this question has
always come up. Especially among school teachers, and normal
1908] Blue Birds of the Maritime Provinces. 175
school students, who are expected to take up Nature Studv, and
who have rare opportunities of observing the bluebird (Sialia
sialis). there seems to be a trend of opinion that the blue jav
(Cyanocitta cristata) may be the bluebird. At a recent meeting,
when this subject was brought up, it was found that one normal
student had seen an indigo bird (Passerina cyanea), one of our
blue birds that is very rare in the Maritime Provinces. Another
student knew of a bird that had blue upon the back, but had a
brownish breast ; as it was not blue all over, it was not thought
to be the real bluebird. Others wished to know if the bluebird
and blue jay were the same species. Without a doubt manv
people would be surprised to know that we have over a score
of land birds with blue coloured plumage. In some of these the
blue colour is decidedly noticeable, in others it is found onlv
as bluish reflections in the breeding plumage. A number of the
waders and water birds have blue in various hues, on different
parts, but of these we shall not treat in detail. The birds we will
refer to in comparing the size of the different species are the
crow, robin, English or house sparrow, and the goldfinch or
thistle-bird, all of which must be fairly w^ell known to most
Canadians.
Sialia sialis, the real Bluebird. The male has the upper
parts, wings and tail bright blue, tipped with rusty in the fall;
throat, breast and sides chestnut or rufous; belly white. The
female is paler throughout ; the upper parts having a gravish
tinge; the throat, breast and sides paler. Slightly larger than the
house sparrow. The song of the male (if song it may be called)
is a melodious chee-er-ie whistle. In the fall the call of both
sexes is a soft and gentle tur-ivee. For a nesting site a hole in a
tree, or a hollow fence post is selected, and occasionally houses
put up for martins are occupied by this species. The nest is
composed of grasses, with the finer parts inside. Feathers are
often used in the lining. The eggs are pale bluish, rarelv pure
white, and number from four to six. The period of incubation
varies with the season; from fourteen to eighteen days. The
food consists of insects of many kinds, which are sometimes
caught in the air after the manner of the flycatchers. For a
number of years the bluebird was very rare with us, but during
the last five years it has become quite common. The principle
enemies of the bluebird are small hawks, squirrels and domestic
cats. This bird arrives from the south from early April until
the last of May, and stays until well on into October.
SiTTA carolinensis, the White-breasted Nuthatch. The
adult male has top of head and fore part of back black; rest of
upper parts bluish-grav ; inner secondaries bluish-gray with black
markings; middle tail feathers bluish-gray. Female similar but
176 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Dec.
the black of head and back is washed with bluish-gray. About
same size as the house sparrow.
Sitta canadensis, the Red-breasted Nuthatch. Adult male
has upper parts and middle tail feathers bluish-gray ; top of head
and line through the eye black; a white line over the eye ; throat
white ; underparts rufous. Female similar, but the top of head and
stripe through the eye bluish-gray, like the back; under parts
paler. Size smaller than the goldfinch.
These two species of nuthatch are similar in habits; their
calls being the well known yank, yank, and various twitterings
as they search for food among the tree-tops.
The erratic clamberings of these birds serve to distinguish
them from any other of our feathered friends; creeping about
on trees, head downwards, is characteristic of the species.
The nest is made in a cavity dug into a tree trunk, and is
composed of fine shreds of bark, fur and feathers. The entrance
to the cavity is always more or less smeared about with balsam
gathered from fir trees. This is carried in the bird's bill and put
in place, evidentlv to serve as a protection and keep out climbing
mice and squirrels, as this substance would very much entangle
the fur of these rodents. The eggs number from five to eight and
are white with numerous brownish specks. The period of
incubation is about ten to twelve days, and is engaged in by both
birds. The food is chiefly insects, but probably seeds are also
eaten to some extent. Both are permanent residents with us, and
often come about buildings in search of flies hidden in crevices.
They may also be seen about horse droppings along roads lead-
ing through wooded tracts.
Among the warblers we have several which show more or
less blue in their plumage. In only one species, however, is the
blue very noticeable.
Dendroica coronata, the Myrtle Warbler, also known as
Yellow-rumped Warbler. Adult male with a yellow patch on
crown, rump and either side of the breast; upper parts bluish-
gray with black streaks; two white wing-bars; throat white;
breast and upper belly marked with black; lower belly white.
Female similar, less plainly marked. About size of the goldfinch.
This species is a common summer resident, frequenting mixed
growths of young trees. This is our first warbler to arrive in
spring, coming sometimes in April and staying until late
September.
Dendroica c^rulescexs. the Black-throated Blue Warbler.
Adult male has upper parts grayish-blue; back sometimes
blackish; wings and tail edged with blue; sides of head and
throat black ; ?^breast and belly white ; also a white spot on middle
of closed wing. Female paler on upper parts; back olive-green,.
1908] Blue Birds of the Maritime Provinces. 177
the only blue being on the tail; underparts yellowish; white
wing mark present though less noticeable than in male. This
is our bluest warbler. Smaller than the goldhnch. Tolerably
common in mixed woods, where its oft repeated zee-zee-zee song
may be heard. They are present with us from early May until
September.
CoMPSoTHLYPis AMERICANA, the Parula Warbler, or Blue
Yellow-backed Warbler. Male with upper parts grayish; a
yellowish patch on middle of back; throat and breast yellow; a
black, or bluish black, or rufous, band across the breast. Female
similar, but the band on breast sometimes lacking. The smallest
of our bluish birds. A fairly common summer resident from
early May until September. The nest is a beautiful hanging
basket of Usnea moss.
Helminthophila ruficapilla, the Nashville Warbler. Male
with bluish-gray on top and sides of head ; a chestnut patch on
crown; imder parts bright vellow, whiter on bellv. Female,
colours rather duller than those of male. Tolerably common in
moist, bush grown pastures and similar places. Smaller than
the goldfinch. Nests upon the ground.
Vireo solitarius, the Blue-headed Vireo. Top and sides of
the head bluish-gray ; eve-ring and lores white ; two white wing-
bars; underparts white. Slightly larger than the goldfinch.
Probablv more common than is generally supposed, the
song being mistaken for that of the Red-eyed Vireo. There is no
reason to be misled, however, as the songs are quite different,
that of this blue-headed species being louder and clearer than that
of his red-eyed relative. The vireos build hanging nests, thus
gaining for themselves the name of hangbirds. This blue-headed,
or solitary vireo, is with us from late April until October.
We come now to the swallows, a group of birds with blue
in the plumage, but none of which need be mistaken for blue-
birds. Excepting the tree swallow, this group of birds may
all be found about buildings. Even that species sometimes
nests in bird-houses supplied by mankind. All are insectivorous.
Tachycixeta bicolor, the Tree Swallow, or White-bellied
Swallow. Both sexes are alike: upper parts steel blue or steel-
green; under parts white : outer tail feathers longer than middle
ones. Between the goldfinch and the house sparrow in size, but
having long Avings, which make it appear larger when flying. A
tolerably common summer resident from the middle of April
until the middle of July. The nest is situated in bird-houses,
holes in trees and hollow fence poles and is composed of fine grass
blades, lined with feathers.
Chelidox erythrogaster, the Barn Swallow, also called
Forktail Swallow. Sexes similar; forehead, throat and upper
178 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Dec.
breast chestnut-rufous; rest of under parts washed with same
colour; upper parts steel-blue, tail deeply forked. Body about the
size of that of the goldfinch ; the long tail feathers give a length
to the bird greater than the sparrows. This swallow nests inside
buildings, but in a few instances has been known to build out-
side. It is with us from late April until September.
Petrochelidon lunifrons. Cliff or Eave Swallow. Adults
with'i steel-blue /crown, back and centre of breast; forehead
whitish; throat and sides of head chestnut; tail feathers of
nearly equal length. Midway in size between the goldfinch and
the house sparrow. This is the swallow that builds nests under the
eaves of buildings, and is our most abundant kind. It is with
us from early May until the middle of September.
Progne subis, the Purple Martin. Male shining bluish-
black, with wings and tail duller. Female with upper parts
bluish-black; throat, breast and sides grayish; belly white. Size
between the house sparrow and the robin. Nests are made of
straw and twigs built in small bird-houses. Least common of
any of our swallows. It is here from late April until August.
Passerina cyanea, the Indigo Bunting, or Indigo-bird.
Male, rich blue, deeper on the head, brighter on the back; wings
and tail black, edged with blue; lores blackish. Female of a
grayish brown, the wings and tail onlv showing bluish. Slightlv
larger than the goldfinch. The size alone would serve to
distinguish it from the bluebird. The song also is very
different, it reminding one somewhat of the purple finch trying
to sing like a goldfinch. Then the Indigo-bird is so rare with us
that there is little likelihood of confounding the two species.
We come now to some species of black birds having bluish
reflections none of which need be mistaken for the bluebird,
as all are larger.
QuiscALUs guiscuLA ^neus, the Bronze Blackbird, or Crow
Blackbird. Larger than the robin. Very common from April
to October.
ScoLEOCOPHAGUs CARQLiNus, the Rusty Blackbird. Male in
spring plumage glossy bluish-black; at other seasons, feathers
tipped with rusty. Female without bluish gloss; more rusty than
male. Slightly smaller than the robin. Tolerablv common
from April to October.
Cyanocitta cristata, the Blue Jay. Upper parts blue; under
parts white, washed with dusky on the sides; black patches on
wings, tail and about the head and breast ; head crested. Larger
than the robin. A common permanent resident. Mimics other
birds, as Broad-winged hawk and woodpeckers, in its calls. A
beautiful bird, and one that is most cautious during the breeding
season. The nest in this section is built in tall trees in the forest.
1908] Rhus Glabra in Canada? 179
It is difficult to conceive of this bird nesting in the V^ack yards
of houses as it does in some localities. It is also quite as difficult
for people of the south and west -to realize the Blue Jay being
so retiring during the breeding season, as it is here in the Maritime
Provinces.
Ceryle ALCYON,the Belted Kingfisher. Male with upper parts
bluish-gray ; numerous white spots on the wings ; throat and
sides of neck and belly white; sides bluish-gray, also a band of
same colour across breast. Female similar, but the band on
breast and sides rufous. Both sexes crested. Larger than the
robin. Tolerably common from April until October. One
recorded at Sussex, N.B., as late as Christmas Day. As the name
implies, this bird is a fisher, living upon small fish, crayfish and
larvae of various species of insects, that pass part of their lives
in the water. This species nests in tunnels burrowed into banks
of streams, and other suitable places. The eggs are beautifully
white, four to seven in number; incubation beginning about
when the first egg is laid, as broods of young show different sizes.
The rattling call of the kingfisher is its most distinctive char-
acteristic.
These are our birds having some blue in their plumage, none
of which, however, need be mistaken for our real Bluebird,
Sialia sialis, having, as Burroughs says, the blue of the sky on
its back, and the brown of the earth below.
IS RHUS GLABRA IN CANADA?
By Edward L. Greene, U.S. National Museum,
Washington, D.C.
Certainly all the descriptive botanies, and almost all the
lists and catalogues that have been written as for Canadian
territory, affirm that Rhus glabra, Linn., grows there. But then,
the affirmation may have been in every instance unwarranted.
Despite all the books and catalogues, it may be that no such
shrub as that name stands for, and must stand for, is found on
Canadian territory. It is easily possible that every such book
and catalogue may, in this particular, be wrong.
Now, let us permit no misunderstanding as to what our
question reallv is. It is not doubted that in the Canadian flora
there occurs in several places what all have called Rhus glabra.
But, thev write "Rhus glabra, Linn.," and that is saying that
the particular kind and description of sumach to which
Linnaeus assigned that name is there. It is this often repeated
assertion that Linnaeus' Rhus glabra is in Canada, which is here
180 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Dec.
called in question, That is an affirmation which never could
have been warranted, but as the result of a certain piece of
phytographic investigation, which investigation it is probable
no one, studying Canadian botany, has j^et undertaken. For
example : has any one with the so-called Rhus glabra before him
betaken himself to the original Linnsean account of the shrub,
to see if it answered to that account?
To come nearer home, I do not believe that any one in New
England has ever yet gone into the history and description of
Rhus glabra far enough to determine whether or not there exists
in all New England any shrub answering to Linnseus' Rhus glabra.
The easy thing to do is what the great majority of botanists do,
whether of New England, of Canada, or elsewhere, and that easy
thing is, simply to follow some one else's dictum ; take the author-
ity of some other author, and accept that, without a moment's
thought as to whether it may be right or wrong; even never
doubting that it is right.
Such a course as this is as far as possible from being scientific;
yet, as I have said, it is the usual course. It is the easy way,
albeit an utterly irresponsible way; a way that leads to the
making of books and catalogues that, instead of being truthful,
reiterate and disseminate and perpetuate a hundred errors, it
may be, on every fifty pages.
I have taken up this case of Rhus glabra chiefly as being
illustrative of the eas}^ irresponsible way that many botanists —
not those of Canada any more than those of a hundred other
regions — accept and reprint old names as applied to new plants.
Linnaeus did not himself describe his Rhus glabra, but cited
a fine description that was already before the public, that of the
great Dillenius. To this author, then, we must go, if we are to
ascertain what the Rhus glabra, Linn., is like.
Dillenius (Hortus Elthamensis, p. 323, b. 243) has a folio
plate, accompanied by almost a folio page of description, so
that we have no great difficulty in ascertaining both what the
original Rhus glabra, Linn., looks like, and what is its native
region. He attributes to his shrub a foliage made up of from
21 to 25 leaflets, each leaflet nearly 2 inches wide and 6 inches
long or more. This is making the individual leaf of real Rhus
glabra to be more than two feet long. Neither in Canada, or in
any part of New England adjacent to Canada, is there any
Rhus heard of as having foliage of anything approaching such
dimensions, or of such a great number of leaflets. And the
originals of Dillenius — therefore of Linnasus— were from a very
different region, namely southern Virginia. This, the genuine
Rhus glabra, Linn., of which one of the specific marks is its very
large foliage, is found all up and down the country lying south of
1908] Rhus Glabra in Canada? 181
the Appalachian divide between Virginia and Long Island. If
by any magic a clump of this shrub should be transferred to
western New York, or across into Ontario, and set down
adjacent to the so-called Rhus glabra of those regions, the first
botanist who came upon it, seeing the wonderful contrast in
foliage, would be likely to suspect that in this Rhus of such
enormous foliage he had a new species. The shrub of the regions
north of the Alleghenies has never two-thirds as many leaflets,
and these never nearly as large, so that its leaf, as a whole, is not
of half the size — certainly seldom as much as half as large — as
that of the real Linnaean Rhus glabra. It is as common from
Ithaca, New York, to the vicinity of Boston, Massachusetts,
as Rhus glabra genuine is in Virginia, southern Pennsylvania and
•New Jersey; and these marks of the leaves are not all. Let
us place the two shrubs in closer contrast descriptively. The
one of the North, copious about Ithaca, and extending into
Ontario, we will call Rhus Ithacensis.
Rhus glabra.
Leaf as a whole commonly 2
feet long.
Leaflets 17-25, rounded at
base, 4-6 inches long, of
hard firm texture.
Fruiting panicle with verv
short, stout peduncle.
Panicle itself between fusi-
form and pyramidal, com-
monly 10 inches high;
drupelets large.
Leafy branches of shrub quite
blue with bloom.
Rhus Ithacensis.
Leaf as a whole usually 7-11
inches long.
Leaflets 11-17, abruptly taper-
ing at base, 2h or rarely
3 inches long of thinner
texture.
Fruiting panicle with long
peduncle and not stout.
Panicle oblong-fusiform Ah-b
inches high, the drupelets
smaller.
Leafy branches much more
slender. merely glaucescent.
If such marked distinctions exist between the northern
smooth sumachs and the southern, then, in the name of science,
not to say of common truthfulness, the expression "Rhus glabra,
Linn." should early disappear from the books and lists of
Canadian plants. No kind of procedure is more subversive of
knowledge than that of transferring the name of one object, to
another object very unlike that to which alone the name by
right belongs.
I conclude by repeating it, that this Rhus glabra case is but
illustrative of a certain principle. Under that revival of interest
in North American botany that is now in progress, old and
deeply rooted errors about the identity of things are being
perfectly indicated, and the amendments of them made, by the
score every year, but curiously, the botanists are of two classes,
those who welcome the fuller knowledge, and those who deplore
and o}>pose it.
182 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Dec.
ZOOLOGICAL NOTES FOR 1908.
By J. F. Whiteaves.
Among the additions to the zoological collections in the
Museum of the Geological Survey for 1908, there are three
specimens that seem to be of sufficient interest to warrant a
permanent record. These are as follows: —
MAMMALIA.
(1) PuTORius Rixosus, Bangs.
(Least Weasel: Bangs' Weasel).
A weasel, that corresponds very well with Mr. Bangs''
description of this diminutive species, was obtained by Mr.
Joseph Keele in Januarv, 1908, at Third Lake, on the Ross
River, Yukon Territory,' in Long. 131°W., and Lat. 62° 45'N.
The specimen, which was caught in a marten trap, is in full
winter fur, and was said by the trapper to be a male. It is
remarkable for its extremely small size, its fur is pure white,
and its tail is short and white at the tip. It was received in
the condition of a well prepared skin, with the skull, and has
since been mounted for exhibition. Following the curves of
the head, neck, back and tail, it now measures roughly 172 mm,
or slightly less than 6 J inches, from the nose to the tip of the
tail; or about 5f inches, if measured in a straight line.
The type of P. rixosus, Bangs, 1896 (Proc. Biol. Soc.
Washington, Vol. x, p. 21), is an adult female from Osier,
Saskatchewan; and the species is known to occur also at the
mouth of the Porcupine River, Alaska; on the upper Yukon;
at Fort Albany, and at Moose Factory.
This .species is the smallest weasel known, and the only
American one that lacks the black tip to the tail.
(2) Synaptomys (Mictomys) Wrangeli, Merriam.
(The Alaskan Lemming Mouse).
A specimen of this species, was presented to the Museum of
the Survey by the Rev. J. H. Keen, of Metlakatla, B.C., in
October, 1908. This interesting little rodent was caught by
Mr. Keen at Metlakatla on the second of November, 1899, and
is the first specimen of this species that has been received in
Ottawa. The specimen is a skin, with the skull, and the lal>el
that accompanies it states that it is a male.
The exclusively North American genus Synaptomys was con-
stituted by Dr. Spencer F. F. Baird. in 1857, in his "Mammalia
1908] Zoological Notes for 1908. 183
of North America." for the reception of two specimens of a
small rodent which has all the external appearance of a field
mouse or vole, but which has the teeth of a lemming. As its
name implies (sun-apto, to join together; and mus, a mouse)
the founder of the genus supposed it to be a connecting link
between the field mice and the lemmings.
In 1896, in a paper on "The Genera and Subgenera of Voles
and Lemmings," published by the U.S. Department of Agri- •
culture. Mr. Gerrit S. Miller, Jr., says that Synaptomys is a true
lemming, and that it differs from all the other genera of Micro-
tinae by its grooved inci.sors.
A little earlier in the same year, Dr. Merriam, in a "Revi-
sion of the Lemmings of the genus Synaptoinys," published in the
tenth volume of "Proceedings of the Biological Society of
Washington," had divided the genus into two subgenera, viz.:
(1) Synaptomys (proper), Baird, 1857; and (2) Mictomys,
True, 1894. The first of these subgenera is said to be repre-
sented by "four fairly well defined forms." and the second by
"at least four species."
The only species of the subgenus Synaptomys , as defined
by Merriam, that has yet been found in Canada is S. jatuus,
Bangs (the "Northern Lemming Mouse"). The type and eight
cotypes of this species were collected "about Lake Edward,"
P.Q., by Mr. Bangs in 1895, and specimens of it are recorded as
haVing been collected at Godbout, P.O., by Mr. Napoleon
Comeau in the same year; and at two localities in New Bruns-
wick by Dr. J. A. Allen in 1894.
Of the subgenus Mictomys, two species are now known to
occur in Canada. These are (1) Synaptomys (Mictomys) in-
nuitus, True, which is the Lemming Mouse of Ungava; and (2)
Synaptomys (Mictomys) Wrangeli, Merriam, which is the Lem-
ming Mouse of Alaska. The first of these species was described
in 1894, and was based upon a specimen collected by Mr.
Lucien M. Turner at Fort Chimo, near Ungava Bay, which is
still the only locality at which this species has been collected.
The second was described in 1896, from two specimens
collected in 1895 by Mr. Clarke P. Streator at Wrangel, Alaska.
Mr. Keen's discovery of specimens at Metlakatla extends the
southern range of this species to the coast of British Columbia
BIRDS.
(3) Ceratorhina monocerata (Pallas) Cassin.
(The Rhinoceros Auklet).
/^ A good specimen of the single egg of a pair of birds of this
>
184 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Dec.
the Museum of the Survey by the Rev. J. H. Keen in December,
1907, as stated in the Ottawa Naturalist of that date.
In October, 1908, Mr. Keen kindly presented the same
museum with a fine specimen of a bird of this species, which
is labelled as having been taken at Lucv Island on the 24th of
April, 1907.
The specimen is a skin of an adult male, in spring plumage,
which shows well the large upright and deciduous "horn" at the
base of the upper mandible, and the two longitudinal series of
long, narrow and acutely pointed white plumes, on each side of
the head, as figured by Coues on page 1067 (fig. 722) of the
second volume of his "Key to North American Birds."
This large and remarkable species of Auklet has long been
known to have a very wade distribution in the north Pacific,
but it was previously represented only by an egg, in the Survey
collection.
DIOSCOREA VILLOSA AT SARNIA.
By W. A. Dent, Sarnia, Ont.
The surface of the land about the shores of Lake Huron in
the vicinity of Sarnia is a succession of sand ridges parallel with
the lake. Many of the depressions between these ridges were
formerly swampy, or actually covered to a slight depth of water.
Vegetable remains accumulated in these depressions in many
places to a considerable depth, forming a soil almost as black as
charcoal. This humus, mingled with the sand and receiving the
drainage from the surrounding ridges, forms an almost ideal
soil for the growth of many comparatively rare and interesting
plants. The orchid family, renowned for the beauty of its flowers,
was here formerly abundantly represented by many of its
most beautiful members. Arethusa, for instance, Calopogon and
Pogonia, that dainty trio, here grew in profusion, while the
Cypripediums in millions made the swamps gorgeous. Cypriped-
ium spectabile was formerly so abundant that men went with
wagons, and gathered loads of the blossoms to ship to larger
centres. C. candidum is still to be found in comparatively large
numbers, while boquets of C. arietintmi grace the teachers' desks
regularly in several country school-houses.
That beautiful violet, Viola pedata, with flowers an inch
across, and of the richest shade, grows beneath the pines on the
sheltered banks of the sandy ridges.
In the thickets, which are abundant in these shallow ravines,
many twining plants grow in tangled masses, sheltering partridge.
1908] Notes. 185
quail, woodcock and rabbit, and affording nesting sites to
innumerable thrashers, veeries, chewinks, catbirds and rose-
breasted grosbeaks. One of the most interesting of these
twiners is the Wild Yam, Dioscorea villosa, whose knotted root-
stocks in many places lie thickly matted a few inches below the
surface. It is a graceful, slender twiner with heart-shaped,
pointed leaves and small greenish-yellow flowers. The fruiting
capsules are conspicuous in drooping racemes, persisting after
the leaves have fallen. The plant seems to be restricted to a few
of these block-soiled ravines, but, in those in which it does grow,
it is the most abundant of the twiners. The soil in which it
grows is so light that the root-stocks of the Dioscorea, as well as
the roots of many shrubs and brambles, are readily removed
without the aid even of a trowel. Its stems are frequently
intertwined with those of Celastrus, Smilax herbacea and S.
roHmdijolia, while Euonymus Americanus covers the ground, its
crimson pods with their scarlet arils loeing highly ornamental
in the autumn.
Dioscorea villosa is reported as being rare in Ontario. The
writer would be glad to hear through The Ott.\wa Naturalist,
or otherwise, of its occurrence elsewhere.
NOTES.
In the removal to Toronto of Dr. S. B. Sinclair, late Vice-
Principal of the Normal School, the Club loses from the ranks
of its active membership one who, for a number of years past,
has taken a keen and enthusiastic interest in our work. It is
almost entirely due to Dr. Sinclair that the happy and im-
portant relationship that exists between the Club and the
students of the Normal School to-day, has been brought about.
He has placed before each successive class the benefits to be
derived from our excursions and lecture courses and taken no
small part in helping the Executive to make these occasions of
real value to his students. It would he hard to over-estimate
his influence on these future teachers in our Public Schools, in
thus awakening and encouraging in them a love for Nature
Study.
It is not only in this good work that Dr. Sinclair has taken
an active part. For many years he was our Librarian and for
several terms our esteemed President, directing and assisting
in a most helpful way in all matters that served to promote the
objects of the Club in this city. We shall miss greatly his genial,
stimulating presence from our gatherings, and it is with rnuch
regret that we part with him as our coadjutor. Our best wishes
186 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Dec.
go with him for a very large measure of his success in his new
sphere of action.
Entomological Society of Ontario. The 45th annual
meeting of this important society was held at the Ontario Agri-
cultural College, Guelph, on November 5th and 6th. The meeting
was a most successful one and much interest was shown in the
various papers read at the different sessions. The whole of the
first afternoon was taken up in a discussion of the chief insect
pests of the season, fruit insects being speciallv treated of. At
the first evening meeting Dr. E. P. Felt, New York State Ento-
mologist, of Albany, delivered a splendid lecture on "The Inter-
pretation of Nature." This was illustrated with particularly
good slides. At the second evening meeting Re\-. Dr. Fyles,
of Levis, Que., in his own charming manner spoke on "The
Farmers' Woodlot"; Prof. W. Lochhead, of Macclonald College,
on "What the Fruit Grower and Farmer should know about
Entomology" and Rev. Prof. Bethune on "Injurious Insects in
Ontario in 1908." At this meeting too, a paper on "The Present
condition of the work connected with the importation of foreign
parasites of the Gypsy and the Brown-tail Moths," by Dr. L. O.
Howard, of Washington, D.C., was read. Besides Prof. Lochhead
and Rev. Prof. Bethune, other members of the Ottawa Field-
Naturalists' Club who attended the meeting and contributed
papers were: Messrs. C. W. Nash and J. B. Williams, of Toronto;
H. H. Lyman, of Montreal; F. Morris, of Port Hope; and
Arthur Gibson, of Ottawa. Mr. J. D. Evans, of Trenton, was
unable to attend the meeting, but sent two verv interesting
papers which were read. The Entomological Societv of Ontario
is doing splendid work in Canada. It has five active Branches,
viz : at Quebec, Montreal, Toronto. Guelph and Victoria. A
full account of the proceedings of the above meeting will be found
in the annual report of the Society v/hich Avill soon be published.
The Occurrence of the American Woodcock (Philo-
HELA minor) in MANITOBA. — On August 10th, while hunting
insects in an old river-course — now a partiallv dried slough —
near Westbourne, Manitoba, Mr. H. E. Chaplin, of Roland, and
I were surprised at flushing a bird which we instantly recognized
as the Woodcock. A few minutes' search was rewarded by
finding the characteristic holes made by the bird, but no other
Woodcock was seen. On mentioning the incident to Mr. Fred
Rhind, of Westbourne, he told me that some twentv years ago
a number of Woodcocks had been shot about the same spot
we had seen the bird, but that of late years they had not been
noticed. He also stated that in 1902, or 190,3. Woodcocks were
1908) XoTKS. 187
very plentiful near his raneli at Big Point on the south-west
shore of Lake Manitoba, it being no uncommon thing to flush
six or more from around any little damp spot in the woods.
j. B. Wallis, Winnipeg, Man.
The Flowerix(-;-kush. In reference to a very interesting
communication by the late Dr. James Fletcher in The Ottawa
Naturalist for July (p. 80), I am glad to report that the
Flowering-rush, Bntomiis umbellaius, grows in this localit)- also.
It was seen in Julv, 1906, on the inlet from the Canal near the end
of Bank Street, opposite the residence of Mgr. Sbarretti. I
sup{)osed it was merely an escape from cultivation, probably from
the Experimental Farm, and did not report it. This year the
number of plants had increased and were spread over a larger
area.
E. H. Blackadek. Ottawa.
A Woodpecker at a Show. During the progress of the
Annual Provincial Exhibition at Victoria, B.C., in the last week
in September, a Woodpecker, of the Flicker variety, took up his
abode in the main exhibition building. Here he made himself
fullv at home, quite fearless apparently of the multitude of
visitors who were continually passing through the building, flying
from point to point with the utmost unconcern and in spite of the
printed warnings. and without the fear of the watchful attendants,
he distributed his favours most impartially by helping himself
to the choicest apples, pecking holes in all and sundry, within
a few feet of the hundreds who witnessed his depredations.
The propensitv of this bird to forsake his natural food and
take to fruit during the autumn in the Province of British
Columbia is well known, but this is the first instance within my
knowledge when he went so far as to visit a show to satisfy his
appetite.
J. R. AxDERsox, Victoria, B.C.
The Early Wake-robix. In the spring of 1907, a box of
the Mavflower, Epigcea repens was sent here from Massey.
Algoma', containing a few other plants one of which was a
Trillium with root\vhich was planted. On the 15th of March.
1908, it came into bloom with the earliest crocuses in the garden,
and proved to be the Early Wake-robin, Trillium nivale, Riddell,
the first record of its being found in Canada.
W. Herriot, Gait, Ont.
188 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Dec.
Squirrel eating a bird. I observed last summer at Angers,
Que., in a garden, a common squirrel eating a bird. I chased
the animal froin tree to tree, but it did not release its prey until
it was struck with a long stick. The bird was a young sparrow,
although I think it was old enough to fly. It was still warm
when I picked it up and the inside of its body was completely
eaten. The fact seems to be peculiar as it occurred at a season
when fruits, and other squirrel food, are plentiful, and I have
never noticed in any scientific reports at hand that squirrels
become carnivorous. I would be interested to know if any other
naturalist ever saw anything of this kind.
Geo. Michauo, Ottawa.
In the October number of the Ottawa Naturalist in his
" Notes on the Species of Phseocyma found in Canada," Dr. J. B.
Smith stated that he had just finished a revision of all the
American forms. This monograph "A Revision of some species
of Noctuidae heretofore referred to the Genus Homoptera,
Boisduval," has just been published, (Proc. U. S. Nat. Musetim.
Vol. XXXV, pp. 209-275). This treatise which deals with a group
of moths, the members of which have been much confused in
collections, will be welcom.ed with delight by lepidopterists.
We are deeply indebted to Dr. Smith for this valuable puVjlica-
tion.
It is with very great regret that we have to record the
death of Dr. James Fletcher, Entomologist and Botanist of the
Dominion Experimental Farms, which occurred at the Royal
Victoria Hospital, Montreal, on November 8th, 1908, in
his 57th year. The Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club, of which he
has been styled "The Father," lo.ses, in his demise, one
of its most brilliant and active members. The January issue
of the Ottawa Naturalist will be a memorial number, and ,
will contain articles on him and his work by prominent members
of the Club.
THE OTTAWA NATURALIST.
VOL. XXII. PLATE V.
&C^4^^ ^^-^tX^^-^o^ .
JAMES FLETCHER, LL.D.
MEMORIAL NUMBER
Tributes by Mr. A. E. Attwood, Lt.-Col. Wm. White, Dr. W. Saun-
ders, Mr. W. H. Harrington, Mr. R. B. Whyte, Mr. Arthur
Gibson, Prof .John Macoun, Dr. H. M. Ami, Mr. F.
T. Shutt, Rev. G. Eifrig, Mr. E. R. Cam-
eron, Mr. T. J. MacLaughlin,
Mr. W. J. Topley and
Dr. S. B. Sinclair.
NOTE — This Memorial Number has been edited by a Committee
specially appointed by the Council of the Club and consisting
of Mr. Arthur Gibson (Acting Editor), Mr. W. H. Harrington
and Mr. F. T. Shutt.
THE OTTAWA NATURALIST
VOL. XXII. OTTAWA, JANUARY, 1909 No. 10
JAMES FLETCHER, LL.D.
As mentioned in the December number of The Ottawa
Naturalist, it is with great regret that we have to record the
death of our very dear friend Dr. James Fletcher, which occurred
at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal, on Sunday morning,
November 8th. 1908. There are many sad hearts among the
members of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club, owing to the
demise of him who has been styled its " Father". For the past
three years his health had been gradually changing, and becoming
undermined by intermittent hemorrhages resulting from a malig-
nant tumour which caused his death. Four years ago, when,
with the writer and some others, he was tobogganing near his
home at the Experimental Farm, he met with an accident which
confined him to his house for two months. Since then he often
said that his health was not what it was before, and it may be
that the trouble which brought his useful life to a close had its
origin then. During the last year particularly he suffered much,
at times, but his was not the nature to complain, and very few,
even of his more intimate friends, really knew that his life was
undergoing a serious change. The writer, who was constantly
associated with him in the official work of the Division of Ento-
mology and Botany knew what aches and pains he bore. Often,
especially of late, as we were working together he would say that
his head was thumping as if it would break, but it was only dur-
ing such attacks towards the end of the afternoon that he would
say he would have to stop and get away from the office.
On Thursday afternoon, October 29th, he left Ottawa for
Montreal, to consult a specialist, saying that he would be back
again on Saturday, or Monday. On November 1st the writer
received a letter from him with regard to the annual meeting of
the Entomological Society of Ontario, in which he said: "I find
it is no use. I cannot get to the meeting. In fact, I only got here
just in time. I shall probably not be back for another fortnight
at least " On the following day he wrote again saying:
"I am very comfortable, everything so far is going well," and,
190 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Jan.
referring to the eggs of a rare butterfly which had been sent to
him, he said: "The eggs of Dorcas are in my cellar in a black
cardboard box, you had better get track of them. " He asked me
to acknowledge these eggs saying that he would write himself in a
week or so. This was the last letter from him which we received
at the Division.
It was decided soon after his arrival at the Royal Victoria
Hospital that he would have to undergo an operation, but, owing
to the serious nature of this, it was delayed from time to time,
hoping that he would get stronger. This he did not do, however,
and the operation had to be performed on Saturday, November
7th. Owing to his very weak condition, he failed to rally and
died the next morning. During the whole time he was in the
hospital he was very happy and had no fear whatever of the
result of the operation. Even here he was looking forward to the
near enjoyment of larger quarters for his Department, and of
further help to carry on the important work about which he
knew^ so much and which he did so well. The funeral was held on
Tuesday, December 10th, from his residence at the Experimental
Farm, to St. Barnabas' Church and thence to Beechwood Ceme-
tery.
The Rev. Professor Bethune, in the Canadian Entomologist,
December, 1908, has expressed our feelings so well when he says:
" Few men ever made so many loving friends in all walks of life ;
every one who came to know him did not fail to become warmly
attached to him. There are many sad hearts grieving at his loss
all over the Dominion of Canada, and many too in widely scattered
places in the United States. Old and voung, rich or poor, learned
or ignorant, children and their elders, it made no difference — he
had a kindly word for each one, and most can treasure in. their
memories a kindly deed as well. When he addressed a meeting
he captivated his audience at once, and when he joined an excur-
sion of nature students all were eager to be with him, and learn
from him some of the secrets of the woods and fields that he knew
so w^ell . We shall not see his like again, but we may all feel that it
was good for us to have known him — his memory will long live in
our hearts — his noble words and generous deeds will be happy
recollections for many a year to come. "
Dr. Fletcher was bom at Ashe, in the County of Kent, Eng-
land, on March 28th, 1852. He was educated at King's School,
Rochester, and came to Canada in 1874 as a clerk in the Bank
of British North America. Two years later he left the bank and
became an assistant in the Library of Parliament, Ottawa. All
his spare time he devoted to entomology and botany and soon
became a recognised authority not only on these subjects but on
other branches of natural historv as well.
1909] Memorial Meeting. 191
While he was continually busy with his official work, he vet
found time for many other things. He was a loyal member of the
Church of England and a generous supporter of all her works.
He attended St. Barnabas' Church, of which at the time of his
death he was a warden. His special aptitude for teaching and his
love of children made him an ideal Superintendent of the Sundav
School, in Holy Trinity Church, Ottawa East. In this capacitv he
acted for over twenty years, seldom missing a Sundav when he
was in Ottawa. He was an active and enthusiastic member of the
Brotherhood of St. Andrew, a member of the Board of Governors
of St. Luke's Hospital, and a member of the Rideau Club.
At a meeting of the Council of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists'
Club, held on November 10th the following resolution of condo-
lence was passed: "The members of the Council of the Ottawa
Field-Naturalists ' Club desire to place on record their profound
sorrow and sense of deep personal loss in the death of Dr. James
Fletcher, and to express their sincercst sympathy to his widow
and family in their bereavement. Dr. Fletcher was one of the
founders of the Ottawa Field- Naturalists' Club which is now
nearly 30 years old. It is peculiarly sad that he, who was so often
referred to as the ' Father' of the Club, should be the first mem-
ber of the original council to be removed from our midst. "
At this meeting it was decided to hold a Memorial Meeting in
the large assembly hall of the Normal School.
Arthur Gibson.
MEMORIAL MEETING
December 1st, 1908.
The President of the Club, Mr. A. E. Attwood, M.A., in ask-
ing Lieut. -Col. Wm. White. C.M.G., to act as Chairman for the
meeting, spoke as follows:
Members of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club and
friends of the late Dr. Fletcher: — It has been a time-honoured
custom of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club to begin their
series of winter soirees with an evening 's programme somewhat
informal in its nature. The sudden death of the member who
was one of the founders of the Club has rendered it appropriate
to make a change this year at our initial soiree. It is hoped,
however, that in its informality, to-night 's programme will
resemble those of former years, and that many will feel free to
speak a few words expressive of their regards of the late Dr.
James Fletcher.
Speaking as a teacher, I naturally regard the work of an edu-
192 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Jan.
cationist, ex-officio, as the highest. Personally, I can testify that of
all thenon-professionaleducationists with whom I have associated
during the past fifteen years, I owe the deepest debt of gratitude
to Dr. Fletcher. I regarded him as almost indispensable to my
development and I know that his death will be a genuine embar-
rassment in taking away a source of assistance and
inspiration in my studies of nature. Such is my weak tribute
to this very great man.
As the death of Dr. Fletcher marks the first break among the
members of the original Council of the Club, organized nearly
thirty years ago, it was deemed appropriate that the first Presi-
dent of the Club, Lieut. -Col. Wm. White, should preside at
this meeting held in honour of the memory of a leading member
of the original Council. I shall therefore ask Lieut. -Col. White
to take the chair. g
Lieut. -Col. White on taking the chair, said: — We are
assembled this evening for the purpose of paying tribute to one of
our earliest members, a well-loved companion and friend of every
one of us; a man who was preeminently qualified for the position
he held.
We have lost a dear friend and the country has lost a valued
servant — whose name is a household word in the homes of the
agriculturists of the Dominion. There are here this evening
many members who of late years have been more closely asso-
ciated with Dr. Fletcher, than I have been, owing to advanc-
ing age, and therefore without further words from myself, I shall
call on several members of the Club to address you this evening,
commencing with Dr. Saunders, Director of the Dominion Experi-
mental Farms.
DR. FLETCHER 'S'WORK, ITS INFLUENCE ON
CANADIAN AGRICT' LTURE.
By Dr. W. Saunders
In this meeting called to honour the memory of our esteemed
friend and fellow worker the late Dr. James Fletcher it is my
privilege to say a few words on the bearing of his work on the
advancement of agriculture. Prior to the organization of the
Dominion Experimental Farms, Dr. Fletcher acted as Dominion
Entomologist to the Department of Agriculture, a title conferred
on him in 1884, and, in this capacity, he published two reports.
His first report was published in 1884, and a second in 1885.
These reports dealt chiefly with injurious insects, and they had a
considerable circulation. At that time he was also serving the
1909] Dr. Fletcher's Work in Agriculture. 193
country in the capacity of Accountant in the Library of Parlia-
ment.
On July 1st, 1887, Dr. Fletcher was appointed Entomologist
and Botanist to the Dominion Experimental Farms and was
transferred from the Library of Parliament to the Staff of the
Farms. He was thus enabled to devote himself entirely to natural
history and his work became the great pleasure of his life. For 21
years I was intimately associated with him from day to day and
watched the development of his work with great interest. In his
capacity of Dominion Entomologist he studied with much assid-
uity the many problems which presented themselves in refer-
ence to insect life, such as the life-histories of many insect pests
which prey on the crops of the farmer and by their depredations
often materially lessen his profits. He also studied closely the
life-history and habits of the many parasitic species which feed
upon and destroy the farmers' enemies, and thus render very
substantial service. He also experimented with the means pro-
posed for the destruction of the injurious species. The Entomo-
logical Division also prepared collections of both injurious and
friendly species showing them in all the different stages of their
growth.
As Botanist he studied the value, as fodder plants, oi such
species of grasses and clovers as can be grown successfully in the
different parts of the Dominion. He ascertained their relative
value for the production of hay and recommended the most
promising of them for general cultivation. These fodder plants
were grown in plots adjoining the hedges at the Central Experi-
mental Farm, where the}^ could be conveniently shown to visitors
and their advantages explained. He also studied the subjects of
smut, rust and other parasitic fungi, especially such as are injur-
ious to our valuable grain crops. He also devoted much attention
to another class of enemies with which the farmer must wage war
if he is to be successful. I refer to the weeds which infest his
crops. These, if allowed to multiply, crowd out the useful plants
he is growing, rob them of the moisture they need, also of much
of the fertilizing material in the soil which would otherwise con-
tribute to their nutriment.
In both these divisions of Dr. Fletcher's work the field was
practically unlimited and in preparing his annual reports from
the large mass of material available, the chief difficulty was to
select the best and most useful. It was Dr. Fletcher's habit from
the outset to endeavour to place his observations and conclusions
before the public in the plainest possible language. On this point
in one of his earliest reports he says: "In preparing the present
report I have endeavored to make it useful to the agriculturist,
all unnecessary technicalities have been eliminated, and only
194 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Jan.
such information has been included as I deemed would be
useful."
His first report after his appointment on the Farm Staff,
that for 1887, ma}^ be considered in its general usefulness and the
variety of important topics discussed as typical of the series.
This begins with an important article on the insects injurious to
cereal crops, in w^hich those affecting wheat claim first attention,
followed by other injurious species affecting other valuable
cereals. Insects affecting hay and clover are next considered,
where the so-called Army Worm Leucania unipuncta, a species
early regarded as a formidable antagonist, is dealt with, also the
Clover Seed Midge which some seasons destroys a large part of
the crop of clover seed. The worst pests which affect roots,
potatoes and other vegetables are also described and remedies
for their destruction referred to. The Codling Moth and the Tent
Caterpillar, so injurious to the apple crop, also insects which are
destructive to the grape, raspberry, currant and strawberry are
all dealt with and, in the closing chapter, some of the worst
insects affecting forest trees.
This brief enumeration of the subjects discussed gives one
some idea of the scope of the work undertaken, and the presen-
tation of each subject was so clear and practical as to arrest the
attention of those looking for information, and if only a small
percentage of the usual annual loss was saved by adopting the
remedies recommended, the addition thus made to the farmers'
profits must have been quite considerable.
Up to the spring of 1895, Dr. Fletcher had charge of the
Arboretum and Botanic Garden at the Central Experimental
Farm, and under his management good progress w^as made, but
finding that his many other duties prevented him from giving
the necessary time to this work, at his request Mr. W. T. Macoun
was made Curator of this important branch of the service.
The twenty-one annual reports which were written by Dr.
Fletcher, together with the excellent cuts by which the text was
illustrated, have been of great value to the farmers of Canada by
instructing them how to recognize their insect enemies, also their
insect friends. Full instructions were given from year to year as
to the most reliable^and practical measures to adopt for the des-
truction of the more injurious species treated of.
He also waged a constant warfare against weeds, and his
reports and bulletins on this subject are very valuable and are
highly appreciated and followed by many of the most intelli-
gent farmers throughout the Dominion. Bulletin No. 28 of the
Farm series on" Weeds" was written by Dr. Fletcher, in which
164 troublesome plants are mentioned and the best way of fight-
ing them. Dr. Fletcher also prepared that beautifully illustrated
1909] Dr. Fletcher's Work in Agriculture. 195
work on "Farm Weeds of Canada" which, although published
by the Seed Branch was written by Dr. Fletcher, who also super-
vised the preparation of the coloured plates, the work of Mr.
Norman Criddle. Other botanical subjects were treated of in
Bulletin 3 of the Experimental Farm series on "Smuts affecting
Wheat," No. 19 on "Grasses". No. 23 on "Fungous Diseases
affecting Plants;" No. 46 on "Alfalfa, or Lucerne. "
The entomological subjects treated of in bulletin form, and
written bv him entirely or in part, were No. 11 on "Some Com-
mon Insects of the Farm, Orchard and Garden ; " No. 14 on "The
Horn Fly;" No. 3 7 on "Apple Insects;" and No. 43 on" Plum
Insects." His last bulletin was Xo. 52, "Insects Injurious to
Grain and Fodder Crops, Root Crops and Vegetables," in which
45 of the worst enemies of crops are dealt with. From his busy
pen there appeared also from time to time several smaller bullet-
ins, also numerous letters to agricultural and other papers giving
accounts of the occurrence of insect pests in various parts of the
Dominion and the best methods to adopt for their destruction.
For many years past. Dr. Fletcher was invited from time to
time to give evidence before the Select Committee on Agriculture
appointed bv the House of Commons. On these occasions he
dwelt on some of the most important occurrences of insects
injurious to crops and the best methods of fighting them. His
work in connection with grasses and other fodder plants was
frequentlv referred to with many other subjects covered by the
work of his Division.
During the past 21 years Dr. Fletcher carried on a large cor-
respondence with farmers in almost every part of the Dominion.
He also attended farmers' meetings in all the different provinces,
where, in his addresses on various topics, he conveyed in a pleas-
ant and forceful manner and in his own genial way much valuable
information to his hearers. His influence was always exerted for
good. He was happy in his work and in the consciousness that
through his efforts the condition of the farmer and fruit grower
was being improved and their employment made more remun-
erative.
In his position as Entomologist he was entrusted with the
management of the federal fumigation stations, at Vancouver,
B.C.; Winnipeg. Man.; Windsor, Ont. ; Niagara Falls, Ont.;
St. John's, Que., and St. John, N.B. At these points arrange-
ments are made for fumigating plants, trees, and nursery stock
generally, under the San Josd Scale Act to prevent any further
introduction of that terrible pest. During the past two years,
there was added to Dr. Fletcher's already very onerous duties
the supervision of the spraying of orchards in the Indian reserva-
196 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Jan.
tions in British Columbia, to prevent them from becoming dis-
tributing points for injurious insects.
Dr. Fletcher was exceedingly kind and generous to young
students, both in entomology and botany, freely giving them
much of his valuable time in naming their specimens, and other-
wise encouraging them in their work. His was a busy life and the
good work he has done, especially in his efforts to further the
interests of agriculture, will furnish a lasting memorial of his
energy and industrv, which will continue to live in the memories
of those who have profited under his instruction, to the end of
their days.
REMINISCENCES OF DR. FLETCHER.
By W. Hague Harrington.
The members and friends of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists'
Club have assembled this evening, to testify to their deep sorrow
for the untimely death of their esteemed and beloved friend and
leader, and to express their great appreciation of the work which
he so zealously and continuously carried on for the advancement
of the Club and of scientific research in general. I have been
invited to contribute some "Reminiscences of Dr. Fletcher,"
and am duly grateful for the opportunity to share in this tribute
to his memory, though fully aware of my inabilitv to do justice to
the theme. Some are present who were his friends and fellow-
workers from the inception of the Club, and to these there will be
little new, but some who were more recently associated with him
may be interested in a brief review of the earlier years of our
fellowship. My chief qualification for this retrospect is that,
almost from his arrival in Ottawa, I was privileged to enjoy his
friendship and to have some share, not only in his scientific and
public pursuits, but also in his more personal and private life.
During the past weeks, amid the duties of the day, or during
the silent watches of the night, memories of my genial and gifted
comrade have thronged upon me. Many of them are too unim-
portant to record and some seem too sacred for publicity, but
even from the remainder there is difhcultv in making a selection
which will not be too long in the recital. The intercourse of
three decades, with one of so varied attainments and interests, is
not readily condensed into a ten-minute address, and the indul-
gence of my hearers must be besought in advance for overstepping
that time.
To the companions of those fair early years, so pregnant with
life and action, the death of our friend and leader comes as a
1909] Reminiscences of Dr. Fletcher. 197
-sharp reminder of the rapid flight of time and the fast approactf^'
ing rest from labour. ' Cj '
'* Already on our heads the years have sprent , ' ^
Their silver rime. How far the. day is spent! f
How soon the evening and the low green tent! i
The low green tent! Nay, yonder azure dome,
Where myriad, myriad worlds unjostling roam,
Is none too wide if God shall make it Home. "
Fletcher had joined the staff of the Bank of British
America in London, on the 19th of April, 1871, and had been
sent in April, 1874, to Canada where he was first stationed in Mon-
treal. He was transferred to the Ottawa office on the 22nd of
April, 1875, and my acquaintance with him began during
that summer. He was then a handsome young man, in his
twenty-fourth year (just three weeks my senior), endowed with
unusual physical and mental vigor, and his strong vitality and
genial nature made him a great favorite with his companions
and rapidly enlarged his circle of friends.
Naturally, he speedily became prominent both in athletic
and intellectual affairs, and as it was mainly in canoeing and other
out door sports that we were first associated, they will be first
touched upon. With the advent of the winter, which was one of
abundant snowfall, the Ottawa Snow Shoe Club was organized,
of which he was for some time captain, and merry tramps were
weekly taken to outlying points, such as Billings' Bridge, etc.
Survivors of those days wall recall the tramp which was taken to
Templeton, or as it was then called Gill 's Wharf, on the 3rd of
Feb., 1876. Snow was falling when he led the company of a
score or so from the Parliament Square down to the river, and it
was still snowing when, after a good supper and jolly evening,
the return tramp was started about midnight. Several inches of
snow had obliterated the trail and had made the going so heavy
that some of the weaker brethern, without his frequent aid,
might have been all night on the ice and have slept in the snow.
When the tired party reached their welcome homes it was well
on toward morning. Later, as referee, I witnessed a snow-shoe
race which he had with Orde, one of his companions, froin the old
Suspension Bridge toWylmer and back, and which was enlivened
by two serious runaways started by the blanketed runners.
Horses in those days seemed to bolt on slight provocation, but
fortunately no one was injured, although sleighs and harness were
broken. He was also fond of tobogganing and skating and often
formed one of the gliding crowd in the old rink that stood on
Slater St., not far from the present Arena.
During the summer there were frequent enjoyable week-end
198 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Jan.
camping trips up the Rideau or clown the Ottawa, which afforded
him opportunities for botanizing and especially for the collec-
tion of water plants. One such visit to McLaren 's Bay is specially
remembered by the following incidents. While transporting our
canoe across the dilapidated tramway which ran from the river to
the bay, he stepped on the loose end of a plank and dropped
through to his armpits, being severely shaken and also receiving
a blow" on the head from the other end of the board. Then when
we had launched our craft, it was necessary to cross a boom to
reach our camping ground. We hauled the canoe over safely, and
he had just got in, when the boom-log on which I was still stand-
ing rolled over and, to avoid upsetting the canoe and losing our
guns, I had to jump into the water which was unpleasantlv cool.
However, we were soon snug in camp and suffered no ill results of
our accidents.
In the autumn he was one of the organizers of the Ottawa
Football Club and his sturdy form, in black and red stripes, was
a pillar of strength in the scrimmages of that first memorable
match, in which we over-whelmingly defeated and discomfited
the then champion Brittanias, of Montreal. There is also a well-
remembered paper-chase from Cartier Square, through the fields
of the By estate, Stewart's Bush and Mt. Sherwood, across the
Dam and what is now the Farm Arboretum, thence by the Locks
and across the Rideau and so round by Billings Bridge and back
of Archville to the starting place.
In May, 1876, he left the Bank to accept a more congenial
position in the Library of Parliament, under his friend the late
learned Dr. Todd, for whom he had the deepest esteem and
friendship. Here he had ample facilities for prosecuting his
studies in botany and entomology, in both of which sciences he
was already well versed. The library was then more accessible
to students than it has been of later years, as the hours were
longer and less restrictions were imposed. Many pleasant and
profitable hours did we spend there together, in the examination
and study of valuable works of reference.
Fletcher had early found out the few botanists and other
naturalists then living in Ottawa, and was energeticallv collecting
and urging others to do likewise. Prior to my acquaintance with
him, my attention had never been directed to any special branch
of science, or research. A rambler in the woods and on the waters
I had been from boyhood, but now under his magnetic influence
Nature assumed new charms and interests, and my, future life
was thereby broadened and brightened, as have been the lives of
so many others with whom he came in contact. Any progress
which I may since have made in natural history, and any work
which I may have accomplished therein are due chieflv to his
1909] Reminiscences of Dr. Fletcher. 199
stimulation and to his continued assistance and encouragement.
Before referring to a few of the scientific bodies with which
he was connected, mention may be made of a modest literary
circle, whose somewhat formidable name of the Ottawa Mutual
Research Society, has well-nigh fallen into oblivion. I do not
know whether he was the founder of the society, but he was at
least the permanent secretary and only officer. The club was
limited to twelve members, each of whom in turn acted as chair-
man and host and proposed a subject for an essay, or set not less
than four questions for examination. The resulting papers were
read and keenly discussed and sharply criticized at the monthlv
meetings, and the society was thus an excellent training school
for matriculation into other societies. The papers, often of con-
siderable value, were not published, but a formidable pile of
manuscripts gradually accumulated in the possession of the
secretary. The society lasted for several years with more or less
change of membership, but gradually the few earlier members
who had been its backbone found their time absorbed by increas-
ing cares and responsibilities and the club was allowed to lapse,
though n t without much regret on their part.
Fletcher had early joined the' Entomological Societv of
Ontario, and in Sept. 1877 was elected a member of the Council
and rapidly took a prominent position thereon. Always an ardent
supporter of the society, he did yeoman's service in maintaining
and increasing its efficiency and value. Two years later, largely
through his influence, the honour of elcctioa to the Council was
also conferred upon me and we jointly attended for many years
the annual mer tings of th? society.
On the 14th of Oct., 1897, as we were returning from one of
these meetings, we had the unpleasant experience of a head-on
collision, between Stittsville and Ottawa, which caused a bad
wreck. He was deeply moved at the loss of life which occurred and
showed much sympathy for the wounded, and aided and cheered
the survivors during the delay of some hours and in the transfer,
through a boggy woodland lot, to the new train sent out from
Ottawa.
He was elected President of the society in 1886 and
held office for three years, and was again President for
the two ^'•ears previous to his death, a few days before
which he had been re-elected for the sixth time. As his
entomological work is to be treated of separately, I shall
only mention his first paper, which appeared in the annual
report of the society for 1878, under the title "An Outline
Sketch of the Canadian Buprestidae. " This was a valuable
contribution to the report, and I well remember the great care
taken by him in its preparation. His subsequent yearly contri-
200 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Jan.
butions to the reports and to the Canadian Entomologist, includ-
ing presidential addresses, were numerous and varied, and testify
to his great ability and industry.
We became members of the Ottawa Literary and Scientific
Society in November 1877, and in the following April he was
elected Curator, an office which he held for six years, when pres-
sure of other duties obliged him to resign from the Council,
although he continued his membership long after his residence at
the Farm made it impossible for him to visit the rooms, or avail
himself of the advantages of the society. In 1879 he took part in
a conversazione which discussed the value of a classical educa-
tion and read a paper on the affirmative, and he always held and
expressed the view that a knowledge of greek and latin was of
very great advantage, especially to scientific students.
In May 1878, in company with Mr. T. V. Macdonald (Bank
of B.N. A.) and Mr. Rinfret (Quebec Bank), we occupied a
house on the hill beyond Billings ' Bridge, where a most delightful
summer was passed, all too rapidly. Macdonald, to his deep
regret, was soon transferred to Montreal, but his place was taken
later by the Rev. Mr. Patton. Here we pursued our entomolog-
ical and botanical studies, and led by no means an idle or unprofi-
table life. Usually we had to walk to and from the city, but the
road was then less monotonous for nature-lovers than it is now.
1^ The city extended not much beyond Maria St. and thence
Bank St. was but a country highway. Where the McLeod St.
church now stands we had to pay toll for the transport of our
chattels, while westward stretched a rich collecting ground known
as Stewart 's Bush, through which we often strayed on our home-
ward way. Grouse and other game were still not uncommon in the
thick coverts and swampy glades, and both the fauna and flora
were unusually varied. Patterson's Creek was a pleasant stretch of
water, and in our canoe we could paddle under the Bank St.
bridge to a brook which entered some distance above. Beyond
the creek a high board fence enclosed the race track on the Glebe,
within which was a swamp with many plants which can now be
only obtained far from the city. On the roadside, near the creek,
was the old twin pine, a prominent landmark, in whose shade we
frequently rested.
Fletcher was indefatigable in his botanizing and the results
of his labours then and in the adjoining years appeared in his
Flora Ottawaensis of 1879-1880. It might truly be said that :—
" Oft have we seen him at the peep of dawn
Brushing with hasty feet the dew away. "
After two or three hours along the river, or through the fields
and woods, gathering plants, hunting insects, listening to the
morning melodies of the birds and examining their nests, and pok-
1909J Reminiscences of Dr. Fletcher. 201
ing and prying generally around in swamps and thickets, we
would hurry off to breakfast with his big collecting box, known
as the "bath," filled with the spoils. In the afternoon there was
more collecting, and the evenings were spent in preparing and
mounting specimens, and in the capture of any insects which
might be attracted to our lights, set on a balcon.y and backed by
a white sheet. There was little time for idle hands, but after
dinner on fine days we might recline on the sward to smoke and
chat with our housemates, and play with a fifth member of our
establishment, namely Joe Fox, who often accompanied us on
our evening rambles through the fields. He was full of graceful
and amusing antics, delighting to gamble with the dogs, but his
fondness for chickens threatened to make him very dear to us.
On our return to the city I gave him to Fletcher, but after some
amusing episodes he escaped and reverted to the life of the wild.
During this year (1878) Fletcher and a few kindred spirits
often discussed the possibility and necessity of reviving in Ottawa
the scientific researches which had existed in earlier years, and
these discussions eventually led to the founding, in March 1879,
of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club for "the study of the natur-
al history of this locality." Although he more than once pub-
licly stated that the idea of the club may be said to have origi-
nated with Mr. R. B. Whyte, he was the central and moving
figure in its organization, and to his sustained exertions during
the many years in which he occupied various positions on the
Council is largely due the progress and high standing achieved
by the Club. He had ever its interests at heart and in the midst
of multifarious duties, which made excessive demands upon his
time and strength, he was ever ready to undertake some new
service on its behalf.
As a botanist and entomologist, he realized the intimate
relations which exist between plants and insects, and recognized
the serious loss occasioned by the depredations of injurious insects
upon the products of garden, farm and orchard. Foreseeing that,
with the inevitable rapid extension of agriculture through the
varied soils and climates of our widespread Dominion, and the
unavoidable introduction of insects pests from abroad, the loss
would be enormously increased, he devoted himself to the prac-
tical and economic aspects of his favorite studies, and vigorously
began that campaign for the institution of investigations and for
the dissemination of information, which occupied him for the
remainder of his life. He was much pleased when, as the entering
of the wedge, he was in June 1884 appointed Entomologist to the
Department of Agriculture, and at the close of the year was
enabled to publish a preliminary report of seven pages, which
The Ottawa Naturalist. [Jan.
was the forerunner of many publications of the greatest value
to our agricultural communities.
Before the Committees on Agriculture, of the House of
Commons, and in every direction whence assistance might be
expected, he agitated and pressed for the establishment of per-
manent experiment stations equipped with a staff qualified to
undertake and maintain the work, which to him seemed so im-
peratively demanded in the best interests of the community, it
was therefore a great tritimph and cause of joy for him, when the
Experimental Farms were established, and he received the posi-
tion of Entomologist and Botanist which he so successfully occu-
pied for more than twenty-one years, making for himself a world-
wide reputation as a leader in such work.
Thorough and painstaking in his investigations, though
hampered always by inadequate quarters and insufficient assis-
tance, he had also the ability to present the results in an
attractive and simple manner. His position required him
yearly to make extensive journeys throughout the Dominion
and to address audiences of very varied aims and capacities.
He also frequently lectured before learned societies, and
delivered addresses to schools and organizations of divers
kinds, and having been present on many such occasions I can
testify that he invariably charmed his hearers by the simple,
yet graphic presentation of his subject combined with his fine
voice, his pleasing presence and his genial manner.
It is unnecessary to dwell upon the value of his^ official work,
but a quotation may be made from an important address deliv-
ered by Dr. Howard, as President of the Association of Economic
Entomologists in 1894. "Mr. Fletcher," he said," has shown
himself to be a man of extraordinary energy, a most entertaining
writer and a most careful observer and one who has always kept
the practical part of his work foremost in view. He has paid a
great deal of attention to a side of his work which is neglected by
many of our own official entomologists, namely, personal inter-
course with farmers, frequent talks on injurious insects at farmers'
institutes, etc., and has in this way built up a A'-ery large client-
age among the most intelligent agriculturists in the Dominion."
Soon after the foundation of the Royal Society of Canada he
was elected a fellow of Section IV, of which he was later President.
He was an active worker for the society, holding for some time
the Treasureship and then the laborious and responsible office
of Hon. Secretary. He was also a member of, and held office in,
several other scientific bodies, whose work we frequently dis-
cussed together, but which cannot be further referred to at
present.
THE OTTAWA NATURALIST.
VOL. XXII. PLATE VI
1909] Reminiscences of Dr. Fletcher. 203
After his marriage in 1879, Fletcher resided for some years
on Metcalfe St., within a stone's throw of the Stewart homestead,
where now stands the stately museum building for whose erection
he was so long and earnest an advocate. An orchard then blocked
the street citywards, across which right of way was prohibited,
but there were generally holes in the fences for those making a
short cut. That section of the city was principally pastures, and
in 1886, or later, I could still put on my snowshoes at my door on
Gilmour St., and go straight across the fields for a tramp with
him to some of our favorite haunts ; now leveled into, uniform
monotonv, and quartered in blocks of city dwellings.
His family life was an ideal one, where love and happiness
were always in the ascendant and never have I known any hap-
pier hours than many which were spent at his cheerful fireside.
Later, when he went to reside at the Farm, it was still my privi-
lege to be his frequent guest and to pass with him many pleasant
afternoons and evenings. When the weather was suitable we
rambled or paddled about examining and collecting the products
of land and water. In summer there were many charming little
picnics on the banks of the Rideau, where above the rippling
music of the rapids, or by placid reaches lily-starred, we found
quiet enjoyment and surcease from care until the vesper songs of
bird were hushed, the roseate glories of the West grown dim, and
"The warders of God's tent had lit the lamps
That men call stars. "
During the winter he resided in the city, but on Saturdays,
unless he was absent, or had some special engagement, it was
my custom to go to the Farm and spend the afternoon with him.
After a short snowshoe tramp through Dow's Swamp, across to
the Rideau, or around the Arboretum and Forest Belts, or per-
haps some slides on the toboggan,if there were young folk present,
we would cook our supper, as if out camping, and then after a
smoke and pleasant chat, would spend an hour or so in his office,
examining insects, reading proofs, or other work, before walking
home.
Our rambles and excursions during the many years of our
joint interest in entomology, etc., covered all the immediate
vicinity, and frequently extended to more distant points, such as
the MerBleue, Casselman, Buckingham, Thurso, etc. A brief,
but enjovable, trip was taken in June 1892 to Copper Cliff, to
visit a feilow-entomologist, Mr. J. D. Evans, then manager of the
copper and-nickle mines. Fletcher went largely in the hope of
capturing Erebia discoidalis, a rare butterfly which had been
taken by Mr. Evans three years previously. We arrived at 5 a.m.
and to lose no time collected for a couple of hours before calHng
upon our host, who afterwards took us to the locality where he
204 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Jan.
had found the butterfly. No specimens could be found, but of
other insects we obtained about 275 species, including some of
considerable rarity and interest.
Our last outing was in September last when we paddled up
the Gatineau and around the booms to the entrance of Leamy's
Lake, where he desired to collect some water lilies. Owing to the
extreme low water we found that there was quite a carry to get
into the lake, and that it would be difficult to reach the lily bed,
and as the day was exceedingly smoky and sultry and the sun
low we decided to paddle back.
A few days previously we spent, with Mr. Groh, an afternoon
paddling about the canal collecting water plants, and he was
delighted to discover quite a large patch of the rare Bidens Beckii
and also to find that the wild rice, which I had seen him sow two
years before, seemed to be well established.
The briefest outing with him was invariablv interesting, as
his knowledge was so extensive and his facultv of observation so
trained that there was ever something upon which new light
could be given, or which could furnish material for future study.
His intimate knowledge of large sections of the Dominion, and
his extended acquaintance with scientists and other -prominent
persons, combined with his remarkable memory and unfailing
brightness and geniality, made him a most charming and enter-
taining companion, either at home or abroad. He was a friend
whom I can never replace, and whose loss will be felt afresh when-
ever the scenes of our outings are visited.
My last evening with him was that of the 14th of September,
a day or so before he started on his last trip West. He was busy in
his garden watering his flowers until it was too dark to continue,
for so he spent many evenings among the beautiful and fragrant
plants which he loved, and which afforded him such sustained
and genuine pleasure. The task of planting and tending them
was with him a labour of love, and not merely performed for the
utilitarian or decorative effects which might result. His pro-
found love of nature in all her moods and forms was in no respect
more evident than in the patient and skilful gardening from
which he derived such undoubted pleasure. Just before we said
goodbye he gave me directions where to find a certain water weed
which my collection lacked, for he had such an intimate know-
ledge of the habitat of our plants, and such a retentive memory
that he could describe the exact locality in which any rare specie's
had occurred, even if many years previously.
Any memories of my friend would be incomplete, if no men-
tion were made of the deeply religious side of his character.
Scientists and other public men not infrequently allow them-
selves to become engrossed and interested solely in materia]
1909] Reminiscences of Dr. Fletcher. 205
matters, but he was also uniformly and consistently occupied
with spiritual affairs. As a loving adherent of the Anglican
Church, he gave to her interests an unbroken support and the
same unfailing attention that all his duties received, and was ever
a regular and devout attendant at its services. During our earlier
companionship we attended for some time the St. James' Church
in Hull, (since burnt) the rector of which was the late Canon
Johnson, whose kindly words and actions endeared him to all
his parishioners.
Fletcher was not content to be merely a church-goer, but as
a lay-reader he took the service whenever necessary in several of
the suburban and rural churches. At Billings ' Bridge and Ottawa
East I have on various occasions listened to services which
gained an added beauty from his clear-voiced and sympathetic
reading. He was also for many years Superintendent of the Sun-
day school at Ottawa East and took a great interest in the wel-
fare of the school and of its attendants. Often on Sundays T
went to meet him when the school closed, in order to walk home
with him, and usually found him the centre of a group of smiling
children, for with them he ever was on the most friendly terms
and thev loved him for his many acts of kindness and his unfail-
ing genialitv and sympathy. They, as well as their parents and
teachers, have deep reason to grieve for the noble Christian man
who was so long their trusted friend and helper, whose hand and
heart were open to all who had need of assistance or sympathy.
No words of mine can give more than a faint idea of his real
worth and character, but fortunately these are already widely
known. He was truly a lovable man, one of those superior
natures whose mental and moral attributes rapidly distinguish
them as leaders of thought and action, whose kindly words and
generous deeds cause them to be esteemed and beloved by all who
come in contact with them. Faithfully and zealously he laboured
early and late, with all his forces, to advance the welfare, not only
of the agricultural classes, but of all sections of our fellow-citizens.
Year by year the seed was sown, often in stony and improfitable
ground, but ever with some increase in the garnered harvest.
Others will take up the work he initiated and organized, and
their way will be smoother and easier by reason of his unselfish
and unremitting toil and watching.
The members of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club may
continue to show their esteem and affection for our departed
friend and leader, and to honour his memory, by steadfastly
striving to maintain and advance the investigations and studies
to which he sq. ardentlv and successfullv devoted his great abil-
ities .^C4^
206 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Jan.
DR. FLETCHER AS A BOTANIST.
By R. B. Whyte.
One day, thirty-two years ago, when struggling alone with
the many difficulties which beset a student of botany, I heard
with more than passing interest of a young man employed in the
Library of Parliament who was making a study of botany. With
little delay after hearing of that student of nature I sought him
out and made myself known to him. Little did I think then that
I was making the acquaintance of one who through so many years
was to prove a true, sympathetic and loyal friend. That young
man was James Fletcher.
A few months after I had first met him, when discussing the
difficulties of studying alone, the idea occurred of having a place
where we could meet ethers similarly interested. The suggestion
was carried out, and thus originated the Ottawa Field-Naturalists*
Club.
Those of vou who have of recent vears become members of
the Ckib have no conception of how indefatigable and self-sacri-
ficing he was in his efforts to maintain the Club — no labour was
too ha.rd, nor any effort too great if it was for the benefit of the
Club in those early days. As an instance of his sincerity of pvir-
pose, I recall many, many times that he delivered with his own
hands the notices of the Council meetings in order to save the
Club the expense of postage.
One of his first works after we were in a position to publish a
record of our researches, was to compile a list of all the plants that
had been found in the Ottawa district. This list appeared in the
first number of the Club 's Transactions. The list w^as added to in
subsequent years and finally published as "Flora Ottawaensis. "
His great regret was that his official duties prevented him from
finishing that work.
As a companion and co-worker he was ever read to help and
encourage, and no trouble was too great to help any one in studies
or with information. By correspondence and through the press,
by addresses and lectures at the educational institutions in the
City and at the Field-Naturalists ' Club 's meetings he unceasingly
endeavoured to impart information, and to his great efforts are
we indebted for the undoubted high plane of botanical knowledge
in the Citv of Ottawa to-day. I have always claimed, and I do not
think the claim extravagant, that there is no City in the Domin-
ion where the general knowledge of plant life is so high as it is in
Ottawa.
Great as have been the results of his work in increasing our
knowledge of plants, his best work has been in economic botany.
For many years he travelled all over the continent addressing
1909J Dr. Fletcher as a Botanist. 207
meetings of farmers and farmers' institutes and has probably-
addressed more people than any other public man in Canada and
imparted to them information of economic value which must
have been of immense benefit.
The culmination of his work in economic botany is the Weed
Book, published in 1906 in conjunction with the Seed Division of
the Department of Agriculture, Ottawa.
Not only as an entomologist and botanist has he been of
great assistance and influence, but also as a horticulturist.
Throughout the Dominion of Canada the horticultural societies
have known him for many years as advisor and educator. At
the Convention of Horticultural Societies held in Toronto recently
which I attended, many were the expressions of sincere regret at
the great loss the horticultural societies had sustained by the
death of one whom they spoke of not as a public official, but as a
personal friend.
The life of Dr. Fletcher was a standing example to young
men. While a clerk in the Parliament Library he utilized every
spare moment in studying or seeking information, and after
office hours he did not waste his time in idling about the streets.
Early and late he was to be found studying Nature and, when in
later years, the Government decided to establish the Dominion
Experimental Farms, he was the one man in Canada equipped
with the necessary knowledge to fill the important and responsible
position of Dominion Entomologist and Botanist.
Finally, considering the great debt that the Ottawa Field-
Naturalists ' Club owes to Dr. Fletcher, I think it is our privilege
to take the lead in commemorating the work he has done, and in
talking the matter over with some friends and members of the
Club, the unanimous opinion is that in no way could we do it more
appropriately than by erecting a drinking fountain at the Central
Experimental Farm, -where so many of the best years of his
life were spent.
DR. FLETCHER AS AN ENTOMOLOGIST.
By Arthur Gibson.
I am very glad indeed of this opportunity of saying a few
words of one with whom it was mv happy lot to be closely asso-
ciated, for nearlv ten years, in the official Government work of
practical entomology. It is not necessary for me to say that Dr.
James Fletcher was a great entomologist. This fact is widely
known, not only in Canada and the United States, but even
throughout the whole world. It is the people of Canada, how-
ever, who will chiefly miss his kindly help, always so cheerfully
208 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Jan.
given. To Canadian students of insects, his untimely death is
a terrible blow, and entomology generally has lost one of its
most accomplished exponents. Early in life Dr. Fletcher had a
keen love for insects and their ways, and before he came to
Canada he was familiar with the butterflies and other insects
of his native land. He made a special study, however, of
those kinds which are injurious or beneficial, and never lost an
opportunity to add to his knowledge of these creatures, which
play such an important part in the welfare of mankind. Not a
few Canadians have done splendid work in entomology, from
the continued encouragement and help which they received
from him.
From a purely scientific standpoint Dr. Fletcher did splendid
work among the diurnal lepidoptera. For many years he was
intensely interested in Canadian butterflies and through his
studies was recognised as a high authority on these insects by
American entomologists. He was not only a student of the per-
fect forms of butterflies, but was deeply concerned in finding out
their true life-histories. Many a long trip from Ottawa was
taken by him to get the eggs of a rare species, in order that the
various stages of the insect might be studied. During these col-
lecting trips, too, many new species were discovered. If we glance
through the lists of North American insects, we find that quite
a number of species were named in his honour. The following is
a list of the insects to which the name of Fletcher has been
given : —
Cry plus fleicheri Provancher: Additions Faune Hymenopter-
ologique, 1886, Vol.11, p. 361. ( = Comsocryptus calip-
terus Say).
Xylomiges fletcheri Grote: Canadian Entomologist, 1888,
Vol. XX, p. 130. ( Xylomiges patalis Grote).
Coleophora fletcherella Fernald: Canadian Entomologist,
1892, Vol. XXIV, p. 122.
CratcepMs fletcheri Ashmead: Canadian Entomologist, 1892.
Vol. XXIV, p. 309.
Lecanium fletcheri CockereW: Canadian Entomologist, 1893,
Vol. XXV, p. 221.
Tragus fletcheri Harrington: Canadian Entomologist, 1894,
Vol. XXVI, p. 245.
Coccophagus fletcheri Howard: Bulletin No. 7, New Series,
Division of Entomology, U. S. Dept. Agr., 1897, p. 63.
Papilio turnus L., var. fletcheri Kemp: Entomological News,
1900, p. 481.
Culex fletcheri Coquillett: Proceedings of the United States
National Museum, Vol. XXV, 1902, p. 84.
1909] Dr. Fletcher as an Entomologist. 209
Catocala unijuga Walker, var. fietcheri BeutenmuUer: Bulletin
of the American Museum of Natural History, 1903,
Vol. XIX, p. 509.
Xylina fietcheri Smith: Psyche. 1904, Vol. XI, p. 56.
Enarmonia fletcherana Kearfott: Canadian Entomologist,
1907, Vol. XXXIX, p. 127.
Brephos fietcheri Smith: Canadian Entomologist, 1907, Vol.
XXXIX, p. 370.
PLatycleis fietcheri Caudell: Proc. U.S.N.M.. Vol. XXXII,
1907, p. 403. (=Idionotus brevipes Caudell).
Eupithecia fletcherata Taylor: Ottawa Naturalist, 1907, p.
200.
Lithocolletis fletcherella Braun: Transactions of the American
Entomological Society, 1908. Vol. XXXIV, Oct., p. 338.
Psilocirsis fletcherella Gibson: Ottawa Naturalist, Jan. 1909.
Speaking more particularly of his work in economic, or
practical, entomology which occupied the best of his time and
labour for at least 25 years, he has truly left behind him a vast
store of knowledge in the annual reports which he presented to
the people of Canada in the large yearly reports published by the
Dominion Experimental Farms, in the special bulletins which he
prepared, and in the almost yearly E\'idence which he gave before
the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Colonization of the
House of Commons, all of which have already been referred to by
Dr. Saunders. In all of these publications valuable information
on insects injurious or beneficial to agriculturists, horticulturists
and others, is given in the most accurate manner, with the remed-
ies which have been found most useful for those kinds which are
destructive to crops, etc.
Of the many injurious insects upon which he did original
research work, brief mention may be made of the following.
The Mediterranean Flour Moth, which first appeared in
Canada in 1889: its life-history was worked out and the advant-
age of freezing the insects by opening the mills to the cold of
winter was pointed out, among other remedies.
The Cigar Case-bearer of the apple was first treated of in his
annual report for 1891, and further original observations are to be
found recorded in his report for 1894.
The Hop Vine Borer did much harm in Ontario hop fields in
1892. The habits of the insect were studied and published. The
same year new facts were learned regarding the life-history of the
Red Turnip Beetle, which every year does some damage to cruci-
ferous crops in the Prairie Provinces.
The Pea Moth claimed special attention in 1894. and a
lengthy article was published in his annual report for that year.
210 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Jan.
The Peach Bark-borer was also studied the same year and new
facts recorded regarding the Hfe-history.
In 1895 the Joint-worm which attacks wheat was investi-
gated, and valuable information was obtained on the habits of
this enemy of this important cereal. The Cottony Grass Scale
was also studied the same year, as was also the New York Plum
Scale .
Mention of the Wheat-stem Maggot in Canada first appeared
in his 1896 report when an outbreak which occurred in the North-
west was studied. The same year the first record of the Apple
Maggot in Canada was made.
In 1897 much study was given to the San Jose Scale, which
had gained a firm foothold in certain of the western counties of
Ontario. A lengthy article appears in his report for that year.
The Rocky Mountain Locust was given special study in
1898 when the insect did much damage in southern Manitoba.
The Hessian Fly wrought serious injury in the fall wheat
fields of Ontario, and the spring wheat fields of Manitoba in 1899,
and called for special investigation. The same year the Destruc-
tive Pea Aphis made its first appearance in Canada, as did also
the Asparagus Beetles.
The Greenhouse Leaf-tyer was also studied in 1899 and 1900
and the life-history has since been published.
One of the most remarkable outbreaks of an injurious insect
which has ever been recorded in Canada occurred in 1900, when
the Variegated Cutworm appeared in British Columbia. Original
notes on the life-history appear in his annual report for that year,
as also on the Spotted Cutworm w^hich did much damage in
Ontario.
In 1901 original observations on the life-history of the Vari-
able Cutworm were published and a more complete article describ-
ing in detail the various larval stages appeared in the Canadian
Entomologist for November, 1902, Notes are also given in his
1901 report on Semiophora youngii, a new enemy of conifers.
The Sugar Beet Webworm was studied in 1903 owing to the
damage it did in Manitoba. Attention was also given to the White-
marked Tussock Moth, which has done so much harm to shade
trees in many Canadian cities.
During 1905 another new pest made its appearance in east-
ern Canada in destructive numbers and the common name. "The
Spined Rustic" was given to it by Dr. Fletcher. The full life-
history was worked out and published.
The first Canadian nests containing caterpillars of the
Brown- tail Moth were received by Dr. Fletcher in 1906, and dur-
ing the summer the insect was studied at the Central Experi-
mental Farm, and a lengthy article on it was prepared and pub-
1909J Dr. Fletcher as an Entomologist. 211
lish?d in his annual report, as well as in several agricultural papers.
The same year and in 1907 the Rose Chafer caused enormous
losses in vineyards in the Niagara district, an account of which
appears in his report for 1907. The same year the Rusty Tus-
sock Moth was given special study.
In 1907 and during the present year, the large losses in the
hop-yards of British Columbia occasioned by the attacks of the
Hop Flea Beetle, called for special thought, and during his recent
trip to British Columbia in September last he visited the hop-
yards and gave valuable advice to those in charge.
The above are only a few of the injurious insects upon which
Dr. Fletcher did original research work. His studies of even the
very commonest insects resulted in the finding out of new facts.
In his annual reports, etc,, Dr. Fletcher did grand work in
educating farmers, fruit-growers, market gardeners etc., to know
their worst insect enemies and the way to fight them, and many
articles appeared by him on such well-known pests as the San
Jos^ Scale, the Codling Moth, the Plum Curculio, the Colorado
Potato Beetle, the Turnip Beetle, Root Maggots, Cutworms,
Grasshoppers, the Hessian Fly, the Wheat Midge, the Western
Wheat-stem Sawfiy, the Joint-worm, the Oyster-shell Scale,
White Grubs, the Pea Weevil, etc, etc.
In the year 1896, Dr. Fletcher received the honorary degree
of LL. D., from Queen's University, in recognition of the great
services he had rendered to agricultural science. He also
received honours from various foreign societies. He was elected
a Fellow of the Linnaean Society, a Fellow of the American
Association for the Advancement of Science, a Fellow of the
Entomological Society of America, a Member of the Association
for the Promotion of Agricultural Science, an Honorary Member
of the Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society, a Cor-
esponding Member of the Washington Entomological Society,
and was at the time of his death President of the Entomological
Society of Ontario and Honorary Secretary of the Royal Society
of Canada. He was the first man to urge the formation of the
Association of Economic Entomologists, which is the most impor-
tant societv of its kind in the world. For many years he was a
member of the Editing Committee of the Canadian Entomologist,
and quite recently, since their beginning, was on the Editorial
Boards of the Journal of Economic Entomology and of the
Annals of the Entomological Society of America.
NOTE — Plate No. VI is from a small negative taken two years ago by Mr. Shutt,
and is considered as giving Dr. Fletcher in a characteristic pose. Members and friends
can obtain copies of the photograph from the Topley Studio, Ottawa.
212 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Jan.
DR. FLETCHER AS A NATURALIST.
By Prof. John Macoun.
My intention to-night is to speak of Dr. Fletcher as a
Naturalist, for as such I was privileged to know him well. I
was twenty years in the field when I came here in 1876 to give
evidence before the Committee of the House of Commons in
connection with the development of the West. I spent two
days here and amongst the other boys I met at that time were
Dr. Fletcher, Dr. Small. Mr. Harrington, and one or two others
of the old men of to-day. Three years later I came back to
live here during the winter of 1879-80 and then came in contact
with Dr. Fletcher, who in the three years intervening had
developed. How did he develop? How do men pass from the
condition of ignorance into light? By the methods pursued
by the 3'oung men of to-day? No. The young men of the past
worked; there was less play then than to-day. I can see Dr.
Fletcher and so can you, Sir, when he was Accountant in the
Library. What I had never seen before I saw on his desk, a
wardian case, in which plants are kept in a humid atmosphere
and developed so that they may be seen and studied for a
length of time. Alongside of the wardian case stood a couple
of glass jars and in these jars were insects, either as caterpillars
or in a more advanced stage, and he was studying them while
attending to his regular duties. When the other gentlemen
stood up here to-night they spoke of Dr. Fletcher as being a
teacher who talked about what he knew. Nine-tenths of the
men who talk don't know, but he always knew. How many
men present to-night could argue with him? Whether he was
right or wrong, he was always right, and it was a strong man
who could argue him down. Hence, I often said, "Fletcher,
there is no use arguing about it, we cannot change our
opinions." But Fletcher knew and could teach others and there
is where his power lay. He went into the country and talked
to men. I know old people who look upon him as a god
because every word that he spoke went to their hearts and they
lived on his word. His power lav in the development of the
man as a naturalist and a teacher. I have been going through
this thing in the night and thinking over Dr. Fletcher since
his death and of the many thoughts was, "Why was there
such a man?" I have met during the last fiftv years many
men, amongst them Dr. Gray and Dr. Torrey, old men, and a
host of others, but none like Dr. Fletcher. Here is the reason.
The first summer I was here, 1880, I began to see something
about him that was different from others. He was not like
1909] Dr. Fletcher as a Naturalist. 213
anything America had produced. I set him down as a product
of the English school system because the gentlemen I met in
England were all interested in natural history. He was a man
who studied botany, ornithology, entomology, geology and all
the other branches of natural science. Dr. Fletcher was a man,
a true naturalist, he was a man on all lines, if he went out with
me he studied botany, if he went out with Mr. Harrington he
was poking around the bark of trees discussing insects which
to me were a blank. When we w-ent to collect clam-shells
down the Ottawa River he could study the water-plants with
me and the shells with Mr. Latchford. The reason he was first
in this, first in that, and first in everything, was because
he was always busy, always at work, and as soon as he learned
a thing he was ready to tell it. Other men would tell us nothing ;
he would tell us something in a simple, quiet, easy way, and we
went home and absorbed it. I never expect to see any Canadian
approach Dr. Fletcher on these lines. I never found the
equal of Fletcher as an all-round naturalist. As you remember,
nearly one hundred and fifty years ago a gentleman lived in
England named White, of Selbome, a learned gentleman, who
wrote on general natural history. Since his time no man has
risen in England like him. He was Dr. Fletcher's prototype.
There was no man like Fletcher in the multiplicit}' of subjects
he took up. We read of Darwin, but Darwin ran in grooves
as you all know. If you take up any of the other great men you
will find that they also ran in grooves; but not so Fletcher.
In connection with this, I may say now there was another
point w'hich I discussed with Fletcher the first year I was down
here. Talking of natural history, he said that he was going
to take up all subjects. I laughed at him, I said I was a
geologist ; I had gone through entomology long before and
discovered I didn't care enough about it to continue to collect,
and presented mv insects to Mr. Evans, of Trenton, and
abandoning entomology had fallen back upon botany. He
said, "Why should I not take up all subjects?" Of course, gentle-
men, I was like most sceptical people, I laughed at him, and
said, "You will start five or six things and finally drop them."
But, he had such a power of persistence, as has been so w^ell
brought out to-night, that he never failed to accomplish what
he set out to do.
My young son and myself w^ere up at Nepigon twenty-four
years ago last summer. He was quick on his feet and I w^as
slow, getting well up in years: we saw a fine butterfly go past
down the lane, and I said we must get that butterfly, and we
obtained perhaps a dozen. I brought them home and showed
the butterfly to Fletcher and he said, "Why, Macoun, that is
214 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Jan,
the greatest discovery of the age, the finest catch for many
years," and eventual]}^ it was named after me. He got from
me particulars of where it should be looked for, and he and Dr.
Scudder, of Boston, went three years in succession to Nepigon
to get the eggs of this butterfly, so as to rear the larv£e and follow
up their life history. They went three years in succession before
they got them; that shows you the persistence of Fletcher.
Now, if it had been me I might have gone one year in search of
it. There is where his success lay, and I will always maintain
that the man who fights the longest wins. It is the chap who
stops first who loses the battle. Fletcher never lost a battle.
It might be a drawn one, but it was never lost.
Now, I don't think that it is possible to develop in America
a naturalist of the type of Fletcher. To-day, natural history
is becoming specialized. Botany of to-dav is taken up by a
dozen working on different lines. When I was young I had to
carry it all Now, entomology is taken up by a dozen in the
same way. All things are changing and hence development
will prevent the naturalist of his type coming to the front.
He was made Botanist and Entomologist of the Experi-
mental Farm. We who knew him before that time can re-
member well the kind of man he was then and the kind of man
he became. When he went to the Experimental Farm he began
to study natural history on the economic side as he was in
duty bound to do. When Dr. Fletcher became Botanist and
Entomologist, as Dr. Saunders has told us, he commenced at
once to study botany and entomology in the way that wa&
required of him for his work, and from that day forward he was
an economic naturalist. He studied things necessary to his
work, and therefore he became a power in the country and the
Government never had a servant that went up and down the
country and did so much good as Dr. Fletcher. It is all very
good for politicians to make speeches, but they mostly amount
to so much hot air. When a man like Dr. Fletcher and men
of his type go up and down the country and talk to the farmers
and give them information about every difficult thing that they
ought to know in their everyday work, these speakers are much
more useful than the other class.
There are many men in the country to-day who have
through him become useful men in their day and generation,
and now I ask what will the young people of Ottawa do who
used to sit in this hall and hear his speeches so full of life and
power? We shall never see the like of Dr. Fletcher again, but
his work is not done. His spirit lives in the hearts of the people
of Canada.
1909] The Ottawa Naturalist. 215
DR. FLETCHER AS A LEADER.
By Dr. H. M. Ami.
It is with great difficulty and diffidence that I attempt this
evening to describe to you Dr. James Fletcher as a Leader.
The painful loss we have sustained is too recent, and too great,
to permit me to even attempt to do justice to him. His all-
round personality, genial, kind and affable ways, his utterances
and activities are so deeply imprinted upon us by the years of
intimate and constant relations that their full living reality
cannot be connected with the unutterable pain we experience
in the loss we have sustained.
It is only three weeks ago to-day that we followed to their
last resting place the mortal remains of our dear departed
leader and friend.
Many years and many times we had followed him in those
pleasant paths and bye-ways where the Trilliums and Ginseng
flourish, where the Spring-beauty and Hepaticas thrive, and
where the rare orchids hide their fringed or fantastic blossoms.
Suddenly, when we least expected it, he who had been our
leader in botany, in entomology, in conchology, in so many
and interesting branches of natural history; he who had
banded us together and had founded our Club; he who had
been the cheery friend of every member of the Club for twenty-
nine years ; was taken from us and cut off in the prime of man-
hood. We mourn his loss to-day not alone for what he was
to the Club from its very inception — a constant inspiration
and a devoted Leader but, also, for what he was to each of
us individually — a friend, an example, an ideal man, a man with
wide sympathies and firm convictions, fond of knowledge and
of truth, of a tender, patient and winsome disposition, as well
as of a resourceful nature. His sweet, wholesome influence, his
truly unselfish nature, and his beneficent example must ever
be a light which will radiate in our community with increasing
power as years roll on. His great spirit permeated ever\- branch
of the Club's work from its earliest days, and for sound counsel
and critical advice we naturally and invariably turned to him.
Mav his life and work be ever kept before our eyes and minds.
What a privilege to have knowm Dr Fletcher!
He was an ideal Leader, and it is of him as such that I
liave been asked to speak to you to-night. To be a Leader one
must be a seer. He had his visions and in the pursuit of his
high ideal Dr. Fletcher fairly drew us along. His great faith,
in all that tended to the ideal, the noble, the good, and the true,
-which was so manifest in him, made him look far into the
216 The Ottawa Naturalist [Jan.
broader aspects of those pursuits and studies which occupied
his attention.
He never spared himself, but with an ever-springing energy
devoted his life to the study of the natural history of the
Ottawa District and of the Dominion of Canada, as well as of those
larger and international problems and relations, which widened
the scope of his researches enormously.
His deeds and suggestions as a Leader I shall not here
attempt to recite. You know them all. The members of the
Club who have been closest in touch with Dr. Fletcher since
the inception of the Club know well the ceaseless and untiring
zeal which he displayed in its welfare and on their behalf. All
the Normal School classes, which from year to year were wont
to attend the Club's Excursions and Soirees, also know well
the devotion which he displayed on all these occasions. Edu-
cational Institutions of the city, including the Kindergarten
children, received inspiring words from him and listened to his
enthusiastic utterances on the plant and the insect w^orld.
We cannot realize that he is gone and is no more with us
in reality. His presence in our midst for so many years, com-
bined with his powerful physique and constant jovial expres-
sion, which made his leadership so attractive, pleasant and in-
spiring, still permeates our inmost soul and being so thoroughly,
that his influence is still felt and will continue to exist. There
is not a flower, nor an insect, which does not recall him, which
does not bring to mind his noble cotmtenance and winsome
ways. There is not a brook, valley, crag, hillside, wood, or
swamp; not a spot in the Ottawa District which does not
vividly suggest him.
Who can forget those vivid pictures drawn upon the canvas
of our minds by his charming words when Dr. Fletcher described
to us the life-history of some butterfly, or the capture of a rare
and interesting species in the Rockies. How he led us, step
by step, in captivating fashion through all the intricate ways
of his adventures until the goal of his ambition was reached.
How, breathlessly, we listened to his graphic descriptions!
How keenly interested he himself was, and how he seemed to
live over again the experiences he had enjoyed or suffered!
These and hundreds of other utterances by him we shall never
forget.
His busy life kept him constantly at work with Nature.
In this work he found pleasure and by it gave the same to tens
of thousands in Canada and elsewhere.
Nature Study articles of recent years, were a special feature
of his writings, and these are masterpieces of composition as
well as of comparison and observation.
1909] Dr. Fletcher as a Leader. 217
Not only was Dr. Fletcher one of the founders and organizers
of the Club as well as Leader all these years, but he also contrib-
uted many articles and papers to our transactions. The
first paper in our first volume was by him. This was his inaugural
address delivered on 24th November, 1879, which is a master-
piece written by a master-mind. What an appeal this was to us
to work up the natural history of Ottawa and its environs!
Let cverv member who can, read this address once more and
receive the inspiration which he instilled into his hearers those
many years ago. To quote from this address will be to give
in his own words the keynote of all his endeavors in the field
of Nature about Ottawa. In speaking of the newly-formed
Field-Naturalists' Club, he said: —
"One of the chief benefits bestowed by an organization,
such as ours, is that it enables one always to know where to
find a sympathetic companion. Of all recreations, there is
none, to mv mind, more enjovable than a walk in the country
with a congenial friend. No kind of intercourse brings you
into closer contact with a companion than taking a walk. You
cannot take ten steps, even with a stranger, without feeling a
necessitv of saying something, and if there is anything in a man,
you can soon bring it out of him in a country walk. Now, it
is very clear that a judicious choice with regard to your com-
panion is a most important matter; but it is not always easy
to find one who has the same tastes or takes an interest in the
same subjects as yourself."
In speaking of a naturalist, he said: —
"No one looks upon the world so kindly as he does; no
one else gives so much to, or takes so much enjoyment from,
the country as he does, and he holds a more vital relation to
Nature, because he is freer, and his mind is more at leisure.
Moreover, when a naturalist gets a friend, who is not one, out
in the country, he feels a sort of moral responsibility resting
upon him to find something particularly interesting to point
out, so as to arouse his curiosity, and, if possible, to convert
him to the study of 'La Belle Science.' I say particularly
interesting, because everything in Nature is interesting and
beautiful; and I defy anyone to bring me a single object,
picked up by a country roadside, which is not beautiful, and
even exquisitely so — a stick, a piece of straw, a leaf, or a stone,
it matters not what, if properly examined and understood, they
are all wonderful and lovely."
After describing a number of commonplace objects and
showing their beauty and attractiveness, he goes on: — •
"The reason I have dwelt at such length this evening on
these objects is to endeavor to point out that there is nothing,
218 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Jan.
not even the commonest object in Nature, that is not worthy
of a careful examination. It is a great mistake, but a mistake
which is often made, even by scientific men, to suppose that
new knowledge can be gathered only from the unexplored
fields of science, when, in the most familiar w^alks of life, there
are countless riches of truth which the reapers, in the hurry of
the harvest, have passed unnoticed, and which will abundantly
reward the careful gleaner. The French aptly expres.s this
thought in the proverb, 'La Science court les rues' — 'Science
runs the streets;' or, more freely translated, knowledge is to
be found everywhere, by those who will look for it, for it is so
plentiful that it rtins in the very gutters of the streets."
In conclusion he said: — "Let us, then . . . strive,
while working up the natural history of our neighborhood
thoroughly, to do so in a popular manner, intelligible to all.
I believe we have it in our power to give much happiness to
many, by inducing them, by our example and persuasions, to
study with us Nature. Its wonders are open to everyone, from
the voungest child to the aged man; it offers charms and fas-
cinations to all — for all is wonderful and beautiful; and, as
nothing makes men so happy as contemplating the beautiful,
I consider nothing is so v/ell calculated to make men good
and happy as a study of Nature."
What Dr. Fletcher was as a Leader is recorded, though
only in part, in the volumes of Transactions of the Club, which
are as a monument to his memory. His "Flora Ottarvaensis"
was a feature of the early days of the Club and his endeavor was
to obtain as complete a series as possible of our local flowering
plants and ferns.
He drew us all together by the magic power of his sweet
personality, by the enthusiasm of his love for Nature all about
us, and by the kind words and deeds which he uttered and per-
formed even unto the end.
The secret of his good life lay in the fact that he himself
was led by motives and visions of the highest and best ideals.
Inspired b}^ a strong desire to see others enjoy Nature as he
did, he presented the truths as they were revealed to him in a
most delightful and pleasing manner. The simplicity of his
remarks even when dealing with difficult subjects, marked him
as a clear-sighted and keen observer and a vigorous and suc-
cessful lecturer. With what care he described all he saw of
interest in the field and forest, on the road or in the street!
Oftimes he was called upon to repeat the same facts and truths,
but he never wearied of imparting knowledge. In the numerous
excursions and sub-excursions of the Club about Ottawa he
was the rallying point and centralizing force. In all his ad-
1909] Dr. Fletcher as a Leader. 219
dresses likewise he led us by ways that were pleasant, and
taught us how to collect, classify and preserve plants and
insects or other objects of natural history. He was ever
teaching all who attended the outings and soirees these funda-
mental principles in acquiring material for study. In the work
of the Club, Dr. Fletcher was facile princeps and was our Leader
par excellence.
Well do I recall at this time the first excursion which the
Clul) had to King's Mountain, Chelsea. What a glorious day!
What a glorious Leader! His l^uoyant nature, cheery disposi-
tion and winning ways attracted as so many magnets, and
oftimes the geological and the entomological as well as other
branches joined the botanical section, because he as the Leader'
drew everyone, from the child — eager to learn evervthing
about Nature — to the older members and visitors.
He saw beauty, order and use in everything, and the world
about him filled his life with numberless surprises and treasures.
He was at one with Nature and she revealed herself to him as
she does to but few. His enthusiasm w^as catching and he
imparted not a little of it to his friends and associates.
No one can estimate his worth, for he was everything that
one can imagine to us as a Club and to many scientific societies
and institutes in our land. He understood the relations exist-
ing between the plant world and the insect w^orld to a remark-
able degree. It was this keen perception and accurate knowl-
edge that led him to take such a deep interest in our farming
communities.
How eagerly and zealously he guarded their interests and
spoke in their behalf at the Sessions of the Agricultural Com-
mLittees of the House of Commons when he was stationed
in the Library of Parliament. And what a central and at-
tractive spot that Library of Parliament was to us vounger
naturalists in the 70's and early 80's.
His work at the Central Experimental Farm, whither he
was called in 1888, took him wholly into the realm which he
loved and cherished.
We deem ourselves fortunate — though now deeply sorrow-
iul — to have been permitted, many of us for so many years,
to have accompanied such a Leader into so many paths of
pleasure in this neighborhood and elsewhere. His deeds were
many and good. His energies were spent for the welfare of
all with whom he came into contact. In his death the Club
has lost its greatest friend and supporter and Leader. We owe
liim a deep debt of gratitude which years of service in the same
cause can only begin to express.
Those of us, who followed him in many of his outings
220 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Jan.
with the Club and other organizations, are conscious of a great
loss. Nevertheless "we mourn not as those who have no hope,"
for from his heart and soul there radiated an influence and in-
spiring grace which the child of God, the Christian in the
highest sense of that term, alone can possess, and which can
soothe as well as, in time, satisfy the grief and loss we have
sustained.
At the close of Dr. Ami's paper, the Chairman asked
if there were any present who would like to add their tribute,
and in response to this invitation, the following addresses were
made.
Mr. Frank T. Shutt, Chemist of the Dominion Experimen-
tal Farms, spoke as follows: —
It is as a co-worker and friend of many years that I would
add a word of tribute to-night to the memory of the late Dr.
Fletcher. As most of you are aware, Dr. Fletcher and I have
been colleagues since the establishment of the Experimental
Farm system, now twenty-one years ago, and from the first we
became fast friends. His work and mine had the same field —
the Dominion of Canada — and it was only natural that a part of
our labours at least should be in common. Many of our investiga-
tions were carried out together, the chemical work supplementing
the botanical or entomological, as the case might be. As instances
I may cite our investigation to determine the agricultural value of
native and imported grasses and the many problems respecting
the efficiencv of insecticides. With a full realization of the value
of the results from the biological standpoint, he, at the same
time, recognized the importance of chemical data. Further,,
while making himself cognisant of the chemical details, he
kept well within his own province in his dicta, referring his
readers or hearers to the right authorities when, in treating of
a subject, it was necessary to bring before them facts outside
his domain and requisite to present the matter in its fullest
aspects. You will thus see that it was a very pleasant thing to be
associated with him and that our work was carried out together
in the most harmonious manner.
Of his ability as an economic botanist and entomologist, and
the most excellent services he has given to his adopted country as
such, there are many here to-night better qualified to speak than
I am. But I would add a word to this testimony in my belief that
his latge and wide knowledge of Canada and of the conditions that
prevail in the various parts of the Dominion was of inestimable
value to those 'to whom he was imparting information. He had
travelled and observed in every province of the Dominion and
this in itself gave much weight to his opinions and advice.
1909] Tributes to Dr. Fletcher. 221
Reference has been made to Dr. Fletcher's generosity, his
desire to help others, his readiness always to do a good turn; it
was surely these fine qualities that dominated his life. There
must be hundreds scattered all over this wide Dominion who
will miss his kindly assistance and encouragement. And this
goodness of heart was only equalled by his capacity for work. My
bedroom window commanded one in his office, and night after
night for weeks together I would retire — and that at no very
early hour — leaving his light burning. He was naming botanical
and entomological specimens for amateur collectors all over the
countrv, scores of whom probably he was thus encouraging in
their studies by his kindly help. He must have been blessed with
a strong vitality and much strength, for by sunrise next morning,
if the season were summer, he would be out gardening — a work,
oi rather a pastime for him, of which he was an ardent lover. He
took the greatest pride in his garden and nothing gave him more
pleasure than the presenting of its products fo his friends.
It was, of course, in his addresses on Nature Studv and allied
subjects that he won his laurels and gained a wide popularity.
He was a particularly attractive speaker. Of good presence, with
a pleasant voice, of an easy yet enthusiastic manner with fluency
of speech it was not difficult to hold his audiences entranced in his
description of Nature and Nature 's children. He carried his
hearers with him, so that they forgot the immediate surroundings
and were transported in spirit to the mountain side or the bank
of the stream as he went in quest of his plants or insects.
But we must not overlook the fact that a very large part of
his useful work was done with the pen. I always thought he had
a love for letter writing. He had a wide and ever increasing
correspondence respecting plants and insects and he encouraged
it. His was certainly the "pen of a ready writer. "
We all like to think of him as our own personal friend His
cheery, jovial, kindly spirit — for by nature he was buoyant and
light hearted — won all with whom he came in contact. Even
those who only met him casually will have a pleasant memorv of
his genial manner and desire to help. Since Dr. Fletcher's death
I have received manv letters from mutual friends and they all
bear warm testimony to his sterling qualities and his charming
personality. To those of us who knew him well, intimately, he
was a loveable man, warm in sympathy and true, a man of gen-
erous impulses and kindly, considerate thought for others. We
mourn the death of a dear friend and a truly Christian gentleman.
But while we must all deplore the cutting off of such a bright and
useful life in the midst of its activities, we must equally rejoice
that Dr. Fletcher's work lives after him and that he has left us a
noble example to copy in his faithful, helpful, inspiring work.
222 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Ja.n.
Rev. G. Eifrig, a Member of the Council: —
Although I did not have the good fortune tojknow our late
lamented Dr. Fletcher so long as some of the other speakers of this
evening had, yet, the time — -five years— was long enough to let
our friendship ripen into a very cordial and sincere one. In fact,
his character was such a lovable and unselfish one, that to know
him was to love him and become a friend to him. I think his
very unselfishness was the key to his great popularity and the
general sorrow caused by his taking off. He was a lover of men
and a lover of nature, and in this connection I may bring out
another side of his many-sidedness, and that is his keenness as an
observer of birds. I well recall with what pleasure he would let
me know by letter or telephone when he saw the first arrivals of
the spring migrants, his first song sparrow, or bluebird, or red-
winged black bird, etc. In fact, he rendered some very material
service to ornithology in this vicinity, for the first and only posi-
tive records of the Lapland Longspur {Calcarius lapponicus)
and the Shore Lark {Otocoris alpestris) in this neighborhood
were made by him in May 1890. It is my deep conviction that we
have sustained a great loss, the whole country, the Experimental
Farm System, Ottawa, and last, but not least, our Club.
Mr. E. R. Cameron, Registrar of the Supreme Court of
Canada : —
The gentlemen who have so far addressed you this evening
have been more or less associated with Dr. Fletcher's scientific
work. I should like the opportunity of saying a word from what
may be called a layman's standpoint or that of the amateur
naturalist. I have known of Dr. Fletcher's work from a national
standpoint, as every other intelligent Canadian has, and of his
great services, especially to the farming community and I have
been able to appreciate in a humble way the high quality of his
scientific attainments. No one could know Dr. Fletcher without
being compelled to say : " Here is a great man. "
We find in the history of all races that at times nature pro-
duces a specially great individuality. When the history of this
period comes to be written long after we have passed from the
scene. Dr. Fletcher's name will stand forth prominentlv, and
identified with the great advance in scientific agriculture and
horticulture. Something has been said as to the form which a
memorial to Dr. Fletcher's memory should take. Personally, I
strongl}^ prefer that we should aim at establishing a bursar}' or
scholarship in one of our Canadian Universities to encourage
research work in entomology and botany, the subjects which are
identified with Dr. Fletcher's life-work. This might be styled
1909] Tributes to Dr. Fletcher. 223
the Fletcher Memorial Bursary. I would recommend that
before this meeting breaks up a committee be appointed to take
this matter into consideration.
Mr. T. J. MacL.\ughlin: —
The various papers and addresses delivered here this evening
have touched very beautifully upon almost every phase of Dr.
Fletcher's works and his character, but Prof. Shutt,
in describing him as a friend, has sounded another chord, and
a very important one, in the anthem of praise of this good and
great man, in which we are all ready and anxious to join. As one
who knew Dr. Fletcher intimately for considerably more than a
quarter of a centurv, I can heartily endorse all that Mr. Shutt has
said of him as a true friend.
Dr. Johnson- once said, in his criticism of one of the minor
poets, that he was interesting to posterity only as a friend of an-
other poet, and I was thinking while Mr. Shutt was speaking, that
although the poet 's friends considered this harsh criticism, some
of us here to-night would not object to being placed in a relative
position to that of the poet thus criticised and to have it said of
us that we are interesting only as friends of Dr. Fletcher. For my
own part I would be perfectly satisfied to be considered worthy of
such a distinction. Whether I have been a friend to Dr. Fetcher
or no, is not, of course, for me to say. but I can say and do know
that he was a true and noble friend to me during all' the years that
I knew him — a friend in need and at all times, whom I loved as a
brother and whose memory I shall ever dearly cherish.
Dr. Fletcher was not only a friend and companion of the
learned and scientific, but of all, irrespective of position or con-
dition in life. The high, the low, the rich and the poor met
with him on common ground.
It may well be considered that the Ottawa Field-Natur-
lists' Club has sustained a severe loss in the death of him who
was one of its founders. We old members of the Club, all well
know that his great personality and enthusiasm carried it through
many a severe crisis, but it is to be hoped that it is now old
enough and strong enough to long survive him and continue the
work to which he was so earnestly devoted.
Dr. Saunders' address on the value of Dr. Fletcher's services
in connection with the Experimental Farms — his efforts in the
cause of science and agriculture — affords an estimate of the loss
which the country has stistaincd in his death. Indeed it would
scarcelv be possible for any man to work and experiment so inces-
santly as Dr. Fletcher did for so many years, without making
inany valuable discoveries and adding much to science along the
lines of his profession. I am not qualified to speak of Dr. Flet-
224 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Jan.
cher's scientific attainments or of his position in the field of
science, as Dr. Saunders, Mr. Harrington, Mr. Gibson and
others who have preceded me, are able to do and have done to-
night,but I have had ample opportunity of observing many of the
lovely qualities of his nature which are not apparent in the broad-
side of action, as presented to the public ; those inborn permanent
characteristics which neither time, nor circumstances in life can
eradicate or alter, and, which endeared him to his family and
friends and made his home life so happy and joyous. His pain at
the distress of his friends — his pleasure at their success — his
ready self-denial for their pleasure and profit — his love for little
children and of innocence in every form, and a thousand other
evidences of gentle soul and those rarer human virtues which only
a great soul has power to arouse, constituted the adornment and
great charm of his life and are now the consolation of those who
knew him best and loved him most.
I was not aware that Dr. Fletcher was ill at all and the news
of his death came to me in New York, where I was at the time, as
a most grevious shock and surprise. He was buried before I
could return. I was therefore denied the privilege of even looking
upon him in death or of following his remains to. the grave. I am
glad, however, to be at this memorial meeting and to be allowed
to add a word to the many beautiful encomiums of the evening on
his life and activities, and to express the deepest regret and
sorrow at his early death.
Mr. Wm. J. Topley: —
Although it is late, I must claim a few moments to add my
tribute. While I haA^e listened to the loving words, to the glow-
ing testimonies of his intimate associates, I am impressed with
this thought; the lesson of this evening is, that Love rules the
world, that we should realize that often it is just as easy to do a
kindness as to neglect the opportunity ; that the influence of lov-
ing deeds habitually performed is almost limitless.
My first impressions of Dr. Fletcher date from 1876. My
attendance at excursions and lectures increased my admiration
and later, during the work of making a photographic record of
some of our forest trees, I was much interested in marking his
preparation and provision to record systematically, every
observation in his line of work, even those outside our work
in hand. On several occasions I have brought visitors to the
Experimental Farm, sometimes to obtain advice from Dr.
Fletcher, and in the getting of it, was magnetized by his inspiring
personality. Whatever may be the future of this institution, we
of Ottawa are justly proud of the efficiency of the staff, the
1909] Tributes to Dr. Fletcher. 225
uniform courtesy always in evidence and extended to the
humblest applicant for information.
It was not, therefore, Dr. Fletcher's official courtesy that
impressed me, it was his approachableness at all times and in all
places; his every-day enthusiastic readiness to serve; his desire
to give. His life was like a book lying open before you; every
time you wished you could apply, could have intercourse without
preface or introduction.
We have no remembrances of unkind words, his temper-
ment was too bright. A remark by a former speaker reminds me
that Dr. Fletcher once said he had no use for poets ; neverthe-
less. Dr. Fletcher was a poet; his unequalled energy, his love for
doing things led him to make a humourus protest against appar-
ent listlessness. A poet is one who through observation and medi-
tation distils thoughts into strong words; who weaves beautiful
thoughts into songs full of Divine uplift to the human soul ; thus
bringing hope and joy into daily living. In this large, best, truest
sense he was a poet of "sweetness and light. "
At this club meeting it is natural that references should be
made to the scientific side of his life, I was pleased that one of the
speakers touched upon the charm of his home and family life.
Not being a member of the Club would it not be proper for me
to refer to the fact that Dr. Fletcher discharged with equal enthu-
siasm and efficiency the social and religious duties of a citizen.
Until something better is evolved, all that is included in the
word church will continue to stand for the highest moral force.
This Dr. Fletcher recognized, to the benefit and appreciation of a
large number of our citizens, thus rounding out an ideal life.
Too many of our scientists are one-sided like all great thinkers.
When science escaped from the tyranny of ecclesiasticism
the pendulum swung to the opposite, materialism; during the
last twenty-five years many scientists have not only swung
back again but have become spiritists.
A large number take a half-way position, claiming that the
evolution of man as mirrored in nature demands a continuitv of
life, another environment in which the wonderful powers of the
subconscious mind may be unfolded; that what we call life is
always associated with what we call death.
Whatever we may think of these conclusions it seems to me
that one of the strongest proofs of the Divinity of the human soul
and of a future life is suggested by the untimely ending of a life
so full of fruition, so full of even greater promise; the closing of
the clean record of a beautiful life such as his of whom we to-
night speak these words of fond remembrance.
226 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Jan.
"Those whom we love truly never die.
For death the pure life saves,
And life all pure is love, and love can reach
From Heaven to earth, and nobler lessons teach
Than those by mortals read. "
"Thank God for one dead friend,
With face still radiant with the light of truth.
Whose love comes laden with the scent of vouth
Through twenty years of death. "
The following letter from Dr. S. B. Sinclair was read: —
It is probable that the death of no one outside the teaching
profession would be mourned more deeply or sincerely by Cana-
dian teachers and more particularlv by the graduates of the
Ottawa Normal School, than .Dr. Fletcher. Dr. Fletcher, in
addition to combining in a rare degree the qualities of the gifted
scientist and the cultured gentlemen, was above all the Prince of
good companions.
The students never lost an opportunity to express their
appreciation of his untiring energies in their behalf and of the
value of the lessons which he taught and the interest which he
created.
Hundreds of teachers, when they hear the sad news, will recall
a time when under the convincing and inspiring force of an elo-
quent and masterlv address or in the never to be forgotten walk
through the pathless woods they caught something of the spirit
of this great man and ever after nature had to them a larger and a
Diviner meaning.
DESCRIPTION OF PSILOCORSIS FLETCHERELLA, A
NEW SPECIES OF MOTH OF THE FAMILY
CECOPHORID^.
By Arthur Gibson, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa.
In the Canadian Entomologist, March, 1908, the writer
published, under the name of Cryptolechia quercicella Clemens,
a note on some larvae, which had been found feeding on Populus
tremuloides, in the Arboretum of the Central Experimental Farm,
Ottawa. On further study the moth reared from these larvae
proves to be an undescribed species of the genus Psilocorsis, as
mentioned by Mr. August Busck in the Proceedings of the United
States National Museum, Vol. XXXV, page 197, 1908. As a tri-
1909] Published Writings of Dr. Fletcher. 227
bute to the memory of my late Chief, and ever kind friend, from
whom I always received the greatest encouragement and help in
my studies, I esteem it an honour to name it
Psilocorsis fletcherella, new species.
Alar expanse 19 mm.
Labial palpi ochreous, margined beneath and on sides with
longitudinal black lines, second joint thickened with appressed
scales; antennae simple, without pecten, black, annulated with
light ochreous. Face and head rust-yellow; thorax darker,
with a tinge of purple ; abdomen almost concolorous with thorax,
lower edge of segments pale ochreous. Fore wings of a pale gold
colour rather heavily dusted with pale brown and having a purp-
lish reflection. Outer discal spot conspicuous, blackish, inner
discal spot same colour but not so well defined. Cilia ochreous,
darkened with brown. Hind wings: ground colour same as fore
wings but only lightly dusted with pale brown. Legs bright pale
ochreous, shining; tarsal joints fuscous.
Described from a single, female specimen, the type, Cat. No.
12185 U.S. N. M.
THE PUBLISHED WRITINGS OF DR. FLETCHER.
Compiled by Arthur Gibson and Herbert Groh.
In the preparation of the following list of writings of the
late Dr. James Fletcher, the compilers have met with many
difficulties. The author had kept no list of his publications,
and search had to be made in many quarters. The list cannot
be considered by any means a complete one. Such a list is
impossible, owing to the many agricultural and other papers
to which he sent material for publication. In the Montreal
Family Herald and Weekly Star, in his Farmers 'Friends and Foes
column, which began in 1896, he has contributed replies to
hundreds of. enquiries, on a great variety of subjects. A list
of these could be added but it has been thought better to omit
them here.
In the Annual Reports of the Dominion Experimental Farms:
Report of the Entomologist and Botanist, 1887, pp. 8-41; 1888,
pp. 47-77; 1889, pp. 59-92; 1890, pp. 154-205; 1891, pp. 190-220;
1892, pp. 144-167; 1893, pp. 157-193; 1894. pp. 183-226; 1895,
pp. 135-181; 1896, pp. 223-276; 1897, pp. 187-230; 1898, pp. 167-
219; 1899, pp. 159-204; 1900, pp. 195-249; 1901, pp. 197-262;
1902, pp. 169-201; 1903, pp. 163-215; 1904, pp. 205-256; 1905,
pp. 159-204; 1906, pp. 201-234; 1907, pp. 182-213.
In the Interim Report of the Experimental Farms, covering the period
from Dec. 1st, 1905, to March 31st, 1906: Report for period and
"historical resum^ of economic entomology in Canada, pp. 59-81.
228 ' The Ottawa Naturalist. [Jan.
In the Annual Report of the Minister of Agriculture, 1895: Report of
. investigations in Manitoba and British Columbia, as Entomologist
and Botanist, pp. 10.
In^the Annual Report of the Select Standing Committee on Agriculture
and Colonization of the House of Commons: Evidences, 1891, pp.
13; 1892, pp. 19; 1893, pp. 24; 1894, pp. 20; 1895, pp. 18; 1896
pp. 22; 1897, pp. 17; 1898, pp. 22; 1899, pp. 20; 1900, pp. 45
1901, pp. 25; 1902, pp. 56; 1903, no Evidence given; 1904, pp. 26
1905, pp. 24; 1906-1907, pp. 27.
Bulletins of Experimental Farms:
No. 3. Smuts Affecting Wheat, 1888.
11. Recommendations for the Prevention of Damage by Some
Common Insects of the Farm, the Orchard and the
Garden, 1891.
14. The Horn Fly, 1892.
19. Grasses: Their Uses and Composition, 1893. (Jointly with
Mr. Frank T. Shutt, M.A., F.C.S., F.I.C.)
22. Part II oi Injurious Insects, and Part III on Potato
Blights, 1895.
28. Weeds, 1897. Reprinted 1907.
37. Part of, on Apple Insects, 1901.
43. Part of, on Plum Insects, 1903.
46. Part III, on Lucerne or Alfalfa, 1904.
52. Irsects Injurious to Grain and Fodder Crops, Root Crops,
and Vegetables, 1905.
56. Parts of, on Insects Injurious to Currants and Goose-
berries, and, on Insects Injurious toRaspberries and Black-
berries, 1907.
Experimental Farm Notes No. 2: Potato Blights, 1894.
Experimental Farm Notes No. 4: The Russian Thistle, or Russian
Tumble Weed, 1894.
Other Publications of the Dominion Department of Agriculture:
Reports of the Dominion Entomologist for 1884, pp. 1-7; 1885, 1-56.
Leaflet on the Clover Seed Midge, 1886.
Farm Weeds of Canada, by G. H. Clark, B.S.A., and James Fletcher,
LL.D., F.R.S.C, F.L'.S., with illustrations by Norman Criddle.
1906, pp. 1-103. (Text written by Dr. Fletcher).
Government of the North-West Territories:
Bulletin No. 1, Noxious Weeds and How to Destroy Them, 1898.
In the Canadian Entomologist:
Nature-printed Butterflies. Vol. XII, Jan., 1880, pp. 1-3. Also
published in Annual Report, Entomological Society of Ontario.
Entomology for Beginners — the Calosomas. XII, Feb., 1880, pp.
32-35.
Note on Melttcea phcBton. XII, Aug.. 1880, p. 160.
Thecla niphon. XVI, May, 1884, pp. 92-94. Also in Rep. Ent.
Soc. Ont.
A Rare Sphinx Added to the Canadian List {Pterogon clarkice).
XVII, Dec, 1885, p. 251.
Notes on the Preparatory Stages of Cartcrocephalus mandan. XXI,
1889, pp. 113-116.
Winter Collecting. XXI, 1889, pp. 15-17. Also in Rep. Ent. Soc.
Ont.
The Apple Tree Tent Caterpillar. XXI, 1889, pp. 74-76. Also in
Rep. Ent. Soc. Ont.
1909] Published Writings of Dr. Fletcher. 229
Cutworms. XXI, 1889, pp. 117-120. Also in Rep. Ent. Soc. Ont.
The Imported Currant Sawflv. XXI, 1889, pp. 150-152. Also in
Rep. Ent. Soc. Ont.
The Tiger Swallow-tail. XXI, 1889, pp. 201-204. Also in Rep.
Ent. Soc. Ont.
The Mediterranean Flour Moth. XXII, March, 1890, pp. 41-44.
Also in Rep. Ent. Soc. Ont.
The Northern Mole Cricket. XXIV, 1892, pp. 22-25.
Notes on Killing, Preserving and Relaxing Insects. XXIV, 1892,
pp. 14-16. Also in Rep. Ent. Soc. Ont.
The Mottled Umber Moth. XXVI, Jan., 1894, pp. 22-24.
Notes on Mr. E. F. Heath's Collection of Butterflies. XXVII,
Nov., 1895, pp. 314-315.
The Cigar-case Bearer of the Apple. XXVIII, May, 1896, pp.
128-130.
Argynnis idalia in New Brunswick. XXIX, April, 1897, p. 93.
Papilio ajax, var. marcellus in British Columbia. XXXI, Jan., 1899,
p. 8.
The Bite of Otiorynchits ovatus. XXXI, Jan., 1899, p. 14.
Description of the Full-grown Larva of Grapta j-album. XXXII,
Sept., 1900, pp. 273-276.
Description of the Full-grown Larva of Anacampsis lupinella.
XXXIII, Jan. ,1901, pp. 15-16.
Life-history of the Variable Cutworm, Mainestra atlantica, Grt.
XXXIV, Nov., 1902, pp. 279-284. (Jointly with Mr. Arthur
Gibson).
Note on Deilephil a gain. XXXV., April, 1903, p. 109.
A New Food Plant for the Common Spring Blue Butterfly {Cyaniris
ladon, var. hicia). XXXVI, Jan., 1904, p. 4.
How do Insects pass the Winter? XXXVII, March, 1905, pp. 79-84.
Canadian Three-color Process Illustrations. XXXVII, May, 1905,
pp. 157-159.
The Buffalo Carpet Beetle. XXXVII Sept., 1905, pp. 333-334.
The Larva of Eupithecia interruptofasciata. XXXVII, pp. 262-263.
(Jointly with Mr. Arthur Gibson).
The Pupation of Eiivanessa antiopa. XXXVIII, Dec, 1906, pp.
411-412.
The Life-history of the Spined Rustic (Barathra curialis, Smith).
XXXVIII,' Dec, 1906. (Jointly with Mr. Arthur Gibson).
Platysatnia Columbia nokomis. XL, Oct., 1908, p. 373.
In the Reports of the Entomological Society of Ontario:
An Outline Sketch of the Canadian Buprestidae. 1878, pp. 46-84.
Scarabaeidae — Diggers. 1879, pp. 65-71.
On the Chief Benefits Derived by Farmers and Horticulturists from
a Knowledge of Entomology. 1880, pp. 57-68.
Necrophori — Burying Beetles. 1881, pp. 70-73.
Homoptera — The Harvest Flies and their Allies. 1882, pp. 69-83.
Collecting in Early Winter. 1883, pp. 31-32.
Notes on Worms. 1883, pp. 68-76.
The Larch Saw-fly. 1884, pp. 72-77.
The Hessian Fly. 1886, pp. 43-45.
Annual Presidential Address. 1888, pp. 3-13.
A Trip to Nepigon. 1888, pp. 74-88.
The Wheat Midge. 1888, pp. 88-91.
Fuller's Rose-beetle. 1890, pp. 62-64.
Annual Address as President of the Association of Economic En-
tomologists. 1891, pp. 36-44.
230 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Jan.
The Northern Mole-cricket. 1891, pp. 87-90.
The Horn-fly. 1892, pp. 49-53.
Clothes Moths. 1892, pp. 53-58.
Injurious Insects of 1892. 1893, pp. 8-13.
Notes on some of the more Important Entomological Exhibits at the
Chicago Exhibition. 1893, pp. 61-64.
The Pitcher Plant Moth. 1894, pp. 44-46.
The Gypsy Moth. 1894, pp. 67-72.
The San Jose Scale. 1894, pp. 73-76.
Injurious Fruit Insects of the Year 1894. 1894, pp. 76-81.
The Interrelation of Insects and Flowers. 1894, p. 119. (Jointly
with Mr. J. A. Guignard).
The Value of Entomology. 1895, pp. 16-21.
Insect Injuries of the Year 1895. 1895, pp. 31-36
Insect Injuries to Ontario Crops in 1896. 1896, pp. 58-69.
The San Jose Scale. 1897, pp. 78-86.
The Brown-tail Moth. 1898, pp. 72-74.
Injurious Insects in 1898. 1898, pp. 75-87.
Some Interesting Insects. 1899, pp. 30-32.
The San Jose Scale. 1899, pp. 17-20.
Injurious Insects of Ontario during 1899. 1899, pp. 106-111.
Injurious Insects of Ontario during 1900. 1900, pp. 62-72.
The Value of Nature Studv in Education. 1901, pp. 21-22.
The Painted Laiv Butterfly, Pyrantels cardui. 1901, pp. 54-56.
The Entomological Record'. 1901, pp. 99-108.
Injurious Insects of Ontario during 1902. 1902, pp. 80-87.
The Pea Weevil. 1902, pp. 3-8.
Insects Injurious to Ontario Crops. 1903, pp. 62-71.
Biographical Sketch (with portrait) of Rev. G. W. Taylor. 1903,
pp. 108-109.
Insects Injurious to Ontario Crops during 1906. 1906, pp. 81-86.
The Entomological Record. 1902, pp. 87-98.
The Entomological Record. 1903, pp. 85-89.
The Entomological Record. 1904, pp. 56-78.
Insects Injurious to Ontario Crops in 1904. 1904, pp. 49-56.
Notes on Mrs. Nichol's paper (On Butterfly Collecting in Canada).
1905, pp. 79-80.
Insects Injurious to Ontario Crops in 1905. 1905, pp. 81-90
The Entomological Record. 1905, pp. 90-105.
The Entomological Record. 1906, pp. 86-104. (Jointly with Mr.
Arthur Gibson).
Insects Injurious to Ontario Crops. 1906, pp. 81-86.
The Entomological Outlook. 1907, pp. 9-15.
The Entomological Record. 1907, pp. 113-133. (Jointly with Mr
Arthur Gibson).
In the Transactions of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club:
Inaugural Address as President. 1879, I., pp. 12-22; 1880, II,
pp. 8-21; 1881, III, pp. 11-19; 1882, IV, pp. 1 1-21.
. Flora Ottawaensis. 1879, I, pp. 48-61.
Notes on the Flora Ottawaensis, with Special Reference to the
Introduced Plants. 1883, Vol. II, No. 1, pp. 29-37.
In the Ottawa Naturalist:
Flora Ottawaensis, 2nd Edition (not yet complete). 1888, pp. 1-98.
Short Instructions for Collectors Away from Ho:ne. Vol. Ill,
April, 1889, pp. 8-9.
1909] Published Writings of Dr. Fletcher. 231
Educational Value of Botanic Gardens. V, 1891-92, pp. 105-113.
Fall Webworm. VI, 1892-1893, pp. 70-71.
Brcphos infans at Ottawa. VIII, p. 43. 1894.
Enloniological Notes — The Sumach Gall; Eacles impcrialis; Cato-
cala rdicta; Anisota virginicnsis. VIII, pp. 117-118, 1894.
Botanical Notes — Hypopitys lanuginosa; Corallorhiza striata; Podos-
temon ccratophyllus; Phraginites communis. VIII, 1894, pp.
118-121.
Note on Ercbia discoidalis. IX, July, 1895, p. 92.
yiote on Aspleniiini Ruta-miiraria. IX, Nov., 1895, p. 171.
Note on The Common House Mouse, Mns musciiliis. IX, Nov., 1895,
p. 171.
Note on Pa)nphila peckiiis. IX, Nov., 1895, jj. 171.
Note on Sphinx Inscitiosa. IX, Nov., 1895, p. 172.
Botanical Notes — Sisymbrium Alliaria; Cypripedium aristinnm;
Arethusa bulbosa; Listera australis; Habenaria fimbriata; Tril-
lium grandiftorum; Camelina sativa. X, Julv, 1896, p. 86.
A Butterfly-catching Spider. X, Nov., 1896, p. IM.
Botanical Note — Ribes ciliosum. XIII, June, 1899, p. 75.
Manitoba's Wild Flowers. XIV, April and May, 1900, p. 19.
Note on Jewel Weed. XIV, Sept., 1900, p. 120.
A Hint to Gardeners. XIV; Sept., 1900, p. 120.
Note on Pieris protodicc. XV, Oct., 1901, p. 161.
Note on Macrae's Coral-Root. XVII, Julv, 1903. p. 76.
Nature Studv. XVII, May, 1903, p. 45.
Matricaria inodora. XVII, Nov., 1903, pp. 143-144.
Alum Root as a Remedv for Diarrhcsa. XVIII, June, 1904, p. 76.
The Clouded Sulphur Butterflv {Colias philodicc). XIX, May, 1905,
pp. 59-62.
Note on Erythronium albidnm. XIX, June, 1905, p. 68.
Botanical Notes — The Fruit of Epigcea rcpens; Rare Ottawa Plants.
XIX, August, 1905, p. 110.
School Exhibits of Pressed Plants. XX, Nov., 1906, p. 173-176.
Botanical Note — Fruit and Seed. XX, Nov., 1906, p. 161.
Leucobrcphos middcndorfi. XXI, Julv, 1907, p. 67. .
Mountain Sprites. XXI, March, 1908, pp. 225-231.
The Honey Bee and other Bees. XXI, Feb.. 1908, p. 213.
Two Newly Introduced European Plants. XXII, Julv, 1908, p.
80-81.
A Black Fruited Thorn in Ontario. XXII, Nov., 1908, p. 164.
In the Transactions of the Royal Society of Canada:
Presidential Address, 1895, on Practical Entomology.
Recent Additions to the List of Injurious Insects of Canada. 1899.
The Value of Nature Study in Education. 1901.
Descriptions of Some New Species and Varieties of Canadian Butter-
flies. 1903. Reprinted in Canadian Entomologist, Vol. XXXVI,
May, 1904, pp. 121-130.
Notes on the Preparatory Stages of Some Species of Canadian Lepi-
doptera. 1907. (Jointly with Mr. Arthur Gibson).
In the Report of the Geological Survey of Canada:
List of Diurnal Lepidoptera of the Yukon District, Northern British
Columbia and Mackenzie River. 1887, pp. 229-23 IB.
In "Instructions to Canadian Pacific Railway Land Examiners" (Win-
nipeg, Man.), 12mo. :
Botanical Collections, pp. 24-27.
232 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Jan,
In Insect Life (Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C.) :
Preliininary Note upon Chionobas macounii. II, 1889, pp. 45-46.
Mediterranean Flour-moth. II, 1889, pp. 187-189.
Notes upon Injurious Insects of the Year in Canada. Ill, p. 247.
President's Inaugural Address, 3rd Annual Meeting Association of
Economic Entomologists. IV, 1891, pp. 4-16.
Notes on Injurious Insects in Canada in 1892. V, Nov., 1892, pp.
124-126.
In Entomologica Americana:
Annual Address of President of the Entomological Club of the A. A.
A. S., 1889. 1900, Jan., pp. 1-8.
In the Proceedings of the Association of Economic Entomologists:
Notes from Canada. Bull. 26, New Series, Division of Entomology,
U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1900.
Injurious Insects of the Year in Canada. Bull. 40, Division of
Entomology, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1903.
Insects of the Year in Canada in 1903. Bull. 46, Division of En-
tomology, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1904.
In the Farm.er's Advocate:
The Clover-root Borer. 1891, p. 387.
Articles on Injurious Insects (I-XI). 1892, pp. 18, 58, 147, 198,
231, 308, 348, 395, 439, 479; 1893, pp. 10, 50.
• Clothes Moth. 1893, p. 149.
Does Wheat turn to Chess? 1893, p. 167.
Granary Weevils. 1893, p. 423.
Injurious Insects. 1894, p. 157.
Insects Injurious to Farm Crops in Canada in 1896. 1897.
Carpet Beetle or Buffalo Moth. 1897.
Injurious Insects: San Jos^ Scale— The Army Worm. 1897, April
1st.
Injurious Insects: Spraving — Spring Work. 1897, April I5th.
The Flour Mite. 1900, March 1st.
Red Spider Injuries (in Manitoba). 1900, Oct. I5th.
A Cattle Tick {Boophilns bovis?) 1900, May 1st.
Hessian Fly and Joint Worms. 1906, Oct. 4th.
Calendar Guide to Spraying. 1907, p. 532.
Uniform Fonnula for Lime-sulphur Mixture. 1907, p. 533.
The Larder or Bacon Beetle. 1907, Julv, p. 1206.
Calendar Guide to Spraying, 1908, March 26th, p. 549. (Jointly
with Mr. W. T. Macoun.)
Uniform formula for Lime-Sulphur Mixture. 1908, March 26th, p.
550.
Insects that trouble Vegetables and How to combat them. 1908,
May 7th.
In The Nor' -West Partner:
Collecting Botanical Specimens. 1892, p. 196.
Invasion of Box Elder Bug {Leptocoris trivittatus). 1901, Nov. 5th,
p. 694.
A Currant Maggot (Epochra?) 1901, Dec. 5th, p. 751.
Getting Rid of Bed Bugs. 1905, Sept. 20th.
In the Montreal Family Herald and Weekly Star:
The Hessian Fly. April 3rd, 1901.
The Pea Weevil. April 17th, 1901.
Fleas and Bed Bugs. May 20th, 1901.
1909] Published Writings of Dr. Fletcher. 233
Black Vine Beetle, attacking Strawberries. May 30th, 1901.
The Powder Post Beetle. Nov. 6th, 1901.
The Peach-tree Borer. Nov. 13th, 1901.
Ants in Houses. Nov. 20th, 1901.
The Hawk House-fly {Olfersia americana). Dec. 11th, 1901.
The San Jos6 Scale in Ohio and Ontario. Dec. 18th, 1901.
Injurious Insects of the Year. Oct., 1902.
The Pea Weevil. March 2 5th, 1903.
The Eyed Elater. August 12th, 1903.
The Carolina Praying Mantis. Oct. 14th, 1903.
Fodder Crops of the North-West. Nov. 25th, 1903. (Continued in
issue of Dec. 2nd).
The San Jos^ Scale. April 6th, 1904.
Alfalfa in the Canadian North-West; Growing Brome Grass. May
4th, 1904.
Injurious Insects of the Year. Nov. 9th, 1904.
The Rusts of Wheat. Nov. 30th, 1904.
The Pea Weevil — A Warning. April 5th, 1905.
The White-marked Tussock Moth. April 26th, 1905.
Dangers of Sowing Foul Seed Grain. March 7th, 1906.
Spraving and Spray Mixtures. April, 1906.
The Brown-tail Moth. April 24th, 1907.
In the Montreal Witness:
Asparagus Beetles. 1902, Aug. 5th.
The Buffalo Moth. 1902, Sept. 16th.
In the Annual Reports of the Fruit Growers' Association of Ontario:
Insects Injurious to Fruit. 1902, pp. 54-55.
Insects and Fungous Diseases of 1903. 1903, pp. 103-106.
Insects Affecting House Plants. 1903, pp. 155-158.
What the Little Bee is Doing. 1904, pp. 90-96.
In the Annual Report of the Bee Keepers' Association of Ontario:
The Value of Bees in Orchards. 1901, pp. 56-63.
In Proceedings of a Convention of Fruit Growers of the Dominion of
Canada, Ottawa, Feb., 1890:
Injurious Insects Affecting Fruits — Remedies to Prevent their
Ravages, pp. 71-74.
In the Annual Reports of the Canadian Seed Growers' Association:
Co-operation in Improving Seed for Crops. Second Annual Report,
1906, pp. 103-106.
The Place of the Canadian Seed Growers' Association in the Cam-
paign against Weeds. Fourth Annual Report, 1908, pp. 76-78.
In O. A. C. Review (Guelph) :
The Study of Insects an Essential Part of Farming. 1908, May,
pp. 423-426.
In the Annual Report of Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture, 1907 :
The San JosI Scale.
The Gypsy Moth.
The Common Parasites Affecting Sheep.
In Weekly Globe and Canada Farmer:
Insects and House Plants. 1907, June 19th.
234 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Jan.
PROPOSED PER\IANE.\T MEMORL\L TO DR. FLETCHER.
The committee appointed by the Club to consider the suggestions
made at the Memorial Meeting that a permanent memorial should be
erected to the memory of Dr. Fletcher has prepared a letter to be issued to
societies and individuals who may have been interested in his work. The
letter has been approved by the Club and reads as follows; —
You have no doubt heard with regret of the death of Dr. James
Fletcher, Entomologist and Botanist of the Dominion Experimental
Farms, which occurred after a short illness at Montreal, Nov. 8th, 1908.
Dr. Fletcher not only did most excellent work for the country in his
official capacity, but, as is well known, took a most active part in en-
couraging the study of Natural History in its broadest aspects throughout
the Dominion.
His activities in this connection have been widely recognized and
greatly appreciated by scores of students and others who have benefited
by his timely assistance and warm encouragement. He was always in
requisition as a lecturer by Normal Schools, Natural History and other
Societies; for he had gained a wide popularity as a charming and exceed-
ingly instructive speaker.
The Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club, of which Dr. Fletcher was one
of the founders, have thought that his life work was of such a national
character that a permanent tribute to his memory should be made. Such
a memorial would not only serve to commemorate for all time the good
work done by Dr. Fletcher, but would also act as a stimulus to future
generations in the study of the fauna and flora of Canada.
Several suggestions have been made as to the form the memorial
should take, namely; —
(a). A fountain at the Central Experimental Farm.
(b). A statue to be placed in the grounds of the new Natural History
Museum,
(c). A bust or portrait to be placed in that building, or at the Central
Experimental Farm.
(d). To found a bursary at some Canadian University.
Of necessity no decision can be reached until it is known, approxi-
mately at least, what ainount of money can be raised.
The Council has appointed the members hereafter named to be a
Committee to ascertain what response might be forthcoming to an appeal
for contributions toward such a memorial.
Will you kindly state on the enclosed form the amount you are
agreeable to subscribe to this fund and return it at your earliest conven-
ience to the Secretary.
Committee;— A. E. Attwood, M.A., President O.F.N. C. ; T. E. Clarke,
B.A., Secretary O.F.X.C; Arthur Gibson, Treasurer O.F.N.C; W. Saun-
ders, C.M.G., LL.D., F.L.S., F.R.S.C, Director of Dominion Experimental
Farms; W. Hague Harrington, F.R.S.C; E. R. Cameron, M.A., K.C.;
R. B. Whyte, Vice-President Ontario Horticultural Association; Frank T.
Shutt, M.A., F.I.C., F.C.S., F.R.S.C; A. McNeill, Chief of Fruit Division,
Dept. of Agriculture; H. M. Ami. M.A., D.Sc, F.G.S., F.R.S.C.
Signed on behalf of the Committee,
E. R. CAMERON, Chairman.
W. HAGUE HARRINGTON, Secretary
THE OTTAWA NATURALIST
VOL. XXII. PLATE VII.
R. } 27
Seedlings of Ph^^noc ankus Pi a.nts.
THE OTTAWA NATURALIST
VOL. XXII. PLATE VIII.
29 37
Rkfdtjngs of Ph^nogamot's Plants.
THE OTTAWA NATURALIST
VOL. XXII. OTTAWA, FEBRUARY, 1909 ' No. 1 1
OBSERVATIONS ON SEEDLINGS OF NORTH AMERICAN
PH^NOGAMOUS PLANTS.
By Theo. Holm, Brookland, D.C.
(Continued from page 174).
In passing to describe some types of dicotyledonous seedlings,
it might be stated at once that the majority of these possess
epigeic cotyledons. There is, thus, a well marked distinction
between the two classes Monocotyledones and Dicotyledones,
consisting not only in the number of cotyledons, but also in the
structure of these depending upon the different function w'hich
they have to perform. We have seen that in very many, really
in most of the Monocotyledones the cotyledon has acquired a
certain shape and internal structure for absorbing the endospenn,
for instance the scutellum in 6'rawnne'(^,and the club-shaped organ
in SmilacecB, CommelinacecB, ScitammecB, etc., instead of being
developed as a free, assimilating leaf as in Alisma, Agave,
Sisyrinchium, etc. Such peculiar modifications of the cotyledon-
ary leaves are not known from the Dicotyledones', in these they
generally have the same function to perform as the proper leaves,
to assimilate, or, sometimes, they are also the bearers of reserve
food-substances, and are then either epigeic or hypogeic, especial-
ly the latter. Another striking contrast between these two
classes is the usually much stronger development of the primary
root, and of the hypocotyl in the Dicotyledones. Moreo\-er, these
two organs have, in the Dicotyledones, very often acquired a
certain structure in accordance with their functions ; for instance
the primary root may be developed as a storage root, and the
hypocotyl may, sometimes, attain quite a considerable increase
in thickness and contain abundant deposits of food material,
or its function may simply be to raise the cotyledons above the
ground, thus liberating them from the seed-coat. In the
Monocotyledones , on the other hand, the primary root seldom
persists, and hardly ever as a storage root, and the hypocotvl is
seldom developed to any great extent, and shows no modifica-
'^^^6 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Feb.
tion to be compared with the one so frequently observed in the
Dicotyledones. One of the most striking peculiarities noticeable
inUhe seedlings of the Dicotyledones is the remarkable contrast
between the shape of the cotyledons, especially the epigeic,
and the final leaves, and it seems almost impossible to bring these
into actual correlation. The diversity of form in the cotyledons
is quite considerable, even if their shape be usually much simpler
than that of the ultimate leaves, a simplification which may have
been produced by arrest, rather than being an indication of
leaf-forms that characterized the species in by-gone years, as
suggested by some authors. Considered by themselves the
epigeic cotyledons represent a multitude of forms, of which the
following may be enumerated: "Unear" in Clayionia megar-
rhiza 'Parry ,' Menispermum Canadense L., Negundo aceroides
Moench, Acer saccharinum Wang; "narrow lanceolate" in
Platanus occidenialis L.; "ovate" in Viiis^ riparia Michx., V.
(Bsiivalis Michx., Ampelopsis quinquefolia Michx., Clitoria
Mariana L. ; "obovate" in Rhns copallina L.; "obovate with
auriculate base" in Carpinus Caroliniana Walt.; "oblong" in
Cornus florida L., Celaslrus scandens L., Liquidamhar Siyraciflua
L. ; " elliptic ' ' in Diospyros Virginiana L. , Liriodendron Tidipijera
L.! Sanictda Marylandica L., Thaspium barbinode Nutt.;
"spathulate" in Ambrosia irifida L.; "oval" in /sJ/x^.-f Toxi-
codendron L.; "reniform" in Hedeoma pulegioides Vers.,
Geranium maculaium L.; "rotund" in Cassia chamcecrista L. ;
"bifid" with diverging broad globes in Ipomcea leptophylla Torr.,
1 hederacea Jacq.; "bifid" with diverging linear lobes in
EschschoUzta 'Californica Cham.; "palmately five-lobed" in
Tilia Americana L. . and finally ' ' bipartite with diverging rounded
lobes", making the leaf almost obcordate as in Catalpa bignoni-
oides Walt. (Fig. 23) ; in Aralia spinosa L. (Fig. 26) the cotyledons
are very unequal, the one being obovate, and entire, the other
ovate vvith the margins serrate, thus imitating the outline of the
leaflets of the mature tree; such distinction in structure _ is,
otherwise, very seldom met with, while some modification in size,
but not in outline, has been observed in cotyledons of several
herbs. We have, thus, in the epigeic cotyledons a number of
leaf-types which correspond with those of mature plants, herbs
and trees, with the only exception, so far as I know, of the de-
compound. If we, on' the other hand, examine the hypogeic
cotyledons we notice in these hardly any variation worth speaking
of, since these mostly remain enclosed by the seed; they are
usually fleshy, entire .' and vary only in length and width, from
linear to oblong, etc.
To classify the dicotyledonous seedlings is a most difficult
task, difficult to the same extent as it is to classify the mature
1909] Seedlings op Ph.enogamous Plants. 237
plants within the frame of biologic types, where the organs
of vegetative reproduction, and especially the subterranean,
play such an important role. We might classify the seedlings
in accordance with the position of the cotyledons, epigeic or
hypogeic, and in accordance with the function of the hypocotyl;
when the hypocotyl persists, the primar}^ root generally stays
active, but when it dies off, the root becomes replaced by second-
ary, which may develop from the node of the hypocotyl. Another
modification may be noticed in the relative development of the
primary root as an organ for storing nutritive matters for
instance, sometimes accompanied by the more or less complete
suppression of one of the cotyledons. Finally, the singular
formation of a cotyledonary tube deserves, also, attention from
a biologic point of view ; besides that it has been made the
subject of a most interesting treatise by Miss Ethel Sargant
for defining the comparative antiquity of Monocotyledones and
Dicotyledones. '
The most simple type of dicotyledonous seedlings is un-
doubtedly the one in which the primary root persists, and stays
as a nutritive root, and in which the main function of the hypo-
cotyl is to raise the cotyledons above the ground, thus exposing
them to the full effect of the sunlight. In this type the hypocotyl
is straight and attains often a considerable length, much exceed-
ing that of the subsequent intemodes of the seedling; moreover,
the hypocotyl does not increase in thickness beyond the con-
tinuous growth of the stele, the parenchymatic tissues remaining
mosth' unchanged. This type is exhibited by the majority of
our trees and shrubs, furthermore by most of our herbs, and is
evidently the most common. Some examples illustrating this
type of seedlings may be seen in the accompanying plate, where
Platanus occidentalis (Fig. 19), Liriodendron (Fig. 20), Caialpa
(Fig. 23), Ipomcea hederacea (Fig. 24), and Tilia Americana
(Fig. 25) have been drawn. These seedlings show, also, another
point of interest, namely, the peculiar shape of the cotyledons,
and the diversity in foliage when compared with the leaves of
the mature plants.
As the second type, may be mentioned Claytoma megarrhiza
(Fig. 27). In this the seedling is very small, and has the coty-
ledons raised above ground by a short hypocotyl; the primary
root is long, and at first slender with a few ramifications, which are
very hairy. At this stage two leaves, succeeding the cotyledons,
are already ^•isible, and the seedling is now readv to winter over.
At the end of the first season the hypocotyl shows a distinct
wrinkling by which the apical bud becomes pulled down beneath
the surface of the ground, while the root continues its growth
238 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Feb.
vertically and to a very considerable depth. In the following
spring the leaves develop, forming a small rosette, while the
hypocotyl, and the base of the root commence to increase in
thickness, resulting finally in the formation of the very large
root which characterizes the species. The plumule develops only
a very short axis, and a few leaves, which winter over, and
these become then succeeded by a small rosette surrounding
the terminal bud, which is purely vegetative, the axis being a
monopodium. A similar structure of the hypocotAd and primary
axis may be observed in Geranium maculatum L. In this the
hypocotyl increases in thickness so as to form a roundish tuber,
and the apex of the axis is, also, here vegetative, developing a
few leaves during the first season; the primary root persists, but
does not increase in thickness to such an extent as in Claytonia.
The seedling of Baptisia tinctoria R. Br., shows the same contrac-
tion of the hypocotyl and root as observed in Claytonia, but the
primary shoot dies down to the cot vie dons, and the vegetative
reproduction is secured by the development of two overwintering
buds, located in the axils of the cotyleSons. In Gillenia
trifoliata Moench (Figs. 36-37), in Ceanoihus Americanus L., and
C. ovatus Desf., the 11\-pocotyl simply makes a bend toward the
surface of the ground, and cotyledonary buds are, also, developed
in these species, one in Gillenia, but two in Ceanoihus, which
replace the primary axis above the cotyledons; in these the
hypocotyl and primary root persist for several years. We have,
thus, in this type a hypocotyl whose function is first to raise the
cotyledons and plumule above the ground, and afterwards either
by contraction or simply by a bend to bring the overwintering
bud or buds nearer to the ground for protection against the cold.
A third type is represented by Ranunculus ahortivus L.
(Figs. 34 and 35); in this the hypocotyl raises the cotyledons
above ground, but soon afterwards it bends downward (Fig. 35)
and dies off, together with the primary root. However, just
before the hypocotyl and primary root cease to be active, a new
root-system becomes developed from the cotyledonary nodus, and
these secondary roots soon attach the seedling to the ground and
nourish it. A mature specimen of this species, thus, lacks a tap-
root; this manner of germinating was, also, observed in R.
recurvatus Poir., and is undoubtedly common to several other
species of the genus. The same is, furthermore, the case with
Sanicula Marylandica L., while in several other Umbelliferae, e.g.
Thaspium harhinode Nutt., Osmorhiza longistylis DC, etc., the
primary root develops as a persistent taproot with rapid increase
in thickness. Somewhat different from this type is the germina-
tion of Sarracenia purpurea L., in which a very distinct tuft of
long hairs develop at the base of the hypocotyl where the
1909J Seedlings of Ph^nogamous Plants. 239
primary root begins; but also here the hypocotyl and primary
root are of short duration as in Ranunculus . Dioncea muscipula
EUis (Fig. 22) belongs to the same type, and differs from most
of the other Droseraceae by the presence of a distinct primary
root, which aborts in most of these. It is interesting to notice
that the first leaf succeeding the cotyledons already shows the
peculiar structure so very characteristic of Sarracenia and
Dioncea.
In these types, mentioned above, I have shown some of the
most striking modifications observable in the hypocotyl and the
primary root, while the cotyledons themselves merely differ in
respect to their shape. In the subsequent types, on the other
hand, we shall see that some modification may, also, be noticed
in these. Let us begin with Deniaria laciniata Muehl. (Fig. 30).
Of the two cotyledons only one becomes raised above ground
by means of its long petiole, while the other one is short-petioled
with the blade enclosed by the seed*; the blade of the green
cotyledon is obovate, large in proportion to the size of the
seedling. We notice, furthermore, the short, slender primary
root, which persists only through the first season. The hypocotyl
is very short, and the plumule soon develops into a small,
conical tuber, of which the first leaf generally pushes out during
the first season as a long-petioled leaf with a green, mostly
bicleft blade. In regard to the secondary roots, these show a
very rare position since they break out from the axils of the
cotyledons, one from each. In this way Dentaria laciniata
represents a very interesting type of seedling, dicotyledonous, it is
true, but with the normal development of only one of these;
The European species of Dentaria are, also, interesting, since
both cotyledons are hvpogeic in D. pinnata Lam., but epigeic in
D. bulhifera L., and D. digitata Lam. From this we learn that
the structure of cotyledons may be very distinct even among
closely related species.
A still more remarkable type is exhibited by Podophyllum
peltatum L. (Fig. 31) in which the long petioles of the two
cotyledons form a tube at the base of which the plumule is
located; the primary root is well developed, and persists for
several years. During the first season the seed-leaves are the
only ones of the plant that are visible, the plumule staying
dormant until next spring. This type is known from several
other plants, and Miss Sargant has given quite a comprehensive
list of these, from which the following may be enumerated:
Several species of Anemone, Trollius, Eranthis, Delphinium
* A similar case has been observed and described by Hill in geophilous
species of Peperomia.
240 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Feb.
nudicaule, Aconituni Anthora , Leontice vesicaria, tuberous species
of Oxalis, Megarrhiza Californica, species of Smyrnhim, Buniimi
luteum, ChcErophylluni hulhosum (but not Ch. procuinhens),
Dodecatheon, species of Polygonum, and Rheum, and one
of the Composites, namely Serratula radiata. However, as stated
by Miss Sargant, short petiolar tubes are not uncommon among
the seedlings of species allied to those enumerated above, for
instance: Ranunculus millefoliatus, Ferula fcetida, Serratula
tinctoria, Rheum officinale, etc.; these link the numerous species,
in which the cotyledons are merely connate at the base, with
those in which the cotyledonary tube is fully developed, and
their existence is a strong argument for the derivation of such
tubes from the fusion of two cotyledons.
i\s the last type of seedlings with epigeic cotyledons may be
mentioned the so-called Pseudo-monocotyledones. Characteristic
of these is the development of only one of the two cotyledons, the
other one being completely suppressed. Members of this type
are Claytonia Virginica L. (Fig. 33), Erigenia btdbosa Nutt.
(Fig. 32) and Dicentra Cucidlaria D.C. To these may be added,
according to Miss Sargant: Corydalis solida, C. cava, C. fabacea,
Carum btdbocastanum, Cyclamen persicuni and Pinguicula
vulgaris. In Erigenia the primary root soon commences to in-
crease in thickness so as to form a round, tuberous bod}^ and
the single cotyledon, which consists of a long petiole and a simple,
green blade is the only leaf that appears above ground during
the first year. Claytonia Virginica genninates in the same way,
but in this a leaf may appear in the first season, alternating with
"the cotyledon, and with the base partly surrounded by the
sheath of this. Dicentra Cuctdlaria is described by Irmisch,
and the cotyledon of this species possesses a blade with three
very distinct divisions, a structure which otherwise is xevy
seldom met with in cotyledons; it is the more peculiar since the
blade of the cotyledon in the species of Corydalis is entire. It
seems to be characteristic of these Pseudo-monocotyledones , w-ith
the exception of Pinguicula, that the subterranean organs
(base of petiole, hypocotyl, or root) are more or less tuberous.
In passing now to describe some types of seedlings in which
the cotyledons are hypogeic, I wish to state that even if this
manner of germinating be very distinct from the one in which
these leaves are epigeic, there are, nevertheless, some plants
which exhibit a kind of transition between both. For instance,
if we compare the cotyledons of Phaseolus mdgaris, which at first
are hypogeic, but later on become epigeic and green, with those
of Phaseolus multiflorus, which are hypogeic and pale, but turn
green, when artificially exposed to the sunlight.
1909] Seedlings of Ph^nogamous Plants. 241
Very remarkable is the seedling of Jatropha multifida L.,
of which the cotyledons are distinctly petioled and by a long
hypocotyl raised above ground, but of which the cotyledonary
blades remain enclosed by the seed. In certain species of
Clematis {C. recta) the cotyledons are normally hypogeic, but
at times become epigeic.
Hypogeic cotyledons may remain enclosed by the seed all
the time, or they might become freed from this and appear then
as a pair of small, fleshy, paje leaves. Herbs as well as trees
exhibit this manner of germinating, and characteristic of all is
that the function of the cotyledons is only to be the bearers of
reserve food-substances. The relative development of the
primary root is somewhat different ; furthermore, the hypocotyl,
and the petioles of the cotyledons.
An interesting type is represented by Megarrhiza Calif ornica
Torr. In th'is plant the primary root does not commence to grow
until the cotyledonary petioles have buried themselves deep
in the ground, and these petioles are not onh" very long, but they
are, furthermore, united so as to form a long tube, clothed with
hairs which perform the same function as root-hairs.
Another type is characteristic of certain aquatics, e.g.
Nuphar, Nymphcea and Victoria, in which the primary root
increases but very little in length during the first stages of
germination, its function becoming performed by a wreath of
very long root-hairs developing from the base of the root as soon
as the seed germinates. In Nehimbium, on the other hand, the
root stays rudimentary, and does not even produce the wreath
of hairs, so very characteristic of the others.
Sometimes the hypocotyl is well differentiated as in
Sanguinaria Canadensis L. (Fig. 29), and we have here an
interesting type with a persisting primary root (at least for
some years), and a hypocotyl which by growing in thickness
becomes the first joint of the large, horizontally creeping rhizome ;
the fieshv cotyledons soon leave the seed, but without being
raised above ground. Furthermore, in this type the first leaf
succeeding the cotyledons develops already during the first year,
and shows the outline of the blade broadly cordate, and entire,
instead of being prominently lobed as the final leaves. In
Phryma Lcptostachya L. the cotyledons do not leave the seed,
and the hypocotyl is ver}' short ; the primary root develops as a
long, somewhat fleshy root, which persists for some years.
Phryma lacks a proper rhizome in the stricter sense of the word,
since the vegetative reproduction is simply secured by cotyledon-
ary buds in the first year, and later on by buds, which develop in
the axils of the basal, scale-like leaves of the aerial shoot ; it is a
242 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Feb.
kind of rhizome which has been called a "pseudo-rhizome," and
is known from many plants, especially with epigeic cotyledons,
Galium for instance. To this type belongs, also, Aristolochia
Serpentaria L. (Fig. 28), where the cotyledons remain enclosed
within the seed; w^here the primary root is well developed, but
where there is no hypocotyl, and finally where the vegetative
reproduction is effected by only one bud arising from the axil
of one of the cotyledons. Aristolochia differs from Phrym'a in
another respect, by the first leaf succeeding the cotyledons being
scale-like, instead of showing approximatelv the same structure
of the final leaves as in Phryma.
The most frequent type is, however, the one in which the
cotyledons may or may not remain within the seed, and where
the primary root develops as a strong persisting root supporting
the aerial, woody stem, as in many trees of various genera.
Sassafras, Lindera, Quercus, Aesculus, Prunus, etc. In these
the primary shoot remains as the only one, no cotyledonary buds
being developed, and the earlie.st leaves may possess a distinct
blade, or they may be developed merely as small, scale-like organs
as in Carya, Jiiglans, Sassafras and others.
Finally may be mentioned the very singular seedlings of
Persea gratissima Gartn., and Garcinia Cockinchinensis Choisy.
In the former the cotyledons are very large, and remain enclosed,
each subtending an axillary bud, ready to develop, if the plumule
should become injured. The plumule bears in this species two
pairs of opposite leaves Vvdth petioles and small blades, while
the succeeding five or six leaves are almost scale-like, and very
different from the ultimate. Persea thus demonstrates the fact
that in seedlings with enclosed hypogeic cotyledons, there may be
an alternation of various forms of leaves, while in Juglans and
Carya, for instance, all the first leaves are scale-like.
Still more remarkable is the seedling of various members of
the GuitifercB, especially of Garcinia Cockinchinensis Choisy.
No cotyledons are developed, and the primary root soon dies
off being replaced by a few very strong secondary roots, develop-
ing from the apex of the very large, bean-shaped hypocotyl. In
this type the hypocotyl contains a broad parenchyma traversed
by numerous resiniferous ducts, and filled with deposits of
starch.
These dicotyledonous seedlings, thus, illustrate no small
variation in respect to the development of cot3dedons, hypocotyl,
and root ; furthermore, in regard to the young foliage succeeding
the cotyledons. We have seen that in many trees, for instance
Carya. Sassafras.Que^-cus, etc., the ea.v\iest foliage consists merely
of scale-like leaves, while in Liriodendron . Catalpa Platanus
1909] Seedlings of Ph^nogamous Plants. 243
Tilia, etc., the leaves possess petioles and blades, but frequently
of an outline very distinct from that of the final leaves. In
Liriodendron for instance, the earliest leaves are very different
from those of the mature tree; they are roundish to obovate, oi
even obcordate, and in the mature tree this simple type of leaf
occurs only at the very apex or base of the branches. The study
of this, frequently very striking, variation in foliage affords much
of interest, not only from a morphological point of view, but also,
and quite especially, because many of these seedling-leaves may
be looked upon as still representing the foliage of ancestral
types.
In the present paper I wished only to call attention to
some of the most salient points observable in the seedlings, so
far as concerns the external structure of their organs, and it is
readily to be seen that even if the nvmiber of types is not very
large, these seedlings nevertheless illustrate several interesting
characteristics, indicating to some extent the future growth of
the species. The study of mature rhizomes is often very
difficult, when the seedling stage is not known ; for instance, when
the reproduction depends upon the cotyledonary buds; when the
hypocotyl or the primary root, or both, actually become the
first visible indication of the rhizome in its many, and highly-
differentiated modifications. It is, therefore, necessary to study
our plants from this point of view, and I hope the few tvpes
which I have described may prove helpful in this respect. The
literature upon the subject is very extensive, but there are some
works in which very complete lists of papers have been compiled,
and among these may be mentioned: Beitrage zur Morphologie
und Biologic der Keimung by Klebs (1), and, A theory of the
origin of Monocotyledons by Miss Sargant (2). In regard to the
Grass-embryo there is a very comprehensive paper by Aug.
Schlickum : Morphologischer und anatomischer Vergleich der
Kotyledonen und ersten Laubblatter der Keimpflanzen der
Monokotylen (3), in which the reader will find a well drawn
comparison between the various theories that have been express-
ed in regard to this very complicated structure.
(1). Untersuch. Bot. IiLstitut, Tubingen, 1881-1885, p. 536.
(2). Ann. of Botany, Vol. 17, 1903, p. 1.
(3). Bibliotheca Botanica Stuttgart, 1896.
See also: B. JOnsson in Lund's Univ. Arsskr. Vol. 38, 1902; Arthur
W. Hill in Ann. of Bot. Vol. 19 and 21, 1905-1907, and Sir John Lubbock,
Contributions to the knowledge of seedlings, 1892.
244
The Ottawa Naturalist.
[Feb.
EXPLANATION OF THE LETTERS USED IX THE PLATES.
Cot. = cotyledon; H. = hypocotyl; R.=primary root; Li = first leaf succeed-
ing cotyledon; PL. = plumule; B.=bud; S. = scutellum; E. = epiblast.
Explanation of Figures.
Fig.
Fi
Plate VII.
19. Seedling of Platanus occidentalis L.
20. " Liriodendron Tidipifera L.
21. " Sarracenia purpurea L.
22. - " DioncBj, mus'cipula Ellis. .
23. " Catalpa bignonioidcs Walt.
24. ■' Ipomcra hedcracca Jacq.
25. " Tilia Americana L. .
26. " Aralia spinosa L.
2 7. " Claytonia megarrhiza Parry.
Plate VIII.
28. Seedling of Aristolochia Serpcntaria L.
29. " Sangitinaria Canadensis L:
30. " Dentaria laciniata Muehl.
31. " Podophyllum peltatnm h. .
32. " Erigcnia biilbosa Nutt.
33. " Clayrtonia Virginica L
34 and 35. Raminculus abortiviis L,. .
36 and 37. Gillenia trifoliata Moench. .
Natural size.
. 6x
. 6x
f of
f of
. 3 X
Natural size.
.-> X
GALL MIDGES OF THE GOLDENROD.
By E. P. Felt, State Entomologist, Albany, N.Y.
Goldenrod or Solidago, a doniinant characteristic American
genus, represented b}^ numerous species and varieties, supports
an extensive fauna. This is particularly true of the Cecidomyiidae
or gall midges dependent for sustenance upon members of this
extensive genus. Every portion of the plant is subject to levy,
including the blossom and leaf buds, the leaves, the young
branches, the larger stems and even the subterranean rootstock,
some species producing galls on several portions of the plant.
This is particularlv true of Asphondylia moiiacha which may breed
in apparently unaffected florets, inhabits the small apical
rosette galls on the branches of Solidago graminifolia and may
also be found in peculiar oval cells formed between two adherent
leaves on several species of Solidago. These latter galls are
evidently caused by the parent depositing eggs between the
loosely apposed leaves of unfolding apical buds. The activity
of the larva causes the leaf tissues to fuse around the point of
injury and, as a result, the affected leaves adhere even after
the natural growth of the plant separates their bases and causes
them to assume an approximatelv horizontal position. The
1909] Gall Midges of the Goldenrod. 245
peculiar, long, fusiform galls of Rhopalomyia jusijormis and
Rhopaloniyia pedicellata may occur among the flower buds, arise
from the leaves or even from portions of the stem, indicating
that these two species in all probability have a somewhat
extended breeding period. Goldenrod is a marked favorite
with the genus Rhopalomyia, some 17 species existing at its
expense and producing galls on all portions of the plant. Nine
species of Baldratia may be reared from members' of this genus
all producing characteristic blister-like, apparently fungous
affected, variously colored spots in the leaf tissues. The four
species of Lasioptera reared from this genus live for the most part
in goldenrod stems, while the peculiar Camptoneuromyia adhesa
has been, reared from the oval gall between adherent leaves
noticed above, in connection with Asphondylia monacha. It is
probable that further rearings would result in the discovery
of additional species living upon goldenrod.
The following table of galls supplemented by extremely
brief descriptions of the insects bred therefrom, will doubtless
prove of service to any one interested in this subject. Members
of the genus Rhopalomyia are usually rather large, reddish or
reddish browm insects, easily recognized by the simple claws,
theuni- or biarticulate palps and the stemmed ante nnal segments
(in the male at least) bearing distinct whorls of hairs. The frac-
tion following the number of antennal segments indicates the
relative length of the stem of the fifth antennal segment, the
length of the basal enlargement being the unit of length in every
instance. Members of the genus Lasioptera and Baldratia are
easily distinguished by the usually fuscous and white markings,
and the dark scales along the anterior border of the wings, the
first and second veins being very close to costa. The two genera
are readilv separated by the fact that Lasioptera has quadri-
articulate p'alpi, while Baldratia has these organs uni- or
biarticulate. Members of the latter genus breed almost ex-
clusively in blister galls though a few may be found emerging
from under the epidermis of nearly normal leaves. The genus
Camptoneuromyia is allied to Lasioptera and easily distinguished
therefrom by the strongly curved third vein which unites with
costa near the distal third. The heavy bodied Asphondylia has
long, cylindric antennal segments and a needle-like ovipositor.
Flower galls.
Gall greenish or reddish, subglobular, bud-like, 2 mm in
diameter. Male, length 2.5 mm, yellowish red, 18-20
antennal segments, stem 1.
Rhopalomyia racemicola O.S.
246 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Feb,
Gall green, cylindric, densely pubescent, 6 mm long. Male,,
length 2.5 mm, abdomen dark brown, 18-20 antennal
segments, stem }. Rhopalomyia anthophila O. S.
Bred from anundescribed flower gall. Male, length 1.5 mm,
abdomen light brown, 17 antennal segments, stem L
The female with 15 sessile antennal segments.
Rhopalomyia cruziana Felt.
Bred from apparently unaffected florets. Adult, length
4-5 mm, dark brown, the tarsi broadly white banded.
Asphondylia nwnacha O. S.
Bred presumably from apparently unaffected florets. Adult,
length 4 mm, reddish brown, the tarsi fuscous yellowish. ,
Asphondylia johnsoni Felt.
Leaf galls.
Apical bud galls.
Gall green, composed of loose, convolute developing leaves.
Female, length 1 mm, abdomen dark brown, mid and
posterior tarsi yellowish, 17 antennal segments.
Baldratia convohita Felt.
Gall a loose pod of adherent leaves. Female, length 1.25
mm, abdomen dark red, 15 antennal segments.
Dasyneura folliculi Felt.
Apical rosette galls.
On Solidago canadensis.
Female, length 6 mm, abdomen dark brown, 24-25 an-
tennal segments. Rhopalomyia Carolina Felt.
Male, length 4 mm, abdomen fuscous yellowish, 21
antennal segments, stem f . Female 5 mm long.
R}iopalom,yia albipennis Felt.
Male, length 3 mm, abdomen fuscous 3^ellowish, 16
antennal segments, stem 1^.
Oligotrophus inquilinus Felt.
On Solidago canadensis and 5. serotina.
Male, length 2.5 mm, abdomen fuscous yellowish, 20
antennal segments, stem 1 J. Female, length 3-4 mm,
abdomen fuscous red, 21 antennal segments, sub-
sessile. Rhopalomyia capitata Felt.
Male, length 1.5 mm, abdomen fuscous yellowish, 20
antennal segments, stem IJ. Female, length 2 mm,
19 antennal segments, stem f.
Rhopalomyia inquisitor Felt.
On Solidago graminifolia.
Gall green, closely resembling that of Oedaspis polita.
Adult, length 4 mm, dark brown, the tarsi white
banded. Asphondylia monacha O. S.
1909] Gall Midges of the Goldenrod. 247
Presumably bred from same gall. Female, length 1 mm,
abdomen light yellowish, 16 antennal segments.
Lasioptera favescens Felt.
A subapical or lateral oval gall. Male, length 2.5 mm,
abdomen light yellowish, 17 antennal segments,
stem f. Female, 15 antennal segments.
Rhopalomyia lanceolata Felt.
On Solid a go sempervirens .
Asphondylia monacha O. S.
Galls attached to one, or at most, two leaves.
On Solidago graniinifolia.
Gall greenish, red marked, ribbed, fusiform, sessile,
length 6 mm. Male, length 2 mm, abdomen dark
fuscous, 19 antennal segments, stem §. Female,
length 3 mm, 18 antennal segments.
Rhopalomyia fiisiformis Felt.
Gall green, red marked, fusiform, stemmed, length
13-14 mm. Male, length 2 mm, abdomen fuscous
yellowish, 19 antennal segments, stem J. Female,
length 3 mm, abdomen dark red, 18-19 antennal
segments. Rhopalomyia pedicellata Felt.
On Solidago rugosa.
Gall green, red marked, fusiform, length 1.6 mm.
Female, length 2 mm, abdomen dull red, 17 antennal
segments. Rhopalomyia clarkei Felt.
On Solidago canadensis and 5. serotina.
Oval galls between adherent leaves. Adult, length
1 mm, abdomen dark brown, 2 0-2 2 antennal segments.
C ayn pioneiiromyia adhesa Felt.
Bred from similar galls. Asphondylia monacha O. S.
Bred from similar gall. Female, length 2 mm, abdomen
silvery. 22 antennal segments.
Lasioptera argeniisquamae Felt.
Blister-like galls occuring in leaf tissues.
Gall oval, black, on Solidago graminifolia. Male, length
1.5 mm, abdominal segments white margined pos-
teriorly, tarsi banded, 16 antennal- segments.
Baldratia carbonijera Felt.
Gall grayish brown, blue margined, on Solidago squar-
rosa. Male, length 1.5 mm, abdominal segments
white spotted, 19 antennal segments.
Baldratia squarrosae Felt.
Gall rosy, on Solidago rugosa. Female, length 2 mm,
abdominal segments white margined, posterior tars
248 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Feb.
narrowly annulate, 22 antennal segments.
Baldratia rosea Felt.
Gall oval, yellowish. Male, length 1.25 mm, abdomen
light fuscous yellowish, 13 antennal segments.
Baldratia socialis Felt.
Female, length 1.5 mm, abdominal segments white
margined, 16 antennal segments.
Baldratia fuscoanulata Felt.
Male, length 1.25 mm, abdomen reddish brown, 14-15
antennal segments. Baldratia rubra Felt.
Gall lunate, yellowish. Female, length 2.5 mm, abdo-
men dark brown, 21 antennal segments.
Baldratia flavolMiiata Felt.
Probably from blister gall. Female, length 1.25 mm,
abdomen deep carmine, 12 sessile antennal segments.
Dasynetira carhonaria Felt.
Elongate, brown leaf spot, possibly reared therefrom.
Male, length 1 mm, pale yellowish, slender.
Lestodiplosis solidaginis Felt.
Male, length 1 mm, bright yellowish, slender.
Lestodiplosis triangularis Felt.
Stem galls.
On Solidago graminifolia.
Gall and adult described above.
Rhopalomyia fusiformis Felt.
Gall and adult described above.
Rhopalomyia pedicellata Felt.
Gall green, subglobular, near tip, 1.5 cm in diameter. Female,
length 3 mm, abdomen dark brown, 19 antennal seg-
ments. Rhopalom,yia lobata Felt.
On Solidago, various species.
Gall a long, uniform swelling of the stem, near the tip of the
stem. Male, lehgth 2 mm, abdomen white spotted,
15-17 antennal segments. Female, 21-22 antennal seg-
ments. Lasioptera cylindrigallae Felt.
Gall irregular, eccentric, usually near the base of stem.
Adult similar to above.
Lasioptera tumifica Beutm.
Gall large, suboval, near the ground. Male, length 1.5 mm,'
abdomen reddish, 23 antennal segments, stem |. Female,
length 4 mm. Rhopalomyia hirtipes O. S.
Galls bulb-like, at base of stem. Male, length 2.5 mm,
fuscous yellowish, 18 antennal segments, stem f.
Female, length 3 mm, abdomen pale yellowish.
Rhopalomyia bulbula Felt.
1909] Gall Midges of the Goldenrod. 249
Gall stout, cylindric, on rootstoek. Male, length 2.5 mm,
abdomen brick red, 19 antennal segments, stem f.
Female, length 4 mm, abdomen dark brown, 18 anten-
nal segments. Rhopalomyia thompsoni Felt.
r:,i NEW MEMBERS.
The following have been elected ordinary members of the
Club at recent meetings of the Council :- —
Mrs. Oakeley, Ottawa.
Miss L. E. Hunt, Ottawa.
Mr. J. E. Smyth, Ottawa.
Miss M. Haldane, Ottawa.
Miss A. E. Johnston, Ottaw^a.
Mr. A. S. Cram, Ottawa.
Mr. H. R. MacMillan, Ottawa.
MEETING OF BOTANICAL BRANCH.
Meeting held at the home of Mr. A. E. Attwood,
January 4th, 1909. Present: Mr. A. E". Attwood, Prof. John
Macoun, Rev. G. Eifrig, Messrs. R. B. White, G. H. Clark, W.
C. Ewing, H. R. MacMillan, F. H. Reed, D. A. Campbell, T. E.
Clarke, J. W. Gibson, Jas. M. Macoun, W. Bond, H. Groh, and
L. H. Newsman.
The subject forming the basis for the evening's discussion
was as follows: — "The Meaning of some Common Plant Names."
Mr. Attwood introduced the subject by explaining how he had
come to question the significance of certain names by which
some plants had come to be popularly known. The first case
cited was that of the word "acorn." This was shown to have
come from "oak-corn," or "oak-grain," corn coming from the
Latin "comu," a horn — something hard and homy. "Com" is
also the term by which the most important grain of any country
is known. Some of the more striking illustrations of the unique
and interesting derivations of certain names are found in the
following : —
Pomegranate, from L. pomuni, an apple; granatus, having
many grains or seeds.
Catkin, after the domestic cat,* and kin, meaning little;
thus, a little cat or pussy, hence, pussy wallow.
Cabbage, from the Latin caput, a head.
Cauliflower, cabbage flower, or possibly a corruption of
the French chotifetir.
NiNEBARK, meaning a shrub with many layers of bark,
the word "nine" being commonly used to express an unlimited
number, as "nine-days' w^onder."
250 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Feb.
Snakeroot, derived from the supposed efficacy of the
plant to which the name is appHed in curing snake bites.
Buckwheat, or "beech" wheat, the grain resembhng a
beechnut.
Spearmint may be a corruption of spiremint, so named
on account of the spire-Uke inflorescence of this plant ; or it
may have been suggested on account of the spear-shaped leaves
which it produces.
Strawberry is a corruption of strayberry, applied to this
plant on account of its straggling habit of growth.
Altogether about 150 plant names were examined into
and some exceedingly interesting revelations were brought to
light respecting their derivation and meaning. Since Mr.
Attwood has agreed to deal with this matter in a special article
at a later date, we shall not refer to it at greater length at present.
Before the meeting adjourned Mr. H. R. MacMillan of the
Forestry Branch was asked to speak briefly on some subject of
scientific interest to foresters. The subject chosen was "Why
a Forester should be a Botanist." It was pointed out that it
was necessary for a forester to be acquainted with all branches
of botany — systematic, physiological, histological and ecological.
"A knowledge of systematic botany," continued the speaker,
"is necessary because in making hasty examination of the
resources of any locality, the forester must depend upon the
development of the flora and the species represented for sug-
gestions as to the possibiHties of the region. A forester's crop
is trees. In order to understand thoroughly their processes of
growth, the phenomena of their reproduction and the develop-
ment of their different organs, a detailed knowledge of .plant
physiology is necessary. Plant histology is another branch of
botany which plays an important role in forestry, especially
in the study of the utilization of woods. During past years
attempts have been made to manufacture- wood pulp from
inferior species of timber, notably balsam and the cheaper
resinous pines. That processes have been discovered that make
the use of these trees suitable for the manufacture of paper is
due to the close study that has been made of the structure of
such woods, the discovery of the differences in their inner
anatomy which stands in the way of their utilization, and the
invention of processes to overcome the difficulties."
"That division of botany known as plant ecology is simply
forestry minus the commercial element. Forests are great
plant societies and it is the forester's business to learn what are
the natural conditions which combine to form the habitat in
which may always be found certain forest types. Having ascer-
1909] Meetin'g of Botanical Branch. 251
tained this, the forester decides upon the most important tree
in that society and studies how best it can be reproduced.
Forestry has for its object the reproduction of the most valuable
species of timber on forest lands. Timber is reproduced by.
natural means wherever possible, by producing the conditions
of light, soil and moisture upon which the plant, or tree in this
case, thrives best. The problem is rendered more difficult by
the fact that the conditions must be produced over large areas
and without expense to the lumberman. For instance, spruce
requires for natural reproduction shade, mineral soil and
moisture. This tree is reproduced by so managing the lumber-
ing operations that only the large trees are taken. The trees
remaining furnish the shade and the seed; the logging opera-
tion tears up the ground, exposes mineral soil and a natural
reproduction of young spruce is the result. If the reproduction
is successful, it presupposes good botany; if it has not cost too
much it has been good forestry."
After a short discussion on the remarks made by Mr.
MacMillan,a number of very interesting botanical specimens were
shown by different members of the Club. Some of these had
been collected between 30 and 40 years ago from points around
Ottawa at that time, but now covered by large public and
private buildings. Mr. Eifrig showed specimens of charred
apples and wheat, probably 3,000 years old, which he collected
during the past summer at Lake Pfaffikon, Switzerland, near
the ruins of the homes of the pile dwellers. These people built
their homes and storehouses on piles over the water, presumably
for the sake-of protection. Some of these were burned in course
of time, and the charred remains precipitated into the water,
where they sank, and, being beyond the reach of air and also
protected through being charred, have been preserved all these
vears.
L. H. N.
REVIEW.
Fishes of Ontario.
Check List of Vertebrates of Ontario Fishes. By C. W.
Nash (Lecturer on Biology, Ontario Dept. of Agric); Education
Department, Toronto, 1908.
A new work on fishes by a Canadian author is a rare event,
and doubly welcome on that account. As far as this work goes
it will be very useful, and there vnll be a great demand for it.
Probably few- persons are like the late J. A. Froude, the his-
torian, who declared that, owing to their cold clammy character.
252 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Feb.
fishes were repulsive to him. Most people find the finny tribes
attractive whether gliding gracefully about in an aquarium,
or tugging at the end of a baited line, or smoking hot on a
dinner plate. Hence a book on fishes, especially if their
metallic and varied forms be artistically depicted in illustrative
plates, is coveted by everybody. It is surprising how deficient
our Canadian literature is in this respect. We have almost
unrivalled fish and fisheries, 3^et how few^ Canadian books to
tell us about them. The issue of this handsome, w^ell-illustrated
work bv the Board of Education, as one of the Series of Ver-
tebrate Lists issued with the imprimatur of the Minister of
Education, Toronto, is on every account notable.
Professor Ramsay Wright long ago prepared, as an ap-
pendix to the Ontario Game and Fish Commission Report, a
description of economic fishes with plates, and it has been of
high utility and value. The Fisheries Department of Ontario
has also published more or less popular descriptions and plates
of fishes in its annual reports. The most of the plates in these
works have been reproductions of the well-known United States
Fishery Bureau figures, which have been most widelv and
generously loaned by the Washington authorities. The late
Mr. Montpetit, of Montreal, issued a book on our fresh-water
fishes, but it had little scientific value.
Mr. Nash's book is very beautifully printed and contains
40 original drawings of fish, 32 being full-page plates and 8
small drawings in the text. The author has long been known,
for his skill as an artist and readers of the Canadian Magazine
have been delighted with his sketches of birds and fishes. The
present work shows him not only as an artist working con amore,
but an accurate student of nature. The text is thoroughly
scientific, and owes much, as all works on North American
fishes must do, to the classic volumes of Jordan and Evermann.
Had Mr. Nash relied more upon his own descriptive powers, as
an ardent naturalist, his work would have had increased value.
The technical descriptions by the famous American authors often
hide rather than reveal the characters of the fish described.
Mr. Nash might himself have described the common e^l, for
example, as "serpent-like in form, tail portion laterally flattened"
but in this list the description of the genus runs "bodv elongate,
sub-terete, compressed posteriorly, covered with embedded
scales which are linear in form and placed obliquelv, some of
them at right angles to the others." The common bow-fin or
lake dog-fish (Amia) has the "body oblong, compressed behind,
terete anteriorly, head subconical anteriorly bluntish, slightly
depressed, its superficial bones corrugated and very hard,
1909] Review. 2 53
scarcely covered by skin, etc., but these features apply to
manv other genera. Most of the existing works on American
fishes have this grave fault that the descriptions of genera and
species are overloaded with details not sufficiently diagnostic
and of no aid in distinguishing a fish from its allies. They might
as well include the further information that each respective
genus and species is "permanently aquatic in habit." Now for
one or two detailed suggestions. In the general definition of
the Pisces (p. 7) the word "vertical" should be added to describe
the plane in which the unpaired dorsal and anal fins stand.
"The median line of the body with one or more fins" is not suf-
ficient. The fine old Canadian name "Maskinonge" should have
been used in this book rather than the United States Mascalonge,
which is a non-descript term invented by tourist anglers who
were ignorant of the origin of the word "Maskinonge" a
voyagetir's form of the Indian Mas, "great," and Kenosha,
"fish." Hence the short form "lunge" is wholly misleading and
arose from confusion with the French term for the great lake
trout, viz., lunge (i.e. 'longe,' the long fish). As to the Gizzard
Shad (Dorosoma), which Mr. Nash states has worked its way
into Ontario from the Ohio and Mississippi valleys, through the
canals, it is a native Canadian fish, and was recorded by the
late Edward Jack on the St. John River, at Fredericton, N.B.,
and no doubt occurs in the St. Lawrence and doubtless also in
the Ottawa River, where it appears to be called "whitefish" and
is caught by anglers at the foot of the Chaudiere Falls. The
Mooneye {Hiodon) also occurs in the Ottawa River, and ranges,
as Mr.' Nash states, from the St. Lawrence to Lake Superior.
The author speaks of the Green Pike {Lucius reticulatus) as not
apparently common; but probably more widespread than
appears. This prettily marked species is found as far east
as the Kennebeccasis River, N.B., and is scattered generally
over eastern Canada.
The omission of some interesting species is to be regretted
(such as Dr. H. M. Smith's Coregonus osmerijormis), especially
as an introduced Pacific species, the Steelhead is described (p.
63) and twenty pounds specified as its maximum size. Jordan
and Evermann name that weight, but specimens are plentiful
in the Eraser River of twenty-seven up to thirty-six pounds
weight .
The book is a catalogue of specimens in the Biological
Section of the Provinical Museum and this limitation accounts
for the exclusion of many species that should be fotmd in a
list of fishes of Ontario. Mr. Nash has found space not only for
much faunistic information which the working naturalist will
254 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Feb.
appreciate, but he includes notes on habit, food and distribu-
tion. He holds that the salmon feeds in fresh water, and the
Ontario Salmo salar must have done so, though the salmon
migrating from the sea ceases to feed, there can be no doubt.
In British Columbia rivers there is not food for the vast schools
of ascending fish, and in all no doubt as spawning time approaches
they fast and the stomach is clogged with dense tenacious
mucus, a result of a kind of catarrh as described by Dr. Noel
Paton in the Scottish salmon, and familiar too in the lake white-
fish. Tastes differ and Mr. Nash, in stating that the lake ling
or burbot is considered worthless as food, cannot be aware of
the opinion of many fishermen that there is no better food fish,
the meat being white and of good flavour like the cod or haddock,
its nearest relatives. The fall-fish (SemoHlus corporalis) is
served up as whitefish at some Ontario Fishing Clubs notwith-
standing Mr. Nash's view that as a food fish it does not take
high rank. It has good table qualities however.
It is plain that Mr. Nash's work is full of interest, but
fishermen will dispute many points until the end of time. If
a second edition is called for, as will certainly soon be the case,
the value of the plates would be increased by clearly outlining
in each figure the three or four gill-cover elements, and by in-
dicating as correctly as possible the exact number of rays in
the unpaired fins. The author is to be congratulated on the
very few misprints; but on p. 9 Icthyomyzon should be Ichthy-
omyzon, on p. 63 Cristimover in two places should be Cristivomer,
and on p. 118 saggitaie should be sagittate. The name of the
authority should also be appended to each scientific name.
Finally, the occurrence of other examples of Polyodon (the
paddle fish) in Canada than the two mentioned, was noted in
an article in the Ottawa Naturalist in 1899, p. 153, and the
addition of an index would be an improvement. It is a most
useful, indeed valuable^ and creditable publication, and all
interested in Ontario fishes will feel indebted to its author.
C.
PURE WHITE CALYPSO BOREALIS.
It may be of interest that a pure white Calypso was ob-
tained by me at Thetis Lake last spring. I am not aware that
such a specimen has previously been reported. I transplanted
the bulb with the object of ascertaining whether the habit _ was
constant but I fear that the hordes of robins which insisted
pon scratching up the moss covering have destroyed the bulb.
^<is'A>^ ^ ' T- R. Anderson, Victoria, B.C.
LiSRARYlai
THE OTTAWA NATURALIS
•
VOL. XXII. OTTAWA, MARCH, 1909 No. 12.
NOTES ON A THREAD-LEGGED BUG.
By H. F. Wickham, Iowa City, Iowa.
In about twenty years collecting at Iowa City, I had never
met with a fully grown specimen of the wonderfully emaciated
insect that goes by the name of Eniesa longipes, De Geer.
Therefore was much rejoicing when my wife picked up one from
a somewhat dusty comer of the bedroom floor, at a time when
the house was undergoing repairs and subject to the passage
of many feet. For twelve months this remained a solitary
treasure, but in November of 1907 another was taken on a
window, and during the winter a third specimen was found dead
on a fly screen at the opposite end of the cellar. Suspicion
became strong that we were entertaining a colony unawares,
and future developments have fully justified this impression.
Last September, on the second day of the month, a neighbor
living next door came to see me, bearing one of these curious
beasts, which he had found crawling on his clothes. While we
were seated on my porch discussing previous finds, I holding
this latest acquisition in my hand, he called my attention to
another crawling along my arm. "I wonder if they flv," he said,
but I replied that it seemed unlikely since the insect was so
ungainly and the wings so very small in proportion, the thoracic
segments showing none of the structure common to many
small-winged insects of good flight. Scarcely had I made out
my case, when another of the bugs came along, in full flight,
only two or three feet in front of our faces and alighted on one
of the pillars where it was easily caught. This gave me plenty
of specimens for cabinet purposes and for class demonstration,
so when still another female came to hand I put her in a box
where she would have plenty of room to run, if she so desired,
and waited to see what would happen. Running, however, was
not her forte, she preferred to stand, rocking up and down on
her long threadlike middle and hind legs, holding the shorter
raptorial front pair, with the tibiae folded back, out in front of
her, and any urging only forced her into a slow walk. She ate
2 56 The Ottawa Naturalist [March
nothing, perhaps of necessity, for I do not recollect that I gave
her any room-mates, but before long she began to lay eggs at
random in her prison, fastening them by one side to the walls
of the box. In all she laid about a dozen, then died. The eggs
bore a close resemblance to small caraway vSeeds, being curved
in about the same way, the convex side, Vjv which each was
attached, smooth under ordinary powers of the hand lens, the
rest of the surface ornamented with about ten or twelve longi-
tudinal rows of scale-like projections. One end of the egg was
rounded off, the other bore a structure like the lid of a jar with
a tapering peg in the middle. After a few days the eggs were
carefully detached from their moorings and put in a pill box
on my library table where they were duly forgotten for a space
of several weeks.
One evening in the middle of November, while looking for
some specimens that had been mislaid, I opened the box and
was pleased to see the first little bug out of the egg, a miniature
of his mother, even to the rocking motion with which he re-
sponded to my letting the light into his dark abode. Next day,
two more came on the scene, and the day following brought out
a fourth. In all cases the infants had escaped from the egg
by pushing off the handled lid, which however often remained
attached to the shell as by a hinge. The fifth bug died when
half way out, and no more got even that far, so I still have
several eggs to serve the original purpose of mounts for micro-
scopic slides. The young animals were almost perfectly colorless
and all died within three or four days, though I had hoped that
the stronger would manage to keep alive at the expense of the
more newly born until a few mosquitoes or gnats could be
obtained from the cellarway which furnishes that sort of
entomological material allr winter.
Some of the little bugs have been mounted in balsam on
slides and.whenr projected on a screen by means of the microscope
attachment of our stereopticon, show the characteristic elonga-
tion of antennae, body and legs ver}^ nicely. The front legs have
the same spiny teeth as in fully grown individuals showing that
the insect pursues a predaceous life from birth. Their history
ought to be fairh' easily followed by any one who has the fortune
to find females in the fall of the year. A part of the eggs might
be kept in a warm room as mine were, if provision were made
in advance for supplying the young with food when they ap-
peared, but it would probably be better to keep a good propor-
tion of them in a cool cellar until spring, this would doubtless
retard hatching until that season, most likely the natural period
of appearance.
1909] Notes ON a Thread-Legged Bug 257
Most of our texts and reference books contain only short
notices of Emesa longipes, but Mr. P. R. Uhler, in the Standard
Natural History, has given a more complete account. He says,
"When lodged on the twig of a tree or bush it has the curious
habit of swinging backw^ards and forwards like some of the
long-legged spiders, such as Phalangium. The species is quite
common in many parts of the United States east of the Rocky
Mountains, from Massachusetts to Florida, and west to Central
Texas. In Maryland its principal home is in the young pine
trees where it may be seen with its two fore legs placed close
together and stretched out in front. Occasionally it leaves the
trees and takes shelter in sheds, outhouses and bams where it
may be seen overhead swinging by its long legs from a rafter or
the lining of the roof. The immature form may be found roam-
ing over the trees during early summer, but by the middle of
August it acquires the organs of flight and becomes a fully
developed adult. We do not yet know where it deposits the
eggs; but from analogy we are led to believe that these are glued
to the twigs of bushes and trees." Mr. Summers, in a paper
on the Hemiptera of Tennessee, writes that it may be seen in
old stables and outhouses, hanging from the rafters or crawling
slowly about in search of flies and other insects which it seizes
with its front legs. Dr. Howard, in the Insect Book, says that
one species frequents spiders'webs and robs the spiders of their
prey.
THE LATE DR. JAMES FLETCHER.
A Voice from the Pacific.
The Memorial Number of the Ottawa Naturalist, whilst
containing many touching tributes to the memory of our dearl}-
beloved friend, is conspicuous by the absence of any from this
side of the Dominion. I, therefore, ask the privilege of con-
tributing a few words to the memory of one of whom it may be
truh' said "Amictis hviniani generis."
Mv acquaintance with Dr. Fletcher, whilst of not as long
standing as some others, dates back to the time of his first visit
to the West in the very early eighties, when we at once became
true and fast friends which subsequent meetings only served to
accentuate; for, as it has been said of him, "to know him was
to love him." Our work both in our public and private capacities
has been carried on, certainly to my own advantage, and with
mutual pleasure, and I can unreservedly say that what little
I know of Natural History is due to the teachings of our
258 The Ottawa Naturalist. [March
lamented friend. Our work in connection with our respective
pubUc positions took us all over the settled portions of British
Columbia, excepting the extreme north, and during these
journeys not only under his guidance were we able to collate
information of invaluable character, but were enabled to ac-
compHsh many excursions in search of specimens relating to
otir work. Amongst the many points visited I may particularly
mention Mount Arrowsmith, Mount Benson, Mount Che-am and
the Rockies and Selkirks— points of which Dr. Fletcher to the
last spoke w^ith enthusiasm, and even as late as October last,
suggested a further visit to his beloved Che-am. It was here
that he captured his first specimen of Erebia vidleri, to his
infinite delight, as he had long sought in vain for its habitat.
The astonishing activity of Dr. Fletcher, his untiring
energy, his keen appreciation of the beauties of Nature, his
quickness to observe anything new or interesting, his unfaiHng
good humour, even under the most adverse circumstances, his
close observance of the idiosyncracies and habits of m:n and
animals, his love of the young and desire to impart knowledge
and create a liking for nature study, and his thoughtfulness for
the comfort and pleasure of others, all contributed to making
him the general favorite he was and rendering every moment
enjoyable which was spent in the company of this truly great
man'. Illustrative of his indefatigable activity I may mention
the following incident: After a hard day's tramp, camped under
a clump of hemlocks on a beautiful grassy slope of Che-am, and
after our evening meal and pipe, about the time that one's
thoughts are of bed, he proposed a walk in the moonlight to the
top of the ridge. Tired as I was, I felt loth to leave the camp
fire, but I consented, albeit somewhat reluctantly. The result
amplv repaid us; the whole of the surrounding snow-clad peaks
including Mount Baker lay clothed in the soft moonlight seem-
inglv towering above us. the whole a scene of surpassing beauty.
We 'retired to our rest impressed with the grandeur of nature
and the littleness of human efforts in comparison.
In all his visits to our home in Victoria he ever displayed
the greatest pleasure in everything appertaining to our home
life, and was ever ready to contribute to our happiness by those
acts of kindness for which he was so justly celebrated. Only on
his last visit, rather than I should be detained by duty, he
undertook to read proofs for the press, which he did late into
the night, whilst the rest of the company present enjoyed them-
selves in another room, in order that I should be able to ac-
company him. This, our last trip together, was taken the next
day to the Dominion Biological Station at Departure Bay, of
1909] Epig-«a repexs 259
which the Rev. George W. Taylor, another Ufe long friend of
Dr. Fletcher's, is curator, where we spent a couple of days.
On parting from him, he with his usual thoughtfulness, insisted
on carrying mv case to the waiting conveyance, as he considered
I was still an invalid. Little did we think it was to be our final
parting.
I can bear witness to the inestimable value of the assistance
he afforded this province in all those questions affecting the
welfare of the agriculturist and the people generally; that to
the other parts of the Dominion and to mankind in general are
but too well known and have been dilated upon by abler pens.
And noYv' arises the question, how can his place be filled? In
our hearts at least there is a void which we feel that time can
but partially cure, and in bidding farewell to one who has so
endeared himself to all and whose life was so successfully and
disinterestedly devoted to the welfare of his country, we may
well say,
"He so sepulchred in such pomp dost lie
That kings for such a tomb would wish to die."
J. R. Anderson.
Victoria, B.C., 26th January, 1909.
EPIG/EA REPENS IN WATERLOO COUNTY
As all references to the habitat of Epigcea repens, L., I have
seen, have been "sandy or rocky woods especially under ever-
greens," a description of the conditions under which it grows
wherever I have found it in Waterloo Coiinty may be of interest.
I have collected it at three stations and always in cold cedar
swamps with Ledtim groenlandicum, Oeder. At one large swamp
where it is abundant it is difficult to reach while in bloom, owing
to the inundated condition of the swamp in spring, but although
very wet in its surroundings it is mostly found on hummocks,
old rotten logs, and more elevated places such as is mostly
found around the roots of cedars. Nothing can better
describe the conditions under which it grows than the following
list of trees and plants that are immediately associated with it:
Ledum groenlandicum, Oeder; Dalibarda repens, L.; Chiogenes
hispidtda (L.) T. and G. ; Cypripedium reginae, Walt.; Tiarclla
cordifolia, L.; Caltha palustris, L.; Picea mariana (Mill) B.S.P.;
Thuja occidentalis, L.; Taxus minor (L.) Britton, and Larix
laricina (DuRoi) Koch.
W. Herriot, Gait, Ont.
260 The Ottawa Naturalist. [March
CARIBOU ON THE QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS.
News comes from Massett, Queen Charlotte Islands, that
some Indians have just arrived there from the interior of
Graham Island, bringing with them the heads and hides of
three caribou. They stated that they had also seen a calf, which,
however, escaped. A letter just received from the Rev. W. E.
Collison confirms this report, and encloses a photograph he had
himself taken of the animals.
The British Columbian Government had already despatched
the curator of the Victoria Museum to look for deer on the
Queen Charlotte Island, but the specimens just referred to
reached Massett before his arrival there. He will, however,
doubtless secure them, and before long we shall have a specialist's
report on them. They presumably belong to the species de-
scribed by Mr. Ernest Thompson Seton, in the Ottawa
Naturalist for February, 1900, as Rangijer daivsoni.
At last, then, the long debated question as to the existence
of caribou on the Queen Charlotte Islands has been settled in
the affirmative. The present writer, whose intimate acquaintance
with the Islands extends nearly over twenty years — eight of
which he resided at Massett — has been amongst those who dis-
believed in the existence of caribou there. It seemed so im-
probable that such large and active animals could have existed
so long in so comparatively small an area, and yet remain unseen;
for, if we except the fragment on which Mr. Thompson Seton
founded his species, which seemed to have a doubtful history,
it is a well-known fact that no caribou have been killed during
the period just named, nor are there any animals on the Islands
likely to prey on caribou. Even if only moderately prolific,
they must in this period have increased to such an extent that
they could hardly escape notice. However, they are there, and
they must be another example of the truth of Darwin's state-
ment in his Origin of Species: "Where any species becomes very
rare, close interbreeding will help to exterminate it. Authors
have thought that this comes into play in accounting for the
deterioration of the aurochs in Lithuania, of red deer in Scot-
land, and of bears in Norway."
It is comforting to see that the provincial government have
passed an Order in Council prohibiting the hunting, killing, or
taking of caribou on the Queen Charlotte Islands. One only
hopes that the order will reach Massett in time to prevent the
Haidas making an indiscriminate slaughter of what remains
of these interesting animals.
J. H. Keen.
1909] The Burrowing Owl 261
THE BURROWING OWL {CUNICULARIA HYPOGMA).
This interesting bird is at the time of writing very rare in
this district, although some ten or twelve years ago it was to be
found in certain spots, living in pairs as a rule, although I knew
of one colony of some dozen individuals living together in an
assemblage of burrows on the edge of a tract of barren prairie
land, the soil of which was so strongly impregnated with alkali
that the only vegetation was a few scattered tussocks of coarse
grass and stunted shrubs, among which the owls had taken up
their quarters. The birds might be seen walking about among
the mounds at the entrance of their underground dwellings,
taking short flights over the prairies, and on the approach of
danger retreating into the safety of the burrows.
These owls are abroad at night as well as during the day,
and at that time utter a peculiar cry, of two notes repeated at
intervals. The sound may be heard for a considerable distance
in the darkness, but if one attempts to catch sight of the per-
former by creeping up to the spot from which the sound comes,
it ceases suddenly, the bird no doubt seeking safety underground.
I dug up the residence of a pair of these birds and found a
tunnel running in a sloping direction to the depth of some three
feet at the end of which was a chamber roughly oval in form,
with no lining of grass or other material, and on the floor of
this lay the bodies of four mice, the head of each one had been
devoured, the bodies we must suppose were being kept against
days of scarcity. This seems to me a peculiar habit, for a
carnivorous bird, especiallv as there were no voimg to provide
for.
This interesting colony has been long extinct, and the
solitary pair which had their home near the spot for a few years,
have long since deserted it, owing to the ploughing up of their
building — or perhaps I should say, digging site.
Sometimes in the evening the call note may still be heard,
but it comes from a long distance, and is a rare sound.
E. P. Vexables, Vernon, B.C.
MEETINGS OF THE COUNCIL.
January 26th — The following members in attendance: the
President, Mr. A. E. Attwood, ^Miss Q. Jackson, Miss E. E.
Curry, Rev. G. Eifrig, Messrs. A. Halkett. A. McNeill, H. H.
Pitts, L. H. Newman, and T. E. Clarke.
The following were elected to membership : — •
262 The Ottawa Naturalist [March
Mr. Thos. McMillan, Seaforth, Ont.
Mr. J. A. Munro, Toronto.'
Hon. Mrs. O. H. Lambart, Ottawa.
Mr. G. Michaud, Ottawa.
On request of the Natural History Museum of Hamburg
it was decided to exchange publications with the Museum.
The Publishing Committee were requested to report at the
next meeting of Council on the state of that portion of the
Library now stored in the basement of the Normal School and
to make some recommendation as to what should be done with
it.
February 9th — Present: the President, Mr. A. E. Attwood,
Messrs. A. Halkett, A. Gibson, C. H. Young, E. E. Lemieux, A.
McNeill, L. H. Newman and T. E. Clarke.
Miss W. K. Bentley, Ottawa, was elected a member of the
Club.
The Publishing Committee presented a report showing
progress on the work of dealing with the Library question.
' T. E. C.
BIRDS OBSERVED AT OTTAWA, ONTARIO, WINTER
1908-1909.
By G. Eifrig.
The present winter has been a very successful one for Ottawa,
from an ornithological point of view at least. While it has not
been an unqualified success from the standpoint of the winter
itself, inasmuch as the essentials of winter hereabouts, cold and
snow, are remarkable for their low quantity, and therefore coal-
dealers presumably will pronounce it a dismal failure, yet the
birds and especially the true Canadian winter birds have taken to
our fine capital city in greater number and variety than in many
years since and probably for many years to come.
To begin with the rarest , on December 13th a flock of about
thirty Bohemian Waxwings or Chatterers (Ampelis garrulus)
took up their residence in the Metcalfe-O'Connor Streets' district
where they feasted on the berries of the many mount-
ain-ash trees to be found in that part of the city. They
usually divided into small flocks and spread out over this
area, and then they joined forces again for the night. From
about January 12th, hov/ever, they concentrated themselves at
the corner of Slater and O'Connor Streets, where a small rowan
tree offered berries to them that seemed to be more to their taste
than any others. Here and on neighboring larger trees they
1909] Birds Observed at Ottawa. 263
could be seen every day, sometimes only a part of the flock and
then again all, until the 24th of January, when the queer rain
and subsequent freezing coated everything thickly with ice.
They were, however, seen as late as February 22nd. This and
the species next mentioned are about the two most irregular
and erratic birds we have. Their coming and going follows no
recognizable rule or law; they are in no wise migrants, but only
aimless wanderers. They may come here next winter again, in
greater numbers than in this, or the}" may not again turn up for
many years. Their breeding range and habits are but imperfectly
known. In winter they may turn up anywhere, but in summer
they have only been seen in the stunted spruce stands around
Hudson Bay ; in the Mackenzie Basin at Great Bear Lake ; at the
sources of the Athabasca River and high up in the Rocky Mount-
ains in British Columbia, and at Banff and Canmore. Thev make
their nests of moss, etc., well up in pines and firs. It is a beautiful
bird, much like the Cedarbird, only larger and handsomer.
On February 7th a flock of the rare and pretty Evening
Grosbeaks (Hesperiphona vespertina) put in an appearance in
the Somerset-Cartier Streets' neighborhood. While they are not
at all averse to rowan berries, they prefer the seeds of the
Manitoba or ash-leaved maple {Acer Negundo). There were
thirteen of them, and the males in their handsome yellow, white,
black and dark olive-brown plumage certainly presented a fine
sight. They would' often alight on the roofs of houses or sheds and
eat snow and perhaps clean themselves in it. The females and
young are much less conspicuous, being a uniform gray over the
head and body, the wings being black and white, and a tinge of
olive on the neck and breast. A flock of seven was seen on the
Experimental Farm. In their proclivities for apparently aimless,
erratic wandering, this species is just like the Waxwings, and
they also share the same breeding range. Bird-lovers here
consider them.selves fortunate in having seen these two rare
species in one winter, which perhaps will not happen again in a
life-time. Many observers in other places look for these birds
diligently all their lives and never see them.
Besides these, our more common, but none the less equally
welcome winter visitors, the Pine Grosbeaks {Pinicola enudeator) ,
are here again in numbers. They too are most numerous in the
same general district, where the first two stayed. When one
sees below a rowan tree debris of berries lying about, he may be
sure that some of these birds have been there eating, or are still
there. When eating, which they nearly always do, they are very
silent, and it sometimes takes a good hard look to discover them
264 The Ottawa Naturalist. [March
in the trees, even when these are withovit leaves. These birds
were seen as late as February 2Sth.
The White-winged Crossbill {Loxia leucoplera) was here in
great numbers late in fall and some at least must have remained
for the winter, because on February 8th, a part of one was found
at the Experimental Farm by Mr. Groh. The other part had just
been eaten by a Northern Shrike. This cross-bill is in its wander-
ings and appearances almost just as unreliable and erratic as the
first two species named.
Of similar habits, only not to the same degree, are the
Redpoll {Acanthis linaria) and the Pine Siskin {Spinus pinus).
Both of these little birds haA^e been here this winter in more than
usual numbers. Even three of the rare Hoary Redpolls
(A. hornentannii exilipes) were seen January 24th in a yard on
Wurtemberg Street.
An extremely rare freak in nature was seen by the writer
on January 19th on Rideau Street. In a flock of English Sparrows
nearly at his feet, was a red English Sparrow. Nor was the red
over only a small area, or of an indistinct, brownish hue, but very
bright and general. It was a crimson shade below, like the red
of the male Pine Grosbeak, and a brick-red like the American
Crossbill on the back. Otherwise, in size, build, shape and
behavior, he was like the English Sparrows in whose company he
was; also, the wings and tail were like those of this far too
common denizen of our streets. For several reasons it is not
likely that this bird was a h3^brid between the common sparrow
and, say the Purple Finch or one of the Crossbills. It must,
therefore, have been a case of erythrism, like there are cases of
melanism and albinism. In fact there are usually some albino or
partly albino English Sparrows to be seen in winter in our streets,
as during this winter, when some with large patches or a collar
of white have been seen near By market.
A first record for Ottawa is the occurrence, November 2nd,
of several King Eiders (Somateria speciahilis). Four of these
were shot and mounted. On December 2nd another flock of 75,
mostly young ones, came up the river and stayed for a while near
some of the boathouses on the river. Ten of these were shot by
the ever present gunners. The remainder went up the river and
were observed as far as Pembroke, Ont.
Finally, those mysterious wanderers from far northern shores,
the Brunnich Murre {Uria lomvia), appeared again, December
1st, when six were seen. On the 19th of the same month they
came in large numbers, about 500 being seen winging their way
up the river. Many of course fall victims to the numerous
gunners, with which our river seems to be lined, in and out of
1909] Birds Observed at Ottawa. 265
season. The case of this bird is a very perplexing one. Their
coming is no migration in the common sense of the word. In fact,
they are lost the moment they leave salt water. All that come
here and are not shot perish of starvation, as they do not seem to
be able to find suitable food in any river or lake. Why they
should year after year persist in coming up here to perish is hard
to say.
And, to cap the climax, the Robin {Merula nigratoria) has
been with us nearly all winter. A little flock of four was seen in
various places up till Christmas, and then took up its head-
quarters in the trees around the City Hall, where they could be
seen during even the coldest days we have had. Certainly a
novel sight for Ottawa.
Also, a Aleadowlark (Sturnella magna) was seen in the
middle of this winter, namely January 10th, at the Rifle Range.
Why these birds, which are not supposed to winter here, stayed
here this winter, or came here, is hard to tel). Did they know
the winter would be a mild one?
MEETING OF THE BOTANICAL BRANCH.
Held at the residence of Mr. E. R. Cameron, 21st December,
1908. Present: Prof. J. Macoun, Dr. Ami, Rev. G. Eifrig, Dr.
Blackader, and Messrs. Cory, E. R. Cameron, J. M. Macoun,
W. T. Macoun, Attwood, Whyte, MacMillan, D. Cameron,
Jacombe, Witten, Bond and Groh.
The first part of the evening was devoted to some subject
of general botanical interest. Prof. Macoun exhibited a copy
of the newly-issued edition of Gray's Manual, and gave some
explanation of the need which existed for such a work, as well as
some interesting information about the methods and pains-
taking labor by which it had been brought to its present revised
form. In order to cover a more natural floral area than hereto-
fore, it was necessary- to make exhaustive explorations of the
Eastern portion of Canada so as to include its flora. Likewise,
in order to bring the work into line with recent ideas of classifica-
tion and the latest findings of botanical science, the sequence of the
families has been entirely changed, and changes in nomenclature
have been adopted. Prof. Macoun referred to Britton and
Brown's botany as an effort to forestall this work, but considered
that this was such a superior and admirable book that it should
be everywhere welcomed.
Prof. Macoun also spoke about the Ottawa Flora which he is
engaged in preparing. He invited all members who have
266 The Ottawa Naturalist. [March
collected in the Ottawa district, to furnish lists of plants in their
collections, so that every reliable record might be included and
due credit be given.
The remainder of the evening was given up to a discussion
of forestry methods, which was also introduced by Prof. Macoun.
He held that the hope of re-afforestation depends upon following
Nature's own method. In Nature, uncovered areas first grow up
to small stuff of the poplar type, which after a time is gradually
displaced by conifers and other valuable trees. Forestry was
astray in its efforts if it did not recognize this principle.
In reply Mr. MacMillan, of the Forestry IDept., agreed that
Nature's methods must be studied, but maintained that those
are the lines now being followed in tree planting. Tree planting,
however, is only a very insignificant part of forestry in a country
like Canada. The forestry problem here is such a large one that
for the present little can be undertaken beyond studying the
conditions with a ^•iew to properly husbanding and protecting
the existing forests, by scientific lumbering operations and fire
protection. Fires are the greatest scourge of the forest, and
carelessness and indifference are largely responsible for the loss
from this cause. Settlers are willing that they should run their
course, so long as their personal property is not endangered. The
fire which destroyed Fernie was burning in the woods for a month
before that disaster. Vancouver Island will soon be without
forests and without vegetation if fires are allowed to bum un-
checked, as they were last summer. Mr. MacMillan remarked
that there is no timber of export size on the east slopes of the
Rockies to-day. Prof. Macoun stated that in 1879 from Mattawa
to Winnipeg, and from Kananaskis to Vancouver was continuous
forest, where now onlv isolated patches remain.
The proof sheets of a list of Herbaceous Perennials at the
Central Experimental Farm were shown by Mr. W. T. Macoun,
<^'\ and Mr. Eifrig exhibited a number of European plants collected
^ during the past summer.
\P H. G.
O
^ AN EARLY BAT.
^ A specimen of the Brown Bat was captured by Mr. Walter
O^ Venner, of Quebec, as it was flying about the corridors of the
^ Parliament Buildings during the evening of February 24th.
The warm weather of that or the previous day had probably-
caused it to leave its winter quarters. This species Vespertillo
fuscus, Beauv., is common in the vicinity of Ottawa, but the
occurrence of an active specimen at this season of the year
seems worthv of record. J. M. Macoun.
INDEX
TO THE
OTTAWA NATURALIST, VOL. XXH, 1908-9
PAGE
Aclinostroma tenuifilatum. . 27
inflect itni 27
Aeshna constrict a 34
" Z 54
Y 54
W 55
Alaska Lemming Mouse 182
Alopcciirus occidentalis 24
American Woodcock in Mani-
toba 186
Ami. H. M., articles by. . 66, 215
Antphiagrion saucium 21
Anax Junius 53
Anderson, J. R., articles by .. 187,
254,257
Anogra nuttallii 24
" . pallida 24
Argia putrida 20
■■ violacea 20
Bartramian Sandpiper, nest-
ing of 163
Basiceschna janata 5 5
Bethvlidae 72, 77
Bird 'Migration, 1907 Q7
Bird Xotes from Gait, Ont . . 29
Birds observed at Ottawa,
winter 1908-1909 262
Blackader, E. H., article by. 187
Blackbird, Bronze 178
Rusty 178
Blue Jay 178
Bluebird 17 5
Blue Birds of the Maritime
Provinces 174
Black-fruited Thorn in On-
tario U)4
Bohemian Waxwing 2(12
Botanical Branch, meetings
of 100, 249, 265
Botanical Xotes 24, 80
Bouteiller, James, article by. 97
Borer ia grafiana 56
Brown, W. J., articles by.. 88, 163
Brunnich Murre '. . . . 264
PAGE
Bryce, P. H., iirticle by 33
Bubo virginianus 46
Burrowing Owl 261
Bittotnus umbcllatiis 80. 187
Calopteryx mac n lata 17
ccquabilis 18
Calypso borcalis, pure white.. 254
Caribou on the Queen Char-
lotte Islands 260
Ceratorhina monocerata 183
Ceropalidae 69, 73
Chroinagrion condituni 21
Chrysididce 72,76
Clangula amcricana 66
Clark, G. H., article by 102
Clathrodictyon vcrsicitlositm. . 25
Driiminondcnse 26
jastigiatiim.. . . 26
variolar c 26
Clionychia ottau'g,cnsis . ...... 108
Clionychia (?) gibbosa 109
Conditions Unfavorable to
the Resumption of Growth
by the dormant embryo in
Seeds .'.... 101
Cordnlegaster diastatops 53
Cooper's Hawk, nesting of.... 88
Cotton-tail Rabbit in On-
tario 158
Criddle, Xorman, article by.. 153
Crossbill, White-winged. . . 264
Ctenodonta nasiita 106
parvidcns 113
Cunicularia hypogcea.. .... 261
Cupressoxylon macrocarpoides 82
Cynipid Galls in Acorns 44
Cyrtodonta breviuscida 107
Cypripediuni arietinum.. . t. . 163
Danewort 80
Dent, W. A., article by 184
Destruction of Wolves 32
Pidyniops tra}isversa 56
Dioscorca villosa at Sarnia. . . 184
Dorocordulia libera 5f>
55490
268
The Ottawa Naturalist.
[March
PAGE
Dragonflies of the Ottawa
District 16 49
Early Devonic History of
North-eastern North
America; Review of 66
Earlv Wake-robin • • 187
Eifrig, G., articles by 66 262
Enallagma hagcni 22
ebrium 22
" exsulans 23
Emcsa longpipcs 2?5
Entomological Branch, meet-
ings of 43,122.129
Entomological Branch, Re-
port of, 1907 •'^
Entomological Notes from
Central New Brunswick. . . 98
Entomological Society of On-
tario 1??
EpicESchna heros -^^
Epicordiilia prince ps ■ ■ ■ 5 /
Epigcea re pens, in Waterloo
County 2^9
Epilobiiim tvyomingense ^24
Ennomus stibsignaritts. 1 1 '
Erigeron yelloivstonensis 24
Erythemi's simplicicollis _• 61
Euminidse • • ■ ' 1- '-^
Evening Grosbeak ■ 2 63
Excursions : Programme of . . j 1
Fauna Ottawaetisis, Hymen-
optera 69
Felt, E. P., article by 244
Fishes of Ontario, Review of. 251
Fletcher J., articles by.. 80, 81. 164
Fletcher, James, LL.b., obi-
tuary notice • ■ 18 ^
Fletcher, James. Memorial
Meeting • ■ \^_\
Tribute by A. E. Attwood. Un
W.White 192
W.Saunders... 192
W.H.Harring-
ton.. 196
R. B.Whvte... 206
Arthur Gibson. 207
JohnMacoun.. 212
H M. Ami 21.^
F. T Shutt.. . . 220
G.Eilrig.. 222
E. R. Cameron. 222
T.J.MacLavigh-
lin 223
W. J.Topley... 224
S. B. Sinclair. . 226
P.^GE
Fletcher, Dr., proposed per-
manent memorial to. .... . 234
Fletcher, Dr., his work its
influence on Canadian Agri-
culture 192
Fletcher, Dr., Reminiscences
of 196
Fletcher, Dr., as a Botanist . 20
Fletcher, Dr., as an Entomo-
logist 207
Fletcher, Dr., as a Naturalist 212
Fletcher, Dr., as a Leader. . . 215
Fletcher, Dr., Published
Writings of 227
Fletcher, The late Dr., a voice
from the Pacific 257
Fleming, J. H., article by. . . 158
Flowering-rush 80, 187
Fossil Woods from the Creta-
ceous of Alberta 82
Gall Midges of the Goldenrod 244
Gibson, Arthur, articles by . . 117,
135, 140, 164, 189,207,226,227
Gomphiis vastus 52
brevis 52
exilis 52
cornntiis 53
Great Horned Owl -1-6
Greene, E. L., article by. ... 179
Groh, Herbert, article by... . 22/
Grosbeak, Evening 263
Pine 263
Halkett , Andrew, article by . 131
Harrington, W. H., articles
by.. 69, 196
Helocordidia uhleri _• 58
Henslow Sparrow, nesting of,
in Ontario 115
Herriot,W., articles by 29,187,259
Holm, Theo., articles by. 165, 23.i
Indigo Bunting 178
Infant Cannibalism among
animals 125
Ischnura posita 50
vcrticalis 50
Keen, J. H., article by ... . 260
King Eiders 264
Kingfisher, Belted 179
Klotz, Otto, article by 136
Lepidoptera of Lake Rosseau,
Ont 140
Lestes cogener 18
ungiiiciilatiis 19
uncatns 19
disjunct lis 19
" forcipatris 50
1909]
Index
269
PAGE
Lestes rcctangitlaris 51
Leticorhinia hitdsonica 59
intacta 59
Libel I II la inccsta 62
cxitsta 62
Inctuosa 62
pulchclla 62
" quadrhnactdata 63
Lymncea nmbilicata 89
humilis 90
capcrata 90
MacoLin, John, article by. ... 212
Macoun, J. M., articles by. 24, 32,
266
Mafwmia illinoicnsis 56
Martin, Purple 178
Meadowlark 265
Meteorological Optics 136
Michaud, G., article by 188
Modiolopsis parviuscula 106
fabcrformis 110
Moore. W. H., articles by. 98, 175
Mutillidffi '. . 72, 78
Myrmosidae 72,78
Nature Study, Importance of,
with some suggestions as to
methods 145
Nehalcnnia irenc 21
Neurocordiilia yamaskancnsis 57
New Birds for British Col-
umbia 81
Nitrogen Compounds in Rain
and Snow 132
Notes on Silurian stromato-
poroids from Hudson's Bay 25
Nuthatch, White-breasted..'. 175
Red-breasted 176
Odonata of the Ottawa Dis-
trict 16
•Ornithological Branch, Re-
port of, 1907-1908 46
Orthodesma antiqumn Ill
Ottawa- Field Naturalists' Club:
List of Members 4
Reportof Council, 1907-08. 7
Treasurer's Statement,
1907-08 15
Council Meetings. . .30, 38, 79,
91, 157, 261
Excursions 48, 79, 92, 119,
120, 121. 158, 160, 162
Parks, W. A., article by 25
Pelecypoda of the Chazy
Formation in Canada 105
Penhallow, D. P., article by. 82
Pcronyscus michiganensis.. . . 164
Phagnogamous Plants, Ob-
servations on Seedlings of. 165.
235
Pha;ocyma, Species of, found
in Canada 133
Picca albertcnsis 82
Pine Grosbeak 263
" Siskin 264
Plathcmis lydia 63
Power, J. F., article by 145
Prince, E. E., article by 125
Psilocorsis flctcherella 226
Putorius rixosus 182
Redpoll 264
Hoary 264
Rhinocerus Auklet 183
Rhus glabra 179
" Ithacensis 181
Robin 265
Sambitcns Ebuliis 80
Saunders, W., article by 192
Saunders, W. E., articles bv. . 115,
163, 164
Sequoia albertcnsis 83
Slate-colored Junco, unusual
nesting habit of 164
Smith, J. B., article by 133
Snajjping Turtle, note on.. . . 131
Snow-white Eugonia, remark-
able visitation of 117
Some Bird Habits 153
Some Sanitary Considerations
regarding the construction,
health and ventilation of
houses 33
Soivteria canadensis 112
Sparrow, red English 264
Spring of 1908 32
Squirrel eating a bird 188
Stromatopora constcllata 28
" carteri 28
wilsoni 28
" indianensis . ... 28
Sutherland, J. C, article by. 139
Swallow, Tree 177
Barn 177
CHff 177
Sympetrum costifcrum 60
" vicinuin 60
" semicinctiim 60
" rtibicundnhim.. . . 60
" obtrtisum 61
Synaptomys wrangeli 182
Tetragoneuria cynosiira 57
" spinigera 58
" canis 58
270
The Ottawa Naturalist.
[March
PAGE
Three-legged Bug, Notes on
a 355
Thymus serpylluni, at Rich-
mond, Que 139
Thynnidae 72,78
TiphiidjE 72,78
Trillium nivale 187
Two Newly Introduced Flo-
wering Plants 80
Vanuxemia montrcalcnsis. ... 107
" parvnla Ill
Venables, E. P., article by. . 261
Vespertillo fuscus 266
Vespidse 69, 74
Vireo, Blue-headed 177
Walker, E. M., articles by. . 16, 49
Walker, Brvant, article by. . 89
PAGE
Wallis, J. B., article by 187
Warbler, Myrtle 176
Black-throated Blue 176
Parula 177
Nashville 177
Weasel, Least 182
White aves, J. F., articles bv. 105,
182
White-winged Crossbill 264
Whyte, R. B., article by 206
Wickham, H. F., article by. 255
Winter Birds of the Cobalt
Region 65
Woodpecker at a Show 187
Worm-eating Warbler in On-
tario 163
Zoological Notes for 1908... . 182,
\
THE
APRIL, 1908
VOL. XXII, No. 1
OTTAWA
NATURALIST
Published by The Ottawa Field-Naturalists* Club.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
List of Members 4
Report of the Council ---------7
Treasurer's Statement ---------15
Dragonflies (Odonata) of the Ottawa District. By E. M. Wallcer,
B.A., M.B. 16
Botanical Notes ----------24
Notes on Silurian Stromatoporoids from Hudson's Bay. By W. A.
Parks, Ph.D. 25
Bird Notes from Gait, Ont. 29
Council Meetings - - - - - 30
Excursions -----------31
The Spring of 1908 32
Destruction of Wolves 32
ISSUED MAY 7, 1908 ^.^1m7*7>
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SILK TENTS
Wholesale Manufacturers
Lumbermen's and Contractors' Supplies,
Outfitting Survey Parties,
Exploration and Outing Parties of any kind,
A. Specialty
For Quotations
PHONE 3512
OttsLyMSL Sample Room,
Oanadian Building:. Phone 4463
ROONEY & COOPER
TAILORS
(Ladies and Gentlemen)
Your Patronage ^7 Sparks Street
Solicited Ottawa
THE BANK OF OTTAWA
Head Office and Main Branch
Wellington Street, Ottawa
LOCAL BRANCH OFFICES
Cor. Bank and Gloucester Sts.
Cor. Bank and Gladstone Ave.
Cor. Bank and Fourth Ave.
Rideau Street
Somerset Street
Main Street, Hull, Que.
At each of the above named offices, savings
accounts may be opened with a deposit of $1
and upwards, on which interest will be al-
lowed.
A. ROSENTHAL & SONS, LTD.
JEWELLERS AND
OPTICIANS
Goldsmith's Hall
Ottawa
R. H. KENNY & CO.
HIGH CLASS
TAILORS
96 Bank Street
Ottawa
INSURE IN
Mutual Life of Canada
H. MOONEY & SON
General Agents
III Sparks Street
Ottawa
P. STEWART 224-226
^^^— .—iii— ^__ 701 SOM
BANK STREET) —._,,~. ...•
ERSET street} ^^ lAWA.
>5
0
D
0)
O
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m
0
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EVERYTHING NEW IN WALL PAPER
Library Bureau of Canada
HEAD OFFICE— 201 QUEEN ST.. OTTAWA, ONT
BRANCHES— Toronto, Montreal and Winnipeg.
Inventors of the Card System,
__ .. , -^.,. , Special Insect Cases
Vertical Filing- and and Natural History
y-x r-/- T-v • Cabinets made to
various Office Devices. order.
BRYSOM, GRAHAM & CO
SELL EVERYTHING
The Rolla L. Grain Co.
LIMITED
Printers, Bookbinders and
Loose- Leaf Manufacturers
V 174-6-8 WELLINGTON ST. j* OTTAWA, ONTARIO I
THE NEW NATURE LIBRARY
Now complete in 15 large superb volumes.
Vol. 1 — Bird Neighbors. Vol. 6— Butterflies. Vol. 11 — Trees.
Vol. 2— Game Birds. Vol. 7— Moths. Vol. 12— Frogs.
Vol. 3 — Bird Homes. Vol. 8 — Insects. \"ol. 13 — Reptiles.
Vol. 4 — Animals. Vol. 9 — Wild Flowers Vol. 14 — Mosses and Lichens.
Vol. 5— Fishes. Vol. 10— Mushrooms. Vol. 15— Shells.
TEAR OFF HERE
DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & CO.,
133 East 1 6th Street, New York, U.S.
Please send me descriptive circulars and full details of your new
plan for the purchase of your Nature Libriry. I understand you
offer most favorable terms.
O. Nat.
GRAVES BROS, f'ne hardware
Large Assortment of Fishing and other Sporting Goods.
Camp Supplies.
COR. SPARKS AND METCALFE STREETS, OTTAWA.
FILING
SYSTEMS
Office Furniture and Equipment in Wood and Steel.
THE OFFICE SPECIALTY MFG. CO., Ltd. i** f^Sf. ^^•
^^4THe^
LoNooN Leather
The famous CROSS Leather
is universally accepted as the
acknowledged standard of ex-
cellence and is sold in Canada
exclusively by
HENRY BIRKS AND SONS
Limited.
When in want of High Grade Furniture
Call and See Our Stock
AGENTS for the Celebrated
CREX PRAIRIE GRASS FURNITURE
And OSTERMOOR MATTRESSES
STEWART & CO.
34 Rideau Street
Just Below the Bridge
W£ DEAL WITH OUR ADVERTISERS
James Hope & Sons
Booksellers, Stationers
Bookbinders, Printers
Sparks St. Ottawa
C3
03
0
o
K
0
H
a'
GO
J.G.BUTTERWORTH&Co.
ALL-RAIL SCRANTON COAL
HAS NO EQUAL
86 SPARKS STREET, OTTAWA
THE C. C. RAY CO. Ltd.
BEST
QUALITY
COAL
LOWEST
PRICE
58 SPARKS ST. je Phone 461
I^^ORONTO GENERAL TRUSTS
CORPORATION.
fl Quarter of a gentHry's
Successful administration of ESTATES
ranging in value from $500 to $5,000,000
each, is the best guarantee that you may
confidently name as your EXECUTOR
and TRUSTEE this Corporation.
JAMES DAVEY, Manager
Ottawa Branch:
Cor. SPARKS and ELGIN STS.
CHARLES WATT
specialist in
Phone ARTISTIC HARDWARE
1350 AND
KITCHEN FURNISHINGS
Bank & Somerset Streets
American Entomological Go.
Dealers in
Insects and Entomological
Supplies
The only makers of the genuine Schmitt
Insect Boxes. Manufacturers of Cabinets and
Cases for Insect Collections, and of the
American Entomological Company
Insect Pins
Supply I,lat No. 7 and List of Entomological PubllnatlonB
for sale just out. Write for It. Inssct List No. 6 still in force
GEORGE FRANCK, Manager
SSStuyvesant Av., BROOKLYN, H.Y
Publisher of
Views of Ottawa
Phone
902
Books on
Nature Study
C. H. THORBURN
Books & Stationery
8o SPARKS STREET, OTTAWA
R. McOrFFIN
MEN'S FURNISHINGS
io6 Sparks Street 1 nt-r-r h.\xT t.
24 Rideau Street | OTTAWA
GEO. H. HOPPER,
Groceries and Dairy Produce
Phone 1967
395 BANK ST., Cor. Waverley, OTTAWA
™ SMITH PREMIER
The World's ^
Best Typewriter
E. R. McNeill, Agent
35 QUEEN ST., OTTAWA
HENRY J. SIMS & Co.
Furriers and Hatters
110-112 SPARKS ST. - OTTAWA.
MASSON'S
SHOES
72 Sparks Street, Ottawa
>
d
>
G
M
H
0
0
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That Eve Strain ^i^^^^^^"^^ musgrove's dispensary
iliai LyyV,/ ^••^"*»* by graduate optician 212 BANK STREET
^be ©ttawa irielt)^1Raturalt0t0' Club, 1908-'1909
patron:
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE EARL GREY,
GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF CANADA.
president :
^ A. E. Attwood, M.A.
IDicespresfDents:
A. Halkett. Rev. G. Eifrig.
librarian :
C. H. Young.
SecretariS: Q;rea0urer:
T. E. Clarke, B.A. Arthur Gibeon,
(470 O'Connor Street). (Central Experimental Farm).
Committee :
Mr. J. M. Macoun.
Mr. H. H. Pitts.
Mr. E. E. Lemieux.
Mr. Alex. McNeil.
Mr. L. H. Newman.
Miss Q. Jackson.
Miss E. E. Currie.
Miss M. B. Williams.
HuOitore :
R. B. Whyte. F. T. Shutt.
Standing Committees ot Council:
Publishing: A. Gibson, J. M. Macoun, H. H. Pitts, L. H. Newman. Alex.
McNeil, Miss Q. Jackson.
Excursions: G. Eifrig, E. E. Lemieux, T. E. Clarke, C. H. Young,
A. McNeil, Miss E. E. Currie.
Soiries: H. H. Pitts, J. M. Macoun, E. E. Lemieux, L. H. Newman,
A. Gibson, A. Halket, Miss M. B. Williams.
XeaDers :
Geology: H. M. Ami, W. J. Wilson, W. H. Collins, M. F. Connor,
M. Wilson.
fioio«y; J. Fletcher, John Macoun, D.A.Campbell, S. B. Sinclair, A.
McNeil, L. H. Newman, T. E. Clarke.
Entomology: W. H. Harrington, J. Fletcher, A. Gibson, C. H. Yotmg, J. W.
Baldwin.
Conchology: J. F. Whiteaves, F. R. Latchford, J. Fletcher, S. E. O'Brien.
Ornithology: G. Eifrig, W. T. Macoun, A. G. Kingston, A. H. Gallup, H. F.
Tufts.
Zoology: E. E. Prince, A. Halkett, W. S. Odell, E. E. Lemieux.
ArchcBology: T. W. E. Sowter, J. Ballantyne.
Meteorology: Otto Klotz, A. E. Attwood, D. A. Campbell, A. McNeil.
THE OTTAWA NATURALIST
Editor:
James M. Macoun, (Geological Survey of Canada).
Hssociate Editors:
Dr. H. M. Ami, Geological Survey of Canada. — Department of Geology.
Dr. J. F. Whiteaves, Geological Survey of Canada. — Dept. of Palaeon-
tology.
Dr. Jas. Fletcher, Central Experimental Farm. — Botany & Nature Study .
Hon. F. R. Latchford. — Department of Conchology.
Mr. W. H. Harrington, Post Office Department. — Dept. of Entomology.
Rev. G. Eifrig, 210 Wilbrod St. — Dept. of Ornithology.
Prof. E. E. Prince, Com. of Fisheries for Canada. — Dept. of Zoology.
Dr. Otto Klotz — Dept. of Meteorology.
Membership Fee to O.F.N.C., with "Ottawa Naturalist,"
$1.00 per annum
THE
MAY, 1908
VOL. XXn, No. 2
OTTAWA
NATURALIST
Published by The Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Some Sanitary Considerations Regarding the Construction, Health
and Ventilation of Houses. By Peter H.Bryce, M.A. , M.D.
L.R.C.P.S., - - - - - - - - - 33
Council Meeting ----------38
Report of the Entomological Branch, 1907 39
Meeting of Entomological Branch __-_-- 43
Report of the Ornithological Branch, 1907-08 - - - - 46
Excursions -- -48
ISSUED MAY 27, 1908.
OTTAWA. CANADA •
The f^oLLA L Grain Co Limited
Wellington St.
Bntered at the Ottawa Post Office as secotul class piatter.
WE DEAL WITH OUR ADVERTISERS
JAMES OGILVY,
Bookseller, Stationer and Publisher
63 Sparks St.
J-^-^Vlo BOOKSTORE''
157 Bank St. Phone 732
"THE BOOKSTORE" SELLS
GOOD BOOKS
"Merit" placed ALLEN & COCHRANE
THE RED CROSS DRUGGISTS at
the head in the drug business of
Ottawa — on merit they seek your*
trade. 3 STORES, OTTAWA, CANADA
ASK FOR OUR CELEBRATED
FLOOR AND HOUSE
PAINTS
MADE IN OTTAWA
OTTAWA PAINT WORKS
phone 395
138 Bank St.
LDMSdetf
SLEEPING
BAGS
OTTAWA A~o WINNIPEG
Factory . HULL.
SILK TENTS
Wholesale Manufacturers
Lumbermen's and Contractors' Supplies,
Outfitting Survey Parties,
Exploration and Outing Parties of any kind,
A. Specialty
For Quotations
PHONE 3512
Ottawra. Sample Room,
Canadian Building-. Phone 4463
ROONEY & COOPER
TAILORS
(Ladies and Gentlemen)
Your Patronage
Solicited
67 Sparks Street
Ottawa
THE BANK OF OTTAWA
Head Office and Main Branch
Wellington Street, Ottawa
LOCAL BRANCH OFFICES
Cor. Bank and Gloucester Sts.
Cor. Bank and Gladstone Ave.
Cor. Bank and Friurth Ave.
Rideau Street
Somerset Street
Main Street, Hull, Que.
At each of the above named offices, savings
accounts may be opened with a deposit of SI
and upwards, on which interest will be al-
lowed.
A. ROSENTHAL & SONS, LTD.
JEWELLERS AND
OPTICIANS
Goldsmith's Hall
Ottav^a
R. H, KENNY & CO.
HIGH CLASS
TAILORS
96 Ba..k Street
Ottawa
L\SURE IN
Mutual Life of Canada
H. MOONEY& SON
General Agents
III Sparks Street Ottawa
EVERYTHING NEW IN WALL PAPER
P. STEWART
224-226 BANK STREET]
701 SOMERSET STREET) ^i lAW'A.
Library Bureau of Canada
HEAD OFFICE— 201 QUEEN ST., OTTAWA. ONT
BRANCHES — Toronto. Montreal and Winnipeg.
Inventors of the Card System,
TT i« 1 T^-1- 1 Special Insect Cases
Vertical Filing- and and Natural History
_. -~ — . . Cabinets made to
various Office Devices^ order.
BRYSON, GRAHAM & CO
SELL EVERYTHING
The Rolla L. Grain Co.
LIMITED
Printers, Bookbinders and
Loose-Leaf Manufacturers
I 174-6-8 WELLINGTON ST. .jt OTTAWA, ONTARIO j
THE NEW NATURE LIBRARY
Now complete in IS large superb volumes.
Vol. 1— Bird Neighbors. Vol. 6— Butterflies. Vol. 11 — Trees.
Vol. 2— Game Birds. Vol. 7— Moths. Vol. 12— Frogs.
Vol. 3— Bird Homes. Vol. 8 — Insects. Vol. 13 — Reptiles.
Vol. 4 — .^nimaIs. Vol. 9 — Wild Flowers Vol. 14 — Mosses and Lichens.
Vol. 5— Fishes. Vol. 10— Mushrooms. Vol. 15— SheUs.
TEAR OFF HERE
DOUBLEDAY, PAOE & CO.,
133 East 1 0th Street, New York, U.S.
Please send me descriptive circulars and full details of yotir new
puui for the purchase of your Nature Library. I understand you
offer niosi favorable terms.
O. S.KT.
GRAVES BROS, fine hardware
Large Assortment of Fishing and other Sporting Goods.
Camp Supplies.
CUR. SPARKS AND METCALFE STREETS, OTTAWA.
FILING
SYSTEMS
Office Furniture and Equipment in Wood and Steel.
THE OFFICE SPECIALTY MFG. CO., Ltd. "^ If^^^^i ^'^■
^^ATHe^
London Leather
The famous" CROSS Leather
is universahy accepted as the
acknowledged standard of ex-
cellence and is sold in Canada
exclusively by
HENRY BIRKS AND SONS
Limited.
When in want of High Grade Furniture
Call and See Our Stock
AGENTS for the Celebrated
CREX PRAIRIE GRASS FURNITURE
Aai OSTERiVIOOR MATTRESSES
STEWART & CO.
34 Rideau Street
Just Below the Bridge
we DEAL WITH OUR ADVERTISERS
James Hope & Sons
Booksellers, Stationers
Bookbinders, Printers
Sparks St. Ottawa
J.G BUTTERWORTH&Co.
ALL-RAIL SCRANTON COAL
HAS NO EQUAL
86 SPARKS STREtT, OTTAWA
THE C. C. RAY CO. Ltd.
BEST
QUAI.n V
LOWEST
PRICE
COAL
58 SPARKS ST. .^ Phone 461
I^^ORONTO GENERAL TRUSTS
CORPORATION.
}\ QmrUT Of a Centary's
Successful administration of ESTATES
ranging in value from $500 to $5,000,000
each, is the best guarantee that you may
confidently name as your EXECUTOR
and TRUSTEE this Corporation.
JAMES DAVEY, Manager
Ottawa Branch:
Cor. SPARKS and ELGIN STS.
CHARLES WATT
Phone
13S0
specialist in
ARTISTIC HARDWARE
AND
KITCHEN FURNISHINGS
Bank & Somerset Streets
American Entomological Co.
Dealers in
Insects and Entomological
Supplies
The only makers of the genume Schmitt
Insect Boxes. Manufacturers of Cabinets and
Cases for Insect Coiiections, ar.d cf the
American Entomological Company
Insect Pins
Supply List No. 7 ami Listof Entomoloirical Puljlirations
for sale Just out. Write for it. Insi'ct List No. 6 still iu force
GEORGE FRANCK, Manager
SSStuyvesant Av., BROOKLYN, n.y
Publisher of Phone Books on
Views of Ottawa 902 N'ature Study
C. H. THORBURN
Books & Stationery
8o SPARKS STREET, OTTAWA
R. McQIFFIN
MEN'S FURNISHINGS
io6 Sparks Street \
24 Rideau Street
OTTAWA
GEO. H. HOPPER,
Groceries and Dairy Produce
Phone 1967
S95 BANK ST., Cor. Waverley. OTTAWA
™ SMITH PREMIER
The World's ^
Best Typewriter
E. R. McNeill, Agem
35 QUEEN ST., OTTAWA
HENRY J. SIMS & Co.
Furriers and Hatters
: 10-112 SPARKS ST. - OTTAWA.
MASSON'S
SHOES
72 Sparks Street, Ottawa
That Eye Strain
can be relieved by glasses.
Kyes tested free- of char^o
bv urad'iate optician
/V\USGROVE'S DISPENSARY
212 BANK STREET
ZTbe ©ttawa jfielO^IRaturaliste' Club, lOOS^'lQOQ
SecretacB:
T. E. Clarke, B.A.
(470 O'Connor Street).
Mr. J. M. Macoun.
Mr. H. H. Pitts.
Mr. E. E. Lemieux.
Mr. Alex. McNeil.
patron:
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE EARL GREY,
GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF CANADA.
preetOent :
A. E. Attwood, M.A.
Dice*ipre0(Dent9 :
A. Halkett. Rev. G. Eifrig.
Xibrarian :
C. H. Young.
Committee :
Mr
ITreagurer:
Arthur Gibson,
(Central Experimental Farm).
L. H. Newman.
Miss Q. Jackson.
Miss E. E. Currie.
Miss M. B. Williams.
HuOitors :
R. B. Whyte. F. T. Shutt.
StanDfng Committeee of Council:
Publishing: A. Gibson, J. M. Macoun, H. H. Pitts, T,. H. Newman. Alex.
McNeil, Miss Q. Jackson.
Excursions: G. Eifrig, E. E. Lemieux, T. E Clarke, C. H. Young,
A. McNeil, Miss E. E. Currie.
Soiries: H. H. Pitts, J. M. Macoun, E. E. Lemieux, L. H. Newman,
A. Gibson. A. Halket, Miss M. B. Williams.
XeaOers :
Geology: H. M. Ami, W. J. Wilson, W. H. Collins. M. F. Connor,
M. Wilson.
fiotoM)'.- J. Fletcher, John Macoun, D.A.Campbell, S. B. Sinclair, A.
McNeil, L. H. Newman, T. E. Clarke.
Entomology: W. H. Harrington, J. Fletcher, A. Gibson, C. H. Young, J. W
Baldwin.
Conchology: J. F. Whiteaves, F. R. Latchford, J. Fletcher, S. E. O'Brien.
Ornithology: G. Eifrig, W. T. Macoun, A. G. Kingston, A. H. Gallup, H. F.
Tufts.
Zoology: E. E. Prince. A. Halkett, W. S. Odell. E. E. Lemieux.
ArchcBology: T. W. E. Sowter, J. Ballantyne.
Meteorology: Otto Klotz, A. E. Attwood, D. A. Campbell, A. McNeil
THE OTTAWA NATURALIST
EOitOt:
James M. Macoun, (Geological Survey of Canada)
H^sociate EDitors:
Dr. H. M. Ami. Geological Survey of Canada. — Department of Geology
Dr. J. F. Whiteaves, Geological Survey of Canada. — Dept. of Pahvon-
tology.
Dr. Jas Fletcher, Central Experimental Farm — Botany & Nature Study
Ho.N'. F. R. Latchford. — Department oi Conchologv.
Mr. W. H. Harrington, Post Office Department. — Dept of Entomology.
Rev. G. Eifrig, 210 Wilbrod St.— Dept. of Ornilholngv
Prof. E. E. Prince. Com. of Fisheries for Canada — Dept. of Zoology.
Dr. Otto Klotz — Dept of Meteorology.
IVIembership Fee to O.^.H.O., with "Ottawa Naturalist,"
$1.00 per annum
THE
JUNE, 1908
VOL. XXn, Ho. 3
OTTAWA
NATURALIST
Published by The Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
The Dragonflies of the Ottawa District. By E. M. Walker, B.A.,
• M.B., Toronto. 49
Winter Birds of the Cobalt Region ------ 65
Review of Dr. J. M. Clarke's Geology of a Portion of Gaspe Pen-
insula, Que. By H. M. Ami. 66
ISSUED JUNE 19, 1908.
OTTAWA. CANADA:
The Rolla L Grain Co. Limitep
Wellington St.
KiUered at the Ottawa Post Office as second class matter.
WE DEAL WITH OUR ADVERTISERS
JAMES OGILVY,
o
o
O CQ
00 o
Ul
Q
UJ
Bookseller, Stationer and Publisher
63 Sparks St.
0)
o
CM
UJ
I:
J-^-^V -l-^ BOOKSTORE''
157 Bank St. Phone 732
"THE BOOKSTORE" SELLS
GOOD BOOKS
"Merit" placed ALLEN & COCHRANE
THE RED CROSS DRUGGISTS at
the head in the drug business of
Ottawa — on merit they seek your
trade. 3 STORES, OTTAWA, CANADA
ASK FOR OUR CELEBRATED
FLOOR AND HOUSE
PAIMTS
MADE IN OTTAWA
OTTAWA PAINT WORKS
phone 395 138 Bank St.
LQMnHedl
SLEEPiNG
BAGS
OTTAWA AND WINNIPEG,
Factory . HULL.
S/LK TENTS
Wholesale Manufacturers
Lumbermen's and Contractors' Supplies,
Outfitting Survey Parties,
Exploration and Outing Parties of any kind,
A Specialty
For Quotations
PHONE 3512
Ottawa. Sample Room,
CAnadian Buildinsr. Phone 4463
ROONEY & COOPER
TAILORS
(Ladies and Gentlemen)
Your Patronage
Solicited
67 Sparks Street
Ottawa
THE BANK OF OTTAWA
Head Office and Main Branch
Wellington Street, Ottawa
LOCAL BRANCH OFFICES
Cor. Bank and Gloucester Sts.
Cor. Bank and Gladstone Ave.
Cor. Bank and Fourth Ave.
Rideau Street
Somerset Street
Main Street, Htill, Que.
At each of the above named offices, savings
accovmts may be opened with a deposit of $1
and upwards, on which interest will be al-
lowed.
A. ROSENTHAL & SONS. LTD.
JEWELLERS AND
OPTICIANS
Goldsmith's Hall
Ottawa
R. H. KENNY & CO.
HIGH CLASS
TAILORS
96 Bank Street Ottawa
INSURE IN
Mutual Life of Canada
H. MOONEY & SON
General Agents
III Sparks Street Ottawa
EVERYTHING NEW IN WALL PAPER
P STEWART 224-226 BANK STREET] ^^^.,...
I-. 0 1CVVAI\.A 701 SOMERSET STREET! OTTAWA.
Library Bureau of Canada
HEAD OFFICE— 201 QUEEN ST.. OTTAWA, ONT
BRANCHES — Toronto, Montreal and Winnipeg.
Inventors of the Card System,
.,_ ,. , ,^.,. , Special Insect Cases
Vertical Filing" and and Natural History
r-\.rn r^ • Cabinets made to
various Office Devices. order.
BRYSON, GRAHAM & CO
SELL EVERYTHING
The RoUa L. Grain Co.
LIMITED
Printers, Bookbinders and
Loose-Leaf Manufacturers
I 174-6-S WtLI.INGTON ST. ^ OTTAWA, ONTARIO /
THE NEW NATURE LIBRARY
Now complete in 15 large superb volumes.
VoL 1 — Bird Neighbors. VoL 6— Butterflies. Vol. 11 — Trees.
Vol. 2— Game Birds. Vol. 7— Moths. Vol. 12 — Frogs.
Vol. 3— Bird Homes. Vol. 8 — Insects. Vol. 13 — Reptiles.
Vol. 4 — Animals. Vol. 9 — Wild Flowers Vol. 14 — -Mosses and Lichens.
Vol. 5— Fishes. Vol. 10— Mvishrooms. Vol. 15— Shells.
TEAR OFF HERE
DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & CO.,
133 East 1 6th Street, New York, U.S.
Please send me descriptive circulars and full details of your new
plan for the purchase of your Nature Library. I understand you
ofjcr most favorable terms.
O. Xat.
GRAVES BROS, f'ne hardware
Large Assortment of Fishing and other Sporting Goods.
Camp Supplies.
COR. SPARKS AND METCALFE STREETS, OTTAWA.
FILING
SYSTEiWS
Office Furniture and Equipment in Wood and Steel.
THE OFFICE SPECIALTY MFG. CO., L'd. ^^^ f^3^i ^^
^£ath^^
London Leather
The famous' Ci^OSS Leather
is universally accepted as the
acknowledged standard of ex-
cellence and is sold in Canada
exclusively by
HENRY BIRKS AND SONS
Limited.
When in want of High Grade Furniture
Call and See Our Stock
AGENTS for the Celebrated . - -
CREX PRAIRIE GRASS FURNITURE
Aai OSPERcVIOOR MATTRESSES
STEWART & CO.
34 Rideau Street
Just Below the Bridge
WE DEAL WITH OUR ADVERTISERS
James Hope & Sons ^SZ^i^r Sparks St. Ottawa
i
J.G.BUTTERWORTH&Co.
ALL-RAIL SCRANTON COAL
HAS NO EQUAL
86 SPARKS STREET, OTTAWA
THE C. C. RAY CO. Ltd.
BEST C^ r\ A T LOWEST
QUALITY V^V-ZX^J—r PRICE
58 SPARKS ST. jt Phone 461
li^ORONTO GENERAL TRUSTS
CORPORATION.
Jl Quarter of a Century's
Successful administration of ESTATES
ranging in value from $500 to $5,000,000
each, is the best guarantee that you may
confidently name as your EXECUTOR
and TRUSTEE this Corporation
JAMES DAVEY, Manager
Ottawa Branch:
Cor. SPARKS and ELGIN STS.
CHARLES WATT
specialist in
Phone ARTISTIC HARDWARE
1350 AND
KITCHEN FURNISHINGS
Bank & Somerset Streets
ft
merican Entomological Oo.
Dealers in
Insects and Entomological
Supplies
The only makers of the genmne Schmitt
Insect Boxes. Manufacturers of Cabinets and
Cases for Insect Coliections, and cf the
American Entomological Company
Insect Pins
Supply List No. 7 ami List of Entomological PuWlrations
for sale just out. Write for it. lusect List No. 6 still in force
GEORGE FRANCK, Manager
SSStuyvesant Av., BROOKLYN, n.Y
Publisher of Phone
Views of Ottawa 902
Books on
Nattire Study
C. H. THORBURN
Books & Stationery
80 SPARKS STREET, OTTAWA
R. McQIFFIN
MEN'S FURNISHINGS
I OTTAWA
106 Sparks Street
24 Rideau Street
GEO. H. HOPPER.
Groceries and Dairy Produce
Phone 1967
395 BANK ST., Cqr. Waverley, OTTAWA
m SMITH PREMIER
The World's ^
Best Typewriter
E. R. McNeill, Agent
35 QUEEN ST., OTTAWA
HENRY J. SIMS & Co.
Furriers and Hatters
110-112 SPARKS ST. - OTTAWA.
MASSON'S
SHOES
72 Sparks Street, Ottawa
0
>
>
c
M
z
0
k
0
2
That Eye Strain
can be relieved by glasses.
Eyes tested free of charge
by graduate optician
MUSGROVE'S DISPENSARY
313 BANK STREET
^be Ottawa Jicl^^'Waturaliste* Club, 1 908*' 1 909
patron:
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE EARL GREY,
GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF CANADA.
prediOent :
A. E. Attwood, M.A.
IPfcc-presiOents :
A. Halkett. Rev. G. Eifrig.
Xtbratian :
C. H. Young.
Secretary: treasurer:
T. E. Clarke, B.A. Arthur Gibson,
(470 O'Connor Street). (Central Experimental Farm).
Committee :
Mr. J. M. Macoun.
Mr. H. H. Pitts.
Mr. E. E. Lemieux.
Mr. Alex. MgNeil.
Mr. L. H. Newman.
Miss Q. Jackson.
Miss E. E. Currie.
Miss M. B. Williams.
HuOitors :
R. B. Whyte. F. T. Shutt.
Standing Committees of Council :
Publishing: A. Gibson, J. M. Macoun, H. H. Pitts, L. H. Newman. Alex,
McNeil, Miss Q. Jackson.
Excursions: G. Eifrig, E. E. Lemieux, T. E. Clarke, C. H. Young,
A. McNeil, Miss E. E. Currie.
Soirees: H. H. Pitts, J. M. Macoun, E. E. Lemieux, L. H. Newman,
A. Gibson, A. Halket, Miss M. B. Williams.
XeaOets :
Geology: H. M. Ami, W. J. Wilson, W. H. Collins, M. F. Connor.
M. Wilson.
5otany.' J. Fletcher, John Macoun, D.A.Campbell, S. B Sinclair, A.
McNeil, L. H. Newman, T. E. Clarke.
Entomology: W. H. Harrington, J. Fletcher, A. Gibson, C. H. Young, J. W.
Baldwin.
Conchology: J. F. Whiteaves, F. R. Latchford, J. Fletcher, S. E. O'Brien.
Ornithology: G. Eifrig, W. T. Macoun, A. G. Kingston, A. H. Gallup, H. F.
Tufts.
Zoology: E. E. Prince, A. Halkett, W. S. Odell, E. E. Lemieux.
Archeology: T. W. E. Sowter, J. Ballantyne.
Meteorology: Otto Klotz, A. E. Attwood, D. A. Campbell, A. McNeil
THE OTTAWA NATURALIST
BOitot:
James M. Macoun, (Geological Survey of Canada").
?l00ociate Bditord:
Dr. H. M. Ami, Geological Survey of Canada. — Department of Geology.
Dr. J. F. Whiteaves, Geological Survey of Canada. — Dept. of Palaeon-
tology.
Dr. Jas. Fletcher, Central Experimental Farm, — Botany & Nature Study.
Hon. F. R. Latchford. — Department of Conchology.
Mr. W. H. Harrington, Post Office Department. — Dept. of Entomology.
Rev. G. Eifrig, 210 Wilbrod St. — Dept. of Ornithology.
Prof. E. E. Prince, Com. of Fisheries for Canada. — Dept. of Zoology.
Dr. Otto Klotz — Dept. of Meteorology.
Membership Fee to O.F.N.C., with "Ottawa Naturalist,"
$1 .00 per annum
JULY, 1908
VOL. XXn, No. 4
THE
OTTAWA
NATURALIST
Published by The Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Fauna Ottawaensis : Hymenoptera — Superfamily III — Vespoidea.
By W. Hague Harrington, F.R.S.C. ... - 69
Council Meeting. -.._.--_- 79
Excursions. --.___.__- 79
Botanical Note ; Two newly introduced plants. By Dr. J. Fletcher. 80
New Birds for British Columbia. _..___ 81
Report on a Collection of Fossil Woods from the Cretaceous of
Alberta. By D. P. Penhallow, D.Sc, F.R.S.C, F.G.S.A. 82
Nesting of Cooper's Hawk. By W. J. Brown - ... 88
ISSUED JULY 10, 1908.
OTTAWA, CANADA ;
The Rolla L. Grain Co. Limited
Wellington St.
Entered at the Ottawa Post Office as second clast viatter.
WE DEAL WITH OUR ADVERTISERS
o
o
DC :5
o ca
^^
OQ O
Q
UJ
JAMES OGILVY,
Bookseller, Stationer and Publisher
63 Sparks St.
Ms
(0
o
LU
J Alx V 1 O BOOKSTORE''
157 Bank St. Phone 732
"THE BOOKSTORE" SELLS
GOOD BOOKS
"Merit" placed ALLEN & COCHRANE
THE RED CROSS DRUGGISTS at
the head in the drug business of
Ottawa — on merit they seek your
trade. 3 STORES, OTTAWA, CANADA
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PAINTS
MADE IN OTTAWA
OTTAWA PAINT WORKS
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Lnimnited.
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SiLK TENTS
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A Specialty
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Canadian Buildingr. Phone 4463
ROONEY & COOPER
TAILORS
(Ladies and Gentlemen)
Your Patronage
Solicited
67 Sparks Street
Ottawa
THE BANK OF OTTAWA
Head Office and Main Branch
Wellington Street, Ottawa
LOCAL BRANCH OFFICES
Cor. Bank and Gloucester Sts.
Cor. Bank and Gladstone Ave.
Cor. Bank and Fourth Ave.
Rideau Street
Somerset Street
Main Street, Hull, Que.
At each of the above named offices, savings
accounts may be opened with a deposit of $1
and upwards, on which interest will be al-
lowed.
A. ROSENTHAL & SONS, LTD.
JEWELLERS AND
OPTICIANS
Goldsmith's Hall
Ottawa
R. H. KENNY & CO.
HIGH CLASS
TAILORS
96 Bank Street Ottawa
INSURE IN
Mutual Life of Canada
H. MOONEY & SON
General Agents
III Sparks Street Ottawa
EVERYTHING NEW IN WALL PAPER
P STEWART 224-226 BANK STREET] ^__,.,...
L:~-2^^^^^ 701 SOMERSET street) OTTAWA.
Library Bureau of Canada
HEAD OFFICE— 201 QUEEN ST.. OTTAWA, ONT
BRANCHES — Toronto, Montreal and Winnipeg.
Inventors of the Card System,
TT i.* 1 T-'-f _i Special Insect Cases
Vertical riling" and and Natural History
^~ -- --. . Cabinets made to
various Office Devices. order.
BRYSON, GRAHAM & CO
SELL EVERYTHING
The Roiia L. Grain Co.
LIMITED
Piinters, Bookbinders and
Loose-Leaf Manufacturers
I 174-6-,s WtLI-lNGTON ST. .jt OTTAWA, ONTARIO i
THE NEW NATURE LIBRARY
Now complete in 15 large superb volumes.
Vol. 1— Bird Neighbors. Vol. 6— Butterflies. Vol. 11— Trees.
Vol. 2— Game Birds. Vol. 7— Moths. Vol. 12— Frogs.
Vol. 3— Bird Homes. Vol. 8— Insects. Vol. 13 — Reptiles.
Vol. 4 — Animals. Vol. 9 — Wild Flowers Vol. 14 — Mosses and Lichens.
Vol. 5— Fishes. Vol. 10— Mushrooms. Vol. IS— Shells.
TEAR OFF HERE
DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & CO.,
133 East i6th Street, New York, U.S.
Please send tne descriptive circulars and full details of your new
plan for the purchase of your Nature Library. I understand you
offer most favorable terms.
O. Nat.
GRAVES BROS, fine hardware
Large Assortment of Fishing and other Sporting Goods.
Camp Supplies.
CuR. SPARKS AND METCALFE STREETS, OTTAWA.
FILING
SYSTEi\lS
Office Furniture and Equipment in Wood and Steel.
THE OFFICE SPECIALTY MFG. CO., L d. "^ |f,;^^.^f ^^
^^4THe^
London Leather
The famous CROSS Leather
is universally accepted as the
acknowledged standard of ex-
cellence and is sold m Canada
exclusively by
HENRY BIRKS AND SONS
Limited.
When in want of High Grade Furniture
Call and See Our Stock
AGENTS for the Celebrated - - -
CREX PRAIRIE GRASS FURNITURE
And OSPERiVIOOR MATTRESSES
STEWART & CO.
34 Rideau Street
Just Below the Bndg-e
WE DEAL WITH OUR ADVERTISERS
James Hope & Sons
Booksellers, Stationers
Bookbinders, Printers
Sparks St. Ottawa
J.G.BUTTERWORTH&Co.
ALL-RAIL SCRANTON COAL
HAS NO EQUAL
86 SPARKS STREET, OTTAWA
THE C. C. RAY CO. Ltd.
BEST
QUALITY
LOWEST
PRICE
COAL
58 SPARKS ST. Jt Phone 461
I!L^ TORONTO GENERAL TRUSTS
CORPORATION.
H Qmmr of a Century's
Successful administration of ESTATES
ranging in value from $500 to $5,000,000
each, is the best guarantee that you may
confidently name as your EXECUTOR
and TRUSTEE this Corporation
JAMES DAVEY, Manag^er
Ottawa Branch:
Cor. SPARKS and ELGIN STS.
CHARLES WATT
specialist in
Phone ARTISTIC HARDWARE
1350 AND
KITCHEN FURNISHINGS
Bank & Somerset Streets
American Entomologiaal Go.
Dealers in
Insects and Entomological
Supplies
The only makers of the genuine Schraitt
Insect Boxes. Manufacturers of Cabinets and
Cases for Insect Coiiections, and cf the
American Entomological Company
Insect Pins
Sniiply List No. 7 ami Listof Entomoloffical Pulilloationa
fur sale just out. Write for It. Insect List No. C still iu force
GEORGE FRANCK, Manager
SSStuyvesant Av., BROOKLYN, n.y
Publisher of
Views of Ottawa
Phone
902
Books on
Nature Study
C H. THORBURN
Books & Stationery
So SPARKS STREET, OTTAWA
R. McGIFFIN
MEN'S FURNISHINGS
} OTTAWA
io6 Sparks Street
24 Rideau Street
GEO. n, HOPPER,
Groceries and Dairy Produce
Phone 1967
395 BANK ST., Cor. Waverley, OTTAWA
m SMITH PREMIER
The World's ^
Best Typewriter
E. R. McNeill, Agent
35 QUEEN ST, OTTAWA
HENRY J. SIMS & Co.
Furriers and Hatters
110-112 SPARKS ST. - OTTAWA.
MASSON'S
SHOES
72 Sparks Street, Ottjiwa
That Eye Strain IHS
>
13
C
M
H
Z
CD
0
0
Is
can be relieved by glasses,
e of charge
optician
MUSGROVE'S DISPENSARY
212 BANK STREET
ITbe ©ttawa Jielt)*'1Raturalist0* Club, 1908^1909
patron:
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE EARL GREY,
GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF CANADA.
preslDcnt :
A. E. Attwood, M.A.
IDiccspresiOents :
A. Halkett. Rev. G. Eifrig.
Xtbrarfan :
C. H. Young.
Secretary: treasurer:
. T. E. Clarke, B.A. Arthur Gibson,
(470 O'Connor Street). (Central Experimental Farm).
Committee:
Mr. L. H. Newman.
Mr. J. M. Macoun.
Mr. H. H. Pitts.
Mr. E. E. Lemieux
Mr. Alex. McNeil.
Miss Q. Jackson.
Miss E. E. Currie.
Miss M. B. Williams.
HuOitors :
R. B. Whyte. F. T. Shutt.
StanDing Committees of Council:
Publishing: A. Gibson, J. M. Macoun, H. H. Pitts, L. H. Newman. Alex.
McNeil, Miss Q. Jackson.
Excursions: G. Eifrig, E. E. Lemieux, T. E. Clarke, C. H. Young,
A. McNeil, Mjss E. E. Currie.
Soiries: A. Gibson. H. H. Pitts, J. M. Macoun, E. E. Lemieux, L. H.
Newman, A. Halket, Miss M. B. Williams.
XeaDers :
Geology: H. M. Ami, W. J. Wilson, W. H. Collins, M. F. Connor,
M. Wil.son.
Bofany; J. Fletcher, John Macoun, D.A.Campbell, S. B. Sinclair, A.
McNeil, L. H. Newman, T. E. Clarke.
Entomology: W. H. Harrington, J. Fletcher, A. Gibson, C. H. Young, J. W.
Baldwin.
Conchology: J. F. Whiteaves, F. R. Latchford, J. Fletcher, S. E. O'Brien.
Ornithology: G. Eifrig, W. T. Macoun, A. G. Kingston, A. H. Gallup, H. F.
Tufts.
Zoology: E. E. Prince, A. Halkett, W. S. Odell, E. E. Lemieux.
ArchcBology: T. W. E. Sowter, J. Ballantyne.
Meteorology: Otto Klotz, A. E. Attwood, D. A. Campbell, A. McNeil.
THE OTTAWA NATURALIST
acting jSDitor:
Arthur Gibson, (Central Experimental Farm.
Hssoclate BOltors:
Dr. H. M. Ami, Geological Survey of Canada. — Department of Geology.
Dr. J. F. Whiteaves, Geological Survey of Canada. — Dept. of Palaeon-
tology.
Dr. Jas. Fletcher, Central Experimental Farm. — Botany & Nature Study.
Hon. F. R. Latchford. — Department of Conchology.
Mr. W. H. Harrington, Post Office Department. — Dept. of Entomology.
Rev. G. Eifrig, 210 Wilbrod St. — Dept. of Ornithology.
Prof. E. E. Prince, Com. of Fisheries for Canada. — Dept. of Zoology.
Dr. Otto Klotz — Dept. of Meteorology.
Membership Fee to O.F.N.C., with "Ottawa Naturalist,"
$1.00 per annum
,r^ BANK ST. -- A^mJST, 1908
**■'*' VOL. XXII, Ho. 6
THE
OTTAWA
NATURALIST
Published by The Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club.
CONTENTS.
PACK
Lymnaea umbilicata C. B. Adams in Canada. By Bryant Walker 89
Council Meeting. ---91
Excursions. --____---- 92
Bird Migration, 1907. Observations made on Sable Island, Nova
Scotia, by James Bouteiller 96
Entomological Notes from Central New Brunswick. By Wm. H.
Moore, Scotch Lake, N.B. ------- 98
Botanical Branch - - - - - - - - - 100
Conditions Unfavorable to the Resumption of Growth by the dor-
mant embryo in seeds. By G. H. Clark, B.S.A. - - 102
ISSUED AUGUST 6, 1908.
OTTAWA. CANADA;
Thb Rolla L Grain Co. Limited -^''''oGi'Cyly X
Wellington St. /^\^v». s^^* ^ \
Entered at the Ottawa Post Office as second class matter. / f^ ^fciQ^jfc t\ ^^\
LIBRARY
WE DEAL WITH OUR ADVERTISERS
JAMES OGILVY,
cc
o
P OQ
fey
CO
CQ
5
o
Q
(0
o
CM
UJ
Bookseller, Stationer and Publisher
63 Sparks St.
j rirv. V 1 O BOOKSTORE"
157 Bank St. Phone 732
"THE BOOKSTORE" SELLS
GOOD BOOKS
"Merit" placed ALLEN & COCHRANE
THE RED CROSS DRUGGISTS at
the head in the drug business of
Ottawa — on meir»it they seek your
trade. 3 STORES, OTTAWA, CANADA
ASK FOR OUR CELEBRATED
FLOOR AND HOUSE
PAINTS
MADE IN OTTAWA
OTTAWA PAINT WORKS
Phone 395 138 Bank St.
LnMnlted.
SLEEPiNG
BAGS
OTTAWA A~a WINNIPEG,
Faotory . HULL.
SILK TENTS
Wholesale Manufacturers
Lumbermen's and Contractors' Supplies,
Outfitting Survey Parties,
Exploration and Outing Parties of any kind,
A iSpecialty
For Quotations
PHONE 3512
Ottawa. Sample Room,
Canadian Buildingr, Phone 4463
ROONEY & COOPER
TAILORS
(Ladies and Gentlemen)
67 Sparks Street
Your Patronage
Solicited
Ottawa
THE BANK OF OTTAWA
Head Office and Main Branch
Wellington Street, Ottawa
LOCAL BRANCH OFFICES
Cor. Bank and Gloucester Sts.
Cor. Bank and Gladstone Ave.
Cor. Bank and Fourth Ave.
Rideau Street
Somerset Street
Main Street, Hull, Que.
At each of the above named offices, savings
accounts may be opened with a deposit of $1
and upwards, on which interest will be al-
lowed.
ROSENTHAL & SONS, LTD.
JEWELLERS AND
OPTICIANS
Goldsmith's Hall
Ottawa
R. H. KENNY & CO.
HIGH CLASS
TAILORS
96 Bank Street Ottawa
INSURE IN
Mutual Life of Canada
H. MOONEY & SON
General Agents
III Sparks Street Ottawa
EVERYTHING NEW IN WALL PAPER
P. STEWART 224-226 BANK STREET) ^__-,_,^
------—— 701 SOMERSET STREET/ ^^ 1 AW A.
Library Bureau of Canada
HEAD OFFICE— 201 QUEEN ST., OTTAWA, ONT.
BRANCHES — Toronto. Montreal and Winnipeg.
Inventors of the Card System,
__ ,. , ._.,. , Special Insect Cases
Vertical Filing and and Natural History
y-N /-/- T-^w • Cabinets made to
various Ofnce Devices. order.
BRYSON, GRAHAM & CO
SELL EVERYTHING
The Rolla L Grain Co.
LIMITED
Printer^}, Bookbinders and
Loose-Leaf Manufacturers
V 174-6-8 WELLINGTON ST. ^ OTTAWA, ONTARIO j
THE NEW NATURE LIBRARY
Now complete in 15 large superb volumes.
Vol. 1— Bird Ncitjhbors. Vol. 6— Butterflies. Vol. 11 — Trees.
Vol. 2— Game Birds. Vol. 7— Moths. Vol. 12— Frogs.
Vol. 3— Bird Homes. Vol. 8 — Insects. Vol. 13 — Reptiles.
Vol. 4 — Animals. Vol. 9 — Wild Flowers Vol. 14 — Mosses and Lichens.
Vol. 5 — Fishes. Vol. 10 — Mushrooms. Vol. IS — Shells.
TEAR OFF HERE
DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & CO.,
\IZ East i()th Street, New York, U.S.
Please send me descriptive circulars and full details of your new
plan for the purchase of your Nature Library. I understand you
offer most favorable terms.
O. Nat.
GRAVES BROS, f'ne hardware
Large Assortment of Fishing and other Sporting Goods.
Camp Supplies.
COR. SPARKS AND METCALFE STREETS, OTTAWA.
FILING
SYSTEMS
Office Furniture and Equipment in Wood and Steel.
THE OFFICE SPECIALTY MFG. CO., Ltd. ^^ -paRks st.
^^4THe^
London Leatmer
The famous "CROSS" Leather
is universally accepted as the
acknowledged standard of ex-
cellence and is sold in Canada
exclusively by
HENRY BIRKS AND SONS
Limited.
When in want of High Grade Furniture
Call and See Our Stock
AGENTS for the Celebrated - - -
CREX PRAIRIE GRASS FURNITURE
And 03TERIVI00R MATTRESSES
STEWART & CO,
34 Rideau Street
Just Below the Bridge
Zbc Ottawa Jlel^-I^aturaliets* Club, 1908^1909
^
Patron:
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE EARL GREY,
GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF CANADA.
preslDcnt:
A. E. Attwood, M.A.
\Dtce»pre0t£)ent9 :
A. Halkett. Rev. G. Eifrig.
ILlbcatian:
C. H. Young.
Secretary : ^reaenrer :
T. E. Clarke, B.A. Arthur Gibson,
(470 O'Connor Street). (Central Experimental Farm).
Committee :
Mr. L. H. Newman.
Mr. J. M. Macoun.
Mr. H. H. Pitts.
Mr. E. E. Lemieux.
Mr. Alex. McNeil.
Miss Q. Jackson.
Miss E. E. Currie.
Miss M. B. Williams.
HuOttorg :
R. B. Whyte. F. T. Shutt.
Standing dommltteeg of Council: •
Publishing: A. Gibson, J. M. Macoun, H. H. Pitts, L. H. Newman. Alex.
McNeil, Miss Q. Jackson.
Excursions: G. Eifrig, E. E. Lemieux, T. E. Clarke, C. H. Young,
A. McNeil, Miss E. E. Currie.
Soirees: A. Halkett, H. H. Pitts, J. M. Macoun, E. E. Lemieux, L. H.
Newman, Miss M. B. Williams.
XeaOere :
Geology: H. M. Ami, W. J. Wilson, W. H. Collins, M. F. Connor,
M. Wilson.
Boton)'; J. Fletcher, John Macoun, D.A.Campbell, S. B. Sinclair, A.
McNeil, L. H. Newman, T. E. Clarke.
Entomology: W. H. Harrington, J. Fletcher, A. Gibson, C. H. Young, J. W.
Baldwin.
Conchology: J. F. Whiteaves, F. R. Latchford, J. Fletcher, S. E. O'Brien.
Ornithology: G. Eifrig, W. T. Macoun, A. G. Kingston, A. H. Gallup, H. F.
Tufts.
Zoology: E. E. Prince, A. Halkett, W. S. Odell, E. E. Lemieux.
ArchcBology: T. W. E. Sowter, J. Ballantyne.
Meteorology: Otto Klotz, A. E. Attwood, D. A. Campbell, A. McNeil.
THE OTTAWA NATURALIST
acting JEOitot:
Arthur Gibson, (Central Experimental Farm.)
Hesoclate EOitors:
Dr. H. M. Ami. Geological Survey of Canada. — Department of Geology.
Dr. J. F. Whiteaves, Geological Survey of Canada. — Dept. of Palaeon-
tology.
Dr. Jas. Fletcher, Central Experimental Farm. — Botany & Nature Study.
Hon. F. R. Latchford. — Department of Conchology.
Mr. W. H. Harrington, Post Oflfice Department. — Dept. of Entomology.
Rev. G. Eifrig, 210 Wilbrod St.— Dept. of Ornithology.
Prof. E. E. Prince, Com. of Fisheries for Canada. — Dept. of Zoology.
Dr. Otto Klotz — Dept. of Meteorology.
Membership Fee to O.F.N.C., with "Ottawa Naturalist,"
$1.00 per annum
WE DEAL WITH OUR ADVERTISERS
James Hope & Sons
Booksellers, Stationers
Bookbinders, Printers
Sparks St. Ottawa
J.G.BUTTERWORTH&Co.
ALL-RAIL SCRANTON COAL
HAS NO EQUAL
86 SPARKS STREET, OTTAWA
THE C. C. RAY CO. Ltd.
BEST
QUALITY
LOWEST
PRICE
COAL
58 SPARKS ST. ^ Phone 461
B5 TORONTO GENERAL TRUSTS
CORPORATION.
n Qurm of a eentury's
Successful administration of ESTATES
ranging in value from $500 to $5,000,000
each, is ^le best guarantee that you may
confidently name as your EXECUTOR
and TRUSTEE this Corporation
JAMES DAVEY, Manager
Ottawa Braxch:
Cor. SPARKS and ELGIN STS.
CHARLES WATT
specialist in
Phone ARTISTIC HARDWARE
13S0 AND
KITCHEN FURNISHINGS
Bank & Somerset Streets
^oierican Eotooiologicel Co.
Dealers im
Insects and Entomological
Supplies
The only makers of the genuine Schmitt
Insect Boxes. Manufacturers of Cabinets and
Cases for Insect Coliections, and cf the
American Entomological Company
Insect Pins
Supply List No. 7 and List of Entomoloaical Publications
for sale just out. Write fcr it. Insect List No. 6 still in force
GEORGE FRANCK, Manager
SSStuyvesant Av., BROOKLYN, n.y
Publisher of
Views of Ottawa
Phone
902
Books on
Nature Study
C. H. THORBURN
Books & Stationery
So SPARKS STREET, OTTAWA
R. McGIFFIN
MEN'S FURNISHINGS
\ OTTAWA
io6 Sparks Street
24 Rideau Street
GEO. H. HOPPER.
Groceries and Dairy Produce
Phone 1967
395 BANK ST., Cor. Waverley, OTTAWA
™E SMITH PREMIER
The World's ^
Best Typewriter
E. R. McNeill, Agent
35 QUEEN ST., OTTAWA
HENRY J. SIMS & Co.
Furriers and Hatters
110-112 SPARKS ST. - OTTAWA.
MASSON'S
SHOES
72 sparks Street, Ottawa
I
That Eye Strain |
can be relieved by glasses,
yes tested free of charge
by graduate optician
MUSGROVE'S DISPENSARY
212 BANK STREET
SEPTEMBER, 1908
VOL. XXII, No. 6
THE
OTTAWA
NATURALIST
Published by The Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
The Pelecypoda or Bivalve Mollusca of the Chazy formation in
Canada. By J. F Whiteaves. 105
Nesting of Henslow Sparrow in Ontario. By W. E. Saunders,
London, Ont. --------- 115
A remarkable visitation of the Snow-white Eugonia. By Arthur
Gibson, Central Experimental Farm. - - - - 117
Excursions. ---------- 119
Meetings of the Entomological Branch - - - - - 122
ISSUED SEPTEMBER 3. 1908.
/
OTTAWA, CANADA;
The Rolla L Grain Co. Limited /^^\C>^/
Wellington St. y^O^..^-r2""S**. ^^^^
ETitered at the Ottawa Post Office as second clast matter. /^O /^ -» If^"^ ^\ ^]
\NE DEAL WITH OUR ADVERTISERS
JAMES OGILVY,
OS
o
O
(M
UJ
Bookseller, Stationer and Publisher
63 Sparks St.
jxiiX V ivj BOOfCSTORE"
157 Bank St. Phone 732
"THE BOOKSTORE" SELLS
GOOD BOOKS
"Merit" placed ALLEN & COCHRANE
THE RED CROSS DRUGGISTS at
the head in the drug business of
Ottawa — on meril they seek yout«
trade. 3 stores, Ottawa, Canada
ASK FOR OUR CELEBRATED
FLOOR AND HOUSE
PAIIMTS
MADE IN OTTAWA
OTTAWA PAINT WORKS
Phone 395
138 Bank St.
LnmSited
SLEEPING
BAGS
AND
Faotory . HULL.
SILK TENTS
Wholesale Manufacturers
Lumbermen's and Contractors' Supplies,
Outfitting Survey Parties,
Exploration and Outing Parties of any kind,
A S-pecialty
For Quotatiens
PHONE 3512
Ottawa Sample Room,
Canadian Buildine. Phone 4463
ROONEY & COOPER
TAILORS
(Ladies and Gentlemen)
Your Patronage
Solicited
67 Sparks Street
Ottawa
THE BANK OF OTTAWA
Head Office and Main Branch
Wellington Street, Ottawa
LOCAL BRANCH OFFICES
Cor. Bank and Gloucester Sts.
Cor. Bank and Gladstone Ave.
Cor. Bank and Fourth Ave.
Rideau Street
Somerset Street
Main Street, Hull, Que.
At each of the above named offices, savings
accounts may be opened with a deposit of $1
and upwards, on which interest will be al-
lowed.
L ROSEI^TIIAL Sl SOliS, LTD.
JEWELLERS AND
OPTICIANS
Goldsmith's Hall
Ottawa
R. H. KENNY & CO.
HIGH CLASS
TAILORS
96 Bank Street
Ottawa
INSURE IN
Mutual Life of Canada
H. MOONEY&SON
General Agents
III Sparks Street Ottawa
EVERYTHING NEW
P. STEWART
224 - 226
701 SOM
IN Wall paper
BANK STREET) ^_,_.,,-„
ERSET STREET] OTTAWA.
Library Bureau of Canada
HEAD OFFICE— 201 QUEEN ST.. OTTAWA. ONT.
BRANCHES — Toronto, Montreal and Winnipeg.
Inventors of the Card System,
,_ .. , T-"i- 1 Special Insect Cases
Vertical Filing- and and Natural History
^>. rr T-^ • Cabinets made to
various Office Devices. order.
BRYSOIN, GRAHAM & CO
SELL EVERYTHING
The Rolla L Grain Co.
LIMITED
Printer.-;, Bookbinders and
Loose-Leaf Manufacturers
\ 174-6-8 WELLINGTON ST. j* OTTAWA, ONTARIO /
THE NEW NATURE LIBRARY
Now complete in 15 large superb volumes.
Vol. 1— Bin! Neicjhbors. Vol. 6— Butterflies. Vol. 1 1— Trees.
Vol. 2— Game Birds. Vol. 7 — Moths. Vol. 12— Frogs.
Vol. 3 — Bird Homes. Vol. S — Insects. Vol. 13 — Reptiles.
\o\. 4 — .Animals. Vol. 9 — Wild Flowers Vol. 14 — Mosses and Lichens.
Vol. 5— Fishes. Vol. 10— Mushrooms. Vol. IS— Shells.
TEAR OFF HERE
DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & CO.,
133 East i6th Street, New York, U.S.
Please send me descriptive circulars and full details of your new
plan for the purchase of your Nature Library. I understand you
offer most favorable teniis.
O. Nat.
GRAVES BROS, f'^e hardware
Large Assortment of Fishing and other Sporting Goods.
Camp Supplies.
COR. SPARKS AND METCALFE STREETS, OTTAWA.
FILING
^
SYSTE/\1S
/
Office Furniture
and Equi
pment
in Wood and Steel.
THE OFFICE SPECIALTY
MFG.
CO., Ltd. 1" i^PAR^^s
ST.
London LEAinEk
The famous CROSS Leather
is universally accepted as the
acknowledged standard of ex-
cellence and is sold in Canada
exclusively by
HENRY BIRKS AND SONS
Limited.
When in want of High Grade Furniture
Call and See Our Stock
AGENTS for the Celebrated - - -
CREX PRAIRIE GRASS FURNITURE
And OSTERMOOR MATTRESSES
STEWART & CO,
34 Rideau Street
Just Below the Bridge
WE DEAL WITH OUR ADVERTISERS
James Hope & Sons
Booksellers, Stationers
Bookbinders, Printers
Sparks St. Ottawa
J.G.BUTTERWORTH& Co.
ALL-RAIL SCRANTON COAL
HAS NO EQUAL
86 SPARKS STREET, OTTAWA
THE C. C. RAY CO. Ltd.
BEST
QUALITY
COAL
LOWEST
PRICE
58 SPARKS ST. ^ Phone 461
I!L^ TORONTO GENERAL TRUSTS
CORPORATION.
B QmrUY of a gcntury's
Successful administration of ESTATES
ranging in value from S500 to S5,000,000
each, is the best guarantee that you may
confidently name as your EXECUTOR
and TRUSTEE this Corporation
JAMES DAVEY, Manager
Ottawa Branch:
Cor. SPARKS and ELGIN STS.
CHARLES WATT
specialist in
Phone ARTISTIC HARDWARE
1350 AND
KITCHEN FURNISHINGS
Bank & Somerset Streets
'merican Entomological Go.
Dealers in
Insects and Entomological
Supplies
The only makers of the genmne Schmitt
Insect Boxes. Manufacturers of Cabinets and
Cases for Insect Coiiections, and cf the
American Entomological Company
Insect Pins
Supply Lis* Nn. 7. ami Listnf Entniiioloaical Puhllriitions
for sain justout. Write fur it. Insect List No. listili in force
GEORGE FRANCK, Manager
55 Stuyvesant Av., BROOKLYN, n.Y
Publisher of
Views of Ottawa
Phone
902
Books on
Nature Study
C. H. THORBURN
Books & Stationery
80 SPARKS STREET, OTTAWA
R. McGIFFIN
MEN'S FURNISHINGS
106 Sparks Street \
24 Rideau Street
OTTAWA
GEO. H. HOPPER.
Groceries and Dairy Produce
Phoxe 1967
395 BANK ST., Cor. Waverley, OTTAWA
™ SMITH PREMIER
The World's ^
Best Typewriter
E. R. McNeill, Agent
35 QUEEN ST., OTTAWA
HENRY J. SIMS & Co.
Furriers and Hatters
110-112 SPARKS ST. - OTTAWA.
MASSON'S
SHOES
72 Sparks Street, Ottawa
That Eye Strain
rAs'tesSr^Arrar^e MUSGROVE'S DISPENSARY
by graduate optician 212 BANK STREET
Ztbe ©ttawa jielD^'Waturaltste' Club, 1908*'1909
patron:
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE EARL GREY,
GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF CANADA.
president :
A. E. Attwood, M.A.
IDfcespresiDents :
A. Halkett. Rev. G. Eifrig.
Xtbrarian :
C. H. Young.
Secretary: Zvcaemci:
T. E. Clarke, B.A. Arthur Gibson,
(470 O'Connor Street). (Central Experimental Fann).
Committee :
Mr. L. H. Newman.
Mr. J. M. Macoun.
Mr. H. H. Pitts.
Mr. E. E. Lemieux
Mr. Alex. McNeil.
Miss Q. Jackson.
Miss E. E. Currie.
Miss M. B. Williams.
HuOitors :
R. B. Whyte. F. T. Shutt. ' ^
StanOing dommltteeg of Council:
Publishing: A. Gibson, J. M. Macoun, H. H. Pitts, L. H. Newlaan. Alex.
McNeil, Miss Q. Jackson. ||
Excursions: G. Eifrig, E. E. Lemieux, T. E. Clarke, ClH. Young,
A. McNeil, Miss E. E. Currie.
Soiries: A. Halkett, H. H. Pitts, J. M. Macoun, E. E. Lemieux, L. H.
Newman, Miss M. B. Williams.
XeaDccB :
Geology: H. M. Ami, W. J. Wilson, W. H. Collins, M. F. Connor,
M. Wilson.
Botany: J. Fletcher, John JVlacoun, D. A. Campbell, S. B. Sinclair, A.
McNeil, L. H. Newman, T. E. Clarke.
Entomology: W. H. Harrington, J. Fletcher, A. Gibson, C. H. Yoimg, J. W.
Baldwin.
Conchology: J. F. Whiteaves, F. R. Latchford, J. Fletcher, S. E. O'Brien.
Ornithology: G. Eifrig, W. T. Macoun, A. G. Kingston, A. H. Gallup, H. F.
Tufts.
Zoology: E. E. Prince, A. Halkett, W. S. Odell, E. E. Lemieux.
ArchcBology: T. W. E. Sowter, J. Ballantyne.
Meteorology: Otto Klotz, A. E. Attwood, D. A. Campbell, A. McNeil.
THE OTTAWA NATURALIST
acting BOitor:
Arthur Gibson, (Central Experimental Farm.)
associate BOitors:
Dr. H. M. Ami, Geological Survey of Canada .^ — Department of Geology.
Dr. J. F. Whiteaves, Geological Survey of Canada. — Dept. of Paleon-
tology.
Dr. Jas. Fletcher, Central Experimental Farm. — Botany & Nature Study.
Hon. F. R. Latchford. — Department of Conchology.
Mr. W. H. Harrington, Post Office Department.— Dept. of Entomology.
Rev. G. Eifrig, 210 Wilbrod St.— Dept. of Ornithology.
Prof. E. E. Prince, Com. of Fisheries for Canada. — Dept. of Zoology.
Dr. Otto Klot» — Dept. of Meteorology.
Membership Fee to O.F.N.C., with "Ottawa Naturalist,"
$1.00 per annum
OCTOBER, 1908
VOL. XXn, No. 7
THE
OTTAWA
NATURALIST
Published by The Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Infant Cannibalism among Animals. By Prof. E. E . Prince. - 125
Meeting of the Entomological Branch. . . - . . 129
Note on a Young Specimen of the Snapping Turtle. - - - 131
The Nitrogen Compounds in Rain and Snow. - . - - " 132
Notes on the Species of Phaeocyma found in Canada. By John
B. Smith, Sc. D. - - . - - - - - 133
Additional Notes to Dr. Smith's paper. By Arthur Gibson. - 135
Meteorological Optics. By Otto Klotz, LL.D., F.R.A.S. - - 136
The Occurrence of Thymus Serpyllum at Richmond, Que. By J.
C.Sutherland, B. A. 139
Notes on the Lepidoptera of Lake Rosseau District, Muskoka,
Ontario. By Arthur Gibson, Central Experimental Farm. 140
ISSUED OCTOBER 12. 1908.
OTTAWA. CANADA • V^z-SsTJ^W"
Thb Rolla L Grain Co. UMiT,nt^/^0^ *x\V*
Wellington St. j '^ /^ ''m>'6t^' ^\0',
Kntered at th* Ottawa Post Office aa seeond claaa matter.
WE DEAL WITH OUR ADVERTISERS
JAMES OGILVY,
oe
o
o
>.
oc d
CQ O
Q
UJ
(0
O
CM
UJ
Bookseller, Stationer and Publisher
6i Sparks St.
JARVIS'
157 Bank St.
"THE
BOOKSTORE"
Phone 732
"THE BOOKSTORE" SELLS
GOOD BOOKS
"Merit" placed ALLEN & COCHRANE
THE RED CROSS DRUGGISTS at
the head in the drug business of
Ottawa — on merit they seek your
trade. 3 STORES, Ottawa, Canada
ASK FOR OUR CELEBRATED
FLOOR AND HOUSE
PAINTS
MADE IN OTTAWA
OTTAWA PAINT WORKS
Phone 395 138 Bank St.
LnMnHed
SLEEPING
BAGS
OTTAWA *"■> WINNIPEG,
Factory . HULL.
SILK TENTS
Wholesale Manufacturers
Lumbermen's and Contractors' Supplies,
Outfitting Survey Parties,
Exploration and Outing Parties of any kind,
A tSpeciailtx
For Quotations
PHONE 3512
Ottawa. Sample Room,
Canadian Building:. Phone 4463
ROONEY & COOPER
TAILORS
(Ladies and Gentlemen)
Your Patronage
Solicited
67 Sparks Street
Ottawa
THE BANK OF OTTAWA
Head Office and Main Branch
Wellington Street, Ottawa
LOCAL BRANCH OFFICES
Cor. Bank and Gloucester Sts.
Cor. Bank and Gladstone Ave.
Cor. Bank and Fourth Ave.
Rideau Street
Somerset Street
Main Street, Hull, Que.
At each of the above named offices, savings
accounts may be opened with a deposit of $1
and upwards, on which interest will be al-
lowed.
A. ROSENTHAL & SONS, LTD.
JEWELLERS AND
OPTICIANS
Goldsmith's Hall
Ottawa
R. H. KENNY & CO.
HIGH CLASS
TAILORS
96 Bank Street Ottawa
INSURE IN
Mutual Life of Canada
H. MOONEY & SON
General Agents
III Sparks Street Ottawa
EVERYTHING NEW IN WALL PAPER
P. STEWART 224.226 BANK STREET! -._,^-....
-^— ^— — 701 SOMERSET STREET! OTTAnVA.
Library Bureau of Canada
HEAD OFFICE— 201 QUEEN ST.. OTTAWA. ONT.
BRANCHES— Toronto. Montreal and Winnipeg.
Inventors of the Card System,
Vertical Filing and SrNitu"rirHfs?ory
various Office Devices. o'^rfer"'' "'"' '"
BRYSON, GRAHAM & CO.
SELL EVERYTHING
The Rolla L Grain Co.
LIMITED
Printers, Bookbinders and
Loose-Leaf Manufacturers
I 174-6-8 WELLINGTON ST. ^ OTTAWA, ONTARIO ;
I HE NEW NATURE LIBRARY
Now complete in 15 large superb volumes.
Vol. 1— Bird Neighbors. Vol. 6— Butterflies. Vol.11 — Trees.
Vol. 2— Game Birds. Vol. 7— Moths. Vol. 12 — Frogs.
Vol. 3 — Bird Homes. Vol. 8 — Insects. Vol. 13 — Reptiles.
Vol. 4 — Animals. Vol. 9 — Wild Flowers Vol. 14 — Mosses and Lichens
Vol. 5— Fishes. Vol. 10— Mushrooms. Vol. IS— Shells.
TEAR OFF HERE
DOUBLEDAV, PAGE & CO.,
133 East i6th Street, New York, U.S.
Please send me descriptive circulars and full details of your new
plan for -the purchase of your Nature Library. I understand you
offer most favorable terms.
O. Nat.
GRAVES BROS, f'ne hardware
Large Assortment of Fishing and other Sporting Goods.
Camp Supplies.
COR. SPARKS AND METCALFE STREETS, OTTAWA.
FILING
SYSTEMS
Office Furniture and Equipment in Wood and Steel.
143 SPARKS ST.
THE OFFICE SPECIALTY MFG. CO., Ltd.
^^4THe^
London Leather
The famous "CROSS Leather
is universally accepted as the
acknowledged standard of ex-
cellence and is sold in Canada
exclusively by
HENRY BIRKS AMD SONS
Limited.
When in want of High Grade Furniture
Call and See Our Stock
AGENTS for the Celebrated
CREX PRAIRIE GRASS FURNITURE
And OSTERMOOR MATTRESSES
STEWART & CO,
34 Rideau Street
Just Below the Bridge
WE DEAL WITH OUR ADVERTISERS
James Hope & Sons
Booksellers, Stationers
Bookbinders, Printers
Sparks St. Ottawa
J.G.BUTTERWORTH&Co.
ALL-RAIL SCRANTON COAL
HAS NO EQUAL
86 SPARKS STREET, OTTAWA
THE C. C. RAY CO. Ltd.
BEST
QUALITY
LOWEST
PRICE
COAL
58 SPARKS ST. Jt Phone 461
BP TORONTO GENERALTRUST8
CORPORATION.
J\ Qumr Of a Century's
Successful administration of ESTATES
ranging in value from S500 to $5,000,000
each, is the best guarantee that you may
confidently name as your EXECUTOR
and TRUSTEE this Corporation
JAMES DAVEY, Manager
Ottawa Branch:
Cor. SPARKS and ELGIN STS.
CHARLES WATT
specialist in
Phone ARTISTIC HARDWARE
1350 AND
KITCHEN FURNISHINGS
Bank & Somerset Streets
American Entomological Go.
Dealers in
Insects and Entomological
Supplies
The only makers of the genume Schmitt
Insect Boxes. Manufacturers of Cabinets and
Cases for Insect Coiiections, and ci the
American Entomological Company
Insect Pins
Supply List Ko. 7 and List of Kntomolosrioal PuMlrations
for sale just out. Write for It. Insect List No. 6 still in force
GEORGE FRANCK, Manager
55 Stuyvesant Av., BROOKLYN, n.y
Publisher of
Views of Ottawa
Phone
902
Books on
Nature Study
C H. THORBURN
Books & Stationery
8o SPARKS STREET, OTTAWA
R. McGIFFlN
MEN'S FURNISHINGS
} OTTAWA
io6 Sparks Street
24 Rideau Street
GEO. H. HOPPER,
Groceries and Dairy Produce
Phone 1967
395 BANK ST., Cor. Waverley, OTTAWA
m SMITH PREMIER
The World's ^
Best Typewriter
E. R. McNeill, Agent
35 QUEEN ST., OTTAWA
HENRY J. SIMS & Co.
Furriers and Hatters
110-112 SPARKS ST. ■ OTTAWA.
MASSON'S
SHOES
72 Sparks Street, Ottawa
That Eve Strain ^^^^^^i^^^ musgrove's dispensary
Ai*Mi, 1-^jw ^"Uli* by graduate optician 212 BANK STREET
Zbc Ottawa jrielt)*1Ratura lists' Club, 1908»»1909
patron:
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE EARL GREY,
GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF CANADA.
presiDent :
A. E. Attwood, M.A.
lOicespresi&ente :
A. Halkett. Rev. G. Eifrig.
Xibratian :
Sccrctatg:
T. E. Clarke, B.A.
(470 O'Connor Street).
Mr. J. M. Macoun.
Mr. H. H. Pitts.
Mr. E. E. Lemieux.
Mr. Alex. McNeil.
C. H. Young.
Committee :
treasurer:
Arthur Gibson,
(Central Experimental Farm).
Mr. L. H. Newman.
Miss Q. Jackson.
Miss E. E. Currie.
Miss M. B. Williams.
HuDitorg :
R. B. Whyte. F. T. Shutt.
Standing Committees of Council:
Publishing: A. Gibson, J. M. Macoun, H. H. Pitts, L. H. Newman. Alex.
McNeil, Miss Q. Jackson.
Excursions: G. Eifrig, E. E. Lemieux, T. E. Clarke, C. H. Young,
A. McNeil, Miss E. E. Currie.
Soir6es: A. Halkett, H. H. Pitts, J. M. Macoun, E. E. Lemieux, L. H.
Newman, Miss M. B. Williams.
XeaOcrs :
Geology: H. M. Ami, W. J. Wilson, W. H. Collins, M. F. Connor,
M. Wilson.
Botany: J. Fletcher, John Macoun, D. A. Campbell, S. B. Sinclair, A.
McNeil, L. H. Newman, T. E. Clarke.
Entomology: W. H. Harrington, J. Fletcher, A. Gibson, C. H. Young, J. W.
Baldwin.
Conchology: J. F. Whiteaves, F. R. Latchford, J. Fletcher, S. E. O'Brien.
Ornithology: G. Eifrig, W. T. Macoun, A. G. Kingston, A. H. Gallup, H. F.
Tufts.
Zoology: E. E. Prince, A. Halkett, W. S. Odell, E. E. Lemieux.
ArchcBology: T. W. E. Sowter, J. Ballantyne.
Meteorology: Otto Klotz, A. E. Attwood, D. A. Campbell, A. McNeil.
THE OTTAWA NATURALIST
Tlctincj BOttor:
Arthur Gibson, (Central Experimental Farm.)
?l960ciate JEOitors:
Dr. H. M. Ami, Geological Survey of Canada. — Department of Geology.
Dr. J. F. Whiteaves, Geological Survey of Canada.— Dept. of Palceon-
tology.
Dr. Jas. Fletcher, Central Experimental Farm. — Botany & Nature Study.
Hon. F. R. Latchford. — Department of Conchology.
Mr. W. H. Harrington, Post Office Department. — Dept. of Entomology.
Rev. G. Eifrig, 210 Wilbrod St.— Dept. of Ornithology.
Prof. E. E. Prince, Com. of Fisheries for Canada. — Dept. of Zoology.
Dr. Otto Klotz — Dept. of Meteorology.
Membership Fee to O.F.N.C>, with "Ottawa Naturalist,"
$1 .OO per> annum
NOVEMBER, 1908
VOL. XXn, No. 8
THE
OTTAWA
NATURALIST
Published by The Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club.
CONTENTS.
PAOB
The Importance of Nature Study, with some suggestions as to
Methods, By J. F. Power, M.A. 145
Some Bird Habits. By Norman Criddle. - - - - - 153
Council Meeting. - - 157
The Cotton-tail Rabbit in Ontario. By J. H. Fleming. - - 158
Excursions : Central Experimental Farm ; Beaver Meadow
and Fairy Lake ; McKay's Lake. 168
Notes : Worm-eating Warbler in Ontario ; Nesting of Bar-
tramian Sandpiper; Cypripedium arietinum on Shore of
Lake Erie ; Unusual nesting habit of Slate-colored
Junco; Extension of the Range of Peronyscus Michi-
ganensis; Black-fruited Thorn in Ontario. _ - - 163
ISSUED NOVEMBER 2, 1908
OTTAWA. CANADA ;
Thb Rolla L Crain Co. Limited
Wellington St.
finttrtd at tk« Ottawa Post Office as second clast malttr.
WE DEAL WITH OUR ADVERTISERS
JAMES OGILVY,
o
o
OC ;)
O OQ
:)^
OQ O
Q
UJ
(0
o
s
CM
Ul
a:
Bookseller, Stationer and Publisher
63 Sparks St.
THE
JAlxVlO BOOKSTORE"
157 Bank St. Phone 732
"THE
BOOKSTORE" SELLS
GOOD BOOKS
"Merit" placed ALLEN & COCHRANE
THE RED CROSS DRUGGISTS at
the head in the drug business of
Ottawa — on mei^it they seek your
trade. 3 stores, Ottawa, Canada
ASK FOR OUR CELEBRATED
FLOOR AND HOUSE
PAINTS
MADE IN OTTAWA
OTTAWA PAINT WORKS
Phone 395 138 Bank St.
Lnmnitedl
SLEEPING
BAGS
OTTAWA AND
Factory . HULL,
WINNIPEG,
StLK TENTS
Wholesale Manufacturers
Lumbermen's and Contractors' Supplies,
Outfitting Survey Parties,
Exploration and Outing Parties of any kind,
A Specialty
For Quotations
PHONE 3512
Ottawa Sample Room,
Canadian Buildingr. Phone 4463
ROONEY & COOPER
TAILORS
(Ladies and Gentlemen)
Your Patronage
Solicited
67 Sparks Street
Ottawa
THE BANK OF OTTAWA
Head Office and Main Branch
Wellington Street, Ottawa
LOCAL BRANCH OFFICES
Cor. Bank and Gloucester Sts.
Cor. Bank and Gladstone Ave.
Cor. Bank and Fourth Ave.
Rideau Street '
Somerset Street
Main Street, Hull, Que.
At each of the above named offices, savings
accounts may be opened with a deposit of $1
and upwards, on which interest will be al-
lowed.
A. ROSENTHAL & SONS, LTD.
JEWELLERS AND
OPTICIANS
Goldsmith's Hall
Ottawa
R. H. KENNY & CO.
HIGH CLASS
TAILORS
96 Bank Street Ottawa
INSURE IN
Mutual Life of Canada
H. MOONEY & SON
General Agents
III Sparks Street Ottawa
EVERYTHING NEW IN WALL PAPER
R STEWART 224-226 bank streetj^-,-, ^.
701 somerset street/ O^ lAWA.
Library Bureau of Canada
HEAD OFFICE— 201 QUEEN ST.. OTTAWA. ONT.
BRANCHES — Toronto, Montreal and Winnipeg.
Inventors of the Card System,
.__ . , .,^.,. , Special Insect Cases
Vertical Filing and and Natural History
_. -.- -^ . Cabinets made to
various Office Devices. order.
BRYSON, GRAHAM & CO
SELL EVERYTHING
— ^
TheRolla L Grain Co.
LIMITED
Printers, Bookbinders and
Loose-Leaf Manufacturers
1 174-6-8 WELLINGTON ST. Jt OTTAWA, ONTARIO j
I HE NEW NATURE LIBRARY
Now complete in 15 large superb volumes.
Vol. 1— Birrl Neighbors. VoL 6— Butterflies. Vol. 11 — Trees.
Vol. 2— rrame Birds. Vol. 7— Moths. Vol. 12— Frogs.
Vol. 3— Bird Homes. Vol. 8 — Insects. Vol. 13 — Reptiles.
Vol. 4 — Animals. Vol. 9 — Wild Flowers Vol. 14 — Mosses and Lichens.
Vol. 5 — Fishes. Vol. 10 — Mushrooms. Vol. IS — Shells.
TEAR OFF HERE
DOUBLEDAV, PAGE & CO.,
133 East i6th Street, New York, U.S.
Please send me descriptive circulars and full details of your new
plan for the purchase of your Nature Library. I understand you
offer most favorable terms.
O. Nat.
GRAVES BROS, f'ne hardware
Large Assortment of Fishing and other Sporting Goods.
Camp Supplies.
COR. SPARKS AND METCALFE STREETS, OTTAWA.
FILING
SYSTEMS
Oftlce Furniture and Equipment in Wood and Steel.
THE OFFICE SPECIALTY MFG. CO., Ltd. "^ ^^,^^^f. ^^•
^^4THe^
London Leather
The famous "CROSS Leather
is universally accepted as the
acknowledged standard of ex-
cellence and is sold in Canada
exclusively by
HENRY BIRKS AND SONS
Limited.
When in want of High Grade Furniture
Call and See Our Stock
AGENTS for the Celebrated
CREX PRAIRIE GRASS FURNITURE
And 03TERM00R MATTRESSES
STEWART & CO.
34 Rideau Street
Just Below the Bridge
WE DEAL WITH OUR ADVERTISERS
James Hope & Sons
Booksellers, Stationers
Bookbinders, Printers
Sparks St. Ottawa
J.G.BUTTERWORTH&Co.
ALL-RAIL SCRANTON COAL
HAS NO EQUAL
86 SPARKS STREET, OTTAWA
THE C. C. RAY CO. Ltd.
BEST f^ /^ A T LOWEST
QUALITY t. ^1 f r\ I ^ PRICE
58 SPARKS ST. jX Phone 461
I^^ TORONTO GENERAL TRUSTS
CORPORATION.
J\ Quarter of a Century's
Successful administration of ESTATES
ranging in value from $500 to $5,000,000
each, is the best guarantee that you may
confidently name as your EXECUTOR
and TRUSTEE this Corporation
JAMES DAVEY, Mana^y
Ottawa Branch:
Cor. SPARKS and ELGIN STS.
CHARLES WATT
specialist in
Phone ARTISTIC HARDWARE
13S0 AND
KITCHEN FURNISHINGS
Bank & Somerset Streets
American Entomologiaal Co.
Dealers in
Insects and Entomological
Supplies
The only makers of the genuine Schmitt
Insect Boxes. Manufacturers of Cabinets and
Cases for Insect Coiiections, and cf the
American Entomological Company
Insect Pins
Supply List No. 7 ami List of Entomoloifical Publication
for sale just out. Write for it. Insect List No. 6 still in force
GEORGE FRANCK, Manager
SSStuyvesant Av., BROOKLYN, n.y
Publisher of
Views of Ottawa
Phone
902
Books on
Nature Study
C. H. THORBURN
Books & Stationery
8o SPARKS STREET, OTTAWA
R. McGIFFIN
MEN'S FURNISHINGS
io6 Sparks Street 1
24 Rideau Street
OTTAWA
GEO. H. HOPPER,
Groceries and Dairy Produce
Phone 1967
395 BANK ST., Cor. Waverley, OTTAWA
ILE SMITH PREMIER
The World's j»
Best Typewriter
E. R. McNeill, Agem
35 QUEEN ST., OTTAWA
HENRY J. SIMS & Co.
Furriers and Hatters
110-112 SPARKS ST. - OTTAWA.
MASSON'S
SHOES
72 Sparks Street, Ottawa
U
>
5
c
H
k
2
W
0
k
2
That Eve Strain ^t^^^^f'S^ musgrove's dispensary
1 llUt X^JfV k-'""lAl ^jyg^^j^j^tg^p^j^j^jj 212 BANK STREET
Ebe Qtttixosi jrtel^«•Vlatura^0t0' Club, 1908^1909
patron:
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE EARL GREY,
GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF CANADA.
president :
A. E. Attwood, M.A.
IPice-pregiOents :
A.
Halkett. Rev. G. Eifrig.
Xibrarian :] ^
C. H. Young. "
Secretary:
^Treasurer:
T. E. Clarke, B.A.
Arthur Gibson,
(470 O'Connor Street).
(Central Experimental Farm)
Committee :
Mr. J. M. Macoun.
Mr. H. H. Pitts.
Mr. L. H. Newman.
Miss Q. Jackson.
Mr. E. E. Lemieiix.
Miss E. E. Currie.
Mr. Alex. McNeil.
Miss M. B. Williams.
HuOitore :
R. B. Whyte. F. T. Shutt.
Standing Committees of Council :
Publishing: A. Gibson, J. M. Macoim, H. H. Pitts, L. H. Newman. Alex.
McNeil, Miss Q. Jackson.
Excursions: G. Eifrig, E. E. Lemieux, T. E. Clarke, C. H. Young,
A. McNeil, Miss E. E. Currie.
Soiries: A. Halkett, H. H. Pitts, J. M. Macoun, E. E. Lemieux, L. H.
Newman, Miss M.»B. Williams.
XeaOers :
Geology: H. M. Ami, W. J. Wilson, W. H. Collins, M. F. Connor,
M. Wilson.
Botany: J. Fletcher, John Macoun, D. A. Campbell, S. B. Sinclair, A,
McNeil, L. H. Newman, T. E. Clarke.
Entomology: W. H. Harrington, J. Fletcher, A. Gibson, C. H. Yovmg, J. W.
Baldwin.
Conchology: J. F. Whiteaves, F. R. Latchford, J. Fletcher, S. E. O'Brien.
Ornithology: G. Eifrig, W. T. Macoun, A. G. Kingston, A. H. Gallup, H. F.
Tufts.
Zoology: E. E. Prince, A. Halkett, W. S. Odell, E. E. Lemieux.
Archeology: T. W. E. Sowter, J. Ballantyne.
Meteorology: Otto Klotz, A. E. Attwood, D. A. (Campbell, A. McNeil.
THE OTTAWA NATURALIST
Hcting £Ditor:
Arthur Gibson, (Central Experimental Farm.) ^ '
HsBociate £Ditord:
Dr. H. M. Ami, Geological Survey of Canada. — Department of Geology.
Dr. J. F. Whiteaves, Geological Survey of Canada. — Dept. of Palaeon-
tology.
Dr. J as. Fletcher, Central Experimental Farm. — Botany & Nature Study.
Hon. F. R. Latchford. — Department of Conchology.
Mr, W. H. Harrington, Post Office Department. — Dept. of Entomology.
Rev, G. Eifrig, 210 Wilbrod St.— Dept. of Ornithology.
Prof. E, E. Prince, Com. of Fisheries for Canada. — Dept. of Zoology.
Dr. Otto Klotz — Dept. of Meteorology.
Mambepship Fee to O.F.N.C., with "Ottawa Naturalfst,"
$1.00 per annum
DECEMBER, 1908
VOL. XXII, No. 9
THE
OTTAWA
NATURALIST
Published by The Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club.
CONTENTS.
PAOS
Observations on Seedlings of North American Phsenogamous
Plants. By Theo. Holm, Brookland, D.C. - - - 165
Blue Birds of the Maritime Provinces. By W. H. Moore, Scotch
Lake, N.B. - - 174
Is Rhus glabra in Canada? By E. L. Greene, U.S. Nat. Museum,
Washington, D.C. - ' - - - - - - - 179
Zoological Notes for 1908. By J. F. Whiteaves - - - - 182
Dioscorea villosa at Sarnia. By W. A. Dent, Sarnia, Ont. - - 184
Notes : The occurrence of the American Woodcock in Manitoba ;
Entomological Society of Ontario; The Flowering-rush;
A Woodpecker at a Show; The Early Wake-robin;
Squirrel eating a Bird ; Notice of death of Dr. James Fletcher 185
ISSUED DECEMBER 8, 1908.
OTTAWA. CANADA -. ''Sv"^^*"''^^-/
Thb Rolla L Grain Co. Limited ^ yffl m, Ol "'
Wellington St.
StUtred at the Ottawa Post Office as second class malttr.
WE DEAL WITH OUR ADVERTISERS
JAMES OGILVY,
Bookseller, Stationer and Publisher
63 Sparks St.
THE
J -^■'^ * ■■• ^ BOOKSTORE"
157 Bank St. Phone 732
"THE
BOOKSTORE" SELLS
GOOD BOOKS
((
Merit" placed ALLEN & COCHRANE
THE RED CROSS DRUGGISTS at
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ROONEY & COOPER
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LOCAL BRANCH OFFICES
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At each of the above named offices, savings
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A. ROSENTHAL & SONS, LTD.
JEWELLERS AND
OPTICIANS
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R. H. KENNY & CO.
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INSURE IN
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H. MOONEY & SON
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EVERYTHING NEW IN WALL PAPER
P. STEWART
224''- 226
701 SOM
BANK STREETj^-,^ ....
ERSET street}^ A lAWA.
Library Bureau of Canada
HEAD OFFICE— 201 QL'EEN ST., OTTAWA. ONT.
BRANCHES— Toronto. Montreal and Winnipeg.
Inventors of the Card System,
__ , , __.,. , Special Insect Cases
Vertical Filing" and and Natural H.Story
/-N/-/- T^ • Cabinets made to
various Office Devices. order.
BRYSON, GRAHAM & CO
SELL EVERYTHING
The Rolla L. Grain Co.
LIMITED
Pfinter.-i, Bookbinders and
Loose-Leaf Manufacturers
V 174-6-8 WELLINGTON ST. j* OTTAWA, ONTARIO )
mE NEW NATURE LIBRARY
Now complete in 15 large superb volumes.
Vol. 1— Bird NeiRhbors. Vol. 6— Butterflies. Vol. 11 — Trees.
Vol. 2— Game Birds. Vol. 7 — Moths. Vol.12 — Frogs.
Vol. 3 — Bird Homes. Vol. 8 — Insects. Vol. 13 — Reptiles.
^'ol. 4 — Animals. Vol. 9 — Wild Flowers Vol. 14 — Mosses and Lichens.
Vol. 5 — Fishes. Vol. 10 — Mushrooms. Vol. IS — Shells.
TEAR OFF HERE
DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & CO.,
133 East i6th Street, New York, U.S.
Please send me descriptive circulars and full details of your new
plan for the purchase of your Nature Library. I understand you
offer most favorable terms.
O. Nat.
GRAVES BROS, fine hardware
Large Assortment of Fishing and other Sporting Goods.
Camp Supplies.
COR. SPARKS AND METCALFE STREETS, OTTAWA.
FILING
SYSTEMS
Office Furniture and Equipment in Wood and Steel.
143 SPARKS ST.
I'll. Ill,- ,m:;,-,.
THE OFFICE SPECIALTY MFG. CO., Ltd.
^^4THe^
London LeAittER
The famous "CROSS Leather
is universally accepted as the
acknowledged standard of ex-
cellence and is sold in Canada
exclusively by
HENRY eiRKS AND SONS
Lknited.
When in want of High Grade Furniture
Call and See Our Stock
AGENTS for the Celebrated
CREX PRAIRIE GRASS FURNITURE
And 03TERM00R MATTRESSES
STEWART & CO.
34 Rideau Street
Just Below the Bridge
WE DEAL WITH OUR ADVERTISERS
James Hope & Sons
Booksellers, Stationers
Bookbinders, Printers
Sparks St. Ottawa
03
0
On
0
H
J.G.BUTTERWORTH&Co.
ALL-RAIL SCRANTON COAL
HAS NO EQUAL
86 SPARKS STREET, OTTAWA
THE C. C. RAY CO. Ltd.
BEST C^ C^ A T LOWEST
QUALITY y,'^ ' r\ I ^ PRICE
58 SPARKS ST. ^ Phone 461
* TORONTO GENERAL TRUSTS
CORPORATION.
7{ Quarter of a Century's
Successful administration of ESTATES
ranging in value from $500 to $5,000,000
each, is the best guarantee that you may
confidently name as your EXECUTOR
and TRUSTEE this Corporation
JAMES DAVEY, Manager
Ottawa Branch:
Cor. SPARKS and ELGIN STS.
CHARLES WATT
specialist in
Phone ARTISTIC HARDWARE
13S0 AND
KITCHEN FURNISHINGS
Bank & Somerset Streets
American Entomological Co.
Dealers in
Insects and Entomological
Supplies
The only makers of the genume Schmitt
Insect Boxes. Manufacturers of Cabinets and
Cases for Insect Collections, and cf the
American Entomological Company
Insect Pins
Supply List No. 7 and Listof Entomolosrical Publli-atlon
for sale Just out. Write for it. Insect List No. 6 still in fore
GEORGE FRANCK, Manager
5SS<uyvesant Av., BROOKLYN, n.y
Publisher of
Views of Ottawa
Phone
902
Books on
Nature Study
C H. THORBURN
Books & Stationery
80 SPARKS STREET, OTTAWA
R. McGIFFIN
MEN'S FURNISHINGS
106 Sparks Street
24 Rideau Street
}
OTTAWA
GEO. H. HOPPER,
Groceries and Dairy Produce
Phone 1967
395 BANK ST., Cor. Waverley, OTTAWA
m SMITH PREMIER
The World's ^
Best Typewriter
E. R. McNeill, Agent
35 QUEEN ST., OTTAWA
HENRY J. SIMS & Co.
Furriers and Hatters
110-112 SPARKS ST. - OTTAWA.
MASSON'S
SHOES
72 sparks Street, Ottawa
d
>
c
M
H
That Eve Strain ETes'LSrf^ri'o^f^^Se musgrove's dispensary
J ** by graduate optician 212 BANK STREET
z
GD
^ 0
0
0
2
iCbe ©ttawa 3rtelt)^"naturali6t0' Club, 1908^1909
patron:
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE EARL GREY.
GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF CANADA.
president :
A. E. Attwood, M.A.
Vice^predidents:
A. Halkett. Rev. G. Eifrig.
Xibrarian :]
C. H. Young.
Secretarfi: ^Treasurer:
^•,n A-o^^""^®'. ^•^- Arthur Gibson,
WO O Connor Street). (Central Experimental Farm).
Committee :
^^- J; ¥; Macoun. Mr. L. H. Newman.
Mr. H. H. Pitts.
Mr. E. E. Lemieux.
Mr. Alex. McNeil.
Miss Q. Jackson.
Miss E. E. Currie.
Miss M. B. Williams.
HuOftorg :
R. B. Whyte. F. T. Shutt.
Standing Committees of Council:
P«&/»5/»*ng.-A. Gibson, J. M. Macoun, H.H.Pitts, L.H.Newman. Alex.
„ . McNeil, Miss Q. Jackson.
Excursions: G. Eifrig, E. E. Lemieux. T. E. Clarke, C. H. Young,
A. McNeil, Miss E. E. Currie.
Sotries: A. Halkett, H. H. Pitts, J. M. Macoun, E. E. Lemieux, L. H.
Newman, Miss M. B. Williams.
Xea&era :
Geology: H. M. Ami, W. J. Wilson, W. H. Collins, M. F. Connor,
M. Wilson.
Botany: J. Fletcher, John Macoun, D. A. Campbell, S. B. Sinclair. A.
McNeil, L. H. Newman, T. E. Clarke.
Entomology: W. H. Harrington, J. Fletcher, A. Gibson, C. H. Young, J. W.
Baldwin.
Conchology: J. F. Whiteaves, F. R. Latchford, J. Fletcher, S. E. O'Brien.
Orntthology: G. Eifrig, W. T. Macoun, A. G. Kingston, A. H. Gallup, H. F.
Tufts.
Zoology: E. E. Prince, A. Halkett. W. S. Odell, E. E. Lemieux.
ArchcBology: T. W. E. Sowter. J. Ballantyne.
Meteorology: Otto Klotz, A. E. Attwood, D. A. Campbell, A. McNeil.
THE OTTAWA NATURALIST
acting EDitor:
Arthur Gibson, (Central Experimental Farm.)
associate BOitors:
Dr. H. M. Ami. Geological Survey of Canada. — Department of Geology.
Dr. J. F. Whiteaves, Geological Survey of Canada. — Dept. of Paleon-
tology.
Dr. Jas. Fletcher, Central Experimental Farm. — Botany & Nature Study .
Hon. F. R. Latchford. — Department of Conchology.
Mr. W. H. Harrington, Post Office Department. — Dept. of Entomology.
Rev. G. Eifrig, 210 Wilbrod St. — Dept. of Ornithology.
Prof. E. E. Prince, Com. of Fisheries for Canada. — Dept. of Zoology.
Dr. Otto Klotz — Dept. of Meteorology.
Membership Fee to OtF.N.C, with "Ottawa Naturalist, "
$1.00 per annum
JANUARY, 1909
VOL. xxn, Ho. 10
THE
OTTAWA
NATURALIST
Published by The Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club.
JAMES FLETCHER, LL.D.
MEMORIAL NUMBER
Tributes by Mr. A. E. Attwood, Lieut. -Col. W. White, Dr. W. Saunders,
Mr. W. H. Harrington, Mr. R. B. Whyte, Mr. Arthur Gibson,
Prof. John Macoun, Dr. H. M. Ami, Mr. Frank T.
Shutt, Rev. G. Eifrig, Mr. E. R. Cameron,
Mr. T. J. MacLaughlin, Mr. W. J.
Topley and Dr. S.B.Sinclair.
ISSUED JANUARY 12, 1909.
OTTAWA, CANADA;
The Rolla L. Grain Co. Limited
Wellingtom St.
KtUfre-i at the Ottawa Post Office as seaond class matter.
^^iy.
WE DEAL WITH OUR ADVERTISERS
Ul
OC
o
Ui (0
OC ;)
O CQ
^^
OQ O
Q
(0
o
CM
UJ
JAMES OGILVY,
Bookseller, Stationer and Publisher
63 Sparks St.
JARVIS'
157 Bank St.
"THE
BOOKSTORE"
Phone 732
"THE BOOKSTORE" SELLS
GOOD BOOKS
"Merit" placed ALLEN & COCHRANE
THE RED CROSS DRUGGISTS at
the head in the drug business of
Ottawa — on merit they seek your
trade. 3 STORES, OTTAWA, CANADA
ASK FOR OUR CELEBRATED
FLOOR AND HOUSE
PAINTS
MADE IN OTTAWA
OTTAWA PAINT WORKS
Phone 395 138 Bank St.
w
Lnmnitedl
SLEEPING
BAGS
OTTAWA A.O WINNIPEG,
Factory . HULL.
SILK TENTS
Wholesale Manufacturers
Lumbermen's and Contractors' Supplies,
Outfitting Survey Parties,
Exploration and Outing Parties of any kind,
A. Specinlty
For Quotations
PHONE 3512
Ottawa Sample Room,
Canadian Buildingr. Phone 4463
ROONEY & COOPER
TAILORS
(Ladies and Gentlemen)
Yoiir Patronage
Solicited
67 Sparks Street
Ottawa
THE BANK OF OTTAWA
Head Office and Main Branch
Wellington Street, Ottawa
LOCAL BRANCH OFFICES
Cor. Bank and Gloucester Sts.
Cor. Bank and Gladstone Ave.
Cor. Bank and Foiirth Ave.
Rideau Street
Somerset Street
Main Street, Hiill, Que.
At each of the above named offices, savings
accounts may be opened with a deposit of $1
and upwards, on which interest will be al-
lowed.
A. ROSENTHAL & SONS, LTD.
JEWELLERS AND
OPTICIANS
Goldsmith's Hall
Ottawa
R. H. KENNY & CO.
HIGH CLASS
TAILORS
96 Bank Street Ottawa
INSURE IN
Mutual Life of Canada
H. MOONEY & SON
General Agents
III Sparks Street Ottawa
EVERYTHING NEW IN WALL PAPER
P. STEWART "4-226 BANK STREET!
— -^— — ^— — 701 SOMERSET STREET) OTTAVV A.
Library Bureau of Canada
HEAD OFFICE— 201 QUEEN ST.. OTTAWA, ONT.
BRANCHES — Toronto, Montreal and Winnipeg.
Inventors of the Card System,
Special Insect Cases
Vertical Filing" and and Natural History
Cabinets made to
various Office Devices. order.
BRYSON, GRAHAM & CO.
SELL EVERYTHING
The Rolla L Grain Co.
LIMITED
Printers, Bookbinders and
Loose-Leaf Manufacturers
174-6-8 WELLINGTON ST. ^ OTTAWA, ONTARIO^
THE NEW NATURE LIBRARY
Now complete in 15 large superb volumes.
Vol. 1-Bird Neighbors. Vol. 6-Butterflies. Vol. H-Tree^.
Vol. 2-Game Birds. Vo - 7-Moths \o • 2 brogs
■i7„i ■! Rjrrl Homes Vol. S — Insects. Vol. IJ — Keptiies.
Vo ■ i-An^als Vol. Q-Wild Flowers Vol. 14-Mosses and Lichens.
Vol: S^FiXs. Vol. I0-M«shrooms. Vol. IS-Shells.
TEAR OFF HERE
DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & CO.,
133 East i()th Street, New York, U.S.
Please said me descriptive circulars and full details of your new
plan for the purchase of your Nature Library. I understand you
offer nwst favorable terms.
O. Nat.
GRAVES BROS, f'ne hardware
Large Assortment of Fishing and other Sporting Goods.
Camp Supplies.
COR. SPARKS AND METCALFE STREETS, OTTAWA.
FILING
SYSTEMS
Office Furniture and Equipment in Wood and Steel.
THE OFFICE SPECIALTY MFG. CO., Ltd. '^•' f^^^^ st.
^^4THe^
London Leather
The famous "CROSS" Leather
is universally accepted as the
acknowledged standard of ex-
cellence and is sold in Canada
exclusively by
HENRY BIRKS AND SONS
Limited.
When in want of High Grade Furniture
Call and See Our Stock
AGENTS for the Celebrated
CREX PRAIRIE GRASS FURNITURE
And OSTERVIOOR MATTRESSES
STEWART & CO.
34 Rideau Street
Just Below the Bridge
WE DEAL WITH OUR ADVERTISERS
James Hope & Sons rsr.Sr Sparks St. Ottawa
o
0
J.G.BUTTERWORTH&Co.
ALL-RAIL SCRANTON COAL
HAS NO EQUAL
86 SPARKS STREET, OTTAWA
THE C. C. RAY CO. Ltd.
BEST C^ C^ A T LOWEST
QUALITY V^VyXXj-^ PRICE
58 SPARKS ST. jt Phone 461
I^^ORONTO GENERAL TRUSTS
CORPORATION.
Jf Quarter of a Century's
Successful administration of ESTATES
ranging in value from $500 to $5,000,000
each, is the best guarantee that you may
confidently name as your EXECUTOR
and TRUSTEE this Corporation
JAMES DAVEY, Manager
Ottawa Branch:
Cor. SPARKS and ELGIN STS.
CHARLES WATT
specialist in
Phone ARTISTIC HARDWARE
1350 AND
KITCHEN FURNISHINGS
Bank & Somerset Streets
American Entomological Go.
Dealers in
Insects and Entomological
Supplies
The only makers of the genuine Schmitt
Insect Boxes. Manufacturers of Cabinets and
Cases for Insect Coiiections, and cf the
American Entomological Company
Insect Pins
Supply List No. 7 and Listof EDtomological Publication
for sale Just out. Write for it. Insect List No. 6 still in fore
GEORGE FRANCK, Manager
SSStuyvesant Av., BROOKLYN, n.y
Publisher of
Views of Ottawa
Phone
902
Books on
Nature Study
C. H. THORBURN
Books & Stationery
80 SPARKS STREET, OTTAWA
R. McGIFFIN
MEN'S FURNISHINGS
} OTTAWA
106 Sparks Street
24 Rideau Street
GEO. H. HOPPER,
Groceries and Dairy Produce
Phone 1967
395 BANK ST., Cor. Waverley. OTTAWA
™ SMITH PREMIER
The World's ^
Best Typewriter
E. R. McNeill, Agem
35 QUEEN ST, OTTAWA
HENRY J. SIMS & Co.
Furriers and Hatters
110-112 SPARKS ST. - OTTAWA.
MASSON'S
SHOES
72 Sparks Street, Ottawa
H
i
>
d
>
M
c
M
That Eye strain -"'^^^"-^'"'''"^^^'^^
z
^ n
0
Eyes tested free of charge
by graduate optician
MUSGROVE'S DISPENSARY
212 BANK STREET
JLbc ©ttawa JtelD^'Waturaliets' Club, 1908*- 1909
patron:
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE EARL GREY,
GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF CANADA.
predtdent :
A. E. Attwood, M.A.
Vice«pre0tl>entd :
A. Halkett, Rev. G. Eifrig.
Xlbratian :
C. H. Young.
SectetatB: XTrcaeuret:
T~. E. Clarke, B.A. Arthur Gibson,
(470 O'Connor Street). (Central Experimental Farm).
Committee :
Mr. J. M. Macoun.
Mr. H. H. Pitts.
Mr. E. E. Lemieux.
Mr. Alex. McNeil.
Mr. L. H. Newman.
Miss Q. Jackson.
Miss E. E. Currie.
Miss M. B. Williams.
HuOitorg :
R. B. Whyte. F. T. Shutt.
StanDitid Committees of Council:
PM6«5Wng.-A.Gibson,J.M. Macoun, H.H.Pitts, L.H.Newman. Alex
McNeil, Miss Q. Jackson.
Excursions: G. Eifrig, E. E. Lemieux, T. E. Clarke, C. H. Young,
A. McNeil, Miss E. E. Currie.
Soiries: A. Halkett, H. H. Pitts, J. M. Macoun, E. E. Lemieux, L. H.
Newman, Miss M. B. Williams.
Xeadetd :
Geology: H. M. Ami, W. J. Wilson, W. H. Collins, M. 'F. Connor,
M. Wilson.
Botany: J. Fletcher, John Macoun, D. A. Campbell, S. B. Sinclair, A.
McNeil, L. H. Newman, T. E. Clarke.
Entomology: W. H. Harrington, J. Fletcher, A. Gibson, C. H. Yotmg, J. W.
Baldwin.
Conchology: J. F. Whiteaves, F. R. Latchford, J. Fletcher, S. E. O'Brien.
Ornithology: G. Eifrig, W. T. Macoun, A. G. Kingston, A. H. Gallup, H. F.
Tufts.
Zoology: E. E. Prince, A. Halkett, W. S. Odell, E. E. Lemieux.
ArchcBology: T. W. E. Sowter, J. Ballantyne.
Meteorology: Otto Klotz, A. E. Attwood, D. A. Campbell, A. McNeil.
THE OTTAWA NATURALIST
Beting BOitot:
Arthur Gibson, (Central Experimental Farm.)
?l00ociate Editors :
Dr. H. M. Ami, Geological Survey of Canada. — Department of Geology.
Dr. J. F. Whiteaves, Geological Survey of Canada. — Dept. of Palaeon-
tology.
Dr. Jas. Fletcher, Central Experimental Farm. — Botany & Nature Study.
Hon. F. R. Latchford. — Department of Conchology.
Mr. W. H. Harrington, Post Oface Department.— Dept. of Entomology.
Rev. G. Eifrig, 210 Wilbrod St. — Dept. of Ornithology.
Prof. E. E. Prince, Com. of Fisheries for Canada. — Dept. of Zoology.
Dr. Otto Klotz — Dept. of Meteorology.
Membership Fee to O.F.N.C., with "Ottawa Naturalist,"
$1 .00 pep annum
FEBRUARY, 1909
VOL. xxn, No. 11
THE
OTTAWA
NATURALIST
Published by The Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Observations on Seedlings of North American Phaenogamous Plants
' By Theo. Holm, Brookland, D.C. ----- 235
Gall Midges of the Goldenrod. By E. P. Felt, State Entomologist,
Albany, N.Y. ---_-_--- 244
New Members -----.____ 249
Meeting of Botanical Branch --__..- 249
Review: Fishes of Ontario -------- 251
Note: Pure White Calypso borealis ------ 254
ISSUED FEBRUARY b. 1909.
OTTAWA. CANADA •
The Rolla L. Grain Co. Limited
Wellington St
Bnttred at the Ottawa Pout Oflici' as second class mattrr.
WE DEAL WITH OUR ADVERTISERS
JAMES OGILVY,
Bookseller, Stationer and Publisher
63 Sparks St.
JARVIS'
157 Bank St.
"THE
BOOKSTORE"
Phone 732
"THE BOOKSTORE" SELLS
GOOD BOOKS
"Merit" placed ALLEN & COCHRANE
THE RED CROSS DRUGGISTS at
the head in the drug business of
Ottawa — on merit they seek your
trade. 3 STORES, Ottawa, Canada
ASK FOR OUR CELEBRATED
FLOOR AND HOUSE
PAINTS
MADE IN OTTAWA
OTTAWA PAINT WORKS
Phone 395 138 Bank St.
LnDnnnited
SLEEPING
BAGS
OTTAWA AND
, Factory . HULL.
WINNIPEG,
SILK TENTS
Wholesale Manufacturers
Lumbermen's and Contractors' Supplies,
Outfitting Survey Parties,
Exploration and Outing Parties of any kind,
A. Specialty
For Quotations
PHONE 3512
Ottawa Sample Room,
Canadian Building:. Phone 4463
ROONEY & COOPER
TAILORS
(Ladies and Gentlemen)
Your Patronage
Solicited
67 Sparks Street
Ottawa
THE BANK OF OTTAWA
Head Office and Main Branch
Wellington Street, Ottawa
LOCAL BRANCH OFFICES
Cor. Bank and Gloucester Sts.
Cor. Bank and Gladstone Ave.
Cor. Bank and Fourth Ave.
Rideau Street
Somerset Street
Main Street, Hull, Que.
At each of the above named offices, savings
accounts may be opened with a deposit of $1
and upwards, on which interest will be ^-
lowed.
A. ROSENTHAL & SONS, LTD.
JEWELLERS AND
OPTICIANS
Goldsmith's Hall
Ottawa
R. H. KENNY &: CO.
HIGH CLASS
TAILORS
96 Bank Street Ottawa
INSURE IN
Mutual Life of Canada
H. MOONEY & SON
General Agents
III Sparks Street Ottawa
EVERYTHING NEW IN WALL PAPER
P. STEWART
224^226 BANK STREET) -.^^-,,,-
701 SOMERSET STREET! OJ^TAvv A.
Library Bureau of Canada
HEAD OFFICE— 201 QUEEN ST., OTTAWA. ONT
BRANCHES — Toronto, Montreal and Winnipeg.
Inventors of the Card System,
Vertical Filincr anH Special insect Cases
V CI ncdi ruing ana ^^^ Natural History
various Office Devices. o^rSer^'" ""^^^ '"^
BRYSON, GRAHAM & CO.
SELL EVERYTHING
TheRolla L Grain Co.
LIMITED
Printers, Bookbinders and
Loose-Leaf Manufacturers
V^174-6-8 WELLINGTON ST. ^ OTTAWA, ONTARIO
THE NEW NATURE LIBRARY
Now complete in 15 large superb volumes.
^r°}- i~?""^ ^T?f^i''^°'^- Vol. 6— Butterflies. Vol. 11— Trees
|S =|S'„ri |?,:tKi. ^.\i=S^„.
- TEAR OFF HERE
DOUBLEDAY. PAGE & CO.,
133 East i6th Street. New York, U.S.
Please send me descriptive circulars and full details of your new
plan for the purchase of your Nature Library. I understand you
offer most favorable terms. ^
O. Nat.
GRAVES BROS.
FINE HARDWARE
Large Assortment of Fishing and other Sporting Goods.
Camp Supplies.
COR. SPARKS AND METCALFE STREETS, OTTAWA.
FILING
SYSTEMS
Office Furniture and Equipment in Wood and Steel.
THE OFFICE SPECIALTY MFG. CO., Ltd. ^" f^^i ^'^^
^^ATHe^
London Leather
The famous "CROSS" Leather
is universally accepted as the
acknowledged standard of ex-
cellence and is sold in Canada
exclusively by
HENRY BIRKS AND SONS
Limited.
When in want of High Grade Furniture
Call and See Our Stock
AGENTS for the Celebrated ...
CREX PRAIRIE GRASS FURNITURE
And OSTERMOOR MATTRESSES
STEWART & CO.
34 Rideau Street
Just Below the Bridge
WE DEAL WITH OUR ADVERTISERS
James Hope & Sons riwS,prr Spai-ks St. Ottawa
J.G.BUTTERWORTH&Co.
ALL-RAIL SCRANTON COAL
HAS NO EQUAL
86 SPARKS STREET, OTTAWA
Ltd.
LOWEST
PRICE
THE C. C RAY CO.
BEST C^C^ A T
QUALITY v^vyxi-j-^
58 SPARKS ST. ^ Phone 461
I^^ TORONTO GENERAL TRUSTS
CORPORATION.
H Quarter of a Century's
Successful administration of ESTATES
ranging in value from $500 to $5,000,000
each, is the best guarantee that you may
confidently name as your EXECUTOR
and TRUSTEE this Corporation
JAMES DAVEY, Manag:er
Ottawa Branch:
Cor. SPARKS and ELGIN STS.
CHARLES WATT
specialist in
Phone ARTISTIC HARDWARE?
1350 AND
KITCHEN FURNISHINGS
Bank & Somerset Streets
American Entomological Go.
Dealers in
Insects and Entomological
Supplies
The only makers of the genuine Schmitt
Insect Boxes. Manufacturers of Cabinets and
Cases for Insect Coliections, and cf the
American Entomolog^ical Company
Insect Pins
Supply List No. 7 and List of Entomolosrlcal PuWIfatlon
for sale just out. Write for it. Insect List No. 6 still in fore
GEORGE FRANCK, Manager
SSStuyvesant Av., BROOKLYN, n.y
Publisher of
Views of Ottawa
Phone
902
Books on
Nature Study
C H. THORBURN
Books & Stationery
80 SPARKS STREET, OTTAWA
R. McGIFFIN
MEN'S FURNISHINGS
106 Sparks Street
24 Rideau Street
}
OTTAWA
GEO. H. HOPPER,
Groceries and Dairy Produce
Phone 1967
395 BANK ST., Cor. Waverley. OTTAWA
ILE SMITH PREMIER
The World's ^
Best Typewriter
E. R. McNeill, Agent
35 QUEEN ST, OTTAWA
HENRY J. SIMS & Co.
Furriers and Hatters
110-112 SPARKS ST. - OTTAWA.
MASSON'S
SHOES
72 sparks Street, Ottawa
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That Eve Strain f^i^^^^^^'i^^ musgrove's dispensary
l.llUt X^jrV ^liUl 11 by graduate optician 212 BANK STREET
^be ©ttawa jrielD^-IRaturaliste' Club, 1908^1909
Secretary:
T. E. Clarke, B.A.
(470 O'Connor Street).
patron:
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE EARL GREY,
GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF CANADA.
preslDcnt :
A. E. Attwood, M.A.
IDtceslprestOents:
A. Halkett. Rev. G. Eifrig.
librarian :
C. H. Young.
r. T. M.
r. H. H.
Mr. H. H. Pitts.
Mr. E. E. Lemieux-
Mr. Alex. McNeil.
treasurer :
Arthur Gibson,
(Central Experimental Farm).
Committee :
Mr. L. H. Newman.
Miss Q. Jackson.
Miss E. E. Currie.
Miss M. B. Williams.
RuOitors:
R. B. Whyte. F. T. Sbutt.
Standing aommitteeg of Council:
Publishing: A. Gibson, J. M. Macoun, H. H. Pitts, L. H. Newman. Alex
McNeil, Miss Q. Jackson.
Excursions: G. Eifrig, >E. E. Lemieux, T. E. Clarke, C. H. Young,
A. McNeil, Miss E. E. Currie.
Soiries: A. Halkett. H. H. Pitts, J. M. Macoun, E. E. Lemieux, L. H.
Newman, Miss M. B. Williams.
XeaOers:
Geology: H. M. Ami, W. J. Wilson, W. H. Collins, M. F. Connor,
M. Wilson.
Bo^an)/.- J. Fletcher, John Macoun, D.A.Campbell, S. B. Sinclair, A.
McNeil, L. H. Newman, T. E. Clarke.
Entomology: W. H. Harrington, J. Fletcher, A. Gibson, C. H. Young, J. W,
Baldwin.
Conchology: J. F. Whiteaves, F. R. Latchford, J. Fletcher, S. E. O'Brien.
Ornithology: G. Eifrig, W. T. Macoun, A. G. Kingston, A. H. Gallup, H. F.
Tufts.
Zoology: E. E. Prince. A. Halkett, W. S. Odell, E. E. Lemieux.
ArchcBology: T. W. E. Sowter. J. Ballantyne.
Meteorology: Otto Klotz. A. E. Attwood, D. A. Campbell, A. McNeil.
THE OTTAWA NATURALIST
Hcting lEOitot:
Arthur Gibson, (Central Experimental Farm.)
Associate lEOitors:
Dr. H. M. Ami, Geological Survey of Canada. — Department of Geology.
Dr. J. F. Whiteaves, Geological Survey of Canada. — Dept. of Palaeon-
tology.
Dr. Jas. Fletcher, Central Experimental Farm. — Botany & Nature Study.
Hon. F. R. Latchford. — Department of Conchology.
Mr. W. H. Harrington, Post Office Department. — Dept. of Entomology.
Rev. G. Eifrig, 210 Wilbrod St. — Dept. of Ornithology.
Prof. E. E. Prince, Com. of Fisheries for Canada. — Dept. of Zoology.
Dr. Otto Klotz — Dept. of Meteorology.
Membership Fee to O.F.N.C., with "Ottawa Naturalist,"
$1.00 per annum
THE
MARCH, 1909
VOL. XXn, No. 12
OTTAWA
NATURALIST
Published by The Ottawa Field-NaturaUsts' Club.
CONTENTS.
Notes on a Thread-Legged Bug. By H. F. Wickham - - - 255
The Late Dr. James Fletcher. By J. R. Anderson - - - 257
Epigaea repens in Waterloo County. By W. Herriot - - - 259
Caribou on the Queen Charlotte Islands. By J. H. Keen , - 260
The Burrowing Owl. By E. P. Venables - - - - - 261
Meetings of the Council ....... 261
Birds Observed at Ottawa, Ont., Winter 1908-1909. By G. Eifrig 262
Meetings of the Botanical Branch ----._ -265
Note : An Early Bat -___ .___ 266
Index 267
ISSUED MARCH 12. 1909.
OTTAWA, CANADA;
Fhb Rolla L. Grain Co. Limited /Q^
Wellington St. /J^ i*.-
KfUtrtd cU th» Ottawa Post Offiot as second class matter. |UJ I \,\ ^ "
WE DEAL WITH OUR ADVERTISERS
JAMES OGILVY,
Bookseller, Stationer and Publisher
63 Sparks St.
Hi
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O OQ
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I-
J-**--KVl0 BOOKSTORE"
157 Bank St. Phone 732
"THE BOOKSTORE" SELLS
GOOD BOOKS
"Merit" placed ALLEN & COCHRANE
THE RED CROSS DRUGGISTS at
the head in the drug business of
Ottawa — on merit they seek your
trade. 3 STORES, OTTAWA, CANADA
ASK FOR OUR CELEBRATED
FLOOR AND HOUSE
PAINTS
MADE IN OTTAWA
OTTAWA PAINT WORKS
Phone 395
138 Bank St.
n
9
Lnmnttedl
SLEEPING
BAGS
OTTAWA »"- WIMHIPEC,
Factory . HULL.
SILK TENTS
Wholesale Manufacturers
Lumbermen's and Contractors' Supplies,
Outfitting Survey Parties,
Exploration and Outing Parties of any kind,
A. Specialty
For Quotatiorts
PHONE 3512
Ottawa. Sample Room,
Canadian Buildingr. Phone 4463
ROONEY & COOPER
TAILORS
(Ladies and Gentlemen)
Your Patronage
Solicited
67 Sparks Street
Ottawa
THE BANK OF OTTAWA
Head Office and Main Branch
Wellington Street, Ottawa
LOCAL BRANCH OFFICES
Cor. Bank and Gloucester Sts.
Cor. Bank and Gladstone Ave.
Cor. Bank and Fourth Ave.
Rideau Street
Somerset Street
Main Street, Hull, Que.
At each of the above named offices, savings
accounts may be opened with a deposit of $1
and upwards, on which interest will be al-
lowed.
A. ROSENTHAL & SONS, LTD.
JEWELLERS AND
OPTICIANS
Goldsmith's Hall
Ottawa
R. H. KENNY & CO.
HIGH CLASS
TAILORS
96 Bank Street Ottawa
INSURE IN
Mutual Life of Canada
H. MOONEY& SON
General Agents
III Sparks Street Ottawa
0
D
CO
0
r
0
D
CD
EVERYTHING NEW IN WALL PAPER
P. STEWART -J-'.l^s'yV |;|||?1 OTTAWA.
Library Bureau of Canada
HEAD OFFICE— 201 QUEEN ST., OTTAWA, ONT
BRANCHES — Toronto, Montreal and Winnipeg.
Inventors of the Card System,
T7- i-* 1 i-«'i' 1 Special Insect Cases
Vertical Filing and and Natural History
i-^r/^ T^ • Cabinets made to
various Office Devices. order.
BRYSON, GRAHAM & CO
SELL EVERYTHING
The Rolla L. Grain Co.
LIMITED
Printers, Bool^binders and
Loose-Leaf Manufacturers
V 174-6-8 WELLINGTON ST. ^ OTTAWA, ONTARIO /
THE NEW NATURE LIBRARY
Now complete in 15 large superb volumes.
Vol.1 — Bird Neighbors. Vol.6 — Butterflies. Vol.11 — Trees.
Vol.2 — Game Birds. Vol.7 — Moths. Vol.12 — Frogs.
Vol. 3 — Bird Homes. Vol. 8 — Insects. Vol. 13 — Reptiles.
Vol. 4 — Animals. Vol. 9 — Wild Flowers Vol. 14 — Mosses and Lichens.
Vol. 5— Fishes. Vol. 10 — Mushrooms. Vol. 15— Shells.
TEAR OFF HERE -^
DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & CO.,
133 East 1 6th Street, New York, U.S.
Please send me descriptive circulars and full details of your new
plan for the purchase of your Nature Library. I understand you
offer most favorable terms.
O. Nat.
GRAVES BROS, f'ne hardware
Large Assortment of Fishing and other Sporting Goods.
Camp Supplies.
COR. SPARKS AND METCALFE STREETS, OTTAWA.
FILING
SYSTEMS
Office Furniture and Equipment in Wood and Steel.
THE OFFICE SPECIALTY MFG. CO., Ltd. "' fl^i st.
^^4THe^
London Leather
The famous "CROSS Leather
is universally accepted as the
acknowledged standard of ex-
cellence and is sold in Canada
exclusively by
HENRY BIRKS AND SONS
Limited.
When in want of High Grade Furniture
Call and See Our Stock
AGENTS for the Celebrated
CREX PRAIRIE GRASS FURNITURE
And OSTERMOOR MATTRESSES
STEWART & CO,
34 Rideau Street
Just Below the Bridge
M^£ DEAL WITH OUR ADVERTISERS
James Hope & Sons
Booksellers. Stationers
Bookbinders, Printers
Sparks St. Ottawa
J.G.BUTTERWORTH&Co.
ALL-RAIL SCRANTON COAL
HAS NO EQUAL
86 SPARKS STREET, OTTAWA
THE C. C. RAY CO. Ltd.
BEST r^r^ A T LOWEST
QUALITY \^\JJr\.l.^ PRICE
58 SPARKS ST. ^ Phone 461
I^^ TORONTO GENERAL TRUSTS
CORPORATION.
n Quarter of a Century's
Successful administration of ESTATES
ranging in value from $500 to $6,000,000
each, is the best guarantee that youimay
confidently name as your EXECUTOR
and TRUSTEE this Corporation
JAMES DAVEY, Manager
Ottawa Branch:
Cor. SPARKS and ELGIN STS.
CHARLES WATT
specialist in
Phone ARTISTIC HARDWARE
1350 AND
KITCHEN FURNISHINGS
Bank & Somerset Streets
American Entomological Go.
Dealers in
Insects and Entomological
Supplies
The only makers of the genmne Schmitt
Insect Boxes. Manufacturers of Cabinets and
Cases for Insect Collections, and cf the
American Entomological Company
Insect Pins
Supply List No. 7 and List of Kntomolostical Publlj-atlon
for sale Just out. Write for 't. Insect List No. fi still in fore
GEORGE FRANCK, Manager
SSStuyvesant Av., BROOKLYN, n.Y
Publisher of Phone
Views of Ottawa 902
Books on
Nature Study
C. H. THORBURN
Books & Stationery
80 SPARKS STREET, OTTAWA
R. McGJFFIN
MEN'S FURNISHINGS
106 Sparks Street 1 OTTAWA
24 Rideau Street J
GEO. H. HOPPER,
Groceries and Dairy Produce
Phone 1967
395 BANK ST., Cor. Waverley, OTTAWA
m SMITH PREMIER
The World's ^
Best Typewriter
E. R. McNeill, Agent
35 QUEEN ST., OTTAWA
HENRY J. SIMS & Co.
Furriers and Hatters
110-112 SPARKS ST. - OTTAWA.
MASSON'S
SHOES
72 Sparks Street, Ottawa
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>
S3
C
Z
GD
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W
0
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2
TU ^ r ^ e*^«:r> «" be relieved by glasses. MUSGROVE'S DISPENSARY
That Eye Strain ir^^^viv^L^-^- '^^^^ n» bane ^t^et
^be ©ttawa Jielt)**MaturaIi9t0' Club, 1908*1909
patron:
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE EARL GREY,
GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF CANADA.
IPreslDent :
A. E. Attwood, M.A.
lt)ice»ipresiOcntB:
A. Halkett. Rev. G. Eifrig.
Xtbcarian :
C. H. Young.
Secceurg: Creagutet:
T. E. Clarke. B.A. Arthur Gibson,
(470 O'Connor Street). (Central Experimental Farm).
dommlttee :
Mr. J. M. Macoun. Mr. L. H. Newman.
Mr, H. H. Pitts. Miss Q. Jackson.
Mr. E. E. Lemieux.
Mr. Alex. McNeil.
Miss E. E. Currie.
Miss M. B. Williams.
HuOltore :
R. B. Whyte. F. T. Shutt.
StanDing CommlttceB of Council:
PMWti/itwg.- A. Gibson, J. M. Macoun, H.H.Pitts, L.H.Newman. Alex.
McNeil, Miss Q. Jackson.
Excursions: G. Eifrig, E. E. Lemieux, T. E. Clarke, C. H. Young,
A. McNeil, Miss E. E. Currie.
Soirees: A. Halkett. H. H. Pitts, J. M. Macoun, E. E. Lemieux, L. H
Newman, Miss M. B. Williams.
XeaOers :
Geology: H. M. Ami, W. J. Wilson, W. H. Collins. M. F. Connor
M. Wilson.
5o<o«>'; J. Fletcher, John Macoun. D.A.Campbell, S. B. Sinclair, A.
McNeil, L. H. Newman, T. E. Clarke.
Entomology: W. H. Harrington, J. Fletcher, A. Gibson, C. H. Young, J. W.
Baldwin.
Conchology: J. F. Whiteaves, F. R. Latchford, J. Fletcher, S. E. O'Brien.
Ornithology: G. Eifrig, W. T. Macoun, A. G. Kingston, A. H. Gallup, H. F.
Tufts.
Zoology: E. E. Prince, A. Halkett, W. S. Odell, E. E. Lemieux.
Archaeology: T. W. E. Sowter, J. Ballantyne.
Meteorology: Otto Klotz, A. E. Attwood, D. A. Campbell, A. McNeil.
THE OTTAWA NATURALIST
2Hcting lEDttor:
Arthur Gibson, (Central Experimental Farm.)
Hssoctate BDUorS:
Dr. H. M. Ami, Geological Survey of Canada. — Department of Geology.
Dr. J. F. Whiteaves, Geological Survey of Canada. — Dept. of Palceon-
tology.
Dr. Jas. Fletcher, Central Experimental Farm. — Botany& Nature Study.
Hon. F. R. Latchford. — Department of Conchology.
Mr. W. H. Harrington, Post Office Department. — Dept. of Entomology.
Rev. G. Eifrig, 210 Wilbrod St. — Dept. of Ornithology.
Prof. E. E. Prince, Com. of Fisheries for Canada. — Dept. of Zoology.
Dr. Otto Klotz — Dept. of Meteorology.
Membership Fee to O.F.N.C., with "Ottawa Naturallat,"
$1.00 per annum
APR, 1943
^;
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