HARVARD UNIVERSITY.

LIBRARY

OF THE

MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY.

VXATTA-

BULLETIN

OF THE

liiiui iisnti SMisn

OF

NEW BRUNSWICK.

asro- II-

CONTENTS.

List of Officers of the Society 2

Art. I. Lacustrine Formation of Torryburn Valley, by G. F.

Matthew, A. M., with Dr. T. F. Alienas Notes on

the Characeae 3

Art. II. Botany of the Upper St. John, by G. U Hay 21

Additions to New Brunswick Flora, for 1882 32

Note on Linaria Cymbalaria, by J. Vroom 38

Art. III. Ornithological Notes, by M. Chamberlain 39

Appendix :

Summary of Meetings 43

Report of Council 45

List of Donations 47

Standing Committees 50

New Members 5J

PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY.

SAINT JOHN, N. B.

Pbinted by the Sun Publishing Company.

1883.

BULLETIN

OF THE

OF

NEW BRUNSWICK.

3STO. II-

CONTENTS.

List of Officers of the Society 2

A7't. I. Lacustrine Formation of Torryhurn Valley ^ by G. F,
Matthew^ A. 3L, with Dr. T. F. AlleFs Notes on

the Characeae 3

Art II. Botany of the Upper St. John, by G. U. Hay 21

Additions to New Brunswick Flora, for 1882 32

Note on Linaria Cymbalaria, by J. Vroom 38

A^'t. HI. Ornithological Not^y by M. Chamberlain 39

Appendix :

Summary of Meetings 43

Report of Council 45

List of Donations 47

Standing Committees 50

New Members 51

PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY,

SAINT JOHN, N. B.

Printed by the Sun Publishing Company.

1883.

OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY FOR \Sm.

President '

LeB. Botsford, M.- D,
Vice-Presidents :

G, F, Matthew^ M. A. George V, Hay,

Treasurer /

James A. Estey.

Recording Secretary:

G. Ernest Fairweather.

Corresponding Secretary :
H C. Allison, M. I).

Librarian :

W. J. Wilson.

Curators :

M, Chamberlain, Robert Chalmers, Harold Gilbert.
Members of Council:

W. F. Coleman, M. D., R. Penniston Starr, VV'. F. Best.

BULLETIN

OF THF

NO. II.-1883.

ARTICLE I.

LACUSTRINE FORMATION OF TORRYBURN VALLEY.

BY G. F. MATTHEW, A. M., F. R. S. C.

With Dr. T. F. AlleFs Notes on the Characeae.

While much attention has been given by Geologists to the deposits
of the early and middle part of the Quaternary period in North-
Eastern America, there is a part of this great cycle of time about
which we have yet a great deal to learn, and which is of especial
interest as forming the connecting link between Quaternary and
Recent Time. The interest fell in this part of the geological record
is enhanced by the fact that the deposits yield the earliest traces of
man — for it is probably to this period that the gravels of Trenton,
New Jersey, containing the rude stone implements of a primitive
race belong.

The Boulder clay and Leda clay which were formed in
Quaternary times have been closely investigated, and much is
known of the animals which inhabited the seas and shores of
North-Eastern America in the Leda clay or C-hamplain epoch. Even
the vegetation of the land can be described in a general way with con-
siderable accuracy, but of the succeeding Terrace epoch the biological
history is very imperfectly known. The deposits of the Torryburn
Valley, five miles N. E. of Saint John, supply an important link in
this part of the geological chain ; and the period in the Terrace epoch

4 Bulletin of the Natural History Society.

when this valley was elevated above the sea and occupied by fresh-
water lakes, can be indicated with considerable exactness.

The time when the Torryburn deposits began may be arrived at
from the following considerations :

The raised beaches and sand flats of the Terrace period in this
region, which are of Quaternary age and form the connecting link
with the Torryburn deposits, contain but few mementoes of the Life
of those times. The “ Saxicava sands” of the St. Lawrence Valley
which were formed in the Terrace epoch, and were once sand flats
along the sides of that valley, are characterized by the remains of the sea
shells, Saxicava rugosa ( arctica ), and Tellina ( Macoma J yroenlandica;
but in the corresponding deposit near Saint John the former of
these shells is to a great extent replaced by the Common clam ( Mya
a,renaria)^ so that it becomes a “ Mya” or “ Macoma” rather than a
“ Saxicava sand.” Such deposits of the Terrace period can be traced
down to the present sea level, and there are indications that they
extend many fathoms below that line. From this we infer that the
sea at the close of the Terrace period had withdrawn far from the
present shore line and that the latest Terrace deposits are now con-
cealed from our view, by tlie return of the sea to its present level
along the coast. During the time when these changes of land and
sea were going on, the fresh-water deposit of the Torryburn Valley
was accumulating. It may be said, therefore, that the Champlain
epoch had passed away and the Terrace period was considerably
advanced when the first fresh-water beds were formed in the Torry-
burn lakes. In this part of Canada the Champlain or Leda clay
was deposited in ai sea which stood about 200 feet above the present
sea level ; and in that part of the succeeding Terrace period when
the divide of the Torryburn Valley was exposed by the rising of the
land, the sea had shoaled so far as to bring the land up to within
65 feet of its present level. Two important shore lines marked by
terraces, had already been raised above the water when the Torry-
burn lakes first appeared, and two others of equal importance mark
the slopes along the sea-shore, below the level of the summit of
Torryburn Valley; the 65 feet level may therefore be considered as
liolding a middle place in the Terrace epoch, if we suppose that
epoch to begin when the higher part of the Leda clay was a-wash
at the sea-level. But if the beginning of the Terrace period be

Lacustrine Formation of Torryburn Valley. 5

reckoned from the time when the latest of the Sax icava or Macoma sands*
began to be deposited on the Leda clay at the present sea level, then
the first of the Torryburn fresh-water deposits must be relegated to
the latter part of the Champlain epoch. It seems, however, more
correct to regard the Terrace period as overlapping the Champlain,
and therefore to consider the local deposits of Torryburn Valley
as beginning in the middle of the Terrace period.

In the Torryburn Valley there are three depressions which were
once occupied by ponds of water. Of these hollows, the southern
one was shallow and was soon silted up; another, the eastern, was
through the greater part of the Recent period occupied by a shallow
lakelet, but finally became dry. The third or central depression of
the valley was much deeper than the others ; it still holds the
reduced waters of a lake, which once rose to its rocky brim, and is
known as Lawlor’s Lake.

The geology and physical history of these basins is of much
interest in connection with the fresh-water deposits, and will be
described in a future article, but the following observations are
confined to a description of the fresh-water deposits only.

In the process of building the E. & N. A. (now the Intercolonial)
Railway, a heavy rock-cutting was made at the Western end of
Lawlor’s Lake, and about 13 feet in depth of its waters were drawn
off. By this means the beds of shell-marl which underlie the waters
of the lake were exposed to view, and attracted the attention of certain
members of this society. Samples of the marl containing fresh-
water shells were sent to the museum of Comparative Zoology at
Cambridge, and the peculiar varieties of a species of Valvata occurring
in them, attracted the attention of Prof. Alpheus Hyatt of Bos-
ton, who visited the Lake in 1877 for the purpose of examining the
marl. At his request I undertook to study the geology of the
deposit, in connection with his proposed work on the biology of the
mollusca which inhabit its waters and are found in the marl beds.

To investigate certain doubtful points which had come up, I found
it necessary to make more careful examinations than I at first
contemplated, and in the summer of 1880 and 1881, made collec-

* Macoma groenlandica is a small, lenticular, bivalve mollusc about the size of the human
thumb-nail, a variety of which, Macoma fusca, is now quite plentiful along the sandy
beaches of the Bay of Fundy.

2

6

Dtilletin of the Natural History Society.

tions of material from the base to the summit of the lacustrine
deposit. These collections which exhibit the whole series of layers
in the deposit, from the Saxicava or Macoma sand upward, have since
been examined in a general way, and a synopsis of the results obtained,
in so far as they relate to the Land vegetation, and the fresh-water
plants of the order Characeae^ are given in the following pages, together
with valuable notes on the Characese from the pen of Dr. T. F. Allen of
New York, a celebrated writer on these low forms of vegetable life.

As the investigation of the deposit of the lake is not yet com-
pleted, I shall only give at present a brief outline of the physical
aspect of the formation, chiefly to elucidate Dr. Allen’s notes on the
Characere.

Before my examination of the lake deposit it was not suspected
that any lacustrine beds other than the marls existed there, the
underlying clays being supposed to be marine ; but it was found
that the pure shell-marl formed relatively less than a half of the whole
lacustrine deposit, where it is accessible along the present margin of
the lake. Several pits were sunk through the fresh-water
deposit, and the most complete series of beds observed is that given
in the following section. The numbers indicate groups of beds
which have a common physical aspect, and the letters a thickness in
each case, with a few exceptions, of about 3 inches of the deposit.

No. 1 a Marine sandy clay (Saxicava or Macoma sand) with marine
molluscous remains of species found in the Upper Leda-clay and
Saxicava (Macoma) sand.

No. 1 h
No. ^ ah G
No. 3 a 6
No. 4 a 6

V Lacustrine clay.

No. ^ ah Lacustrine peat,

No. ^ ah G d 1 -D , 1

^0.1 abcde I Peaty marl,.

No. % ah G d e ) -r, i

AT n z. j > Fure marl, ,
No. ^ah Gdef g ) ’

17 inches.

3 “
25

36 “
81

The whole lacustrine deposit rests everywhere upon the Saxicava
sand which owing to the sheltered position in which it was accumu-
lated is largely mixed with clay, to this cause probably is to be

Laaistrine Formation of Torryburn Valley. 7

attributed the presence of such species as Balanus crenatus^ B.
Hameri and Mytilus edidis, common in the Upper Leda-clay but
which are also found in tlie marine beds immediately beneath the
lacustrine clay of Lawlor’s Lake. The passage from the marine to
the fresh-water part of the clays, though not obvious to the eye, can
be detected by a change in the s})ecific gravity of the clay, and this
will be found to be a useful method of separating the different parts
of a continuous deposit, partly of salt-water and partly of fresh-
water origin. At 16 the clay is about 1-10 lighter* than the
marine clay beneath, and in the next inch No, 2a is reduced so as
to be only two thirds of the weight of la. This change of density
in the clay is due to the introduction of organic matter, chiefly low
forms of vegetation which must have grown abundantly in the lake
after the exclusion of the sea. The vegetable matter is mostly
cellular tissue and not readily noticed except for the changed color
of the clay ; but its effect upon the weight of the clay can be at once
seen by comparing the speciflc gravities, of Nos. 3 and 4, which are
reddish clays like No. 16, with that of the marine bed No. la
which is only about a flfth heavier than these (Nos. 3 and 4.) The
large addition of vegetable matter in No. 5, by which the color of
the clay has been changed to olive grey, has a decided effect on the
specific gravity ; in the lower part of this division the weight is
one quarter less than the standard of the marine clays, and in the
upper part is not more than half. These weights do not express the
full difference in the actual weight (less the water) of these different
parts of the deposit when fresh ; for in drying No. 5 lost nearly one
quarter of its bulk, and No. 2 also lost in volume considerably.
The shrinkage is no doubt due to the large quantity of cellular algae
which these deposits contain. Such a marked difference between
the weight of marine and lacustrine clays in the successive, or
alternating beds of a deposit, is not to be looked for in larger basins,
but I have no doubt the rule will be found to hold good to an
appreciable degree in almost any fresh-water deposit formed in a
basin of moderate dimensions.

Div. 5 marks an important epoch in the history of the lake, for
at this period the influx of clay carried down by streams into the
lake was arrested, and the molluscan fresh-water fauna., of which
♦The weights given are those of air-dried samples of the deposit coarsely pulverized.

8

Bulletin of the Natural History Society.

only the faintest traces can be found in the clay beds, immediately
spread and occupied the waters of the lake. It is an interesting
subject of inquiry as to what caused this sudden and important
change in the condition of the lake and of the surrounding slopes.

The period during which the lacustrine clays were deposited was
one of rapid and momentous change in the fauna and flora of the
lake, being marked by the arrival and increase, and on the other
hand by the curtailment in numbers and probably the extinction of
species in quick succession. The part of the deposit above the peat,
in the accumulation of which a much longer period of time was
taken than was required for the clays, marks on the contrary
a quiescent period and was characterized by a slow and gradual
change in the fauna and flora.

One cause which may have had an important influence upon the
deposits made during the period of the Lacustrine clay, was the
condition of the surface of the land when Torryburn Yalley emerged
from the sea. The formation of terraces at various levels along the
sea-coast in this region during the Saxicava period shews that the
rise of the land from beneath the ocean at this time was not slow
and gradual, but was effected by spasmodic movements which at
once, or in a very short space of time, carried large areas of surface
above the sea. Such a movement between the time of the forma-
tion of the 100 and of the 50 feet terrace would have exposed the
steep hill-sides around Lawlor’s Lake, at that time covered with
marine clay, to the action of atmospheric agents ; there was no mat
of vegetation, nor covering of trees to absorb and retain moisture,
and the effect of rains and spring floods in sweeping a turbid deposit
into the lake can be readily understood. But the sudden cessation
of this mechanical deposit at No. 5 and its subsequent entire
exclusion from the lake is not so easily explained. Possibly an
improvement in the climate may have been influential in promoting
a more rapid growth of vegetation and in moderating the spring
floods — possibly artificial dams made on the stream which enters
the lake may have arrested the muddy waters in their course, and
prevented them from entering the lake until deprived of the clay
which they carried in suspension.

It would appear that the growth of the fresh-water plants was
subject to much vicissitude during the time when clayey sediment was

Lacustrine Formation of Tomyburn V alley. 9

pouring into the lake ; but as soon as this ceased, these plants
immediately took full possession of the lake in advance of the
arrival of the molluscan fauna, and even after this addition to the
living forms which peopled the lake, the lacustrine vegetation
formed a predominating element in the deposit made at its bottom.
After the arrival of the mollusca, however, the species of plants
were not all the same as those which lived in the lake before that
time, but included forms better suited to the clear, calcareous waters
in which the water-snails delighted. Such plants, too, as were now
in the lake had a better hold of their habitat, flourished in great
numbers, and the species were not replaced with the same rapidity as
their predecessors had been.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE CHARACE^.

The Charm participated in the conditions eftecting other portions of
the lacustrine vegetation, and their appearance in the lake at a
very early period is noticable and somewhat remarkable. These
plants are of a comparatively low order, and entirely aquatic in habit.
They live submerged in the water, their seeds are not adapted for being
wafted by the wind, and the disagreeable odour, which characterizes
the living plant, would repel many animals, which are active in pro-
pagating other plants, by transporting their seeds from place to place ;
yet a species of this genus was one of the earliest migrants into the
lake.

The permanency of Chara when it has once taken possession of a
sheet of water may be inferred from the fact that difierent species
flourish in lakes in the same neighborhood without intermixture for
(historically) long periods of time — a lake having one or more species
or varieties peculiar to itself. The early advent of Chara at Lawlor’s
Lake is therefore somewhat remarkable. It is true that some species
of this genus inhabit brackish water ; but the relations of Lawlor’s
Lake to the surrounding land show that at its emergence from the
sea, the transition from salt to fresh water conditions must have
been rapid, if not instantaneous.

Though the stems and leaves of Chara are perishable, the small
nucleus or spores, which are about the size of a minute pin-head, are
hard and durable ; and owing to the spiral strim or keels (due to the
impression of the spiral tubes of the sporangia or seed vessel) with

I o Bulletin of the Natural History Society.

which they are ornamented, are very striking objects under the
microscope. In the fossil condition these seeds are generally black,
with a smooth shining surface, and the keels are usually coated with
shining white crystals of calcareous salts. In the washings of the
marl and clay beds these minute seeds float to the sides of the vessel
and may be removed in great numbers. The seeds or spores though
comparatively scarce in the low*er divisions of the deposit, become
very numerous in Div. No. 6, and in Nos. 7, 8 and 9 they are found
in enormous numbers. They appear to be most numerous in the
middle portion of Nos. 7 and 8, respectively, and in the upper part of
No. 9. The species are distinguished by the form and size of the
spores, the number and distinctness of the stride or keels, &c.

Dr. Allen finds the spores of one species, which he identifies with
Chara coronata^ Ziz., as low down as the lower half of No. \h — the
very beginning of the fresh-water clay. This species I found to
increase in number in the upper part of No. 1, and the lower part
of No. 2, but in the upper 'two thirds of No. 2, and in the lower
half of No. 3, it appears to be scarce, as none were observed. It
reappears in considerable numbers in No. 4 and the lower third of
No. 5. This is the limit of the clayey sediment in the deposit, and
I did not detect it higher up. Dr. Allen, however, found examples
of what he considers the same species, “ though sparingly,” in the
higher numbers, 6, 7, 8 and 9. The species has left its remains most
abundantly in the lacustrine clay, and they are especially numerous
in those parts of the clay beds which are most heavily charged with
mineral matter of sedimentary origin. Its abundance in these beds
would seem to indicate that the species is partial to waters contain-
ing an abundance of argillaceous sediment. In the accompanying
wood cuts the first four figures, copied from drawings by Dr. Allen?
represent examples of this form of nucleus, arranged from left to
right as they are found at successively higher levels in the deposit :
the two last figures of the second row represent irregular forms, or
varieties of the same species.

Another species which Dr. Allen detected in samples from the
lower part of the lacustrine deposit is of small size, nearly globular,
and has from 6 to 7 keels. This nucleus was found in the lower
part of 26 and of 36 ; also in 4a and in 66, &c. Its range was
therefore much the same as that of the last named species. Dr.

Lacustrine Formation of Torryburn Valley.

Spores of Characese, Lawlor’s Lake.

12

Bulletin of the Natural History Society,

Spores of Characeae, Lawlor’s Lake.

Lacustrine Formation of Torryburn Valley. i 3

Allen says that this seed may belong to a Nitella^ perhaps N.
megacarpa Allen, as he knows of no Chara with similar nuclei. The
third row of figures, and the first two figures of the fourth row,
represent this species as drawn by Dr. Allen, and the forms are
arranged in ascending geological order from left to right, the oldest
being to the left in the third row.

The great bulk of the seeds of Chara found in the deposit belong
to a species which exhibits considerable diversity in the form and
markings of the nucleus. I did not find any form of this type
lower down than the top of No. 25 ; but Dr. Allen has detected it
in the upper part of 2a and the middle of 25. It would, therefore,
appear to be limited in the lacustrine clay, to that part which is
least charged with mineral matter, and even there it is very scarce.
It seems to have found difliculty in maintaining itself in a habitat
where C. coronata flourished ; but later in the history of the lake,
when the clayey sediment disappeared, it became immensely abun-
dant. The partiality of this species for clear water is very evident
in its increase and prevalence in the higher part of the lake deposit.
When G . coronata disappeared from the lower layers of the Lake
Peat, No. 5, this species immediately took its place, and at the top
layers of the peat its seeds had become numerous. In No. 6 the
seeds are quite common, and its prevalence in the lake seems to
have been accelerated rather than retarded by the spread of the
Molluscan fauna. This form of nucleus was long-elliptical-oblong
i with sharp keels or striae, generally about 12 in number, but varying
j from 10 to 13 in those preserved in the deposit above the Peat
^ (No. 5), though perhaps with more numerous ribs on the spores
I from the Lacustrine clay (No. 2, &c.). This nucleus, according to
Dr. Allen, has the character of C. fragilis Desv. Nos. 12 to 16
and No. 17 (end view) are the principal varieties of this form, and
are arranged in ascending order from left to right; Nos. 18 and 19
! are somewhat irregular forms of the same species.

Dr. Allen recognizes two other types of spores, one of which
is broadly oval and with ribs less prominent than those of the
C. fragilis form ; this occurs in No. 7c, &c., and has the characters
; oiC. intermedia A. Br., a species now living in the lake. This form
is figured in the last row on the wood cut. The other type of spore
referred to above is figured beside it, and is smooth, long-oval and

14

. j

i

Bulletin of the Natural History Society.

has faint, spiral striae or ribs. This Dr. Allen has not deter-
mined, but thinks it may be a variety of the last named species. !

DR. T. F. ALLEN’s NOTES ON THE CHARACE.F OF LAWLOR’S LAKE.

“In Xo. 16 are found the seeds of a Chara which with variations occur
in most of the numbers, though sparingly in the higher numbers
(7, 8 and 9). This form has seven prominent angles, varying to 6
and 8. Its length varies from 48026 to 63426, and its breadth from
408 to 48826. The accompanying drawings magnified 50 diameters
represent this form, (Figures Xo. 1 to 6.)

In Xos. 26l, 361, 4a and 66 and c. is a small globular form,
quite distinct ; angles usually six varying to 5 and 7, prominent ;
length 340 to 36526 breadth 315 to 34026 * slightly longer than broad
(Figures Xo. 7 to 11.)

From 2(T6 up through all the numbers is found a large, variable,
but definite form. The striae are numerous, from 11 to 14 in num-
ber, the angles prominent, sharp. Length 536 to 55026, breadth
390 to 512i6. Quite variable in form and size, but we have found
it impossible to distinguish definite characters, owing to the innu-
merable intermediate forms. The most pronounced forms are given
in Figures 12 to 20.

There is a form found now and then, especially in Xo. 6, with
very faint striae, but in other respects similar to the preceeding.

This form is given in Figures 21 and 22.

The recent Chara from the adjacent pond (Lawlor’s Lake) belongs
to the species Chara intermedia, A. Br., probably to variety Ameri-
cana, A. Br., but as it is immature (in the sample sent) the seeds
cannot be inspected. •

Note 1. — The first mentioned species belongs, doubtless, to a form
or forms of Chara coronata Ziz. This species is exceedingly varia-
ble in size and general appearance ; the seeds found in these deposits
approach closely to our common form, known as variety Schweinitzia,
but the angles are much more prominent and sharp, and its outline
and general appearance differ considerably. (Figs. 1 — 6).

Note 2. — The small globular seeds may belong to a Nitella; we
know of no Chara with similar nuclei. The species cannot be
determined, though from the character of the nuclei we might infer

Lacustrine Formation of Torryburn V alley. 1 5

their belonging to a species not unconmioii in that region (North-
Eastern North America), N. megacarjya, Allen, (Eigs. 7 — 11).

Xote 3. — The lai'ge black seeds may be classed in three groups,
the long and rather narrow, with sharp angles, (Figs. 12 — 18), the
broadly oval (Figs 19 and 20), and the oblong with very faint striae
(Figs. 21 and 22). The first group has the characters of C.fragilis’
Desv. ; the second of C. intermedia^ A. Br. (now living in the lake),
and the third cannot be determined accurately ; possibly it may be
a form of the latter class.

Note 4. — We do not discover any progressive change of form in the
nuclei from diflferent numbers (or divisions of the lacustrine deposit),
nor any characters which would lead us to suppose any of the nuclei
to belong to extinct species. The first form {C. coronata. probably)
has no exact counterpart among our existing species, but they are
not well known.”

NOTES ON THE LAND FLORA AND FAUNA.

Scattered through the various members of the lake deposit, but
more particularly abundant in the Clay, are fragments of wood,
bark, cones of evergreen trees, bud-scales and leaves, and fruits of
several species of Land plants. Among the earliest determinable
objects of this kind are the leaves of the American Fir [Abies hal-
samea): these leaves were not found plentifully, and are smaller than
the average of leaves of the firs now living in the neighborhood.
This species was not found so low down in the deposits of Lawlor’s
Lake as in those of the Eastern Basin.

The seeds of the European Cranberry (the small marsh cranberry)
{Vaccinium oxycoccus), has a wide range through the deposits of
Lawlor’s Lake, but is less plentiful in those of the Eastern Basin.
It was very plentiful throughout the layers of Div. 2, having first
appeared in Division No, 1. Throughout Nos. 3, 4 and 5, it is also
found, but above this becomes scarce. The appearance of this
species among the first in the lake deposit is quite in accordance
with Nature’s provisions for its propagation, — namely : the tough,
impervious skin of the fruit, the floating air-cells of the pulp, the
hard nut-like covering of the embryo, tkc.

In the Eastern Basin the remains of the Black Spruce {Abies
nigra.) were found at a lower level than in the deposits of Lawlor’s

I

1 6 Bidletin of the Natural History Society.

Lake, having been observed in Div. 2, but the numerous twigs and
branches of soft-wood trees buried in the Lacustrine clay at this
horizon are probably in part of this species. The leaves were
smaller than the average of those of living trees.

The Larch {Larix Americana) was also first detected in the
Eastern Basin, but occurs at a higher level in the Lake deposit.
In their slenderness, and the close approximation of the nodes to
which the leaves were attached, the twigs resemble those of trees
that grow in bogs, or wet land with a cold northern aspect.

The Sweet Gale [Myrica Gale), a bush with leaves that yield a
balsamic odor when crushed, was plentiful around the borders of
the Eastern Basin when the beds of No. 5 were deposited in the
Lake.

In the Eastern Basin at the horizon of No. 6 of Lawlor’s Lake
deposits, cones of the White Cedar [Thuja occidentalis) were first
observed — and the same basin at No. 7, contained remains of the
Yellow Bii'ch [Betula lutea), — a species of Willow and a number of
species of deciduous shrubs and trees, including Birch, Alder and
other kinds, still undetermined, grew around the Eastern Basin, or at
Lawlor’s Lake. Among species that grew in a pond in the former
was the Water Lily (Nuphar advenaf) and both sheets of water
were plentifully supplied with several species of Pond Weed
[Potamogeton).

The scarcity of the seeds of the Bog Cranberry in the bed above
the Lake peat. No. 5, appears to be connected with the appearance
in the Lake Basin of a grass, the seeds of which first appear in the
upper part of No. 5<x. These seeds increase rapidly in number, in
passing upward through No. 6, and in 6c are enormously abundant.
120 seeds have been counted in a cubic inch of this part of the deposit.
In their numbers are much reduced, and throughout No. 7 they
are about half as numerous as in No. 6c. In division 8 there is a
great falling off in the abundance of these seeds and throughout
No. 9 they are quite scarce. This grass must have grown in im-
mense quantities around the shores of the lake when the peaty
marl of Nos. 6 and 7 was being deposited. The appearance of this grass
was synchronous with the exclusion of turbid waters from the lake,
and its presence may have been connected with causes which led to
a change in the mineral composition of the deposit in the lake, for

Lamstrinc Formation of Torryburn Valley. 1 7

about this time appeared those primeval architects of the northern
streams.

THE BEAVERS.

No traces of these creatures have been observed below No. 5 ;
but at this horizon in the Eastern Basin minute chips of wood were
found, bearing marks of the teeth of a gnawing animal, and the
leaves of the deposit become papery, as if macerated in water,
showing that a pond had been formed in that part of the valley.
More decided indications of the presence of beaver appear in No. 7,
which contains fragments of branches of trees that have been
gnawed by these creatures. Similar gnawed sticks were found in
the deposit in Lawlor’s Lake at the horizon of the Peaty marl, (Nos.
6 — 7,) and further indications of their work in two beaver dams
at the West end of the lake. Of these dams the one at the outlet
of the lake has been nearly destroyed by the operations connected
with the building of the Intercolonial Railway : but the other is
perfect and extends down through Nos. 9, 8, 7 and 6 of the Lake
deposit. Along the lake front of this dam the two middle divisions,
Nos. 7 and 8, had been compacted into a dark, grey peaty mass, full
of sticks and twigs of ametiferous and coniferous trees. No. 5
also abounds with similar fragments of trees ; and with seeds^
glumes, spikes and culms of the grass referred to in a previous
paragraph, intermingled with seeds of pond weeds ; and contains
also cones of Black Spruce, and fragments of the tests of insects.

At the level of Div. 6 leaves of coniferous trees and of the
woodland Horse-tail [Equisetum sylvaticum)^ seeds of various plants
and a cone of the Larch tree were imbedded in the deposit. Here
also on the outer slope of the dam, the Molluscan fauna which had
invaded the lake becomes conspicuous, the dark loam of the dam
being speckled and blotched with scattered shells of water snails of
the genera Planorhisj Limnma and Valvata, as well as a few shells of
a little bivalve called Pisidium.

Similar remains with the addition of a Sphaerium among the
molluscs, and fragments of mosses, seeds of the Black Spruce, and
a greater variety of the seeds of other plants than occur below are
found in Div. 7. Leaves of the Sweet Gale which in the Eastern
Basin occur as low down as No. 5, were here found in No. 7.

1 8 Btdletin of the Natural History Society.

At the horizon of No. 8 the molluscs of the lake were found in
the greatest abundance. They were entangled among the twigs and
branches which abounded on the slope of the dam and include,
beside the genera mentioned above, a water-snail of the genus
Physa.

The remains of the molluscs bcome quite scarce in the next divi-
sion (No. 9) along the face of the dam, having been driven further
out into the lake by the accumulation of vegetable rubbish and de-
bris brought in by the beavers. But though fragments of the
branches of trees are quite plentiful in this part of the dam, the
layers are more sandy, and the specific gravity greater than that of
the underlying portions of the dam. This may have been owing either
to increased floods in the streamlet which here enters the lake, or to
the operations of the beavers in plastering the dam. The specific
gravity here is 1.4, but in the lower layers, (No. 6) in the front
slope of the dam is 1.08. In the foot and a half in depth of black
loam which forms the top of the dam the specific gravity was only
0.24. This portion was a})parently the part of the dam which stood
out of the water, was not permeated by miid, and became the
foundation for a vigorous growth of trees when the beavers were
driven from the lake.

About the slopes and ends of the dam grew the grasses, sedges,
horsetails and other herbaceous plants which have shed their seed so
plentifully into the lake, in its front ; and on the other side of the
dam was a small pond fed by a little rivulet (the only one which
enters Lawlor’s Lake) — where, no doubt, the habitations of these
intelligent creatures were built.

TRACES OF PRIMEVAL MAN.

Such was the home the beavers had made for themselves in this
secluded valley, providing for their own wants and at the same time
piotecting the interests of their molluscan neighbors in the lake.
It is to be feared, however, that their busy and peaceful home was
not free from the incursions of enemies. A small fragment of char-
coal found some distance beneath the surface in the deposits of the
Southern Basin tells, probably, of the presence of Man in this valley,
long before the advent of the English or the French Colonist, —
possibly even before the arrival of the “ Indian ” race, whom the

Lacustrine Formation of Torryburn Valley. 19

j European colonists found in })ossession of the country. The
I deposits of the Southern Basin did not begin to accumulate rapidly
I until the formation of the 50 feet terrace of the Saxicava period, and
! are younger than the earliest of the lacustrine beds. Their thick-
j ness is about seven feet, of which the lower four-and-a-half feet
I are clays and sands with occasional layers of brown peat. About
I six inches in depth from the top of these sandy clay beds the charcoal
was found. The upper two-and-a-half feet of the deposit consists of
dark brown and black peat which had accumulated after the basin
ceased to be flooded with water carrying muddy sediment, and was
converted into a swamp. Firs, cedars, alders and other bushes and
trees helped to build up a mass or vegetable matter apparently after
I man came upon the scene. And the beaver continued to build
[ during the same period in Lawlor’s Lake. They were not
I exterminated ; we do not know that they were even much disturbed
by their more powerful and dangerous rival in the art of construct-
ing dwellings.

CLIMATE OP ACADIA DURING THE RECENT PERIOD.

At the present day the climate of this region is very much milder
than it was during the Glacial or Boulder-clay period. How it be"
came ameliorated as time went on, is an interesting subject for inves-
tigation, and has to some extent been elucidated by the writings of
Dr. J. W. Dawson and others. The remains of marine animals en.
tombed in the Post-Pliocene deposits do not so clearly show this, as do
the remains of land plants, because they tell rather of the tempera-
ture of the sea and its currents, than of the warmth or dampness of
the air circulating over the land, or the influence of the sun in pro-
moting vegetable growth. By means of the plants remains of the
Champlain epoch Dr. J. W. Dawson has shewn that the climate of
the Ottawa valley during that period, was about as warm as the
southern coast of Labrador is at the present time.

All of the plants named by Dr. Dawson as occurring in the marine
clays of the Ottawa valley except the Balm of Gilead [Populus
halsamifera) might now be found growing freely in a wild state near
Saint John. There would, nevertheless, be many species of a more
southern range mingled with them, showing a more genial climate, but
I am inclined to think that the plants which occur in the lower part

20

Bulletin of the Natural History Society.

of the lacustrine beds of Lawlor’s Lake may be looked upon as having
a more northern facies than those of the upper part, or than those
living in this region at the present day. There is a prevalence in
the lower part of plants of High-northern distribution, as the Black
Spruce, the Fir, the White Birch and the small Bog Cranberry.
The Larch and the Sweet gale come in higher up in the beds and
the White Cedar, the Water Lily, the Alder and other broad
leaved shrubs and trees are found still later. But the apparent
absence of these plants from the lower deposits is not much to be
depended on as a proof that they were not growing here then ; and
it is to be noted that the Fir which is of a somewhat more southern
range than the Black Spruce is found at the base of the deposit and
must have been growing here when Lawlor’s Lake first emerged
from the sea.

In the stunted appearance of the plant remains found in the
lacustrine clay, there would nevertheless appear to be an indication
that the plants which grew upon the slopes around the lake when the
salt-water left it, were not so well nourished as those which clothed
its margin in later times. The leaves of both Spruce and Fir were
smaller and the twigs of the Larch were slenderer, and had the
projecting nodes to which the fascicles of leaves were attached,
smaller and more closely approximated than in individuals living in
similar situations at the present day.

Botany of the Upper St. J ohn.

21

BOTANY OF THE UPPER ST. JOHN.

BY G. U. HAY.

[Read before the Society, November 7th.]

In the course of two hasty visits to the upper St. John, the
first in the summer of 1879, and the second during the past summer,
I have been enabled to discover the whereabouts of some plants not
before found in the Province, and to extend the range of a con-
siderable number of species hitherto confined to a single locality, or
which are at least comparatively rare in this country. “ A page in
the Botany of the Upper St. John ” would perhaps be a more
modest title for the present paper, as a much more extended observa-
tion of the territory chiefly explored must be made before an accurate
account of its flora can be given.

I have noted in the following pages only such plants as are new and
rare to the Province. The journey in each case was made in mid-sum-
mer when forest and river bank were literally teeming with vegeta-
tion. The length of each trip, the short time for its accomplish-
ment, and its pleasures and difficulties were impediments to the slow
and careful work so necessary in the examination of any particular
territory. Then on the one hand the ferocious assaults of black flies
and mosquitoes, the labour of striking and folding tents, and pro-
viding for material wants, made the pursuit of science one of some
difficulty ; while on the other, the keen delight experienced in view-
ing the magnificent stretches of scenery which the upper waters of
our River afford, and the exciting sport of now running rapids and
again rushing along with wind and current at the rate of six or
eight miles an hour would prove too strong an antidote to scientific
zeal, and the plants on shore would get a bare nod of recognition in
passing.

The field presented to the botanist by the St. John River and
its tributaries is an interesting one. Entering the Province at its
extreme north-west corner the River sweeps along with varying
current for nearly 300 miles before it passes our doors. Unfor-
3

22

Bulletin of the Natural History Society.

tunately this basin is not all ours. The south and west bank for
nearly 75 miles is foreign territory; and for about 40 miles further,
below Grand Falls, our slice of territory is so thin that a good-sized
jump from the west bank of the River would almost land one in
Uncle Sam’s territory. Nevertheless we have enough left to be
proud of : with a quality of soil and a beauty of landscape that will
compare favorably with any other spot in the world, it needs only
patient labor and perseverance to give an industrious population
very great material advantages. To the botanist this is almost an
unknown land. The careful and interesting paper read at a recent
meeting by Prof. Bailey showed us that the River now can be made
to trace the story of its birth and growth. The vegetable organiza-
tions along its banks have yet to be subjected to that examination
which shall reveal data enabling us to compare them with other
vegetable forms past and present, their limits in the geographical
distribution of plants, with other facts that will make our botanical
information of interest and value to scientific men the world over.
Could our legislators realize more fully the importance of encourag-
ing the researches of those engaged in studying our natural history
and resources, they might see our Province take a more advanced
position in the scientific world.

The only careful investigation of the fiora of the upper St. J ohn
that has been made was that by Prof. Goodale, in the scientific
survey undertaken by the Government of the State of Maine some
years ago. Although that survey was confined to the State of
Maine, it is presumable that the plants discovered in northern
Maine have their representatives in northern New Brunswick. But
we would be a poor set of scientists to accept that result without i
patient and determined investigation. Again : it is highly probable r,
that we have plants in northern New Brunswick not found in Maine.

It would seem to be a fact in one instance at least, for I found Polygala
Senega at the Mouth of the Aroostook in July last. It has never
been found, so far as I can ascertain. North of Massachusetts, and
its habitat is south and west of that State. This is a further testimony
to the fact established by that scientific survey in Maine, that the fiora
of the Aroostook Country has a southern character, in other words that
the climate and soil in Aroostook are adapted for plants which grow
several degrees south of us. In my visit to the upper St.

23

Botany of the Upper St. John.

John and Madawaska in the Summer of 1879, I found there many
of the plants found by Prof. Goodale in the Aroostook territory ;
many more were observed during the past summer. I shall refer to
these in another part of this paper.

But the botany of the River below Grand Falls has been more
systematically observed. Mr. Matthew appears to have been the
pioneer in botanical investigation on the southern St. John and
Kennebecasis. The botany of the River above Fredericton has
been pretty carefully studied by Prof. Bailey, Prof. Fowler, Mr.
Vroom, Mr. Moser and others. Mr. Fowler, though he had not
much time for extended investigation of this territory, infused
enthusiasm in those who were fortunate enough to enjoy his instruc-
tion, and the student now finds his work systematized by the assist-
ance of Mr. Fowler’s published lists. One of the keenest observers
of plants is Mr. J. Moser of York County, who is as modest and
retiring as many of the plants he so industriously seeks out. He
has made some very important discoveries of rare plants in York
County and further up the River. Mr. J. E. Wetmore of Andover,
one of Prof. Fowler’s students, is carefully working up the botany of
his district as far as his time will permit. So it will be seen that
the number of those who take an interest in this — one of the most
attractive of the natural sciences — is steadily increasing.

May we hope that the tim.e is not far distant when every branch
of our natural history shall be industriously studied and explored.
Surely a country containing a population of over a quarter of a
million should not longer be satisfied with scarcely a baker’s dozen of
active scientific workers. It might be in order for some energetic
members of this Society to organize themselves into a committee on
Conchology for instance, — take up the subject where Mr. Matthew
has left it and pursue it further. Could not a Committee on Ento-
mology be formed, and, emulating the example of our Ornithological
Committee, work as perse veringly in this important branch of nat-
ural history. No subject is of greater practical importance to us
than a knowledge of the habits of the insects which infest our fields
and woods, and yet this branch is at present almost without a rep-
resentative in our Society. While acknowledging then that we are
displaying industry in some directions, are we not neglecting certain
other departments we cannot afford to neglect in this age of scientific
study and investigation.

24 Bulletin of the Natural History Society,

Early in J uly last our party consisting of four persons ascended
the St. John River and St. Francis to Beau Lake, the extreme
North-western limit of the Province. The trip was made before
the spring freshet had entirely subsided, so that many of the plants
that do not appear till after the water falls could not be observed.
Many of the early spring plants were found to be still in flower in
shaded places, others were in fruit, while the summer plants were
many of them in flower in the more exposed and sunny places. Thus I
had an opportunity of observing, or partially at least, a double flora,
which could not have been seen earlier in the season.

Commencing our investigations at the foot of Beau Lake, which
we reached at noon in one of the hottest July days, we made a
peaceful invasion of the Province of Quebec, Rhamnus alnifolius, a
comparatively rare shrub in this Province was collected at this limit
of our journey. From Lake Beau to the mouth of the St. Francis
the distance is about sixteen miles, which is therefore the breadth of
our territory in the extreme north-west of the Province. The River
is deep and the current strong, in many places foaming in rapids, in
others widening into lakes and ponds. The lower portion of the river,
near the St. John is crooked, the land rising into high hills of Silurian
slate with little or no interval between them and the river. These
hills in many places present a desolate appearance from the ravages
of fire. Above Glazier’s Lake there are fine forests of spruce with
occasionally some magnificent pines. The rapids are short between
Beau Lake and Glazier’s Lake, with one exception, where the waters
roar and tumble through a rocky gorge, for the distance of a quarter
of a mile. To enjoy the excitement of rushing through this torrent
we had hauled our boat, a few hours before, up the almost perpen-
dicular side of a hill. At the foot of these rapids we met a lonely
voyageur in his dugout preparing for the toilsome ascent. This
proved to be Mr. Morrison, who went in the wilderness some years
ago, cleared a fine piece of interval near the head Lake Beau, and
by patient industry and perseverance has carved out for himself a
fine homestead in this wilderness. His nearest neighbors are at the
mouth of the St. Francis, over 20 miles distant, if we except three
habitans — squatters on the shores of Glazier’s Lake.

At the foot of the rapids is a beautiful little stretch of interval
on which I spent a few hours, examining its vegetation. Here were

25

Bota7iy of the Upper St, Johu.

magnificent clumps of the Ostrich Fern {Struthiopterls Gerincmica)
almost tree-like in their luxuriant growth, some fronds being at least
five feet in height. Here I found a single clump of the somewhat
rare fern, with us, Aspidium aculeatum, var. Brauni% a few speci-
mens of which I afterwards noted further down on Glazier’s Lake
and also at the mouth of the Aroostook. Several plants which have
been heretofore detected infrequently, or in one or two localities only,
appeared to be growing in profusion in this rich interval — Polygon-
atuni hijlorum, first found by Prof. Fowler at Fredericton, and later
by Mr. Vroom at St. Stephen, is abundant here and further down
the St. Francis River in the shady nooks of its rich banks. I noticed
it also at Andover, where it had been detected earlier in the season
by Mr. W etmore. Here and further down the St. Francis were Trillium
cernuum, Caulophyllum thalictroideSj Thalictrum dioicum, Viola
Selkirkii, Anemone Virginiana, Vaccinium caespitosum^ Cypripedium
acaule (with white flowers only).

Asarum Canadense (Wild Ginger) described in our last bulletin
as rather common about Fredericton, its, until then, only known habitat
in the Province, is abundant on the Upper St. John and St. Francis,
as it was noticed on rich hillsides and intervals at nearly all stopping
places. Sanicula Marilandica (Black Snake root) is abundant
throughout the whole course of the Upper St. John. Sanguinaria
Canadensis (Blood Root) is also very abundant in rich woods and on
intervals along the Upper St. John and St. Francis. The last three
plants are medicinal. Sanguinaria is a stimulant when taken in
small doses, in large doses it acts as an emetic, while an overdose
causes faintness, dimness of vision, great prostration, and even death.
The American Journal of Science records an instance of the death
of four persons some years ago, in Bellevue Hospital from mistaking
a tincture of Sanguinaria for ardent spirits. Asarum. Canadense is
said to be used in some places as a substitute for Ginger ; it has
stimulating properties, and is said to be an efi[ective remedy for
dropsy. Sanicula Marilandica is spoken of in the United States
Dispensatory, to which I am indebted for these facts, as a domestic
remedy for intermittent fevers and St. Yitus’ Dance.

Our guide, Antoine Gagnois, a squatter on the banks of Glazier’s
Lake, appeared to be a walking pharmacopoeia and became very elo-
quent in speaking of the virtues of these and other herbs to be

26

Bulletin of the Natural History Society.

found in his neighborhood. The nearest doctor is forty miles from
his habitation, and yet he boasted that he had a healthy family,
although his medicine chest contained only herbs. If the theory
that every region produces the remedies best adapted for the diseases
that prevail in it be correct, Antoine has good grounds for the faith
that is in him. A party from the United States, so he informed me,
visits the St. Francis every season to dig the Snake Root and other
medicinal herbs. A few years ago Prof. Fowler drew attention to
the fact that of the 360 plants employed in medicinal practice in the
North-eastern States, more than 230 or 65 per cent, of the total
number can be collected in New Brunswick. Here, then, is a phil-
anthropic and profitable occupation awaiting some individual who
has only to make himself acquainted with the plants, and become
skilful in preserving them properly, to realize a competence there-
from.

Our French guide was a keen and intelligent observer of Nature
and astonished me by the accuracy of his knowledge in regard to
plants. He was utterly ignorant of any of the questions that disturb
nations and individuals, yet he was learned in woodcraft and modest
withal. Though these Acadian French are not the kind of people
that advance the material prosperity of a country, they are a happy
and kind-hearted race. They were always civil and courteous and
ready to assist us as far as lay in their power. Their indifference
and want of energy is nowhere more apparent than in their manage-
ment of the soil; buckwheat everywhere is the crop year after year on
land that would produce good wheat. This “ Sarrazin,” as they call it,
is the staple article of diet when made into bread ; when you see this
bread and taste it, you cease to wonder at the want of energy of the
habitans. With the materials in the soil to yield food products with
more nourishing properties, it is to be hoped that those rich intervals
of Madawaska may in the future yield wheat in abundance.

Our camping ground was at the foot of Glazier’s Lake, four miles
from the mouth of the St. Francis. On the third day after our
arrival here we broke up camp, and a speedy run through the rapid
river brought us again to the St. J ohn.

We find the flora more varied on the Main River. One of the
most abundant plants on the upper waters of the St. J ohn is Tanace-
ftmi Hnronense which has more finely dissected leaves and is not so

27

Botany of the Upper St. John.

strongly scented as the Tanaceturn vulgare, or more common tansy
of the fields and gardens. This Tanaceturn Huronense is a western
plant, and was discovered for the first time in New England by
Prof. Goodale a few years ago on his trip down the St. John. It
occurs in great abundance along the river as far as Fredericton,
preferring the sandy beaches, and springing up as soon as the
freshet subsides. This year I noticed it for the first time on the
Lower St. John, a few patches of it growing along shore near the
foot of Long Reach.

Equally abundant also are the leguminous plants, Astragalus
alpinus and Oxytropis campestris, which I noticed from the mouth
of the St. Francis for some distance below Grand Falls. Growing
along the shore, and more especially among the disintegrating slate
rocks, is Tofieldia glutinosa, a plant of the lily family. The last
station at which I noticed it was the mouth of the Tobique.
On the ledges of calciferous slate which frequently extend into the
river on the Upper St. John, the beautiful Anemone multifida may
be seen growing, and near it the Anemone Virginiana. I was un-
able to find Anemone parviflora which is described by Prof. Goodale
as being abundant on the slate rocks of the St. John.

In 1879 I reported Vaccinium caespitosum, a dwarf species of blue
berry, from Lake Temiscouta, province of Quebec, and it was then
placed among the N. B. plants for the first time, and as likely to
occur on the extreme northern border of the Province, or on high
hills further south. This year I found very fine specimens of it
both in flower and fruit on the St. Francis, and on the Upper St.
John, iust above Fort Kent, but it soon disappeared as we descended
the river.

Coming out of the St. Francis River we get a magnificent view of
the St. John River from the adjacent hills. Looking further up, the
valley narrows and the river appears to be shut in by almost perpen-
dicular hills. Looking down river the basin is broader, and the
river here and there is dotted with Islands, luxuriant with grass and
foliage. Further back from the banks are those magnificent and
fertile terraces, formed in the long forgotten past, and further back,
crowning the brows and summits of the hills, is a dark back ground
of evergreen, the whole forming such a delightful picture of rural
loveliness as may seldom be seen, even in this beautiful Province of

28 Bulletin of the Natural History Society.

ours. The only features in this landscape that give it a dreary
sameness are the one storeyed cottages of the habitans, dirty, desti-
tute of paint, and with a poverty-stricken look that strikes one with
amazement in this land of plenty ; and yet some of these cottages
were not altogether lacking in beauty, for Nature, with a generous
prodigality, had hidden their defects with a coat of moss ! There
are many districts further down river where the cottages look neat
and pretty ; but a little advice to the settlers — English as well as
French — upon the Upper St. John, about the utility and beauty of
an application of paint to their houses, w^ould not be amiss.

On our upward trip we had a fine opportunity of seeing the
country between Edmundston and Fort Kent. Our boat moved along
easily, on the top of a Frenchman’s wagon, on what thousands of
years ago may have been the bed of the river, which now was
threading its way — perhaps in some places 100 feet below us. The
view from these terraces is beautiful and gave us an idea of this country
that could not be obtained in coming along the river by boat,
for the frequency of boulders and rapids in our path, warned us not
to let our eyes dwell too long on the landscape on either side of us.

Our journey from the mouth of the St. Francis to Andover
occupied four days. One day was spent in Camp, at the French
village of St. Hilaire, from which place two of our party walked
overland to Baker’s Lake, a distance of eight miles, but no dis-
coveries rewarded us for this toilsome trip.*

The journey to Andover, a distance of about 100 miles, was
sufficiently interesting and exciting to render us forgetful of all
fatigue. The water was high enough to render our passage through
the rapids comparatively safe. Sometimes we sped along before the
wind at the rate of six or eight miles an hour, at others the winds
opposed our course when we came to anchor or toiled at the oar.
Sometimes the thermometer stood in the nineties, and then again a
grateful shower brought relief. During our passage through the
gorge below Grand Falls a terrific thunderstorm lent a strange
weirdness to the scenery, and gave it a grandeur which pen could

* Along the banks of the St. John, near St. Hilaire, the following plants were noticed
in addition to some already named — Cerastium arvense, Silene injlata tyerj abundant), Cas-
tilleia pallida, Prunus pumila (very abundant on islands in the river) Geum album, Aster
graminifolius Leontodon autumnale. Campanula rotundifolia, Smilax herbacea. Allium
Schoenoprasum.

29

Botany of the Upper St. John.

not adequately describe. The heavy storm cloud seemed almost to
rest on the top of the perpendicular cliffs on each side of us, and
gave an inky blackness to the rushing waters, through which we
were gliding so rapidly ; peal after peal of thunder followed in such
quick succession that the echoes seemed never to cease ; the light-
ning only relieved the blackness of the gorge to make its blackness
more sombre than ever. Suddenly, before the violence of the storm
seemed to have abated, the sun shone out behind us and instantly
a rainbow formed, extending from the sides of our boat up the cliffs,
arching over the space of sky beyond.

From our camping ground at Andover we made visits to Aroos-
took Falls and the Narrows at the mouth of the Tobique. The
Aroostook Falls are about two miles from the junction of that river
with the St. John. For nearly a quarter of a mile the river confined
within narrow walls of trappean rock rushes among huge boulders
and chasms, presenting a scene of wild grandeur and confusion from
the tops of the cliffs, nearly 200 feet above. At the lower extremity
of the Falls, growing on the rocks, I found Woodsia glabella a rare
fern in this Province, having been found only at one place by Prof.
Fowler — at the Tunnel, Pestigouche. That station, I think, is now
obliterated by railway excavations. It differs from Woodsia Ilvensis
which grows in the neighborhood of Greenhead, St. John, and is in
great abundance on Long Island, Kennebecasis, being smooth
instead of chaffy, and having linear fronds, whereas the W. Ilvensis has
lanceolate fronds.

Growing on the cliffs, above the Falls was Polygala Senega, to which
I have already referred as being new to New Brunswick and the
North-eastern States. It is a perennial plant with alternate leaves
throughout, with white flowers in a solitary spike. The stems, pro-
ceeding from thick, knotty rootstocks, have lanceolate leaves.
Near the Falls I observed Aquilegia vulgaris, which, though a garden
plant, had long since ceased to have any fostering care, and was
evidently thriving and enjoying its independent existence. Blitum
capitatum, described in Prof. Fowler’s list as being found in gardens,
was pointed out to me by Mr. Wetmore, growing in the woods at
Andover, and evidently indigenous. This plant, which gets the
name of Strawberry Elite from its bright red fruit, is very fre-
quently seen in gardens in the country, but has not hitherto been

30 Bulletin of the Natural History Society.

considered a native of this Province. It has. I believe, been ong
known to the Indians about Tobique, who formerly used the juice of
the fruit to stain their baskets.

For many miles below the Grand Falls the river is pent up in a
narrow channel, through which the current is rapid, carrying the
rich material which it constantly wears away, and depositing it on
the intervales farther down the river. A. few miles below the Falls
the terraces again make their appearance, at first high up above the
present bed of the river, and gradually falling so that below the
mouth of the Aroostook the more recent terraces are but a few feet
above the high water mark. Here some of the richest land in the
Province may be found. In the rich thickets along the river-banks,
many rare plants were growing in the greatest luxuriance, including
Adiantum pedatum, our most beautiful fern; Phryma Leptostachya
Verbena hastata, Ampthicarpeea monoica^ Campamda aparinoides, San-
guinaria Canadensis, Caulophyllum thalictroides and many others.
Across the river from Upper Andover is the Indian reserve, above
the mouth of the Tobique, which contains some of the richest land
in the Province, but the Indians make very little use of it for agricul-
tural purposes. At the Narrows, near the mouth of the Tobique, was
found Shepherdia Canadensis and the somewhat rare Arnica mollis,
not before reported from the Upper St. John. Here were also
Halenia dejiexa and a new form of Pyrola — P. rotundijolia, var.
uliginosa.

At Eel Piver, York County, the last place where any extended
observation was attempted, several rare plants were met with, includ-
ing Allium tricoccum. Orchis spectabilis, Habenaria orbiculata, Geum
album. Verbena urticifolia, and others

I regret that the great extent of my journey prevented my remain-
ing long enough in one place, thoroughly to examine its flora. There
are many rich districts between St. John and Grand Falls which on
closer inspection will reward abundantly the zeal and industry of
the botanist who shall explore them.

In closing this paper I have to refer to a very remarkable dis-
covery in New Brunswick of a rare fern — Scolopendrium vulgare
which was found near Woodstock, by James Sutton, Mrs. Charles
Connell’s gardener. Its discovery may be said to be almost accidental;
and we are indebted to Peter Jack, Esq., of Halifax, a gentleman

31

Botany of the Upper St. John.

who devotes his leisure to the study and cultivation of ferns, for
bringing this plant from its obscurity, and making it known for the
first time in New Brunswick. While Mr. Jack was in Woodstock,
in September, he noticed this fern amongst the plants in Mrs.
Connell’s garden, and on inquiry, he was told that it had been found
in the woods, a short distance from town, the previous autumn.
He was incredulous, as the fern, though common in England, is
rare, or I may say unknown hitherto, in N. E. America. A search
for additional specimens proved fruitless, but Mr. Jack writes me
that since his return to Halifax, he has received several specimens
of the plant which Mr. Sutton was enabled to find after a more
diligent search. One of these specimens, dried, Mr. Jack has been
kind enough to present to this Society. The only stations in Gray’s
Botany for this fern are, one or two places in Western New York,
and in Ontario, so that its discovery as far east as New Brunswick
is a most important one.

Another fern which Mr. Jack sends us is also new to the Mari-
time Provinces — Asjyidium Goldianuni. He found it near Wood-
stock in September. The frond of this fern is broadlj ovate, the
pinnae very long, and the fruit dots very near the mid-vein, quite
different in this respect from Aspidiuin marginale which has the
fruit dots on the margin of the divisions of the pinnae. Mr. Jack
informs me that a Botrychium which he found at Ptapide de Femme
near Grand Falls, has been pronounced by Prof. Lawson of Halifax
B. ternatuniy var. rutaefolium. I have not seen this fern.
Mr. Jack’s visit to Woodstock was a memorable one, therefore, and
the cordial thanks of the Society are due him, not only for the speci-
mens sent us, but for the value of the discoveries made.

Note. — In the district which I have explored the past ew years
— the neighborhood of St. John City, Lower Kennebecasis, and
along the course of the St. John River — the following plants, marked
as rare or occasional in previous lists, have been detected not
infrequently: — Tussilago farfara (very abundant weed about the City),
Viola lanceolata, Hyoscyamus niger (ballast), Nuphar luteum, var.
pumilum (very abundant lower course of Salmon River, Queens Co.,
also at Keswick, — Mr. Brittain reports it from Petitcodiac),
Trifolium procumbens (noticed it this year as far inland as Prince

3 2 Bulletin of the Natural History Society.

William York Co., also at Norton, K. C.,) Spiraea tomentosa,
Fragaria vesca, Potentilla tridentata (very abundant and large on
Douglas Mountain, common on upper St. John), Calla palustris,
Hamamelis Yirginica (also Petitcodiac, Mr. Brittain), Claytonia
Caroliniana, Cornus circinata (also by Mr. Brittain, Petitcodiac),
Aralia racemosa, Aster nemoralis, A. graminifolius (abundant clefts
of rocks, upper St. J ohn), Leontodon autumnale, Hieracium
Canadense (by Mr. Brittain also, in King’s County), Sagittaria
gramineus, Goodyera repens, Spiranthes Bomanzoviana, Agrostis
canina, ^tonia Pennsylvanica, Glyceria elongata, Aira caespitosa,
Avena striata (the two latter also by Mr. Brittain, Petitcodiac,
Cystopteris bulbifera, \Voodsia Ilvensis, Prunus pumila (very
abundant on islands, upper St. John), Apocynum cannabinum,
Tofieldia glutinosa, Nabalus racemosus (Mr. Wetmore, Grand Falls)
Eupatorium ageratoides, Habenaria obtusata. Aster aestivus, Poten
lilla arguta.

The following, if not all of them abundant, are at least widely
distributed, as they have been reported, with one or two exceptions,
from nearly all the districts so far explored in the Province :
Ranunculus recurvatus, R. Pennsylvanicus, R. Flammula, var.
reptans, Dentaria diphylla, Sanicuia Marilandica, Lonicera cserulea,
Rudbeckia hirta (spreading in some southern districts of Province)
Liparis Loesellii, Allium Schoenoprasum, Viola canina, var. sylvestris,
smilax herbacea, Arethusa bulbosa, Pogonia ophioglossoides,
Monotropa uniflora, Moneses uniflora, Listera cordata, Sedum
Rhodiola (St. George, 5 mis. from Sea Coast, J. Vroom), Myosotis
laxa, Campanula aparinoides, Veronica officinalis.

ADDITIONAL LIST OF NEW BRUNSWICK PLANTS,

The following List of Plants, additions to the flora of this Province,
together with the occurrence of rare species, attests to the diligence
and attentive observation of our botanists during the past year.
This diligence has been rewarded by the discovery of nearly forty
species not hitherto known to exist in the Province. The occurrence
of several of these species, such as Scolopendrium vulgare^ Echium
vulgar Poly gala Senega^ Cardamine pratensis, is as unexpected as it

List of New Brunswick Plants. 33

is gratifying, as some of these have been found for the first time in
North Eastern America.

Mr. Brittain has explored an important field, the eastern portions
of St. John and Kings Counties, and parts of Westmoreland County,
with marked success. His discoveries have been numerous and
important as the subjoined list will show. Mr. Vroom has been
successful in finding in Charlotte County many species not before
known to exist there. Mr. Wetmore at Andover is in the centre of
one of the richest fields for the botanist to be found in the Province,
a portion of which be has explored with success the past season.

The Society is indebted to the above named gentlemen, to Mr.
Moser, of York County and to Peter Jack, Esq., of Halifax, for the
discovery here of new species.

Owing to circumstances the Committee on Botany has not been
able to meet this year. Mr. Vroom has, however, communicated to
me much valuable information which is embodied in the List
appended.

14. Ranunculus sceleratus, L. St. Stephen, J. Vroom.

30. Sanguinaria Canadensis, L. Petitcodiac, J. Brittain.

37a. Cardamine pratensis, L. Cuckoo Flower. St, Patrick, Char-
lotte County, J. Vroom; rare.

55a. Viola Selkirkii, Pursh. Near Half-Moon Lake, St. John; St.
Francis River, Hay.

56a. Viola Canadensis, L. Canada Violet. Near Woodstock, R.
Chalmers, Peter Jack.

81. Cerasteum arvense, L. St. Francis, Madawaska County, G.
U. Hay.

94. Tilia Americana, L. Fine specimens of this tree (Bass Wood)
found growing along shore of Long Reach, St. John River,
and Lower Nerepis, Hay.

106. Rhamnus alnifolius, L’Her. St. Francis River, Hay; Petitco-
diac, J. Brittain.

113a. Polygala Senega, L. Seneca Snakeroot. Aroostook Falls
and Tobique Narrows, Victoria Co., Hay and Wetmore.
114. Trifolium arvense, L. Lever Settlement, Charlotte County
J. Vroom.

34

Bulletin of the Natural History Society.

130. Desmodium Canadense, D. C. Along Hammond River, King’s
County, Brittain.

134a. Vicia tetrasperma, L. Petitcodiac, Brittain.

137a. Apios tuberosa, Moench. Upper St. Croix, Vroom.

139. Amphicarpsea monoica, Nutt. Petitcodiac, Brittain; Upper
St. Croix, Vroom; Andover, Wetmorc.

145. Geum album, Gmelin. St. John and Kennebeccasis Rivers,
Hay. “ Common about Hampton,” Brittain.

145a. Geum Virginianum, L. Hampton and Petitcodiac, Brittain.

180. Parnassia Caroliniana, Michx. Andover, Victoria County,
J. E. Wetmore.

187a. Sedum acre, L. Mossy Stone Crop. Hampton, Brittain.

(I find a specimen in my collection marked Norton, 1877,
apparently overlooked in former lists.)

192. Hippuris vulgaris, L. Digdeguash. Charlotte Co., J. Vroom.

194. Circsea Lutetiana, L. Lower Norton, Brittain ; Eel River,
York County, Hay.

199. Ludwigia palustris. Ell. Petitcodiac, Nauwigewauk, Tabor-
ville, Brittain.

201a, Sanicula Canadensis, L. Black Snake Root. Lower Norton
and Sussex, Brittain.

245. Nardosmia palmata. Hook. St. John, Herbert E. Goold;
Petitcodiac, Brittain.

260. Erigeron annuum, Pers. Daisy Fleabane. Sweet Scabious.

“ Rather common about Hampton and Petitcodiac,”
Brittain.

264. Solidago squarrosa, Muhl. Andover, Victoria Co., Wetmore.

271a. Solidago neglecta, Torr. and Gray. St. John County, Hay.

272a. Solidago nemoralis. Ait. “The most abundant Solidago in
western part of Charlotte Co.,” Vroom.

282a. Bidens connata, Muhl. Swamp Beggar- ticks. Petitcodiac,
Brittain.

287a. Chrysanthemum segetum, L. Ballast, St. John, Hay, 1881.

303. Senecio aureus, L, var. 2, Balsamitae, Gray, Rocky shores
Kennebeccasis, Hay. Var. 3, lanceolatus, Oakes, Hart-
land, Carletoii Co., Hay. This is one of the most variable
plants to be met with along the St. J ohn River. Another
form observed at Hartland, Carleton Co., had kidney
shaped leaves, the under side of a rich purple color.

List of New Brunsivick Plants. 35

304. Arnica mollis, Hook. Tobique Narrows, Hay; Andover and
Grand Falls, Wetmore.

( 335a. Vacciniiim caespitosum, Mx. St. Francis River, and spar-
^ bigly along shore Upper St. John, Hay.

I 338a. Arctostaphylos Uva-ursi, Spreng. Bearberry. Kennebeccasis
; Island, Hay.

j 347a. Pyrola rotundifolia, L., var. uliginosa. Gray. Andover, Hay.

367a. Utricularia intermedia, Hayne. St. Patrick, Charlotte Co.,
Vroom; Otty’s Lake, near Hampton, Brittain.

373a. Limosella aquatica, L., var. tenuifolia, Hoffm. Near St.

I Stephen, Charlotte Co., Yroom ; Scarce.

1 382a. Bartsia Odontites, Hudson. Abundant on Island, Falls,
Mouth St. John, Hay.

' 384a. Pedicularis Furbishiae, Watson. “ Growing on wet banks
St. John River from Van Buren, Me., south about sixty
miles. Allied to P. Canadensis and dedicated to Miss
Kate Furbish,” — Prof. Sereno Watson. Upper St. John,
Hay; Andover, Wetmore.

386b. Phryma Leptostachya, L. Andover, Wetmore; Lower Nor-
ton, Brittain.

400a. Galeopsis Ladanum, L. Hemp Nettle. Ballast, St. John,
1881, Hay.

401. Stachys palustris, Mx., var. aspera, Gray. Quaco, Brittain;
Partridge Island, Hay; St. Andrews, Yroom, 1880.

403a. Echium vulgare, L. Blue Weed. Viper’s Bugloss. Quaco
and Petitcodiac, Brittain. This last addition to our
troublesome weeds is rare in N. E. America, although
widely distributed in Europe and Northern Asia. It is a
rough, bristly biennial, has a red-purple corolla in bud,
afterwards changing to a brilliant blue.

1409a. Cynoglossum Yirginicum, L. Wild Comfrey. Petitcodiac,
Brittain.

;418. Gentiana Amarella, L., var. acuta. Hook. f. Island, Falls,
Mouth of St. John, Hay.

420a. Limnanthemum lacunosum, Grisebach. Several stations in
Kings County, Brittain,

j424. Asclepias incarnata, L. Keswick, Hay; Lower Norton and
Hammond River, Brittain; Charlotte County, Yroom.

36 Bulletin of the Natural History Society,

431. Blitum capitatum, L. Andover, Wetmore. Doubtless indi-
genous.

431a. Polygonum hydropiperoides, Mx. Mild Water -pepper.
Bloomfield, K. C., Brittain.

469. Pilea pumila. Gray. Petitcodiac and Havelock, Brittain.

469*. Cannabis sativa, L. Hemp. “ Spontaneous for years, near
Taborville Bridge, K. C.,” Brittain.

503. Pinus Banksiana, Lambert. “ Forms thick groves, extending
for miles about Petitcodiac and Anagance, where it is a
handsome tree from 30 to 50 feet high, valuable for tim-
ber,'’ Vroom.

517a. Symplocarpus foetidus, Salisb. Hear Episcopal Church, Lower
Hammond River, Brittain. Said to be a troublesome
weed on the Stock Farm.

532a. Potamogeton Robbinsii, Oakes. Hampton and Petitcodiac,
Brittain.

535. Scheuchzeria palustris, L. Tay’s Mills, York County, Moser;
St. Stephen, Vroom.

539a. Orchis spectabilis, L. Eel River, York County, Hay.

541a. Habenaria viridis, R. Br.,var. bracteata, Reichenbach. Tabor-
ville, Brittain.

546. Habenaria blephariglottis. Hook. Tay’s Mills, York Co.,
J. Moser.

547a. Habenaria lacera, R. Br. Hampton, Brittain.

549a. Goody era pubescens, R. Br. Petitcodiac, Brittain.

556. Calypso borealis, Salisbury. The great beauty of this rare
plant is an excuse for another reference to its whereabouts.
Many specimens of it were found near the Half-moon
Lake, near St. John, this year, and Mr. Brittain sends a
handsome specimen from Petitcodiac, found by Mr. Vroom.

581a. Polygonatum biflorum. Ell. St. Francis and Upper St. John,
Hay, Wetmore; Petitcodiac, Brittain.

583a. Allium tricoccum. Ait. Eel River, York Co., Hay; near
Hampton, Brittain.

598. Pontederia cordata, L. Grand Lake, and at several points on
St. John River, Hay; quite common in western parts of
Charlotte County, Vroom.

607a. Scirpus Clintonii, Gray. Digdeguash, Vroom.

37

List of New Brunswick Plants.

607b. Scirpus subterminalis, Torr. Petitcodiac, Brittain.

619a. Rhyncospora fusca, Roem. and Schultes. Beak Rush. Near
Hampton, Brittain.

645. Carex lanuginosa, Mx. Petitcodiac and Moncton, Brittain :
Upper St. John, Hay.

683a. Zizania aquatica, L. Indian Rice. Water Oats. Abundant
in water at Hampton and other places in King’s County,
Brittain.

692a. Muhlenbergia Mexicana, Trin. Petitcodiac, Brittain.

696. Oryzopsis asperifolia, Mx. Common about Petitcodiac, Brit-
tain.

699a. Graphephorum melicoides, Beauv. Titusville, K. C., Brittain.

710a. Poa caesia. Smith. Taborville, K. C., Brittain.

714b. Festuca nutans, Willd. Lower Norton, Brittain.

718. Phragmites communis, Trin. St. Stephen, Yroom.

723. Elymus Canadensis L. Sussex and Petitcodiac, Brittain.

734a. Pajjicum glabrum, Gaudin. Hampton, Brittain.

7 48. Asplenium viride, Huds. Becoming more common about St.

John in the moist, shady clefts of limestone rocks. Have
found it at no less than seven stations near St. John the
past year. Hay.

750a. Scolopendrium vulgare. Smith. Near Woodstock, Jas. Sutton,
1881; identified by Peter Jack, Esq., Halifax; rare.

757a. Aspidium Goldianum, Hook. Near Woodstock, Peter Jack.
Probably rare in New Brunswick.

760. Aspidium aculeatum, Swartz, var. Braunii, Koch. St. Francis
River, Andover, Hay.

766. Woodsia glabella, R. Br. Aroostook Falls, Hay and Wet-
more ; Grand Falls, Peter Jack.

771a. Botrychium matricariaefolium, Eaton. Petitcodiac and
Titusville, K. C., Brittain, 1881. A slender and beauti-
ful species, from 3 to 9 in. high ; a smaller form growing
in moss.

4

38 Bulletin of the Natural History Society.

NOTE ON LINARIA CYMBALARIA.

BY JAMES VROOM.

It may not be generally known that the rare phenomenon of
apheliotropism, or turning from the light, is observable in the
peduncles of the common Kenilworth or Coliseum Ivy (Linaria
Cymbalaria.) This little plant raises its flower buds an inch or
more above the trailing stem ; but, as soon as the flower opens, the
base of the flower stalk begins to bend downward, the middle of the
stalk at the same time bending in the opposite direction, so that ihe
lower part of the peduncle takes the form of the letter S laid on its
side {m ) — the portion immediately below the flower still being
erect. The second curvature, however, does not remain, but passes
slowly along the flower stalk, drawing the flower downward, so that
soon after the corolla falls the growing seed pod lies upon the
ground, or, where the stem is raised high enough to admit of it,
points directly downward. This might seem to be due to the
influence of gravitation, but when the plant is grown before a
window (as we frequently see it here) the fruit stalks, instead of
reaching downward, are found extending towards the darkest part
of the room.

In a room with one window, a pot of Linaria was hanging near
the blind, so that the light could not reach it from above. The
peduncles, which lengthen considerably after flowering, stretched out
two or three inches horizontally, and where they received the
strongest light from below even took an upward direction. The pot
was turned around so that the stalks were parallel with the glass.
In three hours the growing peduncles could be seen turning away
from the light, and in a day or two most of them were found bent
at right angles, the curvature in this case seeming to begin
immediately below the seedpod. Yet a certain amount of light is
necessary for perfecting the seed ; for when moved to a darker place
the peduncles, though still pointing towards the darkest part of the
room, were “ drawn ” to twice their usual length and presented the
general appearance of a plant sufiering from want of sufiicient light.

Ornithological Notes.

39

ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES.

BY MONTAGUE CHAMBERLAIN.

The members of this society who are interested in Orni-
thology have, during the year that has just closed, made con-
siderable progress in the study of the distribution of the species
occurring within the Province and have acquired other information
which will be utilized when a revision of the catalogue of birds, pub-
lished in the last number of this Bulletin, shall be undertaken. This
revision must however be deferred for a number of years unless more
workers can be induced to enter the field, as the present number of
observers is very limited and these have but little opportunity to
prosecute the study and there yet remains an immense extent of
country of which no systematic exploration has been made.

In this connection it might be stated that the Committee would
gladly avail themselves of the co-operation of persons who are not
members; and if assistance was rendered them by residents in the
various districts of the Province the value of the annotations to the
catalogue would be very largely increased and the time hastened
when its revision could be satisfactorily completed.

The County of St. John has as usual received most attention
from the ornithologists of the society during the year, and the
previous determinations regarding the birds found there have been
confirmed and an addition made to the list of several species not
previously observed.

The species new to the locality are as follows ; — *

American Titlark (Anthus ludovicianus). — During October last
several large flocks were observed on the Courtenay Bay Flats, at
Little River, and in the vicinity of tne Manawagonish marshes.

Lapland Longspur {Ceatrophanes lapponicus). — Mr. Pinkirton
took three specimens near the Ballast Wharf and a few others
were observed by Messrs. Daniel and Morrissey, all in the last week
of December, and in every instance they were in the company of
Snow Buntings.

♦Several of these “ notes ” have been recorded by the writer in the January number
of the Bulletin of the Nuttall Club.

40 Btilletin of the Natural History Society,

Piping Plover {^JEgialites melodus). — On May 6th Mr. Ellis shot
two of this species at St. Martins and on May 9th Baron de Tuyll
secured two at Maces’ Bay.

Whistling Swan {Cygnus americanus). — The only example of
this species known to have been observed in this Province was shot
by George Barnhill, Esq., at Belvidere Lake on April 8th.

Bedhead Duck {Aethyia americana). — On October 16th three
were offered for sale in the St. John market and on the 27th of the
same month two more were to be seen there ; all were said to have
been taken within 20 miles of St. John.

Two of the “ shore birds,” Ring-necked Plover (^gialites
semipalmatus and Least Sandpiper {Actodromas minutilla) were
observed during the last of May, an unusual occurrence, for though
both species are exceedingly abundant in the autumn neither had
been seen previously in the spring.

Among other interesting occurrences of the year was that of a
flock of the Ipswich Sparrow [Passerculus princeps), discovered by
Mr. Alfred Morrissey on Courtenay Bay Flats on April 11th; also
several Pine Grosbeak {Pinicola emmcleator) that spent the summer
in the vicinity of Sandy Point and were made the subject of
special study by Mr. James W. Banks. One pair was discovered at
work at the foundation of a nest and the female accidentally
killed.

Several explorations were made into the adjacent counties of
Kings and Queens, notably one under the leadership of Mr.
Harold Gilbert. Among other questions of interest which the
observations then made have determined is the confirmation of the
statement made by the writer in the Catalogue of New Brunswick
Birds, (p. 37,) that many of the species of birds rarely met with in
the vicinity of the coast of the Bay of Fundy during the breeding
season are much more abundant at that time beyond the line across
which the humidity and low temperature so characteristic of this
coast at that season do not penetrate, said line being drawn some 15
to 20 miles from the shore of the Bay.

In an article on the Birds of the Catskill Mountains by Mr.
Eugene P. Bicknell, published in the Transactions of the
Linna*an Society of New York, lately issued the author advances

Ornithological Notes. 4 1

the theory that the representatives of the Canadian Fauna which
were observed at the higher altitudes of the mountains were
attracted thither, in their choice of a breeding resort by the
humidity of the atmosphere and the consequent character of the
vegetation. But here in New Brunswick the same species of birds
mentioned by Mr. Bicknell act exactly the reverse to what they do
in the Catskills. We have much the same differing atmospheric
conditions and in similar relation, to state it broadly, as that of the
higher and lower altitudes of the mountains, but while the birds of
the Catskills appear to seek the cooler and more moist regions to
breed in, the mass of our Provincial birds (not only the sylvicolidce
as previously noted) retire from the humid zone and build in the
warmer, drier atmosphere of the interior. Even the few species
that are common near the coast at this season are equally as
abundant beyond.

With these facts before us and the emphatic contradiction they
appear to yield to Mr. BicknelFs theory, must not some other cause
for the migration of these species be sought for

In June last Mr. Fred Daniel and the writer accompanied Mr.
H. A. Purdie of the Nuttall Club, Cambridge, on a collecting trip
through Madawaska County making en route., a hurried visit to
Washademoak Lake.

During our stay in the vicinity of Edmundston we were enabled
to indentify 74 species of birds, and the list of their names exhibits
but slight variation from that obtainable at almost any point on the
St. John river south of that locality.

Among the conspicuous absentees noted were Bluebird, Mourning
Warbler, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Crow Blackbird, Least Fly
catcher (only one was heard at Edmundston and another was heard
at Fredericton) and Blue Jay, all reported by Mr. Batchelder as
more or less common at Grand Falls, but a few miles south, and
we missed the Bobolink and the Red-widged Blackbird which are
such obstrusive residents of the river banks from Woodstock to
Westfield.

One Grass Finch was heard singing at Saint Hilaire and another
at Cole’s Island, at which station it divided with a Whip-poor-will
the chief interest of the party ; but the swift proved a perfect will-
G-the-wisp to the individual who attempted its capture, the
ventriloquil character of its voice being very marked.

42 Bulletin of the Natural History Society.

At Edmundston some six examples of the Cape May Warbler
were secured and as many of the Philadelphia Vireo. Neither of
these species have been observed near St. John though Mr.
Boardman reports the Cap May as a regular visitor to the neighbor-
hood of St. Stephen and breeding there. The Philadelphia is
recorded in New England-Bird life as the rarest of the Greenlets in
those states ; and Mr. Everett Smith reports it “ uncommon ” in
Maine. It is not given by Mr. Nathan C. Brown in his Catalogue
of birds of the vicinity of Portland, and I can find a record of but
two examples for Eastern Maine, one taken by Professor Verrill at
Waterville in 1863 and the other by Mr. George A. Boardman at
Calais in 1872. It not occurring regularly in Eastern Maine, and
Mr. Batchelder finding it at Grand Falls in 1881, and our meeting it
again in 1882 at Edmundston suggests the idea that the species
must pass north by a western route, and journey more directly east
after reaching the higher latitude. The specimens we secured were
evidently mated.

Summary of Meetings.

43

SUMMARY OF MEETINGS.

FEBRUARY 7tH.

Dr. LeBaron Botsford, President, delivered his annual address,
answering the questions — What is a Natural History Society 1
— What its objects and why is it necessary *? — in a clear, pointed and
interesting manner.

MARCH 7th.

Mr. Robt. Chalmers read the paper of the evening on the Surface
Geology of the Bay of Chaleur Region, with particular reference to
the stratified marine clay and sands which form its shores and estu-
ary deposits ; its more recent formations, and the evidence of a sub-
sidence of land which has taken place in the northern part of the
Province ; together with observations on drift phenomena, and other
interesting facts on the geological structure and history of the region
mentioned.

APRIL 4th.

Mr. Matthew’s lecture this evening on the Pmradoxides of the St.
John group was descriptive of the general relations of Paradoxides
to other forms of the animal kingdom ; the conditions under which
the fossils of this genus and other Cambrian organisms are found near
St. John; and descriptions of two new species and several varieties
found in the rocks at St. John. Specimens of the St. John fossils and
of species of Paradoxides from Bohemia were exhibited. The Saint
John fossils have been described in a paper communicated by Mr.
Matthew to the Royal Society of Canada at its inaugural meeting
in May last.

MAY 2nd.

Dr. Walker delivered an address on the formation and growth
of Coral. After describing the animal, which is of the radiate type,
he shewed what the coral formation really is, and explained its com.
position. He punctured several of the old theories about the
insect (1) and the results of its labors, and compared these with the
later revelations of coral formation as described by Darwin.

44

Bulletin of the Natural History Society.

JUNE 6th.

Jas. A. Estey, Esq., read the paper of the evening, an interesting
account of the Life and Writings of the Dead Naturalist, — Charles
Darwin.

JULY 4th.

The leaders of the several sections of the Field Meeting, held at
Duck Cove on the 24th ult., presented reports shewing their obser-
vation of the Natural History of that region.

A contribution from Mr. Jas. Vroom, St. Stephen, on some
peculiarities he had noticed in the Linaria Cymhalaria was read.
The paper is re-produced in another part of this bulletin.

AUGUST 1st.

The paper of the evening was read by Mr. G. F. Matthew, on the
Lacustrine Formation of the Torryburn Valley. It is published in
another part of the Bulletin.

SEPTEMBER 5tH.

Prof. Bailey read the paper of the evening on the St. John Biver
Valley. He referred to the great importance which attaches to
rivers from a geological stand-point. The St. J ohn Biver basin com-
prises no less than eight geological formations. The character of this
basin is greatly influenced by the falls at the mouth and the
“ narrows ” through which the water is driven so impetuously by
the flowing and ebbing of the tide. The mouth of the St. J ohn at
one period was probably about a mile west of the present mouth.

OCTOBER 3rd.

The paper of the evening on our Native Wading Birds was read
by Mr. M. Chamberlain. He gave a very interesting description of
their habits and principal characteristics, explaining and illustrating
his remarks by means of the very complete collection in the Society’s
rooms.

NOVEMBER 7tH.

The paper of the evening — The Botany of the Upper St. John —
read by Mr. G. U. Hay, is published in the Botanical section of this
Bulletin.

An extra meeting was held in the Society’s rooms on the evening
of November 10, when Dr. Geo. Patterson, of Pictou, gave a very

Ornithological Notes. 45

interesting oral address on the Stone Age of the Micmacs, illustrating
his remarks by numerous relics.

DECEMBER 5tH.

A resolution to accept the invitation of the Royal Society and
become incorporated with it was adopted.

Mr. Harold Gilbert read a paper on the “ Singing Birds of New
Brunswick,” giving a short history of the numerous families that
comprise this interesting order of birds that visit our Province dur-
the summer and winter, pointing out many peculiarities in their
migration, and shewing from specimens taken from the Museum of
the Society, the distinguishing characteristics of each family.

Reasons were given for many of their peculiarities in migrating,
shewing that birds which are now uncommon in this Province may
yet become quite common, as orchard, field and garden take the
place of our forests which now cover the greater portion of our Pro-
vince. From carefully prepared notes shewing the vast amount of
insect food required by many of these birds, they were shewn to be
the most useful and most deserving of protection of any of the
orders of our birds.

.JANUARY 10th, 1883.

The paper of the evening, adjourned from January 2nd, was read
by Mr. W. F. Best, on the Spectroscope and its Uses. It was an in-
telligent and interesting description of an instrument that has caused
wonderful progress in the sciences, chiefiy of astronomy and chemis-
try. Many interesting-experiments were shewn, illustrating the uses
of the instrument.

REPORT OF COUNCIL.

The Council of the Natural History Society of New Brunswick
b^ leave to submit the following summary of the operations of the
Society for the past year.

MEMBERS.

There are at present 1 Honorary Member ; 6 Life Members ; 70
Ordinary Members ; 30 Associate Members, and 32 Corresponding
Members ; being an increase for the year of 30 Ordinary Members ;
15 Associate Members, and 8 Corresponding Members.

46 Bulletin of the Natural History Society.

The Recording Secretary reports as follows : —

During the year just closed twelve regular meetings of the Society
have been held at which the papers mentioned in the preceding sum-
mary of meetings were read.

The following free elementary lectures on scientific subjects were
delivered in the rooms of the Society : —

Jan’y 10. — Industrial Drawing, by Mr. G. Ernest Eairweather.

Feb’y 27. — Chemistry, Air and Water, Dr. Coleman.

March 21. — The Microscope,^ Dr. Allison.

April 18. — Birds and Nests, Mr. M. Chamberlain.

May 16. — Spring Plants, Mr. G. XJ. Hay.

Mr. Chamberlain has also, upon several occasions, addressed the
children from some of the Public Schools in the Society’s rooms,
illustrating his remarks by specimens from the Ornithological col-
lection.

A most successful Field Meeting was held by the Society, in con-
nection with the Eclectic Reading Club, at Duck Cove, Lancaster,
on June 24th, and a well-attended Conversazione was held in the
Society’s rooms on Thursday, 27th April.

LIBRARY.

The Librarian reports that there have been added to the Library
thirty-one books and pamphlets during the past year ; and that the
books have been catalogued and numbered.

FINANCE.

The Treasurer reports that the cash expenditure for the past year
amounts to the sum of $275.57. The income during the same time,
from all sources, amounts to $276.58 ; leaving a balance on hand of
$1.01.

The Council have much pleasure in stating that, since the last
annual meeting, the cases for the collections of native birds, referred
to in the last Annual Report, have been procured at a cost of $400,
and are now placed in the rooms of the Society. Part of the cost
of these cases has been paid by subscriptions received from friends
of the Society, whose names appear in the list of benefactors
appended to this Report, and part has been paid out of the general fund
of the Society; but there is a balance remaining unpaid amounting
to about $120.00 In the early part of the year the lecture room.

Donations to Museum.

47

being found insufficient in size, was extended by cutting an archway
into the adjoining room, and the capacity of the rooms for meetings
and lectures has been greatly increased.

W. J. WILSON,

Sec. to Council.

DONATIONS TO THE MUSEUM,

For the Year ended 17th January, 1883.

DONORS’ NAMES.

donations.

“A friend,” through L. C. Al-
lison, M. D.,

A number of specimens of Minerals
and two Barnacles of extraordi-
nary size.

W. E. Collier, Esq.,

Apatite Crystals from Ottawa.

Thos. E. Dyer, Esq.,

Amethystine Quartz and Sea Fan,
(Gorgonia.)

J. W. Banks, Esq.,

Specular Iron Ore.

G. M. Duncan, Esq., M. D., of
Bathurst,

Quartz Arrow-heads, Fossil Shell,
Spirifer, Claw of a Raptorial Bird
entangled in the burrows of Pholas.

R. Penniston Starr, Esq.,

Fossil Root (Stigmaria ficoides).

W. I. Logan, Esq.,

Case of Fossil Shells, Minerals, <fec.,
from Palestine and United States.

G. E. Snider, Esq.,

Fossil Shell from Chincha Islands.

Alexander Ross, Esq.,

Two Fossil Fish from Devonian For-
mation at Dalhousie.

J. H. Thornton, Esq.,

Fossil Wood (Dadoxylon) from
Point Wolfe Quarries.

Miss E. Murray,

Shark Teeth from phosphate beds of
South Carolina.

Lt. Col. Taylor,

Fossil Fern, (Pecopteris).

48 Bulletin of the Natural History Society.

DONATIONS TO THE (Continued.)

DONORS’ NAMES.

donations.

C. U. Hanford, Esq.,

Sand-dollar, (Clypeaster) taken from
the stomach of a codfish. Mutila-
ted Claw of a Lobster repaired by
the animal.

J. H. Wright, Esq.,

Hymenopterous Insect and Cocoon
of a Wasp.

R. R Orookshank, Esq., M. D.,

One Small Brown Snake.

Geo. H. Purdy,

Four Embryo Snakes; 3 Albatrosses.

R. Brittain, Esq.,

Five Sponges from Basin of Minas.

Peter Jack, Esq., Halifax,

Two dried specimens of Ferns.

Geo. U. Hay, Esq.,

Twenty Native Plants.

Master Fred. Campbell,

One Dragon Fly. Irised Coal.

Gibson Williamson, Esq., Oak
Point,

Two Cases Insects. One Cat Bird.

Robt. Hazen, Esq.,

One Blue Heron. One Turnstone.
1 Least Sandpiper. 1 Canada Jay.

W. F. Best, Esq.,

Four Ptarmigan, (2 in Winter and 2
in Summer plumage), from New-
foundland.

W. Gilpin, Esq.,

One Eider Duck. 1 White Winged
Coot. 1 Herring Gull.

Geo. Hare, Esq.,

One Shell Drake.

James Daniel, Esq., M. D,,

One Loon.

H. A. Purdie, Esq., Boston,

Nest and Eggs of Chipping Sparrow.
“ “ “ Marsh Hawk.

Jas. W. Banks, Esq.,

Four Nests and Eggs of Native Birds.

I

Donations to the Museum. 49

DONATIONS TO THE Continued.)

DONORS’ NAMES.

Fred. W. Daniel, Esq.,

Harold Gilbert, Esq.,
Alfred Morrisey, Esq.,
M. Chamberlain, Esq.,

J. W. Williams, Esq.,

James Anderson, Esq.,

donations.

Seven Native Birds, and three Neats
and Eggs of Native Birds.

Four Native Birds.

Eight Native Birds.

Forty-six Native Birds. Twenty -

seven sets of Eggs, and eleven
Nests of Native Birds. Two
Squirrels. One Chipmunk .

Solitary Sandpiper. Skeletons of
heads of Bobins. Least Sand-
piper and Buby-throated Hum-
ming Bird.

Pileated Woodpecker.

Hon. Isaac Burpee, .... $25.

Wm. Elder, Esq., 5.

T. W. Daniel, Esq., 10.

DONATIONS TO THE MUSEUM FUND.

L B. Botsford, M. D.,. ... 25.

G. F. Matthew, Esq., 10.

W. F. Coleman, M. D., . . 5.

G. E. Fairweather, Esq., 6.

L. C. Allison, M. D.,... 2.

James A. Estey, Esq.,... 10.

Gilbert Murdoch, Esq., 5.

G. W. Whitney, Esq.,... 5.

W. F. Best, $2.00.

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

Gen. D. B. Warner, . . .

D. C. Dawson, Esq.,

Geo. F. Smith, Esq.,

W. F. Hatheway, Esq.,...

J. C. Allison, Esq.,

B. Penniston Starr, Esq.,

Hon. John Boyd,

Samuel Schofield,

A Friend,

B. D. Wilmot, Lt. Gov.,
G. U. Hay, Esq.,

5 5.00
2.00
5.00

5.00

2.00

5.00

5.00

2.00

1.25

10.00

5.50

50 Bulletin of the Natural History Society.

STANDING COMMITTEES FOR 1883.

Physics and Chemistry :

W. F. Coleman, M. D. W. F. Best. George U. Hay.
Meteorology :

Gilbert Murdoch. William Murdoch.

Mineralogy :

G. F. Matthew, M. A. W. F. Best. R. Penniston Starr.
Geology :

G. F. Matthew, M. A. W. N. Gould. W. J. Wilson.
Botany :

George U. Hay. Robert Chalmers. James Vroom, (St. Stephen).

Entomology :

M. Chamberlain. Gibson Williamson. Herbert E. Goold.
Invertebrate Zoology:

L. C. Allison, M. D. Mrs. C. E. Heustis. P. R. Inches.
Vertebrate Zoology:

LeB. Botsford, M. D. L. C. Allison, M. D. W. F. Coleman, M. D.

Ornithology :

M. Chamberlain. Harold Gilbert. Jas. W. Banks. F. W. Daniel.

A. Morrisey.

Library :

W. J. Wilson. Robert Chalmers. G. Ernest Fairweather.
Essays :

G. F. Matthew, M. A. W. F. Best. W. F. Coleman, M. D.

Lectures :

Geo. U. Hay. G. Ernest Fairweather. L. C. Allison, M. D.
Publishing :

M. Chamberlain. G. F. Matthew. Geo. U. Hay.

Ordinary Members. 5 i

Hall:

M. Chamberlain. Geo. U. Hay. John Hammond. W. J. Wilson,

Fina/nce :

Jas. A. Estey. G. Ernest Fairweather. G. F. Matthew.
Delegate to Royal Society :

G. U. Hay.

Alternative :

M. Chamberlain.

During the year the following names have been added to the roll of
ORDINARY MEMBERS.

February 7.

Simeon J ones, Merchant.

W. L. Busby, do.

C. E. Burpee, do.

W. F. Bunting, Assessor.

Jas. H. Pullen, Painter.

H. G. Betts, Barrister.

R. P. McGivern, do.

March 7.

J. W. Williams, . . ..Draughtsman.

April 4.

A. I. Trueman, Barrister.

May 2.

Master F. B. Ellis Student.

Rev. O. S. Newnham, Clergyman.

H. J. Thorne, Merchant.

H. C. Preston, Physician.

S. J. King, Postmaster.

W. J. Sutherland, Clerk.

June 6.

E. J. Simonds, Gentleman.

J. Gillis Jones, Clerk.

Rev. Irvin L. Beman, Clergyman.

July 4.

R. Keltie Jones, Clerk.

D. C. Robertson, do.

W. S. Willis, Ironworker.

August 1.

W. E. Broad, Clerk.

September 5.

W. S. Carter, Teacher.

Thos. Stothart, do.

November 7.

Malcolm McKay, Merchant.

Jas. Stratton, Barrister.

December 4.

Edwin Fisher, Merchant.

W. E. Collier, Banker.

R. C. Skinner, Barrister.

January 9.

E. H. S. Flood,

Clerk.

52

Bulletin of the Natural History Society.

UORRESPONDING MEMBERS.

January 6.

G. H. Burnett, Richihucto.

July 4.

R. C. Weldon, Sackville.

Gibson Williamson, . . . Oak Point.

August 1.

J. E. Wetmore, Andover.

September 5.

J. E. Whelpley, Hampton.

October 3.

Gabriel DeVeber, Gagetown.

L. J. Fowler, Washademoak.

December 4.

R. 0. Boxall, C. E., Sackville.

Making an addition to the roll of 30 Ordinary and 8 Correspond-
ing Members.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS.

Miss Bessie Whitney,

Mrs. G. Ernest Fairweather,
Miss M. W. Hartt,

Miss M. A. Peters,

Miss Janet P. Robertson,
Mrs. Ferdinand Pryor,

Miss Sarah Bernard,

Miss Flora McDonald,

Miss Manning Skinner.
Miss Ella Marven,

Miss Emma Christie,
Miss Emily Hartt,

Miss Underhill, ‘

Miss Maud Underhill,
Mrs. Catharine Goddard.

E R RATA.

Page 9, line 36, — for nucleus read nucules.

“ 13, lines 30, 31 and 32, — for Nos. and No. read Figs, and Fig
“ 17, line 21, — for ametiferous read amentiferous.

“ 32,

U

25,—

U

smilax read Smilax.

“ 33,

U

14,-

ii

new species read species new to the Province.

“ 39,

((

30,-

ii

Ceotrophanes read C entrophanes.

“ 40,

ii

8-

Aeilujia read jEihyia.

“ 41,

u

38,—

ii

swift read latter.

“ 42,

"

7,—

it

New England- Bird life read New England
Bird-life.

“ 47,

26,-

u

J. H. Thornton read J. N. Thornton.

“ 48,

u

11,-

ii

snakes read sharks.

“ 48,

u

24, _

a

Shell Drake read Sheldrake.