i - ra Z . ‘ : . ‘ « 3 r Aves ‘ a a “* eee eee eee eeee exee@aeaenes eueees ; HARVARD ~UNIVERSID Y: LIBRARY OF THE MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY. 55, BAS Bought Cpl Lop, hen etn Te i APR 10 . (at Wak road 1889 WAOnLAy, JoIeee ~ 1890 D0 Jesk Iss Orriws WATUPRALIST. BEING VOL. V oF THE ERANSAGTILONS OF THE OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS CLUB. (Organized March, 1879: Incorporated March, 1884.) OTTAWA: CITIZEN Book AND JOB PRINTING DEPARTMENT, 48 & 50 QUEEN ST. 18809. Patron: HIS EXCELLENCY THE LORD STANLEY OF PRESTON, GovERNOR GENERAL OF CANADA. President: Dr. R. W. E tts. Vice-Presidents : Ist, J. BALLANTYNE. | 2np, H. M. Amt. Secretary : T. J. MacLaucuuin (Dept. Public Works). Treasurer: JAMES FLETCHER (Experimental Farm). Librarian: W. A. D. Luss (P. O. Box 258). Committee: R. B. Wuytz, | THE LORD STANLEY OF PRESTON, GOVERNOR GENERAL OF CANADA. ie President: Dr. R. W. Etts. Vice-Presidents : Ist, J. BALLANTYNE. 2np, H. M. Am. Seeretary: VT. J. MacLauGuuin (Dept. Public Works). Treasurer: JAMES FLETCHER (Kxperimental Farm). Librarian: W. A. D.-Lees (P. 0. Box 258). Committee: R. B.Wuytr, |. A. P.Low, || . Rev. G. W. Tayton Standing Gonmittees of Council : | Péislishing—J ames Furtcusr, H. M. Ams, T. J.. MacLaucHiin, : Rev. G. W. Taytor, W. A D. Less. Exeursions —R. By Wyte, HH. M. Amt, W. A. D: Legs. Soirées —JAMeS Fiercuer, J. BALLANTYNE. A. P. Low. Headers : Geology -—H. M. Ami, A.. P. Low, W.\R. Bitiines, FE. D: Agand 2 Botany —J AMES Fiercuer, R. B. Wuyte, Wm. Scort. ee Conchology—Rev. G. W.. Tayitor, F. R. Latcourorp. Entomology—T.. J. MacLaucuuin, J. FLercuer, W. H. Harrineron. Vinithology—W. A. D. Lees, Pror. J. Macoun, G. R. Waite. Ales Batiantyne, J. B. Tyrreii, W. P. Lerv. Editor: James FLETCHER. The Librarian will furnish the Publications of the Clb. atthe following rates ;— Transactions, Part 1, Not sol | er ‘: ; coe ae Fons Wawa “e 4, D5 66 i MNO Ce : KOT AOL ENS . $1.00 for Vol. Lf. 66 ts 30 66 (Less 107 to members.) The Ottawa Naturalist, $1.00 per annum. Extra copy to members, .79> \* (Quarterly parts, 25 cents each. To members, 20 a0 Never —The meson begs to call the attention of members. te tlie advertisements. : eS Or Wir WS Ss Adams, F. D., Ml. App. Se. Allan, W. A. Ami, H. M., IA., F.GS. Anderson, F. B. 5.4. (Winnipeg.) Anderson, Lt.-Col. W. P. C.Z. Anderson, Mrs. W. P. Armstrong, John R. Balland, Kev. J. B. O.M.T., D.D. Ballantyne, J. Ballantyne, Norman F. Baptie, Geo, 1.A., M.D. Barlow, A. E. AZ.A. Barlow, Scott B. App. Se. Barlow, Alfred. Bate, C. Percy. Bate, H. Gerald. Bate, H. N. Beddoe, Chas. H. Bell, B. T. A., ALA. Bell, E. B. Bennetts, F. K. Billings, B. B. Billings, W. R. Blanchet, W. H. Boardman, Wm. F. Bolton, Miss Eliza. Bourinot, J. G., LL.D., F.R.C.L., FLSS., Hon. Sec. R.S.C. Boville, T. C., B.A. Bowen, Miss Alice. (Quebec. ) Bowerman, J. ‘I’. Bowman, Amos, M/.£. Bristow, A. A. Bristow, Mrs. A. A. Broadbent, Ralph L. Brodie, W., L.D.S. (Toronto.) Brough, James 8. Brough, T. O. Brown, R. D. Brown, Mrs. R. D. Brumell, H. Pareth. Burgess, T. J. W., I.D., F.R.S.C. (Hamilton, Ont.) Butterworth, C. A. Butterworth, Miss Maria E. Campbell, A. M., 4/.A. (Perth.) Campbell, R. H. Campbell, Wm. Woods. Casey, M. W. Chalmers, Robert. Chamberlin, Mrs. B. Christie, A. J., Y.C. Clarke, James. (Renfrew.) Cochrane, A. 8S. Code, R. G. Cornu, Felix, 1/.D. (Angers. ) Coste, E., 47.2. Cousens, W. C., J7. D. Cowley, R. H., B.A. Craig, Wm. (Russell.) Craig, J. A. (Hamilton.) Creighton, J. G., B.4., B.C.L. Davy, R. A. CLE. Dawson, G. M., D, Se., Assoc. Ti SOME PEGS CRE OSRGs, Devlin, R. J. Dimock, W. D., B.A. Dixon, F. A. Ells, R. W., ZL.D., F.GS.A. Evans, John D., C.Z. (Trenton.) Ewart, D. Faribault, E. R. Fleming, Sandford, C.M.G., C.E., LITE GI os TE BSH Ol Fletcher, James, /.2.8., 7.RS.C. Fletcher, Mrs. J. Fletcher, Hugh, B.A. Fortescue, L. Fortescue, Mrs. L. Forward, Arthur J. Fowler, Miss Annie M. Fuller, Thos., 2.C.A. Gansby, Robert. (Guelph.) Garvock, W. B. Gemmill, J. A. Gibb, Chas. Gilmour, T. Giroux, N. T., C.£. Giroux, J. 8. Glashan, J. C. Gobeil, A. Gordon, F. A. Grant, Miss Isabel L. Grant, Sir J. A., K.C.M.G., M.D., TTA Oe So, | JCM Oo, TP er SO, £.G.S., Grant, Miss Jessie. Grant, Miss Mary. Griffin, W. H. Grist, Henry. Grist, Miss Mary L. Hardie, John. Harmer, Miss G. (Hintonburgh). Harmon, Miss A. Maria. Harrington, W. H. Harrington, Mrs W. H. Harrison, Edward. Hay, George. Hayter, F., B.A. Herridge, Rev. W. T., B.A., B.D. Hilborn, W. W. Hope, Jas. Ingall, E. D., Assoc. R. 8. M., ME. Ireland, W. W. Jarvis, S. Jenkins, 8. J. Johnson, Geo. Johnson, E. V., C.L. Johnson, Robt. A. A., Bud. Jolliffe, O. J., IA. Jones, C. J. Kearns, J. C. Keefer, Thos. C., C.£. Keeley, D. H. ‘Kilgannon, A. P., C.Z. Kingston, A.E. Lambart, Hon. O. H. Lambe, LL. M. Lampman, A., B.A. Lampey, Wm. G., JZ. Latchford, F. R., B.A. Lawless, W. T. (Hull). 4 Lawson, A. C., PA.D. Lawson, Prof. G., LDL.D., Ph.D., FRCL, FRSC. (Halifax), Lee, Miss Katharine. : Lees, W. A. D. Lees, Miss V. Lees, Miss Jessie. LeSueur, W. D., B.A. LeSueur, Mrs. W. D. Lett, W. P. Lindsay, A. Loux, Wm., .D. (Russell). Low, A. P., B.App.Se. Lowe, John. MacCraken, John J. MacLaughlin, T. J. McConnell, R. G., B.A. McGill, A., B.A., B.Sc. McElhinney, M. P. McEvoy, Jas. McInnes, Wm., #.A. McJanet, J. McLaughlin, Miss Emma. McLaughlin, 8. McLean, J. D. McMillan, John, 1A. McMinn, W. J. R., B.A. McNab, Chas. Macoun, Prof. John, M.A., F.L.S., PLS, Macoun, J. M. Macoun, W. Magee, Charles. Magee, F. A. Marsan, fev. C. F., O.M.T., M.A. Martin, E. D. Matheson, D. Mills, Miss Margaret A. Munro, John. O’Gara, John P. Palmer, Miss J. Palmer, Miss L.. Panet, Maurice. Parris, Miss Oriana. Perley, Major Henry F., C.£. Phillips, J. A. 5 Poirier, Z/on. P.S. Tanner, R. J. Pratt, H. O. E. Taylor, fev. G.W. Reed, E. Baynes (London). Thayne, E. Stewart. Reveler, 8. S. Thompson, Miss M. Robert, J. A., B.Sc, Thompson, T. W. Rondeau, Rev. 8., B.A. Thorburn, John, J.d., LL.D. Ross, Judge W. A. Tyrrell, J. B., B.A., F.GLS. Rothwell, Miss Lina. Ventresse, A. B. Saunders, Prof. W., F.L.S.,F.R.S.C.,Verner, J. W. D. HEC IS. Watters, Henry. Scott, Colin A., B.A. Watts, J. W. H., #.C.A. Scott, D. C. Warwick, F. W. (Buckingham.) Scott, Fred. Weston, T. C. Scott, Wm. Wheeler, A. O., D.Z.S. Scott, W., 4.4. White, Geo. R. Scott, W. L., B.A. White, Lieut.-Col. Wm. Selwyn, A. R.C., C.4L.G., LL.D., White, W. R. (Pembroke). Wiley Si Ethic Se(y 35 HG Se Whiteaves, J. F., 7.G.S., F.R.S.C. Shutt, F. T., I4., PLC., £.CS. Wilson, C. W., M.D. (Buckingham). Schenick, Miss A., B.Sc. Whyte, Miss Ethel. Simpson, Miss L. S. Whyte, Miss Isabella. Small, H. Beaumont, J.D. Whyte, Miss Marion. Small, H. B. Whyte, R. B. Smith, D. E. (Churchville). Whyte, Mrs. R. B. Smith, W. H. Wicksteed, R. J., B.C.L., LL.D. Stewart, John. Willimott, Chas. W. Summerby, Wm. J., J/.4. (Russell). Wright, W. R. Symes, Miss E. Young, Rev. C. J., A.A. (Renfrew). Symes, P. B., A.4.C. CORRESPONDING MEMBERS. Epwarps, Henry, 185 East 116th street, New York, U.S. Hitt, AuBert J., 1.A., C.H , Westminster, B.C. Merriam, Dr. C. Hart, Department of Agriculture, Washington, U.S. OrmeropD, Miss HE. A., Torrington House, Holywell Hill, St. Albans, England. PRovANCHER, ABBE, Cap Rouge, Que. SmirH, Pror. Joun B., Rutger’s College, New Brunswick, N.J. 6 EDITORIAL. The present number is the first Quarterly part of Vol. III of the Ottawa NATURALIST. After careful consideration the council has decided to publish the magazine, for this year at any rate, in quarterly parts of not less than 48 pages. The scope of the publication has also been widened so as to include papers by members of the club upon the General Natural History of Canada, without being restricted as heretofore to this locality only. Tt is hoped in this way largely to augment the usefulness of the Club, and at the same time to draw to our ranks naturalists from all parts of the Dominion. - It has been arranged by the leaders in the different branches to take charge of the weekly sub-excursions in the following rotation: the first Saturday in the month will be under the direction of the leaders in Geology; the second, of the Botanical leaders; the third, of those in Orni- thology and Entomology ; and the fourth of Zoology and Conchology. The general Post Office will be as heretofore the rendezvous, and the start will be made every Saturday punctually at at 2 p.m. When the General Monthly Excursion is held upon a Saturday it will take the place of the weekly sub-excursion, The first General Excursion of the Club will be held this Spring on the 17th May, to Kingsmere in the Chelsea Mountains, and will be duly announced by circular. The members are earnestly urged to consult with the leaders, with- out delay, as tu the best means of carrying on effective study and useful investigation during the coming season. We feel it our duty to call the attention of our readers to the adver- tisements, as we consider it incumbent upon the members of the club to patronize those firms which so materially assist us in carrying on our work. J. FLETCHER, Editor. 7 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY NOTES. The arrangements are now being made for the field work of the Geological and Natural History Survey during the coming summer, Most of the operations will be in continuation of work already begun or directed toward its completion in certain districts. The fields in which the various memhers of the staff will be, are we understand as fol- lows: In British Columbia, Dr. G. M. Dawson will be occupied in con- tinuing and extending the work of previous years, with special reterence to recent mining developments. He will beassisted by Mr. J. McEvoy. Mr. Bowman will, it is hoped, complete a preliminary examination of the coal-bearing rocks of the lower Fraser. Prof. Macounand Mr. J. M. Macoun are already in the field in the Southern part of Britisn Colum- bia, where they are vigorously prosecuting their botanical and zoologi- eal investigations. A letter to the Editor dated April 14, states that they had then secured all the flowering plants in blossom, and 27 skins of birds and small mammals, as well as many insects. In Nova Scotia Mr. H. Fletcher, with Mr. Fairbault, will investi- gate Pictou and Colchester counties. Work will be continued in New Brunswick by Mr. McInnes and by Prof. Bailey. Mr. R. Chalmers will also extend his systematic mapping of the superficial deposits in this Province during the summer. Dr. R. W. Ells and Mr. Giroux are again to return to the Eastern Townships, in the Province of Quebec, while it is intended that Mr. F. D. Adams and Mr. Low will carry on work to the north of the St. Lawrence. g| The investigation of the phos- phate region to the North of the Ottawa is to be continued by Mr. EK. D, Ingall, assisted by Mr. J. White.§ Mr. A. 8. Cochrane is to be engaged in Western Ontario in further checking and correcting the topography of certain sheets of the geological map. Dr. R: Bell, assisted by Mr. A. E. Barlow, will be occupied in the completion of that sheet of the On- tario map which comprises the Sudbury mining district, and Dr. Law- son will pursue his investigation of the older rocks between Thun er Bay and Rainy lake, with the assistance of Mr. Smith. In Manitoba, Mr. J. B. Tyrrell, with Mr. Dowling, is to continue the examination of the county near Lake Manitoba. Mr. R. G. McCon- 8 nel has already left for the petroleum district of the lower Peace and Athabasca region, to the future importance of which so much attention has lately been drawn. Mr. T. C. Weston will continue to collect in the Cretaceous and Tertiary beds along the Red Deer River, N. W. T. :0: THE SASKATCHEWAN INSTITUTE. We learn with pleasure that a new Literary, Historical and Scien- tific Society has been started at Prince Albert, N.W.T., under the above caption, “for the purpose of pursuing such literary studies as may be deemed interesting and instructive; of prosecuting original researches, within the District of Saskatchewan, of a historical and scientific nature; of collecting and preserving the early history, mythology, and folklore of the local Indian tribes ; and of cultivating and encouraging the study of the Natural History and resources of the country.” As stated in their circular, the Natural History and resources of that section of the Territories are practically untouched, and offer a large field of work for the Institute. We wish the Institute every success, and trust that it may grow rapidly, and succeed in the im- portant work it has undertaken. ———0: — SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR COLLECTORS AWAY FROM HOME. q Frequently inquiries are received from members who are about to take a journey, as to the best way to collect specimens of insects and plants. The following short instructions have therefore been drawn up at the request of the Council :— Insects—Woths, Butterflies and Dragonflies may be killed in the ordinary “cyanide bottle” and then placed in three-cornered envelopes made by taking small squares of paper and folding them across, almost in the middle, so as to make a triangular form with one flap a little smaller than the other, when the insect is placed between the two flaps, the two edges of the larger one are folded over the lesser, and the specimen is then ready to have the date and locality written on it and to be packed away, where it will not be disturbed. After a day or two the 9 specimens become very brittle and easily broken. They should there- fore be stored in small firm boxes. Cigar boxes are very convenient. Grasshoppers and other Orthoptera may be killed in the cyanide bottle and each one rolled up lightly in soft paper and then stored away in the same manner. Beetles and Bugs—All Coleoptera and Hemiptera may be either placed at once in alcohol or in bottles containing sawdust dampened with alcohol. Bees, Ants and Wasps may be collected for examination in alcohol but when possible they should be killed in the cyanide bottle and pinned in a cork-lined box. Flies must be killed and pinned at once. Spiders may be collected in alcohol. Cyanide Bottle—This may be made either by placing a small quan- tity of Cyanide of Potassium in the bottom of a bottle and pouring in sufficient wet Plaster-of-Paris to cover it; or a hole can be hollowed out in the cork and a piece of cyanide inserted. This can be kept in place either with a plug of cotton wool, or a piece of chamois leather or linen may be tied over the cork. For beetles a few very small pieces of cyanide dropped into a bottle half filled with dry sawdust will answer. It must be remembered that the active principle of Cyanide of Potassium being Prussic Acid it is intensely poisonous—any left on hand after€he bottles are made should be at once destroyed. Plaats—Botanical specimens are made by pressing plants be- tween sheets of dry paper and changing the papers every 12 or 24 hours until the specimens are dry. When staying for any length of time at one place a convenient press may be made as follows: Put down a few sheets of paper and on the top of these arrange a specimen, then a few more sheets of paper and another plant, and so on until all are arranged. Upon the top of the pile so formed put a box in which stones or sand to about the weight of twenty pounds may be placed. When travelling two boards held together with straps will answer all purposes. The quicker plants are dried the better the specimens will be. The papers for drying plants should never be left unchanged for more than 24 hours. J. FLETCHER. 10 A NEW MOUSE. (£votomys Dawsoni.) In the American Naturalist for July, 1888, is a description, (with a figure of the molar teeth), of a new species of Red-backed Mouse, by our corresponding member, Dr. C. Hart Merriam. It was collected by Dr. George M. Dawson on the Finlayson River (Lat. 61.31 N. ; long. 129.30 W. ; altitude 3,000 feet), and the description also appears in the report upon the exploration in the Yukon district, and adjacent part of British Columbia, referred to on another page. Dr. Merriam finishes his description as follows:—‘“I take great pleasure in bestowing upon this handsome mouse the specific name Dawsoni, as a slight recog- nition of the indefatigable zeal of its discoverer, the distinguished ex- plorer and geologist, Dr. George M. Dawson, who has added so much to the fund of knowledge relating to North-western Canada. ANOTHER STATE ENTOMOLOGIST. It is with much pleasure that we notice the appointment of our esteemed corresponding member, Mr. J. B. Smith, as State Entomologist of New Jersey. Mr. Smith has been for some time past Assistant Curator of the National Museum at Washington. He is now State Entomologist, and Professor of Entomology at Rutger’s College and Scientific School, New Brunswick, N.J. We feel sure that this an- nouncement will be read with great satisfaction by our members, many of whom have frequently experienced Mr. Smith’s courtesy and kind- ness in naming entomological specimens, and we offer Mr. Smith our hearty congratulations. It is quite evident that Mr. Smith does not mean to let the grass grow under his feet. We have already received two bulletins from him since his appointment, (i.) “ Entomological Sug- gestions and Enquiries,” (ii.) “‘ Memoranda about Cranberry Insects.” iL THE ANNUAL MEETING—1889. The eleventh annual meeting of the Club was held on the 19th March, 1889, at 4.30 p.m. Present: The President, Mr. R. B. Whyte, in the chair; Messrs. Ami, Ballantyne, A. E. Barlow, Lt.-Col. Ander- son, J. Fletcher, Hugh Fletcher, Prof. Macoun, Dr. R. W. Ells, W. H. Harrington, Dr. H. B. Small, T. J. MacLaughlin, Rev. G. W. Taylor, Dr. Thorburn, W. P. Lett, J. B. Tyrrell, W. A. D. Lees, F. T. Shutt, A. Bowman, N. Ballantyne, J. M. Macoun, A. P. Low, W. McInnes, J. McEvoy, W. R. Wright, A. C. Lawson, R. G. McConnell, E. R. Faribault, and some others. The minutes of the last annual meeting were read, and confirmed. The Secretary read the annual report of the Council. There was a discussion as to the advisability of publishing the Orrawa NaTuRAuIsT as a quarterly, instead of a monthly magazine. It was agreed to leave this to the decision of the incoming Council. It was moved by Dr. Ells, seconded by Prof. Macoun, and carried, “That the scope of the publication of the Ottawa Field Naturalists’ Club be extended so as to include papers, &c., on Geology and Natural History by members of the Club, from any portion of the Dominion of Canada (which may be read before the Society) instead of being con- fined to papers on purely local topics, as now understood by members of the Club.” The Treasurer read his annual statement, in which it was shown that a balance of $30.69 remained in his hands after paying all demands. The Librarian submitted a list of the additions to the library, which showed that many choice and valuable works had been received in exchange for the Transactions. The election of officers was then proceeded with, and resulted as follows : President—Dr. R. W. Ells. lst Vice-President—Mr. J. Ballantyne. 2nd Vice President-—Mr. H. M. Ami. Secretary—Mr. T. J. MacLaughlin. Treasurer—Mr, James Fletcher. Librarian—Mr. W. A. D. Lees. Council—Rev. G. W. Taylor, Mr. R. B. Whyte, Mr. A. P. Low. Auditors— Lt.-Col. W. P. Anderson, and Mr. W. R. Billings. 12 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COUNCIL. To the Members of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club : It again becomes the pleasing duty of the Council to report that the Club is in a very satisfactory condition, and that the success achieved during the tenth year of its existence has not been less marked than that noted in any of the previous annual reports. Notwithstanding that the membership has not greatly increased— the number of new members being only 27—its strength and develop- ment in other directions have been gradual and satisfactory, The number of corresponding members remains the same as last year, no change having been made. His Excellency the Governor General, Lord Stanley of Preston, has graciously consented to become the patron of the Club in the place of the Marquis of Lansdowne. The general excursions held during the summer were four in number, and the following places were visited: The first was to Kirk’s Ferry on the Gatineau River. This was the most numerously attended excursion yet held under the auspices of the Club, there being present no less than 135 members and their friends. Thesecond was to Aylmer; the third to Eastman’s Springs, and the fourth to King’s Mountain. Saturday afternoon sub-excursions were held throughout the season as usual, except during the month of August, beginning the first Satur- day in May, the attendance showing that the interest taken in them in former years had not abated. By means of these sub-excursions the geology and natural history of the immediate surroundings are being well worked up, still the work may be said to have only begun, and the leaders could not adopt a more successful plan of carrying it out, than by continuing these afternoon working parties. The winter course of meetings comprised six soirees, and nine after- noon lectures. At the soirees the following papers and reports were read: Dec. 13th, the President’s Inaugural Address, by Mr. R. B. Whyte; Jan. 17th, “Contribution to the Geology and Paleontology of the Townships of Russell and Cambridge, in Russell, Ont.,” (1, Physi- ography and general Geology, by Mr. W. Craig, Duncanville; 11, Palzon- 13 tology by Mr. H. M. Ami); “ Revision of the Post-tertiary Formations about Ottawa with their Fossils,” by Mr. H. M. Ami; note on Onoclea sensibilis var. obtusilobata, by H. M. Ami. Jan. 13th, “‘ Report of the Botanical Branch,” “‘ Notes on the Duration of the Leaves of some of the Conifer,” by Mr. J. Ballantyne; ‘‘ Notes on Bog Plants,” by Mr. R. B. Whyte; ‘‘ Poisonous Properties of the Agaricus Rodmani,” by Prof. Macoun; “An account of the first Lectures delivered in’ America on Botany at Harvard University,” by Dr. H. B. Small; February 14th, “Report of the Entomological Branch,” “Notes on the Ceraimbycide,” by Mr. W. H. Harrington ; February 28th, “Notes on Ornithology, with special reference to birds observed in the vicinity of Renfrew,” by Rev. C. J. Young; ‘Bird Calls,” by Mr. J. M. Macoun ; ‘‘What you see when out without your gun,” by Mr. W. A. D. Lees; ‘Report of the Conchological Branch ;’ March 14, ‘Notes on the Skunk” (Mephitis mephitica) by Mr. W. P. Lett ; ‘‘Report of the Geological Branch.” The Monday afternoon Elementary Lectures or classes were given as follows : Two on Conchology—one by Mr. F. R. Latchford, and one by Rev. G. W. Taylor ; two on Geology—one by Dr. R. W. Ells, and one by Mr. H. M. Ami; two on Entomology—one by Mr. J. Fletcher, the other by Mr. W. H. Harrington; two on Botany—one by Mr. James Fletcher, and one by Mr. R. B. Whyte ; one on Zoology, by Rev. G. W. Taylor. ; The lectures were commenced on the 7th January, and continued every Monday afternoon to the 11th March, and the attendance at them, as well as at the soirees, was very encouraging. One of the most gratifying features in connection with the past year’s work—and one which affords a good illustration of the influence which the Club continues to exert amongst its members—is that of the nineteen papers and lectures above mentioned, no less than eight were given by mem- bers who had not, until this winter, appeared before the Club in that capacity. Froin the Treasurer’s report you will learn that, financially, the standing of the Club is perhaps better than at any previous time of balancing. Mr. Fletcher has succeeded in collecting most of the ac- counts due for advertisements, and the subscriptions from many mem- bers who were far in arrears. The percentage of outstanding subscrip- tions is at present smaller than it has been for years. 14 The Exchange list has undergone a complete revision, and the NATURALIST is now sent only to those societies and individuals who show their appreciation of it in a practical manner. The Librarian’s report will be submitted to you, from which it will be seen that the names of most of the leading scientific societies throughout the country are on the list, and exchange their publications for ours, and that, between exchanges and donations, the library is be- coming large and valuable. During the past year, owing to difficulties and delays, over which the Council had no control, the issue of the NATURALIST was somewhat irregular, but the last number is now out, and the work up to date. Experience has shown that there are many serious difficulties in connection with the monthly publication of the Transactions. The amount of labor involved in the editing, and in obtaining the necessary matter at the proper time, in order to bring the journal out punctually, is so great, that it is almost impossible to find any one who is able to devote to it the time necessary to do the work. The Council, therefore, having had under consideration these, and the many other disadvantages which attend the present plan of publi- cation, are of opinion that the quarterly issue in the future would prove more advantageous. It is believed that the journal could be brought out punctually on the first of every third month, with much less work for the editor and publishing committee, and that the diffi- culty now experienced in obtaining matter in time for the printers would be, to a great extent, obviated, and that the result would be altogether more satisfactory to the members generally. They would, therefore, recommend that, in future, the Naturauist be published quarterly. They would also suggest that it is now in order to consider the advisability of authorizing the Council to publish in the NATURALIST (at their discretion) such papers, etc , from members of the Club on original work in geology and natural history outside of the present range of the Club’s operations, as may be read before it. All of which is respectfully submitted. Signed on behalf of the Council. T. J. MacLauGuHLin, 19th March, 1889. Secretary. 15 TREASURER’S REPORT. To the Council of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club. GENTLEMEN,—I have the honour to report that the finances of the club are in a satisfactory condition. Notwithstanding heavy and ex- ceptional expenditures during the past year we still have a balance on hand of $30.69, after clearing up all indebtedness. During the year many subscriptions which had fallen in arrear have been collected. A few members from various causes have left the club, but their place has been filled by new members. Our heaviest expenditure is the publication of the Transactions of the Club in the shape of the ‘Ottawa Naturalist.” This during the year just ended cost $220.95. Besides this a further sum of $40.56 was expended in reprinting entirely the first thirteen pages of the Flora Ottawaensis, and in having 100 extra copies struck off of pages 14 to 45. This makes a total of $261.51 expended upon transactions, against which there was received $67 for advertisements and $33.75 for trans- actions sold ; in all $100.95. A new item in the accounts is $11.00 as rent for the room in which we hold our meetings. The balance sheet is submitted herewith. TREASURER’S BALANCE SHEET—1889. RECEIPTS. EXPENDITURE. 1888. 1889. Mar. 20—Balance....... seeee $20 16 |] Mar. 20—The Ottawa Nat- 1889. uralist, Vol. II, Mar. 19—Subscriptions, Nos. 1-12...$210 40 1888-9 ....$152 00 Postage ..... 1095 Arrears..,.. 21 00 $220 95 : 173 00 Extras of ‘‘Flora Ot- Transactions sold.... 33 75 tawaensis” and re- Advertisements ....- 67 00 printing first 13 pages 40 50 Excursion receipts... 107 30 General postage ..... 5 07 Stationery.......... 1 05 Printing (circulars, postage, etc.) ...... 1099 Rent of Lecture Room 11 00 Excursion _expendi- $401 21 $401 21 JAMES FLETCHER, Ottawa, March 19, 1889. Treasurer, 16 LIBRARIAN’S REPORT. The following publications have been received during the year 1888-89, in exchange for the Ottawa Naturalist, or as donations: Some of them are exceedingly valuable additions to the Library of the Club. Geological and Natural History Survey of Canada: Annual Report, 1886. Catalogue of Canadian Plants— Macoun.—Parts IIT and IV. United States Geological Survey: Monograph XII, Geology and W in- eral Resources of Leadville, with Atlas. Mineral Resources of the United States, Day—18&86. Mineral Resources of the United States, 1887. Bulletins Nos. 40-47. United States Department of Agriculture: Insect Life, Vol. I. Bulletin No. 6, Botanical Division. Report No. 50 of Statistician. American Association for the Advancement of Science: Proceedings, Vol. XXXVI, 1887. Cincinnati Natural History Society: Journal, Vol. XI. Essex Field Club: Essex Naturalist, Vol. I. Kellerman, Dr. W. A.: Journal of Mycology, Vol. IV. Torrey Botanical Club: Bulletin, Vols. XV, XVI, 1-3. The Editors: Botanical Gazette, Vol. XIII. és Journal of Comparative Medicine and Surgery, Vol. 1X, HOS 2x1. Entomological Society of Ontario: Canadian Entomologist, Vol. XX, XXI, 1-3; and Annual Report, No, XVIII, 1887. New York Microscopical Society: Journal, Vols. IV, V, 1. American Ornitholigists’ Union: The Auk, Vols. V, VI, 1. Check List of North American Birds. Montreal Natural History Society. Canadian Record of Science, Vol. III, 2-3. Brooklyn Entomological Society: Entomologica Americana, Vols. IV, V, 1-2. Webster, Frank B.: Ornithologist and Oologist, Vols. XIII, XIV, 1-2. Cambridge Entomological Club: Psyche, Vol. V, 141-155. vi Nova Scotia Institute of Natural Sciences: Procee lings and Transac- tions, Vol. VII. 1-2. Laval University: Annuaire, 1888-89. . Queen’s College: Calendar, 1888-89. Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society: Journal, Vols, IV, V, 1. illinois State Laboratory of Natural History: Bulletin, Vols. II. III, 1-4. Massachusetts Hortieultural Society: Transactions, 1887-8, Part I. Middlesex Institute: Flora of Middlesex County, Mass. New York Academy of Sciences: Transactions, Vol. VII. Smith, John B. ¢ Monograph of Shpingidee of America North of Mexico. Notes on Callimorpha. The species_of Euerythra. American Museum of Natural Ilistory: Annual Report, 1887-88. Johns Hopkins’ University: Circulars, Nos. 66-69. Farlow, Prof. W. G.: Memoir of Edward Tuckerman. A Provisional Host Index of the Fungi of the United States, Part I—Polypetale. Supplemental list of works on North American Fungi. Burgess, Dr. T. J. W.: How to Study Botany. Manitoba Historical and Scientific Society: Annual Report, 1887. Winnipeg Board of Trade: Ninth Annual Report, 1888. Dolley, Dr. Chas. S.: Preliminary Abstract Report of Marine Labor- atory stationed in 1887 at Nassau, New Providence. Ami, Henri M.: Flora Temiscouatensis. K6nigsberg—Physikalisch—Oekonomischen Gesselschaft: Schriften, 1887. Honeyman, Rev. D.: Glacial Geology of Nova Scotia. Lintner, Prof. J. A.: Fourth Report on the Injurious and other Insects of the State of New York. Blytt, Prof. A. (Norway): On Variations of Climates in the Course of Time. The Probable Cause of the Displacement of Beach Lines (two papers). Meteorological Service of Canada: Monthly Weather Review, Mar.- Nov. Report, 1885. Department of Agriculture, Canada: Report, 1888. Statistical Abstract and Record, 1886. B 18 North Staffordshire Naturalists’ Field Club: Report of Transactions, 1887-1888. Ragonot, Prof. E. I: Diagnoses of North American Phycitide and Galleride. Boston Society of Natural History: Transactions, Vol. X XIII, 3-4. Chamberlain, Montague: Systematic Table of Canadian Birds W. H. HARRINGTON, Orrawa, 15th March, 1889. Librarian. :0: THE AMERICAN SKUNK. By Wituiam Pirrman Lert. Comparatively speaking, the call of the president for my unex- pected appearance before you this evening, was as sudden and as rapid as the flight of the blue-winged teal coming down the wind at the rate of ninety-five miles an hour. However, like an ardent votary of the double hammerless choke-bore, I have endeavored to exemplify the sportsman’s motto—nunquam non paratus. I am almost a stranger upon this platform, partly through my own neglect and in some measure on account of my not having sufficient leisure to devote to the valuable and important objects of the Field Naturalists’ Club, which I have always considered one of the most use- ful and interesting public organizations in the city of Ottawa. I have selected for a few minutes’ consideration this evening an animal of great beauty, although of a malodorous character, the habits and peculiarities of which are perhaps as little known, generally speak- ing, as are those of any animal indigenous to this part of Canada. Having said so much, my hearers can readily conclude that I am going to deal with the skunk, a task much more pleasant to perform theoreti- cally than practically. The Skunk (Mephitis mephitica ), is an animal about the size of a large cat, perhapsa little bulkier in body, but not quite so long. Its general colour is brownish black, with white longitudinal stripes on each side of the back, as well as on the head. It has a long bushy tail, white upon the upper and black upon the under surface. The head 19 is short, the nose somewhat projecting, and the snout is rather blun The feet have five toes on each, those upon the fore feet being armed with strong, curved claws indicating the powers of the animal in bur rowing. The coarser hairs on the skin are unusually long, beneath which the body is covered with a thick undergrowth of fine, soft glossy fur of great beauty. The Skunk belongs to the Mustelide, and like the bear, the mar- ten and the otter, ranks among the digitigrades. It is a very slow moving animal. Unless near its hole, when disturbed, it never attempts to make a hurried retreat, but rather stands upon its dignity, with its feet on the ground and its tail to the foe. I may say that the dignity of the Skunk is very generally respected by those who have had any previous acquaintance with its proclivities. The anal glands of the Skunk secrete a yellow coloared trans parent fluid, which is intolerably fetid and offensive; notwithstanding which, I have learned that recently a deodorizing method is being tested in France, by means of which it is hoped that the lasting qualities may be preserved, and the noxious character of the odour so greatly miti- gated as to serve like Musk or Civet as the foundation for perfumes of a most agreeable and pleasant nature. When irritated, the Skunk is capable of ejecting this fluid to a distance of six or eight feet, in the form of a fine yellow spray, which spreads and widens in volume after it leaves its source. Such is the diffusive and penetrating potency of this volatile agent that I have known it to be carried by a brisk wind upwards of four hundred feet from the spot where it was discharged, into a field where a herd of cattle was grazing, causing the startled animals to run bellowing in a frenzied state in all directions. The animal which caused this excitement was fast in a steel trap, which I had set some days before for foxes. At the time of the incident, [ had never seen a skunk ; although I had had previous personal experience that the Township of Huntly, in the neighborhood of the present Carp Village, had been by no means neglected or forgotten in the topographical distribution of this beautiful little animal. I closely examined the stranger, and became suspicious ; and in order to solve my doubts, I cut down a pole about fifteen feet long and stirred up the unknown. I assure you I was not long left in 20 suspense or doubt as to its identity. It is enough to say that my caution saved me the trouble and necessity of burying my clothes. I carried the trap home and placed it in a running stream. I left it there for six months, and when I took it out at the end ot that period, “the scent of mephitica hung round it stlll.” While speaking of this peculiar feature of the Skunk, it may interest, if it does not positively benefit some one, if I reveal, without charging anything for the prescription, a secret connected with the mephitic weapon of the Skunk. While ont one day in September, 1878, shooting ducks and prairie chickens on the prairies of the State of Iowa, a Skunk was killed by one of the party. The incident brought on a talk about the animal in the evening; when I was assured by a number of the citizens of the town of Algona that the offensive liquid secreted in the anal sacs was one of the best and most effective remedies for that obstinate disease, asthma. The remedy is applied by means of inhalation, and, in that state, is univerally con- sidered a specific of great value. The effect of its application is similar to that produced by the pungent odour of coal gas upon the symptoms of the whooping cough. There may be strong grounds for believing that the exterminating perfume of the Skunk may be of great benefit as a powerful remedial agent in the mitigation, and perhaps cure of asthma. During the summer months the remedy can be easily obtained ; and it is well worth while to give it a trial. I have given this hint, not merely as a naturalist, but, I trust, as a public benefactor. I believe that in the vast, and as yet but partially explored and undeveloped laboratory of nature, a remedy will yet be found for every ailment incident to the human constitution ; more simple, and perhaps more effective, than the mysterious and elaborate formulas of the pharmacopeia or materica medica. I mean no offence to the learned and skilful professors of modern medical science, for whom I have the highest respect ; nor have I any desire to be made the victim of the, at present, sheathed lancets of the disciples of Galen and Hippocrates. The fur of the skunk is a valuable article of commerce, the pelt being enduring, the coat beautiful and glossy. The better class of skunk skins made up in Canada are produced by the States of New 21 - York and New Jersey ; but why they should be superior to our own, while we have as good if not better climatic advantages, it is diffi- cult to say. The skunk is carnivorous, it might almost be said omnivorous. It feeds upon small birds, wild birds’ eggs, frogs, mice, lizards, and insects, and is especially fond of grasshoppers, which it destroys in great numbers. It is a nocturnal animal, and it is charged with com- mitting serious depredations amongst poultry. The skunk is extremely cleanly in its habits, never allowing the smallest drop of the feetid matter to defile its own fur. When suddenly killed no disagreeable odour is perceptible about the dead body ; and it is said that the flesh, when the animal is carefully skinned and proper- ly cooked, is esteemed a great luxury by those who have tried it. The den of the skunk is found more frequently upon flat ground than upon the sloping sides of hills. The holes extend from six to eight feet horizontally, then widen out into a cavity of considerable extent,. the floor of which is covered with dry leaves and soft moss. The skunk being gregarious, in this habitation, in winter, may be found as many as: fifteen or twenty of the animals. They retire to their dens in the early part of Autumn; and like the bear and raccoon, go through the process of hibernation, sustaining a semi-torpid existence upon the super- abundance of fat accumulated during the summer. Jn the southern states they remain at large during the entire year, the climate being sufficiently warm in winter to suit their organization. My old friend, that accomplished naturalist and distinguished paleonlotogist, the late Elkanah Billings, in relation to this animal says: “Tn Dr, Lichtenstein’s celebrated work, published in 1338, in Ber- lin, it is stated that there are seventeen species of the genus Mephiiicus; one of which is found at the Cape of Good Hope, twoin North America and the remainder in Mexico and South America.” Mr. Billings further says: ‘This species of skunk—. e. the skunk of the Ottawa Valley—is found all over the British American posses- ions, as high as 57° North, and ranges south to Kentucky, Carolina, and . Alabama. It is common in Upper and Lower Canada. In the month 22 of April, 1856, we found a skunk in the Rideau canal, which apparently had been drowned in attempting to swim across; and a few days later another was shot by Mr. Lett, of Ottawa. We have the skulls of both.” I have been told that the “Thousand Islands” in the River St. Law- rence, is an actual paradise for skunks. Not being possessed of the agility of the fox, the weasel, the mink or the martin, the Skunk is not capable of doing much damage to game birds. It, however, reduces the number of those birds materially by the destruction of their eggs, which constitute one of its staple articles of food. But for this natural propensity, his comparatively trifling sin, robbing henroosts, is scarcely an indictment of sufficient gravity to warrant capital punishment, much less wanton and inhuman extermi- nation. Humanity in the treatment of animals is closely allied to charity towards our fellow man. To use the beautiful and expressive language of the poet Cowper : “‘T would not enter on my list of friends, (Though graced with polished manners and fine sense, Yet wanting sensibility) the man Who needlessly setsjfoot upon a worm. An inadvertent step may crush the snail That crawls at evening in the public path ; But he that has humanity, forewarned. Will tread aside, and let the reptile live.” Although one of the weakest and most insignificant of animals, the Skunk has been armed by nature with a means of defence as irre- sistible as it is often unexpected by an enemy attacking him with nature’s weapons only. His appearance is innocent; his aspect is interesting and elegant, so much so that the stranger who is unac- quainted with his nature and his habits is surprised by the realities surrounding a first antagonistic introduction to this gentle-looking child of the forest. It has long been known that the oil from the fat of the Skunk is a valuable remedy for rheumatism, and upon consulting scientific authori- ties I have found that the fetid matter of this animal has long been » 20 regarded as a remedy of singular effectiveness for asthma, as already stated. The breeding and rearing of skunks, for their skins, has recently engaged the attention of enterprising speculators in the United States ; who would make far more out of the other, far more useful and import- ant, parts of the animal than they could from the fur, if they were thoroughly acquainted with its history and its qualities. The lion, the tiger, the leopard, the hyena, the jaguar, the croco- dile, the boa-constrictors and the anacondas, possess, respectively, mighty powers of offence and aggression. I venture, nevertheless, to say, that a skunk, single-handed, could put any one of those ferocious monsters to flight. How wonderful and mysterious are the provisions of nature, which thus invests small and weak animals with defensive attributes sufficiently powerful to resist the attacks of the strongest, and protect them from aggression and the danger of extinction. ven the “fretful porcupine,” with its bristling array of dangerous spines, would be obliged to flee in terror from the resistless armament of the skunk. Every living thing has its pecular province and its wisely assigned sphere of usefulness in the great economy of Nature; and as I have briefly endeavoured to prove, even the skunk—whose name is erroneously the popular synonyne of useless repulsiveness—is neither an uninteresting nor unimportant item in the grand and attractive volume of creation. Even the skunk is deserving of a commemorative and descriptive page in the beautiful and improving classics of Natural History—the investigation of which science, I may be permitted to say to an audience like the one before me—is one of the most delightful and instructive studies which can engage the attention of the human mind. 24 THE BIRDS OF RENFREW COUNTY, ONT. By Rev. C. J. Youne, M.A., (Renfrew.) Having been a member of the O. F. N. Club for several years, and always taking considerable interest in the various pursuits and studies the society has done so much to popularize, yet never until this evening have I been able to be present at a meeting. I gather from the pro- gramme which was sent to me, that evenings have been set apart during the present winter for the discussion of various branches of natural his- tory; and that on the present evening ornithology and conchology should be the subjects under discussion. I will take the subject of ornithology. To my mind there is no more delightful study than this. I have always taken an interest in birds and their doings, from the times when I used to admire the eggs strung on strings in the cottages of the village where I was brought up in England, emptied of their contents through im- mense holes at each end, and hung up regardless of size or species—to as recent a date as the beginning of the present month, when I watched two gray shrikes in pursuit of the common sparrow. ‘To one fond of nature, and nature's surroundings, ornithology lends a_ hand in bringing him into the presence of some of nature’s grandest handi work, or leading him among the sublimest sylvan scenes. Not so many years ago I spent a holiday with a relative,—I was not in the ministry at that time—in hunting amid the recesses of Cairn Gorm in Inver- nesshire, for the nest of the snow-bunting ‘‘ Plectrophenax nivalis.” We had read somewhere that a few of these birds bred on or near the sum- mit, and had determined to try to verify the statement. The weather was cold and the season backward, when we started for the scene of our search, though it was the beginning of June. It is scarcely necessary to add that the immediate object in view was not attained and we did not even see the birds we sought. But in another direction we gained more than we dreamed of when we started, thus exemplifying my form- er statement that ornithology lends a helping hand to a study of nature. We reached the summit of that well known mountain, and delighted in the view, which none except those who have been there or in similar scenes can realize; we found specimens of the often sought for ‘‘Cairn Gorm” stones and noted many plants. On onr way down we encount- Os ered a thunder shower, and. were glad | to find shelter under a huge boulder. We reached the wood at the foot known. as. “Rothiemurchus Forest,” just as the daylight faded into gloom.. We had ten miles to traverse, and losing our path for a while, were glad to pass the night in a barn. And we reached our stopping place in the morning, so weary and tired that for some days after we could hardly walk around. And the object of all this, which some might call wasted energy, was to try to learn something of the breeding habits of our familiar Canadian ‘Snow-Bird.” But although on_ that occasion I learnt and saw other things than those I was in quest of, - I did not fail to learn something of birds too, for we found the ptarmigan or white grouse, breeding at the very summit of the mountain. We watched the golden plover at a lesser altitude. At the foot we found that rare British bird, the greenshank, so similar except in size, to the solitary sandpiper ‘‘Totanus solitarius,” of this country ; and not only saw the bird, but identified a breeding locality. For though we did not find the nest or young, we found a portion of an egg shell, from which the young had very recently emerged. This bird has a curious habit of alighting on the tops of fir and other small trees after the manner of some of the herons. I must not omit to mention that on this occasion too we came across the very local, crested titmouse, as well as the com- mon crossbill. But I have said sufficient of that particular occasion ; a few years later in another part of the country a holiday ramble was more prolific from an ornithological point of view than that one. I came across what might be aptly termed “the last breeding haunt of the kite.” Some of you perhaps know how familiar a bird this once was in Britain, with its sombre reddish plumage, its great stretch of wing, and its majestic soaring high in the air. But it is now all but extinct : if England were searched through I don’t think a nest could be found ; two or three pairs may remain in Scotland and Wales. On one occasion in the latter days of Summer I saw as many as eleven of these birds circling in the air at ane time. But you are more interested in ornithology in the abstract, or at any rate in Canadian ornithology. Now let me tell you, I think very little interest is taken in this branch of natural history here. I think, as far as my small experience goes, the girls and boys, and the grown 26 people who have spare time don’t trouble themselves at all about the birds. Some of you may say this is a good thing, for by it, you may think, many a bird with its nest and eggs is left unmolested. But this is not exactly the result of my experience. I hear of nests being torn down and the eggs trampled on, or the young destroyed. I hear of birds being shot at all seasons for no earthly purpose whatever. In short, I notice a great scarcity of birds in the part of Ontario where I live, and am told they are yearly diminishing. The prejudice, if 1 may call it such, to ornithology, and ornithologists is this :—People think it is a cruel study, or a useless one. Certainly a practical ornithologist must be prepared to endure the charge of cruelty. But think of the many, more especially in Britain, who love the subject for its surround- ings, and who while taking part in it, scarcely ever sacrifice a feathered hfe. In days now passed, when I devoted a considerable amount of my spare time to this study, I may say I never destroyed a bird for the purpose of identification, and there are very few British land birds that I cannot identify. Ihave made myself familiar too, with many of the local Canadian birds, and all this without destruction of life. My method, and the methods of others like myself, is to provide.a pair of strong field glasses ; these assisted by a fondness for the pursuit, and a little reading, will generally accomplish the object, and make an amateur fairly proficient. I do not say I have never taken a bird’s egg, perhaps I have taken too many, for in my time I have collected nearly 200 varieties of British eggs, and have added a few in Canada. Some lady my say: “ How can you, who pretend to love the birds, boast of having destroyed in a sense the germ of life of so many ; you whose function it is to protect rather than to destroy?” Yet to such a one I reply, that it is this very love which makes a naturalist and a collector sometimes cruel. To have reminders of former scenes, to look at some cherished specimen that in after years brings back to the mind’s eye the sense of some former effort, some trial of strength, some anxious moment, the companionship of some dear friend, the thrill of excite- ment, the hardly earned trophy. There is no truer pleasure to a genuine lover of nature than that of watching the habits of birds in their free, wild state. I can scarcely say I approve of amateurs shoot- ing the birds. I have been told by such that it is with feelings of 27 reluctance, and often of positive pain, that the fatal trigger is pressed, and thus is brought to a premature end a life full of joy and beauty. But yet for purposes of science or discussion a bird or an egg must sometimes be procured to be laid in the cabinet. It is occasionally impossible with the best glasses in the world for a naturalist to thoroughly know a bird, to learn the trifling points of difference which are often all that distinguish it from others of the same ‘genus ;’ to understand its structure and other characteristics, unless he can handle and dissect it, as well as see it in the ‘bush.’ And again it is not to the one person alone, but to many, that; the dead bird or the curiously marked egg brings the joy of the deeper knowledge of the Creator's love and wisdom. Look, for instance, at the collections in public places—at your own museum now forming here in Ottawa—to how many do and will ihe sight of these bring brief relaxation and recrea- tion, among the many vicissitudes of every day life. Many a country lad and maiden will have their minds delighted by a visit to the collec- tions, that individual effort, for the most part, is forming here. There- fore, do not set down every naturalist, every collector, as a cruel wretch, who takes life regardless of its value, but believe that many such feel from the heart the truth of the poet’s words— “‘ He prayest best who lovest best All things both great and small, For the dear Lord that loveth us, He made and loveth all.” And speaking of the elder among us, the collections we may look at, when advancing years forbid us any longer to follow nature in her haunts ; the cases our eyes still eagerly scan will recall memories of some pleasant holiday, some glorious excursion in the days that are no more. Itisa sight which breaks in upon the monotony of many a long hour of tedious work ; this case recalls to a past lover of nature the white sands or the grassy marsh far away in the distant North ; that case carries him back in thought to a long summer day spent on some wild sea shore ; another one wakes up in him the thrilling excite- ment in some long and successful stalk. Yes! by these objects we live once more in the happy past, and the soothing influence thus pro- cured lingers with us through many a solitary hour. 98 But you will say I am sermonizing, and you will grow weary of me before I have well entered on my subject, so let me continue more | to the point and say something of our Canadian birds. My observa- tions are very limited both as to time and the ground I have traversed. I can only tell you a little about some birds in Eastern Ontario. Let me begin with the eagle. The Bald-headed Hagle, Haliaetus leucocephalus, seems to be almost unknown now in the County of Renfrew. I have seen one in the course of three years, and that was a straggler. A few years ago I believe they were not uncommon. A pair still breeds, I am told, in the upper reaches of the Madawaska river, and just outside the County,, at the headwaters of the sume river, in the Nipissing district, they are still met with. I have seen one nest of these birds, a high mass of sticks in an elm tree close to the Rideau lake. This was nearly four years ago. On the 12th of May the nest was not completed, for whilst I watched, one of the old birds flew over my head with a piece of straw or reed in its beak, evidently intended as lining for that nest. Whether they still nest there I cannot say, but probably not. The golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) used also, I think, to nest in some of the rocks in the remote parts of Renfrew county. ‘There is a very fine stuffed specimen of this bird in the village of Renfrew which was shot near the Petawawa river. The next birds I shall speak of are the hawks. In the southern part of the county of Lanark these are more plentiful than in Renfaew. In the latter county, although we might expect the contrary, they are quite rare. The fish hawk (Pandion hiliaetus carolinensis) is occasionally seen, and nests in the locality. The nest is as a rule placed upon the top of a rampike standing in the water. I have noticed the goshawk (Accipiter atricapillus), the red-tail (Buteo borealis), the broad-winged Buteo latissimus Cooper’s (Accipiter Cooperi)—of this I am not quite sure ; the marsh hawk (Circus Hud- sonius), the sparrow hawk (falco sparverius). Of the first of these I found a nest in the county of Lanark, containing three eggs, on the 2nd of May, slightly ineubated. A very fine specimen was shot the winter before last just outside of the village of Renfrew, and was given to me. T now have it stuffed and set up in a case. But the two commonest. hawks are the broad-winged and the sparrow ; the former in the bush, a8) the latter more frequently in the open fields. I have met with the nest of the broad-winged three times. On each occasion it was built against - the trunk of a birch tree, at no very great height, for my eldest boy was able'to climb ap to it. The first nest contained eggs on the 9th May ; the other two not until the 24th. Most persons who have taken an interest in the subject are familiar with the nesting habits of the little sparrow hawk. With regard to the marsh hawk, it appears early in the spring, hovering over some marsh, but it does not commence to lay its eggs until towards the endof May. I met with the nest twice in the county of Lanark, but am not sure whether it breeds in Ren- frew ; probably it does in suitable places. The first nest I found was simply a little grass scraped together in a marshy place, under a low bush. The second was quite a mass of sticks, &c., in a somewhat drier spot, and on the 6th of June contained three young ones and two eggs. Of the owls I cannot say much. The only one I have seen is the great horned owl (Bubo Virginianus). It is not common in the woods. I once came across a nest on a stunted tamarac in a large secluded marsh —a most unlikely spot for this bird to breed in—and I have now a living specimen which was reared from this nest nearly three years ago. Though this bird does not know what liberty is, it does not get tame, but constantly exhibits its wild, savage nature. Without going into detail, I may give short particulars of some other birds. The northern shrike is not uncommon in the winter. I have only seen one in the summer, and never saw a nest, to the best of my knowledge, though it or its near congener, the white ramped (Lanius excubitorides) is a not uncommon resident in the adjoining County of Lanark. I have seen its nest four times in thorn-bushes newly built in the month of April, The Canada jay is another resident. This bird is quite plentiful in the fall, but I have seen it in the spring two or three times in the Opeongo district. The blue jay is of course plen- tiful and breeds. Of the thrushes we have the brown thrush, or thrasher, the hermit thrush, the tawny thrush, and I suppose the olive- backed. The first three of these breed plentifully, the first named sometimes placing its nest on the ground besidea stone. Of allied species the water thrush, and the golden-crowned, or oven bird, are both 30) to be met with. That interesting group of birds, the wartklers, is well represented. The common yellow warbler is very common some years, as last summer, when they were extraordinarily numerous. their nests being met with everywhere. In other years scarcely a nest is to be seen. In the County of Lanark I found the black and yellow warbler breeding as late as July, and have also seen the bird in Renfrew. I met with a specimen of the chestnut-sided last summer by the Mada- waska River, but this is the only time I have seen it. We have seve- ral others of this group, but they are hard to identify. The Arctic three- toed woodpecker has been unsually abundant during the past fall and winter. I saw eight or ten of them, but only one with the yellow stripe on the head. My first record is October 11th. Snow birds ap- peared very early last fall. I saw the first one on October 10th. The pine grosbeak has been common. I saw a number of small flocks, but have never seen any before in a period of five years in Lanark or Ren- frew. There were also numbers of the American goldfinch or wild canary about in flocks during the winter, and the pine siskin has also been unusually numerous. My many engagements and other calls have not allowed me tv give the time to this paper which I intended, and with regret I have to omit many items which I thought to bring in. However, I have, perhaps, well nigh succeeded in wearying you; yet I trust the little information I have given may not be thrown away, but that all of you who take the same interest in the subject as I have done may, whenever the opportunity occurs, turn once again to the scene of former labors, and strive, for the benefit and encouragement of others who will afterwards follow in his footsteps, to unravel some of the still hidden mysteries of the bird creation. 31 WHAT YOU SEE WHEN YOU GO OUT WITHOUT YCUR GUN. By W. A. D. Less, Read February 28th, 1889. When I was asked to read you a paper on the birds, I felt that I was very unfit for the task, never having had any more than a nodding acquaintance with the science of Ornithology, and having only begun a year ago to observe the birds with any degree of care. Still I could not make up my mind to lose the chance of telling you some of my first year’s experiences so that you might be made aware how much whole- some enjoyment may be got from the study of birds, by any one who is willing to use his eyes and his ears, even though he be entirely without technical knowledge. And even here I feel that I shall fail, for no words of mine can adequately express the many and varied delights of a bird-hunt such as I was fortunate enough, almost weekly, last year, to share the enjoyment of with Mr. N. F. Ballantyne, a fellow-member of this Club, and such as I shall do my best to give you a brief outline sketch of. But before I begin, I should like to advise anyone who in- tends making a closer acquaintance with the birds, if possible to induce a friend to become his fellow-student. One will be enough, for the birds do not care to receive too many visitors at atime, but if this one be thoroughly in sympathy with you and with the birds, you will find that this arrangement will not only add a hundredfold to the charm of the work, (if such it may be called) but will be practically useful as well, for, apart from the pleasure of sharing newly ac- quired knowledge with one interested in the same subject, many cases of doubt arise in the identification of birds, where two heads are better than one. Even if you do get into a rather heated discussion, now and then, as to whether a given bird isa Bald Eagle or a Blackburnian Warbler, a Saw-whet Owl ora Wilson’s Thrush, neither of you will be likely to carry away any very serious wounds from the fray, and each will determine to make sure of his bird next time. 32 But, say the orthodox ornithologists, “Why need there be any doubt cf this kind? Ail you have to do is to shoot your bird, and carry 1t home, count its toes, and its primaries and secondaries (what- ever they are), examine its beak and its other diagnostic marks, and you will then be able to say with confidence that it is either a wood- pecker or something else.” Well, I admit that all this is trae, and for the systematic ornithologist it is the only way, but for one who merely wishes to know the birds in their native haunts, I submit in all humility it is not necessary, and when we went to work last Spring we decided not to doit. After long and sometimes warm discussions of the matter, we came to the conclusion that when we found ourselves in imminent danger of becoming great naturalists, there would still be time to shoot. Besides we had access to one of the finest public col- lections in Canada, supplemented by some very complete private ones, belonging to members of the club, which, we felt sure, the owners would be glad to let us see in case of need. Finally, what we most wished to study was the habits of the birds, and a dead bird has no habits in particular. So we went out, armed with nothing more deadly than a double- barrelled field-glass. a note book, and a copy of McIlwraith’s “ Birds of Ontario,” and, having mastered, to a certain extent, what a recent writer on ‘‘woodcraft” calls “the art of holding down a log,” we made bags (I mean note-books) which were to us, at least, as satisfactory as if we had come home begrimed with powder, and reeking with the blood of slaughtered innocents. From the bleak winter day when we first made out, against the dark background of spruce and cedar, the grey uniform with black fac- ings worn by that arch-hypocrite the Northern Shrike, through all our varied experiences of musical thrushes and sparrows, nimble swifts and swallows, and gaily-clad orioles and warblers, till the climax of aston- ishment was reached when we got our first glimpse of the Scarlet Tanager in all his tropical brilliance, one new delight followed another, only leaving room for vain regrets that we had wasted so many years in ignorance of the wonders about us. To give you some faint notion of what may be seen in a Spring day’s walk, let me ask you to make with us, in imagination, what we 33 ? rather bombastically called “the grand tour,” and for that purpose let us select, say, the 29th of April. Your imaginations will have to be early risers, for we are to start at 5 a.m., and even then the birds are ahead of us, for at ten minutes before that hour, while waiting for the start, a tiny Ruby-crowned Kinglet, hopping from branch to branch of a balsam fir, announces to the world at large, in one of the happiest little songs in nature, that he is taking his breakfast, and enjoying it too. A Black and White Warbler, creeping up the trunk of a cedar, is also up for the day, and catching, if not the early worm, at least some- thing as toothsome to him. We go down the railway track, listening, by the way, to the White-throats at their matins, and, at the Rideau Bridge, we see first one, then a pair, of ducks, flying up the river. Instantly we level our glasses at them, but their speed is too great for such inexperienced shots, and ‘‘not idertified”’ goes down in our note- books. We make our way to Clarke’s bush, which stands on the high ground to the South of the Rideau. Here, at the edge of the woods, we bring down our first Savanna Sparrow, a species which we find later in the summer to be tolerably common in the meadows and pastures, and here too we see, but alas! do not hear, our first Hermit Thrush. The woods are fairly ringing with the morning drum-taps of the Downy Woodpecker, the§loud rattling call of the Flicker, and the incessant chatter and screech of,Rusty, and Red-winged Blackbirds. As we proceed through the woods towards Billings’ Bridge, we take time to look down as well as up, and find that the hepaticas and adderstongues have made the brown carpet of leaves beautiful, with their delicate | blossoms, and that the buds of the wake-robins, and red trilliums are almost ready to open. In a piece of poplar swamp, we come upon the Myrtle Warblers, with their yellow crowns, and_ shoulder knots, hopping from branch to branch, catching the insects attracted by the blossoms of these trees. Then we come out into the open, and, in a wet pasture, we start up, (or should I say “ flush ?’) a pair of Wilson’s Snipe, at which we have several good shots with our glasses, as we follow them from one corner to another of the field, which they seem loth to quit, thus getting a very fair inventory of their markings. We come out at Billings Bridge, and follow the road up tke South side of the river, till we cross Cc 34 the track of the St. L. & O. Branch of the C. P. R., between which and Hog’s Back is a piece of mixed hardwood and evergreen bush, which, later in the season, we christened ‘““Warbler’s Paradise.” It is a week too early for most of the warblers yet, and we see little but king- lets and nuthatches, creepers and chickadees, but within a month we saw, in this small resting-place of the Spring migrants, all or nearly all of the eighteen warblers we met with in our first year’s investigations. Here I sat the whole of one afternoon in the beginning of May, and exclaimed to myself (for I was alone this time) as one after another, the Myrtle, Magnolia, Blackburnian, Black-throated Green, Yellow and Yellow Palm, Warblers, and the Redstarts, astonished me by the brightness and variety of their plumage and the sprightliness of their movements. Later still we found here such gems as the Black-throated Elue, the Chestnut-sided, the Bay-breasted, the Black-poll, and the Canadian. But to come back to April 29th, and resume our walk. Here it was that we saw a garter-snake and a copper-snake, (at least that is what we called them when we were boys), and here we note that the poplars, alders, and hazels shed pollen at the slightest touch. Here, too, we take the first swim of the season, at least one of us does, and it is a very short one, for the water is several degrees colder than the air, but evidently it is long enough to excite the wonder of the denizens of the deep, for while dressing after the bath, a muskrat pokes his nose up at the water's edge at the very feet of the bather, gives one look of astonish- ment at the demented human, who has thus early invaded his watery domain, then turns up his tail in evident disgust and “silently steals away.” Later, as we lie resting among the pine bristles on the Hog’s Back, we see a flock of ten ducks making all haste to reach some of the mountain lakes to the North of us, but this time they are out of range, and we turn homewards without having bagged any game bird but the snipe. Much worth telling occurred on the home journey, but I have already kept you long enough, and I should like to te:] you before I finish of another kind of a tramp, and to show you that, though I have chosen a Spring walk to write about, almost as much enjoyment, though of a different kind, may be had from a tramp on snowshoes, in the depth of Winter. 30 To convince you that there is much to be seen in the wcods in Winter, and that they are by no means deserted by the birds, it will be only necessary to mention that I have seen since the first of Decem- ber, principally in Dow's Swamp (a perfect treasure-house for the naturalist at any time of year), sixteen different species of birds, Of these the first I think of, as he was the first I saw after beginning observations last February, is the Northern shrike, whom, earlier in this paper, I called an arch-hypocrite, and I did so advisedly, for at one moment you will hear him singing away on the topmost twig of some bare tree, proclaiming himself the most innocent and well-meaning of birds, and the next you will surprise him in the act of making a meal off some hapless goldfinch or siskin, which he has beforehand hung up in his butcher’s shop in the thorn-bush. The White- winged Crossbill, when seen against a dark background of ever- greens, as he hangs in every conceivable attitude, feeding on the seeds of the tamarac, is one of the handsomest birds of any season, and his cousin, the Red, or American Crossbill, is not far behind him in good looks. Then there is the big, solemn, Pine Grosbeak, who either does not know or is not afraid of man, whom all the other birds seem to consider, and perhaps not without reason, their natural enemy. In seasons when he comes from the North in any considerable numbers, as he has this winter, he may be seen wherever there are rowan berries, but if these are not to be had he will content himself with cedar instead. Occasionally we see, or more often hear, the White breasted Nut-hatch, who defies the cold with his cheerful nasal ‘“‘quank,” and we rarely miss the Chickadee, a veritable little Canuck, with his black cap and muffler, often accompanied by his brown-capped and chestnut-sided cousin from the North, the Hudsonian. The Hairy and the Downy Woodpeckers are to be seen, too, the latter a smaller edition of the former in the same binding. That handsome fellow in the cedars, who is talking to himself in an undertone, and now and then laughing at your efforts to spy him out in his dark retreat, is the Blue Jay. An occasional crow is also seen flying to and from his meals at the slaughter house, and once in a while we get a glimpse of the Ruffed Grouse or Partridge, while Redpolls, Goldfinches, Pine Siskins and Snowflakes com- plete the list. With all these to study, one can readily see that the - 36 winter need be no more a time of idleness to the student of birds than the summer. One thing more occurs to me to mention, and that is that the study of birds is as well suited to the gentler sex as to the sterner, and, being a firm advocate of co-education, I see no reason why each of us should not have for his companion in his “bird-walks” a sister, a cousin, or even a more distant relation. And now that I have come to the end of my ramblings, I give you the parting advice ‘‘ Try it for yourselves.” 70: REPORT OF THE GEOLOGICAL BRANCH. (READ Marcu 71TH, 1889.) To the Council of the Ottawa Field Naturalists’ Club :— GENTLEMEN : In presenting you with the annual summary report of the Geological branch of the Club’s work, the leaders have much pleasure in announcing that the interest which has been manifest and increasing, from year to year, since the organization of the Club, a decade of years ago, bids fair to continue increasing, as the field of geological investigations is wide and far from being exhausted. Since early spring, (1888), and even before the sun’s rays had caused the most recent formation of snow to disappear, work was hegun, and collections were made by several members. Then came the excursions and sub-excursions, which were held at regular intervals during the Spring, Summer, and Autumn months. The excursions were very well attended, but the sub-excursions, with one or two conspicuous exceptions, were only fairly well attended. It is believed that more systematic work can be performed, and better results obtained, if small working parties are organized, and examine, carefully, definite areas. Among interesting notes and specimens obtained, during the season of 1888 may be mentioned the following : In the Post-Tertiary formations, Mr, Ami has continued taking observations, and making notes of sections, and of the fossil remains found: in them. A detailed study of these formations, at the Central 'Experi-. 30 mental Farm, was made, and interesting sections recorded. Special attention was given to ancient river channels, and many evidences were ~ obtained respecting their course and extent. On both sides of the present Ottawa River, ancient river channels were discovered and noted. Mr. C. B. Wright’s brick yard was visited, by. Mr. Ami in Febru- ary, and he obtained the fine specimen of a young harp seal, which is now in the National Museum, Sussex street. It was embedded along with other species of marine organisms, in the “Leda clay” formation, at a depth of thirty-two feet. The specimen exhibits the lower left ramus, portion of skull, and most of the vertebrz, and cost, with the scapula and other bones of the limbs, and is nearly entire. Mr. T. C. Weston has cleverly articulated the specimen, and it may be seen in the museum. In the Utica formation two important discoveries were made by Mr. Ami, viz., a new sponge, and anew barnacle. The sponge consists of slender and simple spicules, arranged in a cyathiform or radiating manner, and occurs in the upper portion of the lower half of the Utica forma- tion. The first specimens collected were obtained from the Utica shales drawn to the paths of Major’s Hill park, from a lot on the Mon- treal Road near the St. L. & O, R. R. crossing. The best collection however, was made from a trench on Albert street, between O'Connor and Bank streets, at the same horizon. The best specimens were sent to Dr. Geo. J. Hinde, whose researches in fossil sponges are so well and favourably known that the Ottawa material could not be placed in bet- ter hands. Dr. Hinde has very kindly undertaken to describe this species, which seems to belong to a new generic type. The other new form of interest, found in the Utica, last summer, is a remarkable example of a Z'wrrilepas, which was found associated with Siphonotreta Scotica, and other forms already recorded in the Orrawa NaATuRALIST, in the lower Utica at the Rideau River beds, opposite the riflerange. ‘These cirripedes are of rare occurrence in Canada, only one or two other species having been noted from New Brunswick, in Silurian and Cambro-Silurian, (Ordovician), strata. This Ottawa Turrilepas was forwarded to Dr. Woodward, F.R.S., etc., Keeper of the British Museum, who has made a special study of this interesting group of fossils, and a paper on it will shortly appear in the Geological Magazine, London. 38 Notes on the mode of occurrence of these two forms, and the species found associated with them, were sent, along with the specimens, to Dr. Woodward and Dr. Hinde for publication. Other notes on fossils and general geology were also obtained dur- ing the past season, which will add considerably to the material already on hand for the construction of a detailed geological map of Ottawa. At excursions and sub-excursions of the Club one of the leaders, as usual, gave addresses on the geology of the district visited. In conclusion the leaders hope that the interest manifested in the study of geology of Ottawa shail continue, as in the past. sion atk Henry M, Amt. ED TB, Wig JOLLS, Ottawa, March 7th, 1889. :0: REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL BRANCH FOR THE YEAR 1828-89. To the President and Council of the Ottawa Field Naturalists’ Club : GENTLEMEN, —Although only a few of the members have taken an active part in the work of this branch of the club, a considerable amount of useful study has been prosecuted. Early in the Spring, before the snow had left the ground, several snb-excursions were made by the leaders on snow shoes. In all instances were thev well repaid for their trouble, and they would draw the attention of members to this pleasant mode of collecting at a season of the year when it is supposed that little or nothing can be done in the way of collecting insects out — of doors. The hibernating larve or pupe of several moths, and a few butterflies may be found by those who know where to look for them. Many beetles pass the winter in moss or beneath flakes of bark upon standing trees. Again in running water many aquatic species of beetles are to be found even in mid-winter. These may be collected by cutting a hole in the ice and then watching till they come to the sur- face. At the bottom amongst stones and leaves many aquatic larve occur. In addition to this many kinds of galls on plants may be col- lected in winter, perhaps to better advantage than at any other time of the year. The study of galls will be found to be most interesting. The novice will be surprised to find that several different kinds of 39 insects frequently emerge from the same gall. These are first of all the] gall-maker. Then what are known as “‘ guests” or ‘“ inquilines,” which do not make the galls, but which live in and upon them after they are formed, and lastly there are various kinds of parasites which prey upon the gall-makers and their guests. Trees and plants which will always supply the collector with material for study are the oaks, the roses, the various willows, and several ‘kinds of composite plants as Solidago, Aster and Lactuca. Besides the galls which may be found on the stems during the winter, there are many more which are formed on the leaves, which must be collected during the summer. A good deal of work was done last season in breeding insects, both from the egg and from larve ard pupe collected in the field. This is without doubt one of the most useful and absorbing branches of En- tomology. Successful remedies for injurious species can only be arrived at by carefully working out their life histories, so that the stage in which they may be most advantageously attacked may be discovered. In order that this imformation may be com- plete it is necessary to breed the insects from the egg to ma- turity. The eggs of many kinds are readily obtained and easily reared. The leaders are of the opinion that if some of our mem bers, who have never given any attention to the study of insects would only collect a single species of the many beautiful butterflies which ap- pear early in the Spring, confine it over its food-plant until it laid its eggs, and then watch the caterpillars through their different stages till they changed to chrysalids, and then again come forth as the perfect butterflies, that they would find so much pleasure in the observations that many more would join in the work of this branch. It will always give them much pleasure to advise or instruct anyone who applies to them, as to the best means of capturing, confining and treating the female insects and the young caterpillars after they hatch, but the oper- ation may be briefly described as follows. Having caught a female in- sect of which the food-plant is known, confine it by means of a bag of gauze tied over a small plant, or if the food-plant be a tree by drawing the bag over a branqh, so that the insect may have fresh living leaves to lay upon. The cage so formed should be so placed that the direct rays of the sun cannot fall upon it. Eggs will generally be laid in 40 about 48 hours. If they are not, the female should be taken out and fed with weak sugar and water. In looking for the eggs the bag the leaves and the stems must all be examined carefully, because although it is necessary {o have the food-plant present the insects will frequently lay their eggs all over ths netting or on the stems. When the eggs are laid they should be removed at short intervals and put away in a cool place, as there are many enemies which woald destroy them. Eggs hatch in a period varying in different species from 4 to 21 days. The young caterpillars should at once be placed either upon a living plant of their food or in a tight vessel with some fresh leaves, ‘Tin-covered jelly glasses or small tin canisters are very convenient for this purpose. ‘The young caterpillars should not be touched with the hands, but in changing their food the leaf upon which they are resting should be put back with the fresh leaves. When about to moult their skins they should not be disturbed. Amongst rare insects which have been collected during the year, mention may be made of Chinobas Jutta, (female), from which eggs were obtained, and the young larve are now being reared. Fenisecu Tarquinius. Several specimens bred from clusters of Aaphides, (Schizoneura tesselata), which occur upon the alder. Lycena Comyntas. One specimen taken at Aylmer. Amongst injurious insects Cutworms and Locusts attracted most attention by theenormous numbers in which they occurred. Several specimens of the larvee of the Grape-vine Sphinx (fhil- ampehus Achemon), were collected, and the large caterpillars of Sphinw Chersis were so numerous upon young Ash trees as in some places to almost strip them. The local collections in al] orders are being considerably increased every year, and Mr. Harrington hopes to have a list of the Hymenoptera ready for publication next month. JAMES FLETCHER, W. H. HARRINGTON, > Leaders. T. J. MacLAUGHLIN, 4] s BOOK NOTICES. Report OF THE EXPEDITION IN THE YuKON District, N. W.T., and ADJACENT NoRTHERN Portion or BritisH CoLtumpia.—By Dr. G. M. Dawson, 1887. The above report which is upon a portion of the work of the Yukon Expedition of 1887-88, by Dr. G. M. Dawson, forming Part B. of the Annual Report of the Geological Survey, (1887) has just been distributed. In this report Dr. Dawson details the results of that part of the exploration carried out by himself, adding thereto some portions of Mr. McConnell’s work during 1887, which belong to the same genoral region. Further reports, dealing particularly with the country to the North and Hast of that covered by this publication, are stated to be in course of preparation by Mr. R. G. McConnell and Mr. W. Ogilvie. The present report is a book of 277 pages, and is accompanied by an index map, while a detailed map with Geological indications, in three sheets, including the Strikine, Dease, Upper Liard, Frances, Pelly, and Lewes Rivers, with adjacent country, is promised in the course of a few days, under separate cover. A comparison of the index map, with previous maps professing to represent the same regions, coupled with Dr. Dawson’s well-known accuracy, shows what an important contribution this report is to our knowledge of the Geography of North Western Canada. The first part of the report is of a general character, and in this the ruling physical and geological features are described, and some facts given respecting the climate, flora, fauna, and resources of the country as a whole. In the following part the country examined is taken up by districts, and greater detail is entered into. Historical notes are also added, for each district, of the exploits of the few earlier explorers, who originally penetrated this country in the interests of the Hudson Bay Company, or for other objects. The report includes seven appendices, of which the first is on the distribution of trees, the second on the Indian tribes of the regions, the third a list, by Professor Macoun, of the plants collected (201 species, of which three are new.) The fourth appendix is zoological, including D 42 a list by Mr. James Fletcher, of diurnal lepidoptera, a short list of fishes by Dr. T. H. Bean, and a description of a new mouse by Dr. OC. H. Merriam (see page 11 of this number.) In the fifth appendix Mr. F. D. Adams describes the microscopical characters of some of the rocks collected ; the sixth contains meteorological observations, and the severth is a survey of the astromomical observations taken along the route of travel, upon which the positions of places, as given on the map, depend. It is, naturally, impossible here to do more than mention some of the main headings of this valuable report, which, constituting as it does, the first authentic or systematic account of a vast region, of which very little has up to the present time been known, cannot fail to be of great interest to all. This region, even that portion of it which lies to the North of the 60th parrallel, appears to be possessed of considerable natural resources, and is by no means the sub-Artic waste, which some theorists have assumed it to be in advance of its exploration. Je CoNTRIBUTIONS TO CANADIAN PALMONTOLOGY.—PART 3—ON SOME Fosstts From THE Triassic Rocks or British CoLumpra—By J. F. Whiteaves, F.G.S., F.R.S.C., &e. Distributed advance copies of this contribution, published by the Geological and Natural History Survey of Canada, contain, besides a history of the discoveries of Triassic fossils in Canada, notes on and descriptions of nineteen species, of which the following are new to science : 1. Spiriferina borealis. 8. Popanoceras ‘McConnell. 9. Terebratula Liardensis. 9. Acrochordiceras ? Carlottense. 3. Monotis ovalis. 10. Trachyceras Canadense. 4, Halobia occidentalis. | ll. Arniotites Vancouverensis. 5. Trigonodus ? productus. Whe c sp. ondt, 6. Margarita Tridssica. 15. or Celtites. 7. Nautilus Liardensis. 14. Badiotites Carlottensis. The remaining five species have been “ identified with previously described species.” They are Yerebratula Humboldtensis, Monotis subcircularis, Halobia Lommelli, Arcestes Gabbi, Aulacoceras Carlot- tense. ' The specimens were for the most part collected by the director and and officers of the Geological Survey during their explorations, and in- clude the following collections: 1875, Dr. Selwyn, Peace River, lat. 56° 10’, and long. 122° 10’; 1877, Mr. J. Hunter. Upper Pine River, 43 lat. 55° 30’, and long. 122°; 1877, Dr. G. M. Dawson, Whipsaw Creek, Similkameen River, B.C. and ‘Nicola Series,’ Lake Nicola, B.C.; 1878 Dr. G. M. Dawson; Queen Charlotte Islands, several localities ; 18 ee Mr. R. G. McConnell, Liard River, lat. 59° 16’ and long. 125° 30’ The publication is timely and valuable, and the plates which are to accompany the text, prepared by Mr. L. M. Lambe, are all ready, and will be issued shortly in conjunction with part 2 on ‘ Fossils of the Hamilton Formation of Ontario,” by the same author. Jol AY ZNg On ArcH#ocyaTHuUS, BILLINGS, AND ON OTHER GENERA, ALLIED TO ok ASSOCIATED WITH IT, FROM THE CAMBRIAN STRATA OF NorTH America, Spain, SARDINIA AND Scottanp.—By Dr. George Jennings Hinde, F.G.S., &c., &e Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London. Vol. eIVeeearti ll, Nox liv i N25 er seg. his) paper, is) the) result) of an exhaustive and critical study of the genus Arch@ocyathus, described by Mr. Billings in 1861 from the Potsdam limestone of L’Anse au Loup, Labrador, and giving its history as well as that of the allied genera Hthmophyllum, Meek, Archeocyathellus, Ford, Protocyathus, Ford, Protopharetra, Bornemann, Coscinocyathus, B. and Anthomorpha B. Then follows an interesting chapter on the ‘‘ Mineral nature of Archeocyathus, and its allies,” after which their “ mode of growth and structure” are fully described—the descriptions of Billings, Meek and Bornemann having been amended by the undoubtedly ablest authority on fossil sponges, so that their true nature and affinities are now revealed. The new genus Spirocyathus has also been created by Dr. Hinde, to receive Billings’ A. Atlanticus. Regarding the affinities of the Archeocyathine, Dr. Hinde holds the view that they “belong to a special family of the Zoantharia sclerodermata (corals) with near relationship (leaving Anthomorpha out of account) to the ‘‘ Perforata.” Dr. Hinde then describes two new Genera: ), q LILI CORTSDTS, Economic Minerals of Eastern Quebec... 2.261. bee teense eee seen eee Ponies cere haters 45 Tine 3G ata es Sey Ee core Syeeis oe SORE D rec peaarean ase Steaye nema en eeS Be ier ode diene eee 58 Excursion to Kingsmere.... 2.0.20. c00 se) f02- Foe PA Pe Pattee pita eae DR chit 62 Pxcursion to Montebello?. 2.2. Mos. sade elec oe eee ee oe ale Rete eet eae ge Hen ae 64 Report of the Conchological Branch........-.. .5.: FEE R abrauniy anes peee y Le a ity SS 65 Report of the Ornithological Branghi tari tyes sabes CSA Bee irae R iH A ano pakcicelanesrie 68 Boke INGHCESS Sree Mick Sued Dae eee Ouslslel Menomena cio twat ay fit hrniapelelengie e184 0 Lleyn Mees 73 Biclitoriale Obes seh ay kis Pence eieels itl w= eeeciane eo Wiese ee qutncctnip iit teeymle's elope) sic s+ 9(Otahglece elMrelblefncs 79 e Oe [ ) , OPTAwa, Cabana: Gifizen Jeb Pemting Qepartmenf, 43 ©) Ale) Queen ot, ‘i Issued A ugust {st, 1839, ? x EAD $2222.7,—~ Cre ~ a @ Crag Cea 5 5 SS PTS Published Quarterly at $1,.00p 6 annum. -_ Vi Patron s HIS EXCELLENCY THE LORD STANLEY OF PRESTON, GOVERNOR GENERAL OF CANADA. President: Dr. R. W. Etts. Vice-Presidents : : Ist, J. BALLANTYNE. | 2nd, Hi M. Amt. Secretary: T. J. MacLauGuiin (Dept. Public Works). Treasurer ; JAMES FLETCHER (Experimental Farm). Librarian. W. A. D. Lees (P. O. Box 258). Committee: R. B. Wuyts, -| A. P. Low, | Rey. G. W. Tayton Standing Committers of Council : Puhlishing—JamMes Firtcuer, H. M. Amt, T. J, MachLaueauin, Rey. G. W. Taytor, W. A. D. Less. Excursions—x. B. Wyte, Il. M. Amt, W. A. D. Legs. Sotrées —JAMES FLETCHER, J. BALLANTYNE. A. P. Low. : Leaders : Geology-—ll..M. Amr, A. P. Low, W. R. Biruines, F. D. Adams. Botany—James Furrcuer, R. B. Wuyte, Wm. Scort. Conchology—Rerv. G. W. Taynor, F. R. Larcurorp. Entomology—T. J. MacLaucuutn, J. Frercuer, W. H. Harrineton. Ornithologyy—W. A. D. Lees, Pror. J. Macoun, G. R. Waite. Zoology—J. Battantyne, J. B, Tyrrect, W. P. Lerr. ) Editor: James FLETCHER. The Librarian will furnish the Publications of the Club at .the 3 following rates :— Transactions, Part 1, Not sold singly 66 ) 6) yte ‘e oy Ae Dents: 51¢ VSi00 fore Wola 66 4, Ws) ce 66 5; 30 (a3 7 66104 AO AS $1.00 for Vol. IL. SEE 7 30 66 ’ (Less 10°/ to members.) The Ottawa Naturalist, $1.00 per annum, Extra copy to members, .75 Quarterly parts, 25 cents each. : To members, BOCK SE Nev1ce.—The Treasurer begs to call the attention of members to the advertisements, NOTES ON THE GEOLOGICAL RELATIONS AND MODE OF OCCURRENCE OF SOME OF THE MORE IMPORTANT ECONOMIC3MINERALS OF EASTERN QUEBEC. R. W. ELLS, LL.D., F.G.S.A. That part of the Province of Quebec situated to the south and east of the River St. Lawrence, in which is included the portion more par- ticularly styled the Eastern Townships, may be briefly stated to have a length of about 470 miles from the boundary of the State of Vermont to the extremity of Gaspé, with a breadth of from 100 to 120 miles between Montreal and the boundaries of Maine and New Hampshire. This breadth, however, gradua!ly decreases northward until a short dis- tance below Quebec it becomes less than thirty miles. Beyond this it assumes greater proportions, and in the peninsula of Gaspé itself, which projects like a huge finger into the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the distance from shore to shore is not less than seventy to seventy-five miles. Through the interior of this area, and in most cases not far from its central line, a belt of hilly country, with elevations reaching in places a height of 3,500 to 4,000 feet above the sea, extends, with a few inter- ruptions, throughout the entire distance. These hills are known under various names, as the Sutton Mountain Range to the south-west, the Stoke Mountains near Sherbrooke, the Buckland Hills north of the Chaudiére River, and the Notre-Dame Range which has a considerable extent in Gaspé and is there further distinguished by the title of the Shick-Shocks. To the south-west, in Vermont, the continuation of these hills is known as the Green Mountains, the extension of which, under different names, can be traced nearly to the Gulf of Mexico. The fertility of much of the country throughout this portion of the Province is well known. Underlaid to a great extent by a broad area of slaty rocks, with which is associated a considerable development of limestone, their decay has produced a soil of great value to the husband- man; so that what is known as the ‘“ Eastern Townships” has long enjoyed a most enviable reputation both for farming and dairying opera- tions, and here are found some of the most celebrated farms and stock centres of Canada. The eastern or Gaspé section has, on the other hand, remained comparatively unknown ; the general impression being E 46 that its surface and climatal conditions were unfavorable to the labors of the husbandman. While, to a certain extent, this may be true of certain portions, large areas exist there which, underlaid by the cal- careous slates and limestones of the Silurian and Devonian systems, possess a soil almost precisely similar to that on which the most pros- perous settlements of western New Brunswick are situated, as seen in the counties of Carleton and Victoria ; while through the interior of the peninsula extends a broad area, having no great elevation above the sea, bounded on either hand by lofty ranges, and which, but for its present comparative inaccessibility, would doubtless have long since been brought into prominence as a desirable country for the farmer or the stock-raiser. In this broad valley, which extends from the Meta- pedia River to the Gaspé Basin, most of the larger streams of the penin- sula take their rise. On the hill slopes great quantities of valuable timber, spruce, pine and cedar, are found, while the upper portions of the rivers flow through extensive hay swamps, and the conditions are such, apparently, as to greatly favor the successful development of this section so soon as easy means of access are provided. At the present time the population is confined entirely to a narrow strip on either shore, but more particularly to the south side or that bordering on the Bay des Chaleurs, where the value of the rich soils of the Lower Car- boniferous formation has long been known. More than forty years ago, Logan and Murray explored many of the streams of the Gaspé district and scaled the rugged peaks of the Shick-Shoek range, not only for the purpose of studying their structure, but in order to effectively carry out a system of triangulation by which the prominent hill features of this almost inaccessible portion could be accurately mapped. Since then others have traversed the country in nearly every available direction, and have outlined its physical and geological structure with much care. It is, however, in that portion of the Province lying to the south and east of the St. Lawrence, between Quebec and the American boundary, that by far the greatest amount of detailed geological work has been done, and here, as everyone familiar with the history of Canadian geology knows, some of the most interest- ing and difficult problems peculiar to the science are presented, the com- plete working out of which has not yet been accomplished. Here the 47 complicated structure of the rock masses which compose the mountain ranges, and the faulted, crumpled and widely different character of much of the strata on either side have given rise to a great diversity of opinion regarding their true position in the geological scale. In Canada these problems have been discussed mostly under the head of the Quebec group, while in the adjoining States the fight has been carried on under the name of the Taconic controversy. The earliest expressed views of Sir Wm. Logan, in 1847, assumed that the age of the mountain ridges of the Eastern Townships was pro- bably that of the Hudson River division of the New York geologists. Although the rocks were for the most part in a highly crystalline con- dition, they were supposed to be the metamorphic equivalents of the comparatively unaltered and frequently highly fossiliferous sediments which occupied the greater part of the country between their slopes and the St. Lawrence. All traces of these fossils were held to be eliminated by the process of metamorphism to which the strata had been subjected, and by which, also, the shales and sandstones were converted into highly crystalline schists and chlorite rocks. This view as to the metamorphism of the fossiliferous strata of the south side of the river was maintained by most workers in this field for. nearly twenty-five years, although the opinion formerly expressed as to. the Hudson River age had been modified in 1860 by Sir Wm. Logan,. owing to the discovery of a great series of fossils in the rocks about. Point Lévis and at other points which clearly indicated that their true position was at the bottom of the Cambro-Silurian system rather than at the top as had so long been supposed. As early, however, as 1862, Mr. Thomas Macfarlane compared the crystalline schists and associated rocks of the Eastern Townships with the upper part of the primitive schist formation of Norway, and also with the copper-bearing series of Lake Superior. ‘The resemblance of the two series was also pointed out. by Sir Wm. Logan, in the Geology of Canada, 1863. The Huronian aspect and probable age of these crystalline rocks was first recognized and publicly stated by Dr. Hunt, in 1871, and later, in 1877, by Dr. Selwyn, while in the late report on this portion of Quebec by the writer, _ 1826, these rocks are described under the general term Pre-Cambrian, by which is meant that they constitute a group unconformably beneath 48 what are regarded as the Lower Cambrian quartzites and slates of that area. Briefly speaking, the structure of the metamorphic rocks of south-eastern Quebec may be said to consist of a series of approximately parallel ridges or anticlinals of Pre-Cambrian age, of which at Jeast three have been definitely located. The most easterly of these is found along the boundary between Maine and the eastern limit of the Prov- ince, the middle is seen in the Stoke Mountain range and its expansion south-westerly to Lake Memphremagog, while the third constitutes the Sutton Mountain range and its prolongatioa to the north-east through the Province to Gaspé. The intervals between these ranges are occupied by overlying sedi- ments, mostly sandstones and slates of various colors, which, in places, are fossiliferous, and are now regarded and described in the Geological Report for 1886 as of Cambrian and Cambro-Silurian age. With these are associated areas, often of large size, of diorites, serpentines and granitic rocks. At several points, also, small, isolated and, at times, closely infolded basins of fossiliferous Silurian strata are observed. Between the most westerly of the old ridges and the St. Lawrence River the country is apparently occupied to a very large extent by rocks of Cambro-Silurian and Upper Cambrian age, much of which constitute what has for many years been regarded as the unaltered portion of the Quebec group, while the newer portion or that nearest the river is characterized, throughout a large extent, by fossils of the Hudson River and Utica formations. The mineral wealth of this portion of Quebec is confined, for the most part, to the older systems, viz., the Pre-Cambrian and Cambrian, and though traces of various ores are occasionally found in the newer, in no case yet observed do these occur in quantity sufficient to be of economic value. Thus the workable deposits of copper ore exist princi- pally in the Pre-Cambrian schists, though they have been located and worked, to a limited extent, in rocks of the overlying system. The ores of iron are found also mostly in the lowest series, and when found in the upper are largely confined to the volcanic portion, sometimes in the serpentines where veins often of large size occur. The gold, which, however, has not as yet been worked except as an alluvial deposit, pre- 49 sumably comes, to a very large extent at least, from quartz veins in the Cambrian slates and quartzites, though it may also occur in limited quantity in the Cambro-Silurian, and has been detected in metalliferous lodes in the older crystalline schists. The asbestus is almost entirely confined to the serpentines of the volcanic portion of what has been styled the Lower Cambrian, and which occurs probably as an alterative product from dioritic rocks, rich in olivine. The serpentine is generally associated with slates and hard sandstones of that system. The chromic iron is also confined to this belt of rocks. The silver ores, which, in places, carry a fair percentage of gold, apparently belong to the same horizon as the auriferous quartz veins, though small deposits of argentiferous galena are found with rocks of the upper part of the Silurian system in Gaspé; while the ores of antimony occur in a series of slaty and micaceous schists which are either low down in the Cam- brian or lie near the summit of the underlying system. The sources of mineral wealth more especially prominent at the present time in Eastern Quebec, and about which the greatest amount of interest is centred, are three in number, viz, copper, asbestus and gold, and as these bid fair to increase annually in importance, a brief glance at their history and geological relations may be of interest. The first official reports on the copper deposits of the Hastern Townships by the Canadian Geological Survey were made by the late Sir W. E. Logan, in 1847, when attention was directed by him to the occurrence in the townships of Ascot, Upton and Inverness of that mineral, which places were recommended by him as localities for trial. Explorations proceeded rapidly and resulted in the location of numerous mines at various points, principally in what was then regarded as the metamorphic portion of the series, subsequently styled the Quebec group, and more especially in what was afterward regarded as the . middle and upper divisions of that group, viz., the Lauzon and Sillery formations. These rocks were at that time supposed to be arranged in a series of generally parallel synclinals, extending north-east and south- west. In the first or more westerly of these were placed the copper areas of Roxton, Upton and Acton ; in the second, those of Durham, Tingwick, Inverness, Chester, Halifax and Leeds; while the third, together with what was regarded as the double synclinal of Sutton 50 Mountain, included, in addition to rocks somewhat similar to those of the other two, great masses of serpentine, potstone and soapstone, and was seen in Bolton, Brompton and Broughton. The extensive deposits of Acton were supposed to belong to the upper or Sillery division. Of the many copper mines which were started some twenty-five years ago, or when the copper boom was at its highest, very few are at present in operation. Of many of those which long since suspended operation, several causes for their discontinuance may be assigned. In some cases their failure was doubtless largely caused by a lack of size in the mineral veins ; in others this was due presumably to the poverty or leanness of the ore as well, a conjunction which, taken in connection with the depressed condition of the copper market, rendered the profita- ble extraction of the mineral impossible. The difficulty of producing metallic copper under such adverse conditions was such that, although extensive smelting works had been erected at large expense at several points, these had of necessity to be abandoned, and have rapidly fallen into decay. The ores from the great lodes of Capelton have for years been shipped direct from the mines to the extensive acid works near New York, where they were treated directly for the manufacture of sulphuric acid, the residue being subsequently utilized for the extraction of the metallic copper, and in this way, owing to the great extent of the deposit and the facilities for mining and shipment, the mines at this place have continued to be worked ata profit. Within the last two years, sulphuric acid works have been started on the spot, by which means the expense of transferring so great a bulk of raw material can be avoided. Could this new industry be combined with that of the production of phosphate from the Ottawa valley, and the manufacture of artificial fertilizers established on the larger scale, still further benefit should accrue ; since undoubtedly, in view of the present greatly impov- evished condition of much of the wheat-producing lands of Ontario and Quebec, the use of these fertilizers must of necessity shortly become very considerable, or the profitable raising of wheat in these countries must become a thing of the past. In character, the copper ores of the townships may be classed under three heads, viz., the yellow sulphuret or chalcopyrite, with which is very frequently found a large percentage of iron pyrites; the vitreous or copper glance; and the variegated, other- 51 wise known by the names of purple copper, erubescite and peacock or horse-flesh ore. The deposits of the first have their greatest develop- ment in Bolton, Hatley and Ascot, the associated rocks being for the most part chloritic slates, dioritic rocks and sometimes serpentines. The important mines of this area are those south of the city of Sher- brooke, at Capelton, and the Huntington mine, in Bolton. The other varieties are more frequently found in the most westerly belt of cupriferous schists, as seen in the townships of Acton, Halifax, Leeds, etc., where they are generally associated with dolomitic limestones and nacreous or micaceous ‘schists. Among the most celebrated mines of this area may be mentioned those of Acton and Harvey Hill, at both of which localities very extensive workings were carried on for many years. The occurrence of copper lodes of such size as are found at several points, notably in that portion of Ascot, south of the city of Sherbrooke ‘is probably, to some extent, due to the presence of dioritic dykes and masses, often of large extent, which penetrate the cupriferous schists of that area. This feature is also seen at several other points in connec- tion with the deposits of Sutton, Bolton and Brompton, though, at times, the diorite has changed its character and passed into a more or less pure serpentine, the two kinds of rocks being frequently intimately associated. The asbestus industry, which from its inception has steadily but rapidiy increased in tmportance, bids fair to shortly become one of the leading mining industries of the Province. While the occurrence of this mineral has been known for many years and has been referred to in several of the early reports of the Geological Survey, its real economic value was apparently undiscovered till within a comparatively recent period. Although occurring to some extent with the serpentines which are associated with the limestones of the Laurentian district north of the River Ottawa, the development in this direction has not yet been sufficiently studied to warrant a clear expression as to the actual value of the deposits in this quarter, and the economic production of this mineral is as yet entirely confined in Canada, or at least in Quebec, to the belt of serpentine rocks which have been mentioned as forming a part of the volcanic belt of the Lower Cambrian of that Province. 52 The stratified rocks associated with the serpentines are black, green, grey and purple slates, with, occasionally, conglomerates, and sometimes beds of hard quartzose sandstone. The diorites, with which they are intimately associated, frequently form great mountain masses, as at Orford, Ham, Thetford, etc., and in texture are both massive and concretionary, while in color they range from shades of green to brown. The serpentines are in places penetrated by dykes and sometimes considerable areas of a hard, whitish granite or granulite, often com- posed entirely of quartz and orthoclase felspar, but at times containing an admixture of mica, Whatever may be the age of these granite dykes, they certainly are newer than the rock with which they are now associated, since they are frequently seen to cut directly across the serpentines and to produce an alteration in the mass at the contact ; and the view is held by many of those engaged in mining asbestus that the influence of the dykes upon the serpentine which they penetrate is apparently the same in regard to the favorable production of asbestus veins as the presence of diorite dykes on copper or other mineral-bearing strata in the production of metalliferous lodes. In Quebec the serpentine extends for many miles, and is found at intervals from the Vermont boundary almost to the extremity of Gaspé, the most easterly outcrop in this direction being what is known as Mount Serpentine, on the Dartmouth River, about eleven miles from its outlet into Gaspé Basin. It presents a very large development in the Shick-Shock Mountains, where, at the south west extremity, a spur from the main mass cuts strata of hard dolomitic limestone and con- glomerate in a dyke-like mass of 150 feet in width. Further west, though outcrops may exist in the great belt of comparatively unknown lands in rear of River Du Loup and Rimouski, its presence is not yet known in this direction till we reach the road leading south from St. Thomas to the boundary of Maine, about forty-four miles east of the Chaudiére River. There several small knolls are found which appar- ently mark the eastern termination of the Cambrian volcanic belt. Further west, the serpentine occurs in limited areas with the dioritic masses of Cranbourne and Ware, and in several small outcrops on the Chaudiére between St. Joseph and St. Francis ; but in the Townships 53 of Thetford, Coleraine, Wolfestown and Ham a sudden and marked development is noticed, the rock forming great mountain masses, as seen about Black Lake and in Wolfe. Isolated areas are also found in the St. Francis River basin at Brompten, Melbourne and near Dan- ville, but at no place is there such a great development visible as in Coleraine and Thetford. Other small areas, constituting part of the second or Stoke Mountain anticlinal, exist in the vicinity of Massawippi Lake, in Hatley, while the areas of Oxford and Bolton have already been indirectly referred to. While traces of asbestus are found at nearly every one of these localities, in many places the indications of it observed are insignificant, though over large areas, it must be con- fessed, the examinations yet made have been but cursory, and these may yet yield this peculiar and valuable mineral in abundance. It is, however, apparent that all serpentine is not equally rich in asbestus, for even in the most productive areas great differences in this respect are visible, and large portions of the belt are made up of what is called barren rock. As a general rule, the different kinds of serpentine, whether likely to be productive or not, can be determined by outward characters, either by peculiarities of weathering or by the texture and color of the mass of the rock itself. At Thetford and in the northern part of Coleraine, more particularly about Black Lake, certain peculiar conditions appear to have prevailed which have affected the great ser- pentine masses there, and led to the formation in large quantity of the mineralized form of asbestus, the veins here being not only very numer- ous, often interlacing the rock in all directions, but being also of large size, reaching a width at times of over six inches, while many of them range from two to four inches. In quality of fibre also a marked differ- ence from that found at several other points is apparent by its greater softness and silkiness, which give it a special value for the many pur- poses of manufacture for which it is most in demand. In its mode of occurrence asbestus appears to follow closely the principles which are known to affect metalliferous lodes in general. The veins have the aspect of segregation veins, the fibres in all cases, unless disturbed, being at right angles to the sides of the fissure, and in many cases, more especially in those of larger size, the fibre is broken near the centre by particles or grains of magnetic or chromic iron 54 which at times form small partings, affecting to some extent the value of the material. The containing rock shows the presence of numerous faults, as in other mineral localities, which throw the veins from side to side, and at times completely cut off the entire working face of the mine. The sides of the fissure are in such cases extensively slicken- sided, and often have streaks of coarse, woody-fibred or imperfect asbes- tus along the planes of fracture. The growing importance of this indus- try may be seen from the fact that the output of the mineral has increased from 50 tons in 1878 to over 4,500 tons in 1888, while the demand and value are rapidly improving. Apparently confined almost exclusively to the same group of Cam- brian rocks are the gold deposits of Eastern Quebec. First discovered in 1835 on the Chaudiére River and its tributaries, this industry for a long time almost entirely appertained to this locality, though a second and possibly quite as important gold field has been worked to some extent for the last fifteen or twenty years in the extreme south-easterly part of the Province, in the Township of Ditton. The rocks which constitute not only those which we now regard as the original source of the gold of this section, but the overlying Cambro-Silurian slates and limestones as well, were for many years regarded as of Upper Silurian age, although their resemblance to the Cambrian gold-bearing series of Nova Scotia had been pointed out long since by Sir Wm. Logan, Dr. Selwyn, Dr. Hunt and others; and the only reason apparent why these rocks were allowed for so many years to remain in the Silurian system was that the great importance of the geological prob- lems pertaining to the structure of the metamorphic portion withdrew attention almost entirely from this area. The Silurian age of these sediments was first of all inferred by the officers of the Geological Survey from their supposed resemblance to the rocks of that system which had been studied in Gaspé, and it was sup- posed that these formed the western prolongation of the Gaspé limestone series. The presence, also, of areas of fossiliferous Silurian and Devonian strata at various points, which were in places so intimately associated with the rocks of the great eastern basin as at first sight to appear to form an integral portion of the series, supported this first view as to heir apparent horizon. In the subsequent detailed study of the country 55 many of the masses of black slate and limestone were found to be fossil- iferous, but the determination of their organic remains showed that these clearly belonged to a lower system and that they were in fact of the same horizon as the limestones and slates of Richmond and vicinity, whose Cambro-Silurian age had been determined some years before, while the stratigraphical working out of the district proved that these rocks were clearly superimposed upon the quartzites and slates of the Chaudiére gold series and upou a similar set of rocks which extended along the border of Maine and New Hampshire. Although for a long time after the first discovery of the gold in the Chaudiére district its source was unknown, a series of investigations and assays, conducted by Dr. Hunt and Mr. Michel and published in 1866, clearly proved the auriferous character of many of the quartz veins of this district. Subsequent investigations have shown that the principle now recognized in the gold fields of Nova Scotia, viz., that the rich gold leads are for the most part confined to the vicinity of the anti- clinals, in all probability applies to the similar rocks of Quebec; since at Ditton, where rich alluvial workings also exist, the gold is generally found in the greatest quantity in close proximity to the anticlinal areas which are there well defined. On the Chaudiére the same principle will doubtless be found to apply, though here probably some of the anti- clinals are overturned and their location will in consequence be more difficult. The establishing of the horizon of these gold-bearing slates and quartzites as the equivalent of those so long worked in Nova Scotia is very important, since it should tend to make wore simple the location of future operations in this direction. In the area occupied by these rocks most of the coarse gold yet found has been obtained in close prox- imity to well defined quartz leads, and much of it has without doubt been derived from the decomposition of these veins, some of which can be traced for a considerable distance ; while over the great area of the overlying Cambro-Silurian sediments of the eastern basin, though gold is found at a number of points, and in fact can be washed from the gravels of nearly every stream, this gold is always fine in character, and its distribution is apparently due either to glacial action or to the- conditions that succeeded that period, by which the sands and gravels 56 which are found over a large portion of this district were laid down. It is also probable that the frequent intrusions of dioritic rocks, seen both on the Chaudiére, where the richest workings are situated, and at points through the Ditton area, have had some influence in determining the presence of gold in quantity in these districts, since there are considerable areas of Cambrian strata in this section from which but little, if any, gold has yet been reported. The presence of old pre-glacial channels in many of the streams flowing into the Chaudiére from either side has of late years been clearly established, and their lower portions have, in most cases where excavated, been found to contain much gold, both fine and coarse. These channels are often of considerable depth, and are filled with sand and gravel, the boulder clay being found at the top or near the present surface of the country. In the washings of the lower auriferous gravels much black sand is obtained. Although but few of these channels have been fully tested, the great richness of those uf the Gil- bert stream, and at several other points in the vicinity, testify to the great importance of this feature in the interests of the gold production of this area. No examinations for gold, of any scientific value, have yet been made in that portion of the Gaspé Peninsula occupied by rocks of Pre-Cambrian and Cambrian age, though reports of its presence along the flanks of the Shick Shock range have been current for years. The comparative inaccessibility of much of this country has hitherto deterred explorers from making a thorough trial of this section, though there are many points that should receive careful investigation both from the prospects of finding a new gold field and from the possible occurrence of asbestus and chromic iron in workable quantity in some part of the great serpentine areas about the heads of the Ste. Anne and Cascapedia Rivers. The presence of the latter mineral was reported from this locality many years ago. The presence of gold in connection with the veins of rich argen- tiferous galena found on the upper waters of the Du Loup, a branch of the Chaudiére River, in the Townships of Risborough and Marlow, is also of interest in this connection. The percentage of silver from these veins, varying from $25 to over $400 per ton, is such as to make this locality one of considerable economic importance, and further attention 57 will doubtless be directed to these upon their being made easily acces- sible by the present projected line of railway, which it is anticipated will cross this section. At this place also the richest ore by assay is found in close proximity to a dioritic dyke of considerable magnitude. An attempt was made some halt dozen years ago to extract the gold from the banks of clay, sand and gravel along the Du Loup, a tributary from the east of the Chaudiére, by the hydraulic method. Owing to various unfavorable circumstances this enterprise does not appear to have been remunerative. The failure in this case should not, however, be regarded as conclusive, as determining the unprofit- ableness of such an enterprise, either on this stream or the many others in this locality, since from a series of trial washings over con- siderable areas made in 1851-52 under the supervision of an officer of the Geological Survey the results obtained from the Du Loup district were such as to fully warrant the employment of this method for the separation of the gold on a large scale. The occurrence of nuggets of large size, some of which had a value of over $1,000, from the aurifer- ous gravels of this district is a very important feature, since such coarse gold has not in all probability travelled any considerable distance from its source. Comparing the very low percentage of gold which is profit- ably extracted from the gravels of California and Australia by this method with the yield obtained in the experimental trials just referred to in the Chaudiére district, there should, for that section, be a very handsome margin for profit over expenditure, provided the topographi- cal features of these streams are such as to render the use of the hydraulic method possible ; and it is certainly but reasonable to expect that the time is not far distant when with the aid of proper and skilled mining experience, and by the judicious expenditure of capital, the gold industries of this portion of the Dominion will be found to be equally valuable with those either of British Columbia or of Nova Scotia. 58 THe Boranist.—Berinc THE Boranican Part oF «a Course OF Lectures in Naturat History, DELIVERED IN THE UNIVERSITY oF CAMBRIDGE, TOGETHER WITH A DISCOURSE ON THE PRINCIPLES oF VITALITY, BY BrensJamiIn WaternHouse, M.D., Boston, 1811. By H. Beaumont Small, M.D. There has recently come into my possession a copy of the first botanical lectures delivered in America. Just one hundred years ago, 1788, Doctor Benjamin Waterhouse was authorized. by Harvard Uni- versity to deliver to “such students as shall obtain permission from their parents or guardians, a course of lectures on Natural History.” The book itself was printed in 1811, but the lectures are corrected up to, and dated, 1804. It is somewhat out of place to take up the time of the meeting with such a paper, but the fact of these lectures being the beginning of the teaching of botany in this country, and the strangeness of some of the views expressed in them, may give it interest. I shall only refer as concisely as possible to some of the most striking oddities that have at- tracted my attention. The lectures follow much the same course as those delivered at the present day. They commence with the seed and continue with a con- sideration of the stem, leaves, buds, blossoms and fruit. Interspersed are a history of the science of botany, sketches of the lives of Linnaeus, and other of the early botanists, and a history of botanic gardens. The last seems to have been suggested by the fact that such a garden was being talked of at the University at the time. His opening remarks seem to imply that the lectures on other branches of natural history had been delivered,and that now he entered the field of botany. They also indicate the novelty of the subject :— ‘“« As natural history is a subject that has excited some attention for more than a dozen years past at the University in this place ; and as that branch of it denominated botany has lately become a topic of con- versation, and likely to become more so, we have thought that it would conduce to good, if we laid before the public a few essays on this pleas- ant department of nature.” Further on we learn what he proposes :—‘‘Some of the leading principles of this charming science we mean to extend through a series 59 of monthly essays....... We shall give our doctrine a dress partaking more of the popular than of the scientific garb.” His tenets he states plainly :—‘‘ We avow Linnaeus to be our law- ful chief ; and his Philosophia Botanica our rallying point and stand- ard.” In describing the seed, he likens it to an egg, and states that they are “in structure, essentially the same. It (the seed) is not a dead sub- stance like a pebble or a pearl ; but it is a body regularly organized and arranged harmoniously into a system of vessels, glands and membranes ; and it is, moreover, like a prolific egg, alive, or at least in a state of fitness to be acted upon by certain external agents, which agents are fire (caloric), air and water.” After further comparisons, he con- tinues :—“ there is a small quantity of vital air in a sac, bladder or partition at the big end of every bird’s egg ; and we presume that there is a small portion of the same kind of fluid in every seed ; or it may be oxygen in a concentrated state, which is afterwards combined with caloric in the process of incubation.” As to the food of plants, he says :—‘‘ From numerous well con- ducted experiments, it appears that a mucilage, produced by the decom- position of vegetable and animal recrements, constitutes the food or aliment of plants. This mucilage is formed from stable manures, from rain water putrified, from dew, as well as from dead animals and vegeta- blest Scr). To reconcile the doctrine taught by some, that salt is the active principle in manures, it should be remembered that putrifaction has two stages ; the first converts animal and vegetable substances into. a mucilage, and the second converts that mucilage into one or more species of salt.” Describing the structure of plants, he is generally very correct, but. some of the parts’ were hardly understood, for instance :—“ The princi- pal vessels are of two kinds, twbes and cells. The tubes run from the roots to the different parts of the plant...... they terminate in the cells, which cells contain the peculiar juices of the plant. The tubes contain the sap-juice.” He also says :—‘‘ In the root, the tubes are opened only at the | extreme point, and fluids cannot be absorbed anywhere else.” 60 The pith, particularly, is remarkable. ‘ It is a spongy or vesicular substance, according to Linnaeus, essential to the life of the vegetable. S006 Tt gives birth to the buds......Some botanists of the first rank believe that it is, in a plant, what the brain and spinal marrow are in the inferior order of animals.” The vascular system is stated to be made up of three kinds of vessels :—‘ The sap vessels, which convey the sap-juice...... They run perpendicularly, and pass principally between the wood and the bark ; and though imperceptible, they must pervade other parts FS IING)». WROD WESLAIAS Gis'o which contain the peculiar scented fluids. BANNS Bike WEEMS 65 o6e These are found in the wood and in the alburnum, but not in the bark...... They carry other fluids besides Sie In describing buds, he recognizes the fact that some give rise to the leaf and some to the flower, but continues :—‘‘ As many plants have no HUGS tose. it is evident that buds are not parts essential to a veget- “ Close observers of nature have remarked that, about midsummer, there is a kind of pause in vegetation, for perhaps a fortnight ; and it is believed that leaf buds may be changed into flower buds, and flower buds into leaf buds. The probability of this idea is confirmed, says the ingenious author of ‘The Botanic Garden’ (Darwin), by the curious conversion of the parts of a flower into green leaves.” The leaves he terms, as we do to-day, the lungs of the plant, and describes two sets of vessels in them, as in the human body, one to con- vey the sap to the surface to be acted upon, the other set to carry back the improved fluid. The varnish on leaves he claims to be beeswax. His knowledge of the anatomy of the parts of the flower was, of course, very perfect, modelled as it was on the teachings of Linnaeus, but whenever he launches into theory he is lost—for instance, in dis- cussing the secretions of the flowers :—- ‘“* An insect is nourished by honey. May it not be needful that the flower, during the process of fructification, should be nourished by honey from the nectaries? Sugar is formed in the joints of the canes, for, perhaps, a similar purpose.” 61 The production of wax is also explained : — “This powder (pollen) is collected by the bees ; and is formed by some secret process in their bodies into wax ; which isa singular species of vegetable oil, rendered concrete by a peculiar acid in the insect.” In discussing the uses of the several parts of the flower he says :— «« We cannot believe, with most botanists, that the corolla has no other use in the vegetable economy than merely to cover and guard the sexual organs...... An artery belongs to each portion of the corolla ; which conveys the vegetable blood to the extremities of the petal, there expos- ing it to the light and to the air, under a delicate membrane ; when it often changes its color, and is seen beautifully in partly-colored tulips and poppies...... It is presumed that this breathing and circulating structure has for its end the sustenance of the anthers and stigma ; as well as for the elaboration of honey, wax and essential oil ; and for per- fecting the prolific powder.” He thus describes Linnaeus’s theory of fructification :—“ The medullary part of the plant, that is to say, the pith, must be joined with the external or cortical part, for the purpose of producing a new one. If the medulla be so vigorous as to burst through its containing vessels and thus mix with the cortical part, a bud is produced ; other- wise, the medulla is extended until it terminates in the pistellum ; and the cortical part is likewise elongated till it terminates in the anthere.” Such are a few of the lessons taught to our first botanists. Many others might have been instanced, but these are sufficient to give an idea of the obscurity of many of the points. In the anatomy of the plants he is as proficient as we are at the present day, and the descrip- tions are exactly such as will be found in our text books ; it is in the physiology of vegetable life that he fails, and itis here that all the progress has been made since that time. One thing particularly noticeable is the excellence of the language and composition, and the care shown in the arrangement of each lec- ture ; also the success of his efforts to make them interesting and attrac- tive. To give you an idea of this feature of his work, it will not be out of place to conclude with the following extract from one of his lec- tures. F 62 He refers to the discontent of human nature, and continues, allud- ing to man :—“ He is apt to compare himself to the plant, and to repine at the difference. He observes the pride of our forests, shedding his leaves in the autumn ; and sees them renovated in the spring, and going on re-clothing and flourishing through ages, while he, surveying his decayed and nerveless limbs, sighs out in despair :—‘ There is no returning spring for me!’...... The plant is annually renovated, while the lord of the earth, with all his towering faculties, withers and sinks. But this is judgment by sense and sight alone. Believe the muse: the wintry blast of death Kills not the buds of virtue ; no, they spread Beneath the heavenly beam of brighter suns, ,”) Thro’ endless ages, into higher flowers. :0: EXCURSION TO KINGSMERE. The first general excursion of the season was held on May 18th. The opportunity it afforded for a day’s outing was taken advantage of by about one hundred and forty of the members and their friends, thus making it the most largely attended excursion ever held by the club. King’s Mountain, the highest of the Laurentian Hills in this neighbor- hood, was the objective point, and the route lay along what is known as the ‘‘ lower road,” which leads through one of the most picturesque stretches of country in this vicinity. Fairy Lake, lying to the south of the road, is aptly named, for it is a most beautiful and dainty little sheet of water, fringed with trees, and nestling snugly among the sur- rounding hills. Further west the road skirts the base of a bold jutting spur of the mountains, while stretching away towards Aylmer, lies a broad flat plain of excellent farming land, dotted: with well kept and prosperous-looking homesteads. All along the road the air was heavy with the perfume of lilacs and late apple blossoms, and the Bobolinks hovering over the luxuriant green meadows made the air ring with their liquid musical notes, whilst butterflies of varied hues added further brilliance to the sun-lit landscape. With such sights and sounds to divert their attention, the excursionists hardly realized that it was “ninety in the shade,” and enjoyed the drive in spite of the heat, but, 63 when the foot of the mountain was reached, they did not forget that it was lunch time, and before long had reduced the weight of their baskets to such an extent that they could easily be carried up the steep moun- tain road to the rendezvous at the west end of Kingsmere. After a short rest, a large number of the excursionists ascended the mountain by the winding path prepared for the Princess Louise, while two of the more adventurous climbed the face of the hill, a steep and arduous climb, especially on such a hot day. Here, spread out before them, and stretching for miles to the east, south and west, lay the beau- tiful Ottawa Valley, diversified by hill and plain, woodland and open country, and dotted with scattered villages, hamlets, and homesteads. Like molten silver under the now hazy sunlight, ran the Ottawa, sweep- ing in grand curves across the landscape, here widening out into a majestic lake, and there stretching its tributary arms to the north and south. In the middle distance rose the towers and spires of Ottawa and her twin sister, Hull, and to the north, as far as the eye could reach, lay the ‘everlasting hills,” their rugged deformities of outline but little softened by their enfolding mantle of green forest. After enjoying to the full the many beauties of the scene, as well as the delightfully cool breeze wafted from the lake at Aylmer, the party started for the rendezvous and found it a good deal easier coming down than going up. When all had assembled at the foot of the hill, they were photo- graphed by Mr. Jarvis, who is a member of the club, after which the President, Dr. R. W. Ells, made a short but pithy address, which was received in a manner that showed the popularity of the new president of the club. He was followed by Mr. Jas. Fletcher, who, as leader of the entomological branch, made some very interesting remarks on the insects collected during the day. Mr. H. M. Ami then spoke in his usual interesting way of the rocks which form the Laurentian Hills, and which belong to the oldest geological formation known; and Mr. R. B. Whyte brought the proceedings to a close with a short but clear account of the structure and habits of some of the most noteworthy plants found in bloom. A start was made for home, by way of Chelsea, at 5.30 p.m., and after a pleasant drive in the cool air of the evening, enlivened by some 64 fine impromptu singing, the party reached the city about 8.30, and all agreed, as they disjvrsed, that, in spite of the heat and the mosquitoes, they had thoroughly enjoyed their day’s outing. The horses employed suffered considerably from the intense heat, but everything possible was done to lighten their labors, the occupants of the vans alighting and walking whenever a hill or a sandy piece of road was reached. W.A. D. L. 70: EXCURSION TO MONTEBELLO. The second general excursion of the season was, owing to the threat- ening weather of the 22nd June, the day fixed for it, the smallest in point of attendance ever held by the club. Only twelve were present, but of these five were leaders, representing the branches of botany, entomology, ornithology and general zoology. It was intended to go by steamer ‘‘ Empress” to Buckingham, P. Q., and investigate the natural history of that locality, but it was found impracticable to land there, owing to the high water. Thus the little party, who had braved the rain, were compelled to seek a field for their researches farther down the river, and they chose Montebello. The weather in the meantime had turned out quite fine, and the excursionists, after exploring their lunch baskets with very satisfactory results, set out to do the same by the surrounding country. They found the hill behind the village so picturesque at a distance none the less so on a nearer approach. With its beautiful little brooks tumbling over moss-covered rocks, and winding in and out amongst tangled thickets and open forest glades, its artificial, but apparently natural, fountain, throwing a jet of water thirty feet high, in one of the most secluded spots of the mountain side, and its wealth of birds, insects,and flowers, all declared it to be one of the most beautiful and interesting collecting grounds ever visited by the club. From the hill-top a fine view can be had of the river and the surround- ing country, with the village, and the Papineau mansion and grounds, in the foreground. Several rare and beautiful plants of the orchid family were found by the botanists, and the workers in the other branches had good reason to be satisfied with the result of their labors. A feature of 65 the excursion in which much interest was taken was a competition among the younger members of the party in plant collecting, for which three prizes were offered. The first was won by Miss Marion Whyte, with 97 species ; the second by Miss Lillie Ballantyne, with 73; and the third by Miss Ida Whyte, with 46. Short addresses were given on the boat, while returning, by Mr. Whyte on the plants collected during the day, by Mr. MacLaughlin on the insects he had captured, and by Mr. Lees on the birds he had observed. The steamer reached the wharf about 8 p.m., and the party dispersed, somewhat tired, but thoroughly satisfied with their day in the woods and on the water. Wi. A. D;..L: :0: REPORT OF THE CONCHOLOGICAL BRANCH, FOR THE YEARS 1887-88. To the President and Council of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club. GENTLEMEN,—As no report from this branch was presented last year, what I now have the honor to submit covers observations made in 1887 as well as 1888. The Ottawa was lower in 1887 than in any year since 1881, and as a consequence the many beautiful shells which occur in that river were easily accessible. From August to October numerous visits were paid to Duck Island, the metropolis of the Unionide in this vicinity, and large collections of fine shells were there obtained. Unio occidens was abundant along both shores of the lower half of the island; and from the thousands of this species visible in the shallow water, selec- tions were made which rival, if they do not surpass, in variety and rich- ness of coloring, any shells procurable from any inland waters in the world. Indeed few sea shells equal in beauty this remarkable species, which exists in such abundance at our very doors. Why the shell should vary so greatly in color under precisely similar circumstances is a question not easily solved. Other species from Duck Island vary greatly in form, though not in color; while others again are remarkably constant ; but all the shells found in the vicinity are much finer than I have ever observed the same species to be in other localities. Our commonest Unio—the commonest, in fact, of the whole Atlantic drainage ; Unio complanatus—is there found in forms very 66 different from those occurring elsewhere. One of these, which is undoubtedly entitled to rank asa distinct variety, was first found in 1881; and no specimens were obtained in any year since until 1887. It seems confined to the lower part of the island, and is least rare along the southern shore. The shell is very large for the species, and is marked by numerous, distinct, dark-green rays. The beauty and com- parative rarity of this form render it one of the most desirable of our shells. I can suggest no reason why it should so widely differ from the ordinary Unio complanatus found in the same locality. Tt will doubtless be remembered that Mr. Heron included Unio alatus in his list of Ottawa shells, but without stating where it was found. I never observed it until September, 1887, when I obtained a few living examples on the south shore of Duck Island. Mr. Ami informs me that he has taken shells of this species near the same locality, at the mouth of Green’s Creek. Late in the season a great number of Unio ellipsis became stranded on shoals opposite Templeton Wharf and perished. Many larger speci- mens than ever previously noted were observed among the dead shells. One remarkably large and beautiful living example of Margaritana undulata was collected in the same locality, as were also a dozen beauti- ful specimens of Unio gracilis. A list of the Unionide found at Duck Island will probably be of interest. The following are the shells of this family which I have observed to occur there :— Unio occidens, Lea. Unio gracilis, Barnes. Unio complanatus, Solander. Unio ellipsis, Lea. Unio alatus, Say. Margaritana undulata, Say. Unio gibbosus, Barnes. Anodonta fluviatilis, Dillwyn. Unio borealis, A. F. Gray. Anodonta undulata, Say. Unio rectus, Lamarck. The pond on the island teems with the smaller forms of fresh water shells—Sphaeria, Amnicole, Limneae and Planorbes. On the whole, Duck Island is undoubtedly the richest collecting ground within the sphere of the Club’s operations. Another locality rich in shells of an entirely different character is Meech’s Lake. A few years since two specimens of a very large form 67 of Planorbis bicarinatus were collected there, and noted in one of the reports of this branch. A visit to the lake in August, 1887, resulted in the discovery of a locality in which this variety occurs in great abundance, associated with very large specimens of the shell we have so long called Physa Lordi. ‘This locality lies on the west shore of the lake near the house of a farmer named Gillian. One striking peculiar- ity noticed among the Planorbes was that about five per cent. of the animals were of just such a reddish tint as the most highly colored shells of Unio occidens. Specimens which I kept living for a few weeks were losing their rich color when they died. I refer to this with a view of directing attention to the danger of basing any specific differences on the color of the animal itself. This» Planorbis from Meech’s Lake is of six or eight times the cubical capacity of the same species as found in the Rideau and Ottawa. In our woodland streams occurs a third form, which is stunted in growth and much distorted, owing, no doubt, to the vicissitudes it has to undergo in localities where at times there is a flood running and at other periods scarcely a drop of water. Another shell that is well worthy of note is found in abundance in the Rideau River and less commonly in several other streams. It is the species called by authors Planorbis corpulentus. The true corpu- lentus described by Say is an entirely different shell. That great naturalist found his types in the lake of the Woods, in what is now part of the Province of Ontario. They were lost on the return journey, and until Mr. James Fletcher collected specimens in the original locality in 1885, it was, it would appear, generally believed that Say made some mis- take in the figure he gave of the species. Subsequent writers on shells professed to know more about the matter than Say, and gave the name “ corpulentus” to an entirely different shell—the same species undoubt- edly which occurs so commonly in the Rideau from the Rifle Range up- ward at least to Black Rapids. All along this reach of water the shell occurs in company with the form of Planorbis trivolvis so common every- where in this vicinity. I have found the two associated not only in the Rideau but in Nepean Bay, Brighams Creek, and the Péche River, in Masham. The shells are in my opinion quite distinct. What I consider a distorted form of the larger shell has been described by Mr. Whiteaves from Montreal, and named Planorbis macrostomus The same form is 68 common in the ponds to the north of St. Louis Dam, near the Experi- mental Farm. Mr. Harrington has collected in moss a great number of our smaller shells. One new to our list is Vertigo ventricosa, Morse. I thought I had the shell some years ago, but my specimens were merely V. ovata, with only one of the labial teeth developed. Since finding the species among Mr. Harrington’s shells, I have observed it among my own, mixed with V. gouldw. The difference is not easily perceptible under a hand lens, but with the microscope it is quite apparent. JV. ventricosa has nearly a whorl less, and is considerably less slender. I think it is more common on the Hull side of the Ottawa, as it is there I collected most of the shells among which I have noticed JV. ventricosa. In conclusion I have to express my regret that with the present report must close my active connection with this interesting study. Happily the club now includes among its members not a few gentlemen who have all the qualifications necessary to carry on properly the work of the Concholgical Branch. F. R. LatcHrorp, Leader. SPRING REPORT OF THE ORNITHOLOGICAL BRANCH. To the President and Council of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club : GENTLEMEN,—In presenting their Spring report, the leaders of the Ornithological Branch must congratulate you on the increased interest shewn by the members of the Club in the work of this branch during the present season. Including the leaders, there have been seven observers in the field who sent in lists of their observations. The results of their work are embodied in the subjoined list of Spring arrivals. Notwithstanding these facts, however, only one addition has been made to the list, which seems to indicate that the field in this direction has been pretty thoroughly gone over, though much still remains to be done in working out the life histories of the birds of this district. The addition to the list is:—VFalco peregrinus anatum (Bonap.), Duck Hawk. A specimen of this bird was observed by Mr. G. R. 69 White and several others, on 28th April, flying low over the Rideaw Rifle Range, but was not shot. The following are some of the more noteworthy finds of the season :— Nyctala Tengmalmi Richardsoni, Richardson’s Owl ; seen Feb. 21st, Ina garden near the city. It allowed a near approach, and, in conse- quence, was easily identified by Messrs. N. F. Ballantyne and W. A. D. Lees. Ampelis garrulus, Bohemian Waxwing. Mr. W. Macoun reports having seen a flock of 20 or 30 of these birds, near St. Andrew’s Church, on 2nd June. This is an unusual occurrence at this time of year, the bird being a rather uncommon winter visiter here. Spizella pusilla, Field Sparrew ; observed in the corner of a pasture field on the Hurdman Farm, near the city, on 16th June, by Mr. Lees, and on 23rd June, by Messrs. Lees and Ballantyne. On both occasions it was accompanied by a Chipping Sparrow (Spizella socialis), and was heard singing. Being seen at a distance of only a few feet with a good glass, its pink bill could be easily distinguished. Cistothorus palustris, Long-billed Marsh Wren ; found common, and breeding, in the marshes along the Rideau River, from fifteen to twenty miles from the city, by Messrs. A. G. Kingsten and C. E. Chub- bock, on 20th June. After examining several nests, Mr. Kingston found one containing six eggs, two of which he took. On 30th June, Mr. Lees examined about a dozen nests in the same locality, but found no eggs, although the birds, in most cases, loudly asserted their claims. to ownership of the nests. Mr. Kingston thinks he also saw one speci- men of the short-hilled species (C. stel/aris), but could not make sure of it. Unusually large numbers of Pine Grosbeaks and of American, and White-winged, Crossbills (the latter predominating) were observed here during the winter, and the Hudsonian Chickadee was noticed to be tolerably common in Dow’s Swamp. The American Crossbills were also seen on 19th June, a rather unseasonable time for winter birds, and a Sparrow Hawk was observed on 26th January, the earliest previous record being 7th April. 70 On 28th April, 18 hawks were seen, soaring over the city at a great height, and moving gradually northward in large circles, but keeping together in a body. The past Spring has been an unusually early one in bird migration, 35 new records having been made, and 8 earliest previous ones tied. Following is a list of the dates on which the birds were first Those marked (*) are the earliest recorded by the Club :— observed. Jan. 6é Parus atricapillus, Chickadee. Bonasa umbellus togata, Canadian Ruffed Grouse. Cyanocitta cristata, Blue Jay. Plectrophenax nivalis, Snowflake. Pinicola enucleator, Pine Grosbeak. Loxia deucoptera, White-winged Crossbill. Acanthis linaria, Redpoll. *Corvus americanus, American Crow. . *Spinus tristis, American Goldfinch. Lanius borealis, Northern Shrike. Sitta carolinensis, White-breasted Nuthatch. Spinus pinus, Pine Siskin. Loxia curvirostra minor, American Crossbill. . *Falco sparverius, American Sparrow Hawk. ) Parus hudsonicus, Hudsonian Chickadee. . *Carpodacus purpureus, Purple Finch. Accipiter atricapillus, American Goshawk. . *Dryobates pubescens, Downy Woodpecker. Nyctala tengmalme richardsont, Richardson’s Owl. Otocoris alpestris, Horned Lark. . *Junco hyemalis, Slate-colored Junco. Accipiter velox, Sharp-shinned Hawk. Merula migratoria, American Robin. . *Sialia sialis, Bluebird. . *Quiscalus quiscula eneus, Bronzed Grackle. . *Spizella monticola, Tree Sparrow. . *Melospiza fasciata, Song Sparrow. . *Spizella socialis, Chipping Sparrow. Dryobates villosus leucomelas, Northern Hairy Wood- pecker. . *Molothrus ater, Cowbird. . *Sturnella magna, Meadowlark. *Scolecophagus carolinus, Rusty Blackbird. Glaucionetta clangula americana, American Golden-eye. Sayornis phoebe, Pheebe. * Anas obscura, Black Duck. *Ceryle alcyon, Belted Kingfisher. ql April 10. *Ammodramus sandwichensis savanna, Savanna Spar- row. “« 10. Tachycineta bicolor, Tree Swallow. « 11. Sphyrapicus varius, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. “« 11. Agelaius pheniceus, Red-winged Blackbird. « 11. Poocceetes gramineus, Vesper Sparrow. “ 11. *Zonotrichia albicollis, White-throated Sparrow. GE ll. Certhia familiaris americana, Brown Creeper. “ 11. Regulus satrapa, Golden-crowned Kinglet. « 12. Circus hudsonius, Marsh Hawk. “ 12. *Buteo lineatus, Red-shouldered Hawk. « 12. American Goldfinch (summer plumage). «12. *Troglodytes hiemalis, Winter Wren. “« 13. Larus argentatus smithsonianus, American Herring Gull. « 13. Falco columbarius, Pigeon Hawk. « 13. Progne subis, Purple Martin. « 14. Colaptes auratus, Flicker. « 14. *Turdus aonalaschke pallasii, Hermit Thrush. « 16. Troglodytes, addon, House Wren. “« 16. *Legulus calendula, Ruby-crowned Kinglet. « 18. Lophodytes cucullatus, Hooded Merganser. « 18. *Passerella Ihaca, Fox Sparrow. Anas boschas, Wood Duck. . *Branta canadensis, Canada Goose. *Gallinago delicata, Wilson’s Snipe. . *Totanus flavipes, Y ellow-legs. . *Buteo borealis, Red-tailed Hawk. . *Chelidon erythrogaster, Barn Swallow. Sitta canadensis, Red-breasted Nuthatch. Buteo latissimus, Broad-winged Hawk. . *Prcoides arcticus, Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker. Turdus fuscescens, Wilson’s Thrush. Pandion haliaétus carolinensis, American Osprey. Clivicola riparia, Bank Swallow. Actitis macularia, Spotted Sandpiper. Melospiza georgiana, Swamp Sparrow. . *Falco peregrinus anatum, Duck Hawk. . *Chetura pelugica, Chimney Swift. Harporhyncus rufus, Brown Thrasher. . *Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides, White - rumped Shrike. . *Sevurus aurocapillus, Ovenbird. Melanerpes erythrocephalus, Red-headed Woodpecker. Mniotilta varia, Black and White Warbler. * Asio accipitrinus, Short-eared Owl. *Tyrannus tyrannus, Kingbird. 72 ules; 6. * Vireo gilvus, Warbling Vireo. Dendroica estiva, Yellow Warbler. Empidonax minimus, Least Flycatcher. Icterus galbula, Balemers Oriole. Zonotrichia leucophrys, White-crowned Sparrow. Habia ludoviciana, Rose-breasted Grosbeak. * Vireo solitarius, Blue-headed Vireo. Dendroica coronata, Myrtle Warbler. Clangula hyemalis, Old-squaw. *Vireo flavifrons, Yellow-throated Vireo. Dendroica maculosa, Magnolia Warbler. Myiarchus crinitus, Crested Flycatcher. Compsothlypis americana, Parula Warbler. Dendroica cerulescens, Black-throated Flue Warbler. * Dendroica pensylvanica, Chestnut-sided Warbler. Dendroica blackburnie, Blackburnian Warbler. “10. Colymbus holbellii, Holbeell’s Grebe. “10. Totanus solitarius, Solitary Sandpiper. “10. *Coccyzus erythrophthalmus, Biack-billed Cuckoo. “10. Contopus virens, Wood Pewee. “10. Ampelis cedrorum, Cedar Waxwing. “10. *G@aleoscoptes carolinensis, Catbird. “ 11. Antrostomus vociferus, Whip-poor-will. “11. Dendroica virens, Black-throated Green Warbler. «12. Vireo olivaceus, Red-eyed Vireo. “12. = Setiurus noveboracensis, Water Thrush. “12. Setophaga ruticilla, American Redstart. “12. Anthus pensylvanicus, American pipit. “14. = Trochilus colubris, Ruby-throated Hummingbird. «14. Dolichonyx oryzivorus, Bobolink. “14. Turdus mustelinus, Wood Thrush. “15. Chordeiles virginianus, Night Hawk. “15. Geothlypis trichas, Maryland Yellow-throat. «17. “Accipiter cooperi, Cooper’s Hawk. «17. *Contopus borealis, Olive-sided Flycatcher. “ 17. Piranga erythromelas, Scarlet Tanager. - “ 1%. Dendroica tigrina, Cape May Warbler. “17. Dendroica castanea, Bay-breasted Warbler. “19. =Philohela minor, American Woodcock. “19. Petrochelidon lunifrous, Cliff Swallow. te 19. Sylvania canadensis, Canadian Warbler. “< -20. =Agralitis vocifera, Killdeer. «22. *@eothlypis philadelphia, Mourning Warbler. «24. = Botaurus lentiginosus, American Bittern. «¢ 26. ~=Anas discors, Blue-winged Teal. «27. ~=Vireo philadelphicus, Philadelphia Vireo. «27. Dendroica striata, Black-poll Warbler. Be) Bo) FO) So) SO) Co Cae BG gees 73 May. 27. Sylvania pusilla, Wilson’s Warbler. < 330. 3=Vurdus ustulatus swainsonii, Olive-backed Thrush. June 2. Ampelis garrulus, Bohemian Waxwing. 4. Nycticorax nycticorax nevius, Black-crowned Night Heron. June 8. Ardea herodias, Great Blue Heron. “ 16. Spizella pusilla, Field Sparrow. « 19. Loaxia curvirostra minor, American Crossbill. « 20. Cistothorus palustris, Long-billed Marsh Wren. « 23. += Passerina cyanea, Indigo Bunting. «23. =Helminthophila ruficapilla, Nashville Warbler. Wm. A. D. Less, JoHN Macoun, Leaders. Gro. R. WH8ITR, Ottawa, lst July, 1889. CorrecTion.—In the report of the Ornithological Branch for 1888 (Narturauist, Vol. II, p. 151, March, 1889), in line 21, for “new” read ‘‘ rarer.” 0: BOOK NOTICES. —_—— ON NEMATOPHYTON AND ALLIED FORMS FROM THE DEVONIAN (ERIAN) OF GASPE AND THE Bale DES CHALEURS, by Prof. D, P. Penhallow, (with introductory notes, by Sir William Dawson, F.R.S). Trans. Roy. Soc. Can., Vol. VI, 1889, p. 27. This paper contains an able exposition of the new facts and rela- tions concerning this obscure tree-like plant-remain which has caused so long and so interesting a discussion between Prof. Carruthers, Sir Wm. Dawson and others both in the old and the new world. Part I opens with an “ Introductory note,’ by Sir Wm. Daw- son, in which he gives an historical sketch of the discovery of those fossil plants which were at one time referred to the genus Prototaxites. Sir Wm. Logan, Sir Wm. Dawson, Dr. G. M. Dawson, Prof. Kennedy, Dr. Bell and others had discovered them in Canada, whilst Dr. Henry Hicks and Prof. Etheridge had also obtained them in shales of the Ludlow formation, and from the ‘“ Denbighshire grits.” The geologi- cal relations of the strata in which these fossil plants occur are then dis- cussed, the species of fossil fishes Coccosteus, Ctenacanthus, Leptacanthus and Macheracanthus are enumerated and notes are given on other species of fossil remains. 74 Part II. This part deals with the ‘notes on the fossils” in ques- tion in which Prof. Penhallow reviews the literature of the subject in a clear and lucid manner, giving a full description of (a) the “ exter- nal characters” of Nematophyton Logani, Dn. and (6), its “ internal structure,” which is the result of the examination of a large series of microscopic slides of sections taken in every direction imagin- able. Longitudinal sections show that the principal part of the struc- ture is composed of tubular cells of indeterminate length. Cross sections, on the other hand, reveal a series of large rounded cells with ‘intercellular areas,” which are more or less occupied by a system of much smaller, rather thin-walled filamentous cells. More minute de- tails of the structure and arrangements of parts are given, which alto- gether furnish means of recognizing the general relations and characters of the genus which Sir Wm. Dawson proposes. Jn this genus Wema- tophyton three species are included : WVematophyton Logant, (Dawson); Nematophyton laxum, (Penhallow); Nematophyton Hicksi, (Etheridge). Plates I and II of this volume of the Transactions of the Royal Society of Canada contain eight figures giving the microscopic characters of the species which are reproduced by photo-lithograhy. Notr.—At the last meeting of the Royal Society. of Canada, May, 1889, Prof. Penhallow read a paper entitled ‘‘ Notes on Erian Plants,” in which he offers additional notes upon WV. Logani and also revises the descriptions of Nematoxylon crassum and Celluloxylon primevum. The former he shows to be a species of Nematophyton for which he retains the specific name of crassum. The latter is also shown to be a highly altered form of Mematophyton, and he refers it to WV. crasswm. A complete revision of the genus is also given. H. M. A. ON SoME REMARKABLE ORGANISMS OF THE SILURIAN AND DEVONIAN Rocks 1n SoutHERN New Brunswick. By G. F. Matthew, M.A. In Vol. VI of the Trans. Roy. Soc. Can., p. 49, e¢ seg., Mr. Matthew figures (plate IV) and describes six very remarkable organisms from the fossiliferous strata of southern New Brunswick, which make an interesting addition to our knowledge of the Silurian and Devonian fossils of that Province. The paper opens with a revised and extended 75 description of the Silurian fish, Diplaspis Acadica, which was described by Mr. Matthew for the first time in Vol. II of the Canadian Record of Science, p. 251. The description of the related genera and species, as well as the geological horizon from which the species comes, are next given. Then follows the description of a new species of Ceratiocarts (McCoy), or Phinocaris (Clarke), viz., C. pusillus, obtained at the same locality as the Diplaspis, viz., Cunningham Brook, near Westfield Sta- tion, N. B. With these there was also found the type of a new genus of crustacean allied to certain forms of Packard’s sub-order Synai- phosura, and for which Mr. Matthew proposes the generic designation Bunodella, and describes the species as B. horrida. The second part of the paper contains descriptions of the Devonian forms, and includes: 1, One orthopterous insect ; 2, a chitinous grub ; and, 3, a new crustacean. The wing of tke orthopterous insect upon which the genus and species are founded, was found in Plant bed No. 2 of the Cordaite shales of the Lower Devonian series at Lancaster, N.B., where Prof. Hartt discovered Xenoneura antiquorum yearsago. It goes under the name of Geroneura Wilsoni. The grub is described as Archeoscolex corneus, and is ‘‘ the first example of the body of an insect recognised among the Devonian shales at St. John.” urypterella ornata is the name applied to a supposed crustacean of small size from the same beds as Geroneura Wilsoni, and was found by Mr. W. J. Wilson, who collected nearly all the material from which the above species were de- scribed and figured. The following is a resumé of the species described :— SILURIAN. DEVONIAN, 1. Diplaspis Acadica (Matthew). 1. Geroneura Wilsoni, N. sp. 2. Ceratiocaris pusillus, N. sp. 2. Archeoscolex corneus, N. sp. 3. Bunodella horrida, N. sp. 3. Eurypterella ornata, N. sp. H. M. A. ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE Fossin FisHes OF THE DEVONIAN Rocks OF CanaDA; Part II. By J. F. Whiteaves. Trans. Roy. Soc. Can., Vol. VI, pp. 77-96 ; plates V-X. This admirable paper is a continuation of a previous contribution by the same author to the Transactions of the Royal Society of Canada, 76 Vol. 4, p. 101, in which Bothriolepis Canadensis (Whiteaves), Acanthodes Mitchell ? (Egerton), Acanthodes concinnus (Whiteaves), and Phanero- pleuron curtum (Whiteaves) are described, either for the first time or more in full than in the original papers which announced the important discovery of fishes in rocks of Devonian age, in part the equivalents of the Old Red Sandstone of Scotland, from which Hugh Miller’s celebrated collections were obtained, and which the famous Louis Agassiz described in his “ Poissons Fossiles du Vieux Grés Rouge.” In the last volume of the Transactions of the Royal Society of ‘Canada, Mr. Whiteaves describes the remaining species of Upper and Lower Devonian fish-remains which had ‘been collected by Mr. Foord, Dr. Ells, and other officers of the Geological Survey Staff, in the Baie des Chaleurs region. The paper contains descriptions and illustrations of five species “from the Upper Devonian Rocks of Scaumenac Bay, P. Q.,” together with a note on Bothriolepis Canadensis (Whiteaves), besides “ Descriptions of Species from the Lower Devonian Rocks of Campbellton, N. B.,” which include descriptiens and figures of four species. In the first part of the paper the following torms are described :— Glyptolepis Quebecensis, N. sp., Husthenopteron Foordi (Whiteaves), Cheirolepis Canadensis (Whiteaves), Bothriolepis Canadensis (Whit- eaves, note), Acanthodes affinis, N. sp., Phaneropleuron curtum (Whit- eaves). Each species receives its full share of careful examination ; details of description are given so that any observer may easily recognise the species in question. Of Husthenopteron Foordi a very exhaustive diag- nosis is furnished, in which quite an urray of new facts are recorded for the first time. The second part of this paper includes descriptions of the following forms :—Cephalaspis Campbelltonensis (Whiteaves), C'occosteus Acadicus (Whiteaves), Ctenacanthus latispinosus (Whiteaves), Homocanthus gracilis, N. sp. They occur associated with intrusive rocks occurring ‘at the base of the Devonian of that region. Most of the illustrations were drawn by Mr. Lawrence M. Lambe, artist to the survey, who also helped in a study of the several forms under consideration. These two parts (Parts I and IT) of “ Illustrations (hil of the Fossil Fishes of the Devonian Rocks of Canada” are amongst the most important contributions to Canadian Paleontology ever pub- lished. H.M. A. Notes ON THE PaL#ozor1c BIVALVED EnTomMostRaca.—No. xxvil. ON Some Norta American (CANADIAN) Species. By Prof. T. Rupert Jones, F.R.S., F.G.S. No. XVII of the Annals and Magazine of Natural History, for May, 1889, pp. 373-387, contains an interesting contribution to the knowledge of some critical forms of Canadian Primitian and Beyrichian Ostracoda, which were sent to Dr. Jones by Mr. Whiteaves, of the Geo. Geological Survey of Canada, for examination and study. The species therein described were collected : 1. From the Lower Devonian of Camp- bellton, New Brunswick, associated with Coccosteuws Acadicus (Whit- eaves) and Cephalaspis Campbelltonensis (Whiteaves), etc; 2. from the Lower Helderberg (Ludlow) formation of Cape Bon Ami, New Bruns- wick ; and 3. from St. Andrews, Manitoba. Devonian—From Campbellton Prof. Jones recognizes his Primitia mundula and several of its varieties, which have been heretofore de- scribed in previous numbers of the ‘“ Annals, etc.,” whilst he finds a new species, viz.: Primitia scaphoides, which is compared to P. semucor- data (Jones). Silurian—From the Lower Helderberg formation of Cape Bon Ami the following forms are reeognized, viz.: Primitia mundula (Jones), var.; P. equals (Jones and Holl), Young form. ; Beyrichia Kledeni (McCoy), var. Acadica, N. var. (Jones), along with Beyrichia arcuata (Bean) and Jsochilina labron, N. sp. Cambro-Silurian or Ordovician—The Manitoba specimen is de- seribed by Dr. Jones under the name of Aparchites Whiteavesii, Apar- chites being ‘a generic group separable from Primitia (though there are some passage forms).” Two lithographic plates accompany the text. It would be a decided advantage if the figures were magnified in all cases a uniform number of diameters. There are besides these figures six woodcuts which are very instructive. H. M, A. G 78 REPORT OF OBSERVATION OF INJURIOUS INSECTS AND Common Farm Psests Durixa THE YEAR 1888, By Miss EL.eanor A. ORMEROD. F. R. Met. Soc., Etc. The Twelfth Annual Report of our esteemed corresponding mem- ber, Miss Ormerod, has just come to hand, and is of great interest and utility not only to English readers, for whom it is specially prepared, but also for enlightened people in all parts of the world. The same general principles underlie the methods of prevention and remedy, for the injuries done to crops by insects wherever they may occur, and the practical common sense shown by Miss Ormerod in the careful discussion and treatment of the different attacks mentioned in the present report, added to the experience she has gained after years of constant study im a special line, should demand the recognition of the talented authoress as a public benefactor by the thoughtless millions who daily benefit from her labours in low prices for many of the necessaries of life. Ten per cent is a very low estimate of the amount of annual injury done to farm crops by insects, and this frequently runs up to 15, 25, or even 50 per cent. Of this large amount of loss, by far the greater part could be saved if our farmers and gardeners would only read such reports as Miss Ormerod has given us. Nothing can be truer than what she says so feelingly in her preface. “In acountry such as this it appears an evil crying for removal that the zgnorance of the uneducated should be allowed to cause, year by year, such a demonstrable loss to the nation.” The attacks, mentioned in the report include, amongst others, the following orchard pests, which were very numerous in England during 1888. Apple Weevil, Anthonomus pomorum, Curtis. Green ‘ Leaf” Weevil, Phyllobius maculicornis, Germ. Winter Moth, Cheimatobia brumata, L. Lackey Moth, Chisiocampa neustria, Curtis. Small Erminie Moth, Yponomeuta padella, Linn. Figure-of-8 Moth, Diloba ceruleocephala, Linn. Mottled Umber Moth, Hybernia defoliaria, Liun. A_ noticeable fact in the remedies proposed is shat there is no mention of the arsenical poisons which are of such inestimable service in our large North American orchards, and which, with ordinary care, can be used with perfect safety. The attack of the Hessian fly on wheat, concerning which there was so much anxiety in England in 1887, seems to have decreased in a marked degree, and this 79 is doubtless owing to the attention paid by wheat growers to the advice given by Miss Ormerod. Another satisfactory result of her labours is the decrease in the injury done by the ox warble fly ; it is stated that ‘“‘ warble pre- vention has advanced much during the last season, and it is still more clearly shown than before that where the maggots are destroyed (as may easily be done) the attack may be for all practical purposes stamped out.” Injuries to beans, carrots, parsnips, and growing grain are also discussed. A new attack of particular interest, of which some par- ticulars are given, is that of the wheat-flour moth. The importance of fighting it vigorously, however, seems to be appreciated, and we therefore trust that it will soon be got within control. A special chapter upon the “sparrow nuisance” gives more facts to show the absurdity of the claims of those advocates who still try to uphold this pest on the plea that it is an insect-feeder. J. F. Notes AND DESCRIPTIONS OF A FEW INJURIOUS FaRM AND Fruit Insects oF SoutH ArFrica, BY Miss Eneanor A. OrMEROD. F. R. Met. Soc., Etc. This small 8vo. volume will, we believe, be of great value to the South African colonies. Considerable work has already been done there in economic entomology, but the publication of this work will undoubtedly give a special impulse to this branch of agriculture, which will be of lasting effect. In her modest preface the authoress speaks of it as “‘ merely a fragment,” but some of the monographs are very full, and the work is beautifully illustrated with clean figures. J. F. :0: EDITORIAL NOTES. A letter has been received from Prof. Macoun, who, with his assisstant Mr. J. M. Macoun, is still in British Columbia, energetically working up the botany and zoology of the southern portion of that Pro- vince. The letter is dated at Kamloops, on 16th June, and states that they have been very successful in collecting specimens, having, at the 80 time of writing, secured over three hundred skins of birds and other animals, representing one hundred and twelve species, besides a large number of plants and entomological specimens. 30: The next general excursion of the Club will be held on Thursday, 8th August, to the “Ox-bow” on the Nation River, near Casselman, on the invitation of Messrs. Wm. Craig and W. J. Summerby, two of our members who reside in the County of Russell. The place is one which should well repay a visit, and it is hoped that a large number of the members will avail themselves of the chance to become acquainted with a locality not before visited by the Club. Those so inclined will have an opportunity of exploring the spot where many inter- esting Indian relics have been and no doubt still are to be found, as it is within three miles of our stopping place, and the whole day will be at our disposal. Arrangements have been made with the Canada Atlantic Railway to let the excursionists off at the ‘‘Ox-bow,” thus saving the walk from Casselman. Train leaves Elgin Street Station at 8 a.m., and returning, arrives at 8.30 p.m. Heturn fare, 75 cents. 10; Errata.—The following names were, by an accident on the part of the printer, omitted from the list of members published in the last num- ber of Tue NATURALIST, and the omission unfortunately escaped notice :— C. E. Chubbock ; John Hodgins; George Holland; Miss L. von Jantsch ; Miss Ruby Rothwell; and T. W. E. Sowter. The editor tenders his apologies to these members for the oversight. 70; New Mempers.—The following new members have been elected since the list of members for this year was published :—T. J. Alnwick ; Robert Bell, M.D., LL.D.; Arthur Boulton ; J. Carstairs ; Rev. Charles S. Deeprose; W. F. Ferrier, B. App. Sc.; G. S. Macdonald; J. J. McNulty ; F. Nelson, B.A.; J. M. Oxley; F. X. R. Saucier; C. W. Treadwell ; J. G. Whyte. i Canadian Mining Regulations. al fae following is ® summary of the Regulations with respect to the manner of — recording claims for Mineral Lands, other than Coal Lands, and the conditions ~ goyerning the purchase of the same. Any person may explore vacant Dominion Lands not appropriated or reserved _ by Goverument for other purposes, and may search therein, either by surface or subterranean prospecting, for mineral deposits, with a view to obtaining a mining location for the same, but no mining location shall-be granted until actual discovery has been made of the vein, lode or deposit of mineral or metal within the limits of the location of claim. alesis A location for mining, except for Zron or Petroleum, shall not be more than 1500 feet in length, nor more than 600 feet in breadth. A location for mining ~ Tron ox Petroleum shall not exceed 160 actes in area. . . . On discovering a mineral deposit any person may ebtain a mining location, upon marking out his location on the ground, in accordance with the reeulations in that behalf, and filing with the Agent of Dominion Ivands for the district, within sixty days from discovery, ap affidavit in form prescribed by Mining Regulations, and paying at the same time an office fee of five dollars, which, will eititle the person so recording his claim to enter into possession of the location applied for.. At any time before the expiration of five years fromthe date, of recording his claim, the claimant may, upon filing proof with the Local Agent that he has expended $500.00 in actual mining operations on the claim, by paying to the Local Agent therefor $5 per acre cash and a further sum of $50 to cover the cost of survey, obtain a patent for said claim as provided in the said Mining Regulations. Copies of the Regulutions may be obtained upon application to the » Department of the Interior. &. M. BURGESS, Deputy of the Minister of the Interior. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Ottawa, Canada, December 19th, 1887. HENRY WATTERS, Ghemist and Bruggist, Corner of Sparks and Bank Streets, OTTAWA. Statutes of Canada ‘§.+ JARVIS, | PHOTOGRAPHER PORTRAITS, VIEWS ’ COPYING. FIRST=CLASS WORK. _—_— ——_—_ 141 SPARKS ST., - - he -—AND— CFFICIAL PUBLICATIONS. je ee The Statutes and some of the Publications of che Government of Canada, are for” sale at this office. Also separate Acts. and for supplementary vol»me $2.50. Department of Public Printing) and Stationery. J Ottawa, February, 1889. Revised Statutes : B. CHAMBERLIN, Queen's Printer and Controller of Stationery. OTTAWA. || LPR LISS OI aT OI PI EI ma ee aT ae pe es Ne a Se te price for 2 Vols. $5.00, ~ Price List sent on application. WM. HOWE, Importer of Artists’ Materials and Artistic Interior Decorations. Manufacturer of White Lead, Paints & Colors. Howe’s Block, - - OTTAWA. M. M. PYIEE, 99 SPARKS ST., OTTAWA, - = = ONTARIO, BOARDING and DAY SCHOOL ' SaOR = TOUNGLADIES. (Established 1862,) £9 DAY ACV BON U Ex; MISS A M. HARMON, - PRINCIPAL A. J. STEPHENS, PoN Ee Se Oe a 39 SPARKS ST. Boots and Shoes Made to ene J. & R, CRAIG, Tailors, 105 Sparks St., Ottawa, MEN’S OUTFITTER, PD ET PS EN EN eee he Se te, x 3 Ze oh ee eee ee eee ee ee eee — a i aaa ot 7 a | (i4 sy | ° ¥ 4, paw, Wet G & EES 2 S i Se a eae eae: x -@ . ) Octobet---December, 1889. etn Ne tet ete (o OTTAwd pavaRa LISf. The «[PRADSACTIODSs Qf fhe , Oilavde Field -Paldralisis’ Clube! (Organized March, 12879- Res March, 1884.) PECUR Oo, sree iy aera AC Be [ “CORTE vis 5. Hichifuatalvoee oa. Pe ee rete inte Ln oe ap petieraiets sess e iors eter Seen nee nec Fer Oren 81 America’ 7 Association for the Advancément of Science... 0.26... Seat Rip bcct hate Hee et Aa pea 82 PG araminre yeaa te Node cece ent Np ert a= yet vsaal say mast AGN) gS) a) enya a bah SB Arata Cerro 83 Land Shells of Van¢gouyer PAS ead ee HAE Se NIC Shs J ane DU Se per ies sco i Ghee ak 84 Development and Progress....... ene ES ia eases Wye a aa ees te GORA ai MCS 95 Oxygen—tts Role in Naturey. 00) be ee be re ees 105 Américan ‘Institute of Vining Engineers: 7.4 3...0..05. Friceteae oie N woe eda aetteks gsc yeti 106 WE ecp aM a eens ebesae e Es c ake teer cEeP ate tapas ae RE eG egies Le Melee ny ade Tene Afarotnter pak est ovata 107 Excursion to Casselman... 2... 6. PA ICO Ree) flea F Soret SR fn poo Dede Sh Bet COS TI5 Back Numbers. cr. ei Sh ay ha aT nie EG ee RE ee aly ages 16 New Numbers..... Ce 2c oan Way Ora Pree Urs ade Pa Ue en Hie es Ven is Sth Rect ey RCRA Cid aa 116 OTTAWA, CADARE : Citizen Jeb Printing Deparlmenf, 43 @ a0 Qucen Of, 1 Issued December 12th, 1389. px S271? pal Published Quarterly at $1.00 pre annum. Patron : a HIS EXCELLENCY THE LORD STANLEY OF PRESTON, GOVERNOR GENERAL OF CANADA. : President; Dr: R. W. Ets. | Vice-Presidents : Ist, Ji) BALLANTYNES) is very incomplete, containing the names of seven species only. My own collecting in Vancouver Island, although it has extended over a period of seven years, has not been by any means exhaustive. In fact I have only examined four localities, and these comparatively near together, and all on the east coast of the island :— 1. Victoria, at the south-eastern extremity of the island ; 2. Saanich, twenty miles north of Victoria ; 3. Salt Spring Island, a small island about a mile from the coast of Vancouver Island and a little to the north of Saanich ; 4. Comox, .a settlement about 140 miles north of Victoria, but also on the east coast of Vancouver Island. In these four localities, however, I have succeeded in finding thirty species of terrestrial mollusca, which form the subject of the present paper, and twenty-six species of fresh water shells, which I propose to enumerate in a subsequent contribution to this journal. The list of Vancouver Island land shells that here follows contains. the names of thirty-two species ; thirty of these, as above stated, have been taken by myself. Of the other two, one, Onchidella Carpenteri, W.G.B., is added on the authority of Dr. W. G. Binney, and might probably have been found by me had my search been more thorough. The other, Arionta Dupetithouarsi, is recorded from Vancouver Island by J. K. Lord, but my own impression is that the shell was collected in California and accidentally mixed with the Vancouver collection, as no trace of this species has been discovered on the island by anyone 85 else. Mr. Lord also took home to England a specimen of Orthalicus zebra, « Central American shell which he said he had taken alive on Vancouver Island. I have seen the specimen itself in the British Museum, but 1 cannot think that the species is indigenous on Van- couver Island. LAND SHELLS OF VANCOUVER ISLAND. 1, Selenites Vancowverensis, Lea. sp. 2. & sportella, Gould, sp. Limaz agrestis, Linn. “¢ — hyperboreus, Westerlund. Hyalina arborea, Say, sp. 3 4 5 6. es milium, Morse, sp. rf ss Binneyana, Morse. 8 a conspecta, Bland, sp. 9. Conulus fulvus, Miller, sp. 10. Vitrina Pfeiffert, Newcomb. 11. Patula striatella, Anthony, sp. 12. «< _asteriscus, Morse, sp. 13. Microphysa Lansingi, Bland, sp. 14, rt Stearnsit, Bland, sp. dD: a minutissima, Lea, sp. 16. Ariolimax Columbianus, Gould, sp. 17. Prophysaon Hemphilli, Bland and Binney. 18. Stenotrema germanum. Gould, sp. 19. Mesodon Columbianus, Lea, sp. 20. x devius, Gould, sp. 21. Aglaja fidelis, Gray, sp. 22. Arionta Dupetithouarsi, Deshayes, sp. 23. Pupilla corpulenta, Morse, sp. 86 24. Vertigo ovata, Say. 25. “« semplex, Gould, sp. 26. Ferussacia subcylindrica, Linn. sp. 27. Succinea rusticana, Gould. 28. as Nuttalliana, Lea. 29. se Oregonensis, Lea. 30. Onchidella Carpenterit, W. G. Binney. Bile cs borealis, Dall. 32. Carychium exiguum, Say, sp. In the foregoing list several species will be recognized as common Kuropean forms, namely, Limax agrestis, Conulus fulvus, Ferussacia 7 y> ? ? subcylindrica, and in the opinion of some conchologists the following American apd European species are also identical :— AMERICAN. EUROPEAN. l| Microphysa minutissima, Lea, pygmea, Drap. Vertigo ovata, Say, = antivertigo, Drap. & simplex, Say, = edentula, Drap. Carychium exiguum, Say, = miimum, Mull. As, however, there is a little uncertainty on these points, I prefer for the present to use the earliest American names. The seven species just mentioned occur also in the eastern parts of Canada, and with the five following find a place in the Ottawa lists = Hyalina arborea, Hyalina mihum, Hyalina Binneyana, Patula stri- atella, Patula asteriscus. There are thus twelve species out of thirty- two common to Ottawa and Vancouver Island. The remaining twenty species are all purely western forms, with the single exception of Pupilla corpulenta, which is recorded from Nevada and Colorado. 87 NOTES. 1. SELENITES VANCOUVERENSIS, Lea, sp. Helix Vancouverensis, Lea. Am.'Phil. Trans., VI, 87, pl. xxiii, f. 72 (1839) = H. vellicata, Forbes. Common and distributed over the whole island. When fully adult the peristome is sometimes almost as much depressed above as in sportella. 2. SELENITES SPORTELLA, Gould, sp. Helix sportella, Gould, Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., 11, 167. (1846) Occurring with the last species at Saanich, Comox and Salt Spring Island, but absent from the district round Victoria. As re- gards its shell it seems abundantly distinct fron: Vancowver- ensis ; at any rate it is a well margzed form, and as such deserves a name. It differs from the last species in being constantly smaller and more strongly striated, and in having a much more open umbilicus. The dimensions of this species and of 8S. Voyanu, as given in Binney’s Manual, seem to be incorrectly printed. 3. Jsmax aGREstTIs, Linné, Syst. Nat. ed. x, I, 652 (1758). Introduced, I suppose from Europe, a few years ago, and now a great pest in the Victcrian gardens. It has not yet spread fat into the country districts, but no doubt such extension is only a matter of time. 4, LIMAX HYPERBOREUS, Westerlund. I collected some swall blackish siugs at Comox in May, 1887, of which I sent some specimens to Dr. W. G. Binney. He re- ferred them doubtfully to this species. In his “Second Sup- plement to the 5th volume ot the Air-breathing Mollusks of the United States,” p. 42, Dr. Binney mentions the receipt of a Limax from Seattle, Washington Territory, similar to hyper- boreus in outward appearance and in the dentition. 88 or HLYALINA ARBOREA, Say, Sp. Helix arborea, Say, Mich. Encyc., pl. iv, fig. 4. (1816). Very common everywhere. Cannot be distinguished from eastern specimens. 6. Hya ina MILIuM, Morse, sp. Helix milium, Morse, Proc. Bost. Soc. VII, 28, (1859). Not rare among fallen leaves and moss. 7. Hyautina Binneyana, Morse, Journ. Portl. N. H. Soc., I, 13, fig. 25, 26 ; and pl. ii, fig. 9; pl. vi, fig. 27. (1864). Not common. I am not very confident that this is the true bin- neyana. Specimens collected by me have been seen by Dr. Binney, who considered them to be #7. wiridula, and has so recorded them in Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool. Cambridge, vol. XIII, p. 42. Dr. Dall, however, named other specimens from the same lot Binneyana after comparison with typical speci- mens in the Smithsonian collection. My shells are very different in colour to those I have always received as viridula, and neither do they agree exactly with Binney’s figure of Binneyana, though they are more like the shells that receive the latter name in Ottawa collections. It is just possible that the Vancouver shells may belong to a distinct species. 8. Hyaina conspectTa, Bland, sp. Helix conspecta, Bland, Ann. N. Y. Lye, VII, 163, fig. 7. (Nov. 1865). Alaska to California. Next to striatella and arborea this is the commonest of the smaller land shells in Vancouver Island. It occurs everywhere under logs and stones and among decaying leaves, 9, ConuLUS FuLVUS, Miller, sp. Helix fulva, Mill. Verm. Hist., pt. II, p. 56. (1774) = H. cher- sina, Say, + H. egena, Say. 10. ills 14, 89 Circumpolar. Common. The specimens | have collected in Van- couver Island are the finest I have seen; larger than any I have taken in England or in Eastern Canada. VitrInA PFEIFFERI, Newcomb, Proc. Cal Acad, Nat. Sci., I, 92. (1861) Not common, but widely distributed. Occurs usually under stones. I have never found it in colonies like impida. PATULA STRIATELLA, Anthony, sp. Helix striatella, Auth. Bost. Jour. Nat. Hist., III, 278, pl. iii, f. 2. (1840) Very common. PATULA ASTERISCUS, Morse, sp. Helix asteriscus, Morse Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., VI, 128. (1857). Not rare at Comox, May 1887, among fallen and decaying leaves. I have not found it elsewhere on Vancouver Island. Occurs also in eastern parts of America. 3. MicropHysa Lansinel, Blind, sp. Zonites Lansingi, Bland, Ann. Lyc. N. H. of N. Y., XI, 74, figewl 2s (OTS)) Described from Astoria in Oregon. It is not uncommon in Van- couver Island, and I have found it in all the localities I have examined. At Comox and Salt Spring Island, however, the next species is the more plentiful. MicrRopHysa STEARNSI, Bland, sp. Zonites Stearnsi, Bland, Ann. Lyc. N. H. of N. Y., XI, 76, fig. 3. (1875) This rare shell can easily be distinguished from Lansingi by its Jarger size, darker color, and the abserce of the lamella on the peristome. I have only found it at Comox and 90 Salt Spring Island, where it occurs not uncommonly with Lansingi under leaves and under pieces of maple bark in the woods. ‘This species was first found in Oregon and Washing- ton Territory. 15. Micropuysa Mrinvutisstma, Lea, sp. Helix Minutissima, Lea, Trans. Am. Phil. Soc. IX, 17. (1841) ?= Helix pygmea, Drap. Tab. Moll. p. 93. (1801) Common under dead leaves in woods. There seems still to be a doubt as to the identity of this species with the Huropean H. pygmea, Drap. My Vancouver Island specimens do not appear to me to agree well with those I have collected in England. 16. ARtotimMAx CoLuMBiANUuS, Gould, sp. Limax Columbianus, Gould, in Terr. Moll, II, 43, pl. lxvi, fig. 1. (1851). Pacific Coast, British Columbia, to California. Common, growing to a very large size. Around Victoria the specimens are generally spotted and blotched with black, but at Comox the unicolorous variety is more common. The eggs of this species, which are as large as good sized peas, are often found under logs or bark during the winter. 17. Propuysaon Hempuriui, Bland and Binney, Ann. Lye. N. H. of N. Y., X, 293, pl. xiii, fig. 8. (1873) The commonest slug in Vancouver Island and recognized at once by the two blackish lines that border the mantle. It may be found under logs and stones and among leaves all over the island. It also occurs in Oregon and California. 18. SrENOTREMA GERMANUM, Gould, sp. Helix germana, Gould, U. 8S. Expl. Expd. Moll., (1852), p. 70, fig. 40, a, b, ©. oil Not common, but occurring in all the localities I have searched. It is a much smaller shell than the next species, and is of a richer chestnut color. Specimens usually occur singly, and I have never found more than two under the same log. Colwm- bianus, on the contrary, is generally in colonies. Germanum. seems to be a species of limited range, the only locality named in “ Binney’s Manual” being Astoria, in Oregon. 19. Mesopon CotumpBianus, Lea, Sp. Helix Columbiana, Lea, Am. Phil. Soc. Trans., VI, 89, pl. xxxiil. fig. 75. =H. labiosa, Gould. Abundant among leaves and under logs. Occasionally specimens occur with an indication of a parietal tooth. I have twice taken specimens with the shell of a grayish white colour. Occurs from Sitka to California. 20. Mesopon pevius, Gould, sp. Helix devia, Gould, Proc. Bost. Soc. N. H., II, 165. (1846) I have only seen one specimen of this species from Vancouver Island, and that was taken at Hsquimalt, near Victoria. The Specimen was sent to Dr. W. G. Binney, who agreed in the identification. Devius is not uncommon in Oregon, and was therefore to be expected in Vancouver [sland. 21. AGLAJA FIDELIS, Gray, sv. Helix fidelis, Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc., July, 1834, 67. = Hl, Nuttalliana, Lea. Common in woods. The shell sometimes nearly black, occasion- ally very pale greenish white and almost transparent. This species roams abroad in wet weather in the spring and autumn after the manner of the European Helices. 22. Arionta DupstitHouars!, Deshayes, sp. Helix Dupetithouarsi, Desh. Rev. Zool., 1839, 360. = H, Oregonensis, Lea. 92 This species is entered here simply on the strength of the record by Lord mentioned above. I have not myself seen in Van- couver Island any trace of this shell, or indeed of any other Arionta. e's > 2? Fs bh ys > a's BS Bee le ee 2 . eevee ove tees~ ev oO