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OTTAWA, CANADA.

PRINTED BY C, W. MITCHELL, ‘FREE PRESS” OFFICE, 6 TO IO ELGIN STREET.

iSyoek.

: SEATED ts
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1880. 1881.

OTTAWA

Pee NATURALISTS €LUB.

TRANSACTIONS NO. 2,

COANE S-

aie PAGE.
PAStRObe OMICers— 1 Se 0—s laaamratesretatalcterlaltiers’aiajele!sis's.s)=.c)a1ele wfelelulalelsieielstvieiel-ivteleleteieiata(ala/aieiatcte 2
PISTOL MEMDELS ers snier eis ciei aie icleietelereleleiclele icielels o1sssccsl0 (c/e)s\e)eie1e ele je\n\cfelsie(a/eicisioiclelete/sistaie 3
Annual Report Ole COUNCH |p arsrstcyereicls/o/e/a)s\s)a1-1a) sie.0/e eo) eieivis e\e =\e/s/eleielaisisiai=isls/~/sieia\e/s.e) sieiciele ecie 5
Mreawuren,s) Balance: SHC es cela ofp leteleleleye) clela e sie'e’s1c1cio\o\sisis’etn e[='s]=)e/</eintielelela\s)giu\s'x/elelele\nie)e/eis 7
Inaugural Address by President—J. Fletcher............s+sccecccccccscecerecesccees 8
Meteors and Meteorites—H. B. Small........2...ccsccecccetevcce srversesvocrsyes 23
On Some Coleoptera injurious to our Pines—W. H. Harrington............ ..-...... 28
Notes on some Fossils found at Ottawa—W. R. Billings...............--.e.-e-00-:- 34
Liliaceze—Lt.-Col. Wm. White. ... 22.0.0. ccc cece cc ccc ccc en net eetee cs cesecnasesereces 35
Fauna and Flora of the North-West Prairies —Prof. Jno. Macoun.................... 37
AO AItIONSTCOMMASG eee tsciscteie cteloreiclete tates nicioiclsiereie sivcielelcinis\aral® cferels/e/oisieseiels\siefslejsinielejelsimieiwie 41
Description of a new Species of Porocrinus (with plate)—Dr. J. A. Grant............ 42

PRICE—Members, 20 cts.; 6 copies, $1.00. Non-Members, 25 cts.; 5 copies, $1.00

OTTAWA, CANADA:
PRINTED AT THE OFFICE OF THE FREE PRESS, 6, 8 & 10 ELGIN ST.

1881.

Patron:
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR-GENERAT..

President:
JAMES FLETCHER.

Vice-Presidents :
W. D. LESUEUR. | R&R. B. WHYTE.

Committee :
W. P. ANDERSON. J. MARTIN.
S. McLAUGHLIN. H. B. SMALL.
P. B. SYMES.

Secretary-Treasurer :
W. H. HARRINGTON.

EIst OF MEMBERS.

Ami, H.M.

Ami, Samuel F.
Anderson, W. P., C.E.
Anderson, Mrs. W. P.
Armstrong, Rev. Wm.

Baptie, Prof. Geo., M.A.

Bell, E. B.

Bell, Ernest 8.
Bell, J. H., WA.
Bennetts, F. K.
Billings, B.
Billings, W. R.
Boardman, Wm. F.
Bradley, Inglis W.
Bristow, A. A.
Bristow, Mrs. A.
Brough, Jas. 8.
Bucke, E. F.

Burgess, T. J. W., M.D.

Butterworth, C. A.

‘Cameron, Rey. A. A.
Campbell, Wm.
Chamberlin, Mrs.

Chesterton, W., 4.0.4,

Chisholm, A.
Chrysler, F. H., B.A.
‘Clark, T. M.
Cousens, W. C.
Curtis, Smith.

Davidson, A. B., B.A.
Davy, R..A., C.£.
Dixon, F. A.

Fleming, Sandford, C.Z., C..G.

Fletcher, James.
Fletcher, Mrs. J.
la

Forsyth, W. F.
Fortescue, L.
Fortescue, Mrs. L.
Fraser, A.

Geddes, W. H.
Gemmill, J. A.
Gisborne, Francis H.
Gordon, J. McD.
Grant, Geo. W.

Grant, “J: «Au Dy © Hele Cane

F.G.S., etc.
Gray, H. H. O.
Griffin, W. H.
Grignard, A.
Grison, L. A.

Hale, J.

Haliburton, R. G., Q.¢.
Hamel, F. M., C.£.
Hamilton, L. A., P.L.S.
Hannington, Rev. E. A. W.
Hardie, John

Hardie, T. Melville
Harrington, W. H.
Harrington, Mrs. W. H.
Harris, Wm. D.

Hay, Geo.

Hector, Thos.

Herron, Gilbert C.
Hine, E.

Hodgins, John

Jarvis, F. A.
Johnson, E. V., C.£.

Kemp, Rev. A. F., 1.A4., LL.D.

Kilgannon, A. P.

LIST OF MEMBERS—Coneluded.

Latchford, F. R.

LeSueur, W. D., B.A.

LeSueur, Mrs. W. D.
Lett, F. P. Austin
Lindsay, A.

Loudon, W. J

Lowe, John

MacLaughlin, T. J.
Mara, E. A.
Martin, Joseph
Matheson, D.
McLaughhn, 8.
McLean, J. D.
Monk, J. B.

Newby, Frank
Nicholson, M. Vernon

Patton, Rev. H. B.
Pettegrew, W. 8.
Plunkett, Jas.
Poirier, P. 8.

Rauscher, Rudolf
Rinfret, A. P. A.
Ripley, C. J.
Rogers, ©. €.

Scott, W. L.
Shannon, §. L.

Sinclair, Miss E. J.
Small, Beaumont, J/.D.
Small, H. B.

Sowter, E. T. W.
Steers, C. J.

Stewart, J. C.

Symes, P. B., A.K.C.
Symes, Miss.

Thorburn, J., .A., LL.D.
Todd, A. H.
Tomlinson, J., C.Z.

Watts, J. W. H., A.C.A.
Watters, H.

White, G. R.

White, Lt.-Col. Wm.
Whiteaves, J. F., #.G.S.
Whyte, G. C.

Whyte, J. G.

Whyte, R. B.

Whyte, Miss I.
Wicksteed, R. J., B.C.L., LL.D:
Wiggins, E. Stone, LL.D.
Wiggins, Mrs. E. 8.

Wilson, Miss L. A.

Wood, H. O., P.Z.S.

Wright, A. P., WZ. Inst. C. E.
Wright, W. R.

Wright, Miss

Young, James

CORRESPONDING MEMBERS.

Macoun, Prof. J., F.L.S., Botanist Saunders, Wm., President, Ent. So--
to Canadian Government, Belle- ciety of Ontario, London, Ont.
ville, Ont.

Hill, A. J., C.Z., Camp D., C.P.R., British Columbia.

ANNUAL REPORT.

To the Members of the Ottawa Field Naturalists’ Club :

The Council elected by you on the 23rd March, 1880, in presenting a
report of the proceedings of the year just expired, can honestly congratulate you
on the vigorous condition of the Club, as evidenced by increased membership,
enlarged work, and extended reputation.

It was not found necessary since the annual meeting to summon any
general meeting of the members for the transaction of business. The Counc
in fulfilment of their duties, met fifteen times, and many extra meetings were

obviated by the early appointment of committees, on whom much of the work
devolved.

There were, at the opening of the year, the names of ninety-three persons
upon the list of members. Of these persons one is dead, nine have left the
city, and three have resigned, leaving eighty remaining. During the year,
twenty-two new members joined the Club, so that the list now contains one
hundred and two names, Although the increase in membership thus shown is
only nine, the actual gain of bona fide riwembers is almost double that, there being
ninety-two paid-up members, as against seventy-seven in the preceding year.

A third corresponding member has been added to the Club in the person
of Mr. A. J. Hill, C.E., at present in British Columbia, who has evinced much
interest in the success of the Club, and has sent to the President, for examination,
collections of insects and plants, of which some species have proved new to
Canada.

The summer excursions were well attended, and were successful in all
respects. Four only were held ; the fifth, which it was proposed to hold on the
9th October, had to be abandoned on account of wet and inclement weather at
that season. The first was hela on the 27th of May, when the west side of
King’s Mountain was visited, and a very pleasant day spent in investigating that
favorite locality. The second, on the 24th June, was the best attended excursion
yet held by the Club, while the place selected, the Chats Falls, had many attrac-
tions. Unfortunately, owing to the time occupied in going and returning, the
stay at the falls was so limited that members could obtain but a glimpse of the
natural products of the locality. The next excursion was held nearer home, on
Saturday afternoon, 24th July. The iron mines of the Chelsea hills were visited,
and quite a number, in addition to examining the surface operations, descended
into the pits.and saw the steam drills at work, the overseer very kindly explain-

6

ing the various machines and modes of working. On Saturday, the 22nd
August, through the kindness of Dr. Wicksteed, who furnished his steam yacht
and several boats, the fourth excursion was held to Kettle Island, and the after-
noon agreeably spent there. Among the guests present was Prof. Webster,
founder of the old Ottawa Natural History Society.

Eight soirees were held during the winter, at which valuable papers were
read and interesting objects of natural history were exhibited. The following is
the list of papers :—1880—Tuesday, Dec. 7th, Inaugural Address, J. Fletcher,
President ; Tuesday, Dec. 21st, The Relations between Literature and Science,
W.D. LeSueur, B.A. ; Herbert Spencer’s Biology, J.G. Whyte. 1881—Tuesday,
Jan. 11th, On some Fungi found at Ottawa, Rev. A. F. Kemp, M.A., LL.D. ;
The Chaudiere Gold Fields, R. J. Wicksteed, B.C.L., LL.D. ; Tuesday, Jan. 18th,
Meteors and Meteorites, H. Beaumont Small; Tuesday, Feb. Ist., Noteson some
Diatoms found in the Ottawa, Prof. G. Baptie, M.A.; On some Coleoptera
injurious to our Pines, W. H. Harrington; Friday, Feb. 11th, The Brain—the
Gymnasium of the Mind, J. A. Grant, M.D., F.R.C.S,. F.G.S. ; Notes on some
Fossils found at Ottawa, W. R. Billings; Friday, Feb. 25th, Liliacez, Lieut.-Col.
Wm. White; On the Study of Botany, J. Martin; Friday, March 11th, The
Fauna and Flora of the North-West Prairies, Prof. John Macoun, F.L.S.

By request of the Ottawa Literary and Scientific Society, the Council
undertook the management of a conversazione for that society on the evening
of the 7th January. The programme arranged consisted of music, songs and
readings, with a brief paper on astronomy by Mr. Dewe, who also, on the con-
clusion of the meeting, showed to many of those present, through « powerful
telescope, the Moon and Saturn. Microscopes were also provided, through which
the circulation of blood in a fish’s tail, specimens of diatoms, etc., were viewed
during an intermission allowed for that purpose.

At the opening soiree, as well as on the programmes, it was an-
nounced that, if a sufficient number of members and their friends desired it,
elementary lectures upon botany and entomology would be given by the Presi-
dent and Secretary. Shortly afterwards the Literary and Scientific Society
determined to organize a course of science classes, and, in order to assist the
society, the proposed classes in entomology and botany were included in their
course. It was, however, stipulated by Mr. Fletcher and Mr. Harrington, that
all members of the Ottawa Field Naturalists’ Club should be admitted free of
charge to these two classes. The nightly attendance at the classes has been
encouraging, and it is hoped that some who are not yet members of this Club
will have aroused in them such an interest in the study of natural history as
will lead them to become earnest workers, and valuable additions to our
strength.

The following donations and exchanges have been received during the
year :--From the Smithsonian Institute, fourteen “ Bulletins of U.S. National

7

Museum ;” Mr. A. S. Miller, of Cincinnati, “American Paleozoic Fossils,”
“ Cincinnati Quarterly Journal of Science” (three volumes, 1874, 1875 and 1880),
and “Contributions to Paleontology ” (two pamphlets) ; The Epping Forest and
County of Essex Naturalists’ Club, “Transactions”? to date (three parts) and
‘Rules ;”” H B. Whitton, Hamilton, “ Constitution and By-laws of the Hamilton
Association ”’ and “Selenography ;” Mr F W. Webster, “ Nctes upon the Food
of Predaceous Beetles ;’ Mr. W. H. Harrington, Vol. X. “ Canadian Entomolo-
gist,” Part I., Vol. I., “American Entomologist,” “La Mouche ou La Chrysomele
des Patates,”’ and “Some Wood-eaters.”’

In accordance with a vote passed at the last annual meeting, the Council
have caused to be printed the “Transactions” (No. 1) of the Club for the year
1879-1880. Included therein are the list of officers, list of members, rules
report of Council, inaugural address, and such papers as dealt with the natural
history of this vicinty, or with the original researches of members. These are
contained in a well printed pamphlet of sixty-two pages, enriched, through the
kindness of Mr. Grignard, by two fine lithographic plates. The Transactions are
certainly most creditable to a young club, and have been so recognized and wel-
comed in every direction, deservedly obtaining for this Club a reputation, to
enlarge and retain which will call for well directed and energetic work in the
future. Exchange of publications has already been requested by influential
societies in Canada, the United States and England, and complimentary notices
have appeared in papers and periodicals of these countries The Club has thus
been brought into contact with kindred societies, and henceforth must strive to
preserve the good name it has so soon acquired in the scientific world. Five
hundred copies were obtained at a cost, including plates, of $78.43. Toward
payment of this amount, the sum of $28.54, the balance in hand from 1879-80,
was appropriated, and the Council is happy to inform you that the remainder
has been defrayed by receipts from the sale of copies, of which 175 are yet held
by the Club for future sale or distribution. Your attention is strongly urged to
the value of these Transactions, both to individual members and to the Club.

Annexed is the Financial Statement for the year, wherein you will find
that, after the settlement of all accounts, the Club is in possession of the ex-
tremely satisfactory balance of $55.52.

BALANCE SHEET, 1880-1881.

Dr. The Treasurer in account with Ollawa Field Naturalists’ Club, Cr.
To Balance on hand........... $ 28 54 , By Stationery, Printing, etc....$ 12 85
Members’ Fees............ 50 50 | Excursion Expenses ....... 57 00
Excursion Receipts........ 63 20 Soiree Hxpenses......-..... 8 50
Soiree Receipts, ...... Recon Ald) Cost of Transactions........ 78 43
Sales of Transactions...... 49 36 Balancerontnandeasseiesscisls 55 52
$212 30 g212 30

W. H. HARRINGTON,
15th March, 1881. Treasurer,

FIRST SOIREE.

INAUGURAL ADDRESS.

DELIVERED ON TUESDAY, 7TH DeceEMBER, 1880, BY JAMES FLETCHER, EsqQ.,
PRESIDENT OF THE QO, F. N. C

Members of the Field Naturalists’ Club ; Ladies and Gentlemen :

As President it is again my pleasant duty to congratulate you upon the
successful termination of another collecting season, and the beginning of a new
course of winter meetings. The programme promises to be unusually interest-
ing, and will, I trust, induce a large attendance of the members, as well as of
their friends. ;

Full details of the excursions held by the Club during the summer will be
furnished in the Annual Report of the Secretary, and it will be, consequently,
unnecessary for me to mention more than some of the most important points
with regard to them. The first excursion was held on the 27th May, to the west
side of King’s Mountain, Chelsea, the rendezvous being in a grove of maple trees
at the foot of a lovely little waterfall, which came foaming down the mountain
side, among the green ferns and mosses, with fairy-like effect. Two days after
this excursion, the Montreal Natural History Society held their annual field-day at
Lachute, and it was with much regret that the Council was compelled, on account
of the time that would have been occupied in travelling, to abandon the idea of
making it a jcint excursion of the two clubs, like the one held last year. The
second excursion, to the Chats Falls, brought out a large number of members,
and was an extremely enjoyable one, notwithstanding a few contretemps. The
third excursion, to the Baldwin Iron Mines, was very interesting, and our mem-
bers received much kind attention from all employed there, especially Capt.
Simmons, the overseer, who escorted a party down the mine, and explained all
the apparatus. On the 24th August the fourth excursion was held, to Kettle
Island, Dr. Wicksteed generously placing his steam yacht and four large boats at
the disposal of the Club for the purpose. Another excursion, arranged for the
7th October, had to be abandoned on account of unfavorable weather.

During the past year we have published our first Transactions, which are
certainly most creditable to the Club, an opinion which has been expressed by
other societies in different parts of the country, as well as by several magazines,
among others Science (fossip, in England, and the Popular Science Monthly, in
the United States. This number of the Transactions is embellished by two
plates beautifully executed by Mr. Grignard ; but, I am sorry to say, it does not
contain all the papers read before the Club, the Council having decided to pub-
lish those only which treated directly of local matters.

9

To the list of our corresponding members the name of Mr. A. J. Hill,
‘C.E., has been added. This gentleman is now employed on the Canadian Pacific
Railway in British Columbia, and has already forwarded to the Club several
parcels of plants and boxes of beetles, including some species which had not prev-
iously been found in Canada. You will see on the programme that Professor
Macoun, another corresponding member, has promised to give us a lecture upon
his explorations in the North-West.

I have been able to make a few additions to the Museum of the Ottawa
Literary and Scientific Society from the specimens collected by our members,
and hope during the winter to receive some more, as the collections of the past
season are sorted out.

In last year’s Inaugural Address I gave a sketch of the life-history of a
plant, and tried to point out some of the interesting features in vegetable life,
with the object of inducing some of you, who had not previously done so, to
take up botany as a study ; and I am happy to say that a few have joined the
botanists of the Club during the summer. With a view of aiding the efforts of
these beginners, I propose, if a sufficient number of members express a desire to
attend, to give, during the coming winter, a series of elementary lectures upon
botany and the way to study it, while Mr. Harrington and myself will be glad to
undertake similar lectures on entomology. The number of entomologists in our
Club is, I am sorry to say, very small, and yet there is not a single branch in the
whole of natural science which affects so directly every member of society,
owing to the vital relations that exist between insects and the natural products
of the country.

One of the most apparent of the many advantages to be derived from the
study of natural history is its tendency to methodize the mind by impressing it
with habits of order and exactness, thus producing all the good effects of mathe-
matics and logic without the drudgery which to many is found in connection
with those sciences ; and this is peculiarly the case with that portion of natural
history which treats of the insect hosts. Their great number and diversity ; their
beauty of color and form; their metamorphoses, complexity of structure
and peculiarities of habits, always exactly adapted to the purposes they have to
accomplish, unite to give an interest to this delightful pursuit not possessed by
many others.

One would suppose that, in a country like Canada, where crops of all
kinds suffer so severely from the ravages of insects, the practical value of ento-
mological studies would be duly appreciated, especially by the agricultural com-
munity. But, unfortunately, such is not the case, and these “ minims of crea-
tion ” individually so puny and weak, but which, united, form such irresistible
forces, are to-day very little more studied, by the people most concerned,
than they were fifty years ago. I shall endeavor to show that everything

10

which is generally designated by that expressive word “bug” is not
an enemy to be executed at once without a trial. It cannot but be a matter
of considerable surprise to any person who turns his attention to the study of
entomology to find to what an extent, comparatively speaking, that branch of
natural science is neglected by scientific men, for, notwithstanding the large sums
of money devoted yearly by wise governments towards its encouragement, and
the untiring efforts made by individual students to present it to the masses in a
popular form, it must be acknowledged that as yet it is not studied nearly as
much as it deserves.

Little attention was paid to natural history previous to the commence-
ment of the last century, although the writings of some of the leading philoso-
phers of antiquity show that it was considered of sufficient importance to receive
special study. Aristotle and Pliny, the elder, wrote of insects largely, although,
it is true, somewhat erroneously at times. They too often fell into that trap
which is still set in the path of modern investigators, namely, allowing their
imaginations to carry them away from the truth to build up a previously con-
ceived theory. Speaking of Dr. Leidy, “the most distinguished naturalist of
America,” a recent writer has said :—“ In the performance of his scientific work
he has confined himself to the duty of accurately describing what he hasseen. He
very rarely draws inferences from his accumulated facts, and his innate truthful-
ness is such as to deter him from theorizing.”” (Popular Science Monthly, V. xvii ;.
p. 691.) There are few naturalists, probably, to whom similar praise could be given.

The first book published in England on insects alone is said to have been
Mouffet’s “ Theatrum Insectorum,” which appeared in the reign of Charles L.,
after having passed through the hands of five learned doctors, all of whom did
something towards its completion, and after having taken about one hundred
years to finish. It was owing to the efforts of Ray and Linnzus, ably assisted by
their contemporaries Reaumer and DeGeer, that entomology was raised to its.
proper place among the sciences. Since their time many learned men have
fought hard to keep it there, until now “ the laugh at entomology is nearly spent;
and known professors of the science may meet in open conclave to exchange
observations without fear of becoming subjects for a commission de lunatico in-
guirendo, and may now, net in hand, chase their game without themselves being.
made game of ” This, however, was not the case in the last century, for we are
told in Kirby and Spence’s “ Introduction to Entomology ” that an attempt was
made to set aside the will of a rational woman (Lady Glanville) on the ground
of insanity, which was evinced, it was claimed, by her fondness for collecting
insects.

Foremost of all the great powers in the prosecution of scientific research
is undoubtedly the Government of the United States. Its official publications
upon scientific matters are simply magnificent, and the generosity with which it

11

distributes them to institutions and societies, where they can be freely consulted,
is worthy of all praise. No one ever need be at a loss for information upon any
ordinary scientific point, for on writing to the proper Department in Washington
he will receive an answer by the return mail.

By means of the generous assistance of the Ontario Government, the
Entomological Society of Ontario is able to put in the hands of all the agricul-
turalists of the Province information with which they can fight most of the com-
mon insect pests, and at the same time learn to determine which among the
countless hordes of the insect world may be ranked as allies.

The naturalist founds his studies upon the theory that ncthing in nature-
is useless, and that everything that ismust have some special function to perform
or it would not exist ; it is in tracing up these special adaptations to certain ends
that he finds the charm which enables him to carry on the laborious investigations
which are often necessary.

As every one knows, vegetable and animal life are the two agents which
nature employs to keep up the balance of creation, the one feeding upon or
deriving its nutriment from the other. Now, these two agents are, to a certain
extent, acted upon and kept in check by their own component parts. W henever,
owing to particularly favorable circumstances, too many seeds of any one species
of plant spring up in the same place, they do not all mature, for if they did all
would be sickly from want of light and air, and the species would gradually
degenerate. Consequently, it is provided that the weaker should be kept down
and choked to death to make room for their more robust companioas. This is
also the case in the animal world, as, for instance, with insects, When, from.
special circumstances, any one species is abnormally multiplied, it is sure to be
attacked and kept in check by some other kind, which itself may be a prey to ar-
other species. Plants, through all their stages, from the seed to the decaying leaf,
are the orignal source of support to some form of animal life ; wherever vege-
table life is profuse, there insects abound. The green plant attracts innumerable
small insects ; these in their turn attract larger carnivorous species, which are
again preyed upon by birds and reptiles, and the larger carnivorous animals
follow. The flesh feeders, thus depending one upon the other for subsistence,
have an ultimate dependence upon vegetable life ; therefore, wherever there is
the greatest variety of vegetable life there will necessarily be the greatest variety
of animals, whether quadrupeds, birds, reptiles or insects.

It is estimated that insects comprise no less than four-fifths of the whole
animal kingdom. While there areabout 55,000 known species of animals, exclud-
ing insects, the number of these amounts to upwards of 200,000. It is therefore
manifest that they must perform some very important mission in the economy of
nature. “It would be easy,” writes the Rev. J. G. Wood, in “ Insects Abroad,”
“to show how the very creatures that are most detested by man, and co him the

12

‘most direct damage, are indeed, though indirectly, among his best benefactors.
Apart from direct benefit or injury to man, the whole of the insect tribes are
working towards one purpose, namely, the gradual development of the earth and
‘its resources. The greater number are perpetually destroying that which is effete,
in order to make way for something better ; while others, whose business seems
chiefly to be the killing and eating of their fellow-insects, act as a check to their
‘inordinate increase, and so guard against the danger of their exceeding their
proper mission.”

I will borrow from the same author two more illustrations of the fact that
-even those insects which we consider most noxious are, in certain important
respects, good friends. What more annoying creature can the mind conceive
than the common mosquito? Truly is Beelzebub (“ King of the Flies”) rightly
named if these are types of his subjects. I need hardly remind you of the tor-
tures we all endured at our first excursion; it must be remembered, however, that
devouring field-naturalists is not the normal occupation of mosquitoes ; their real
object is a beneficent one. In the deep dark forests of the tropics the air would
be perfectly stagnant, and an enormous development of noisome fevers would be
the consequence, if it were not for the motion caused by the wings of these and
myriads of other minute creatures. In the larval state, too, they live in water,
and feed upon the particles of decaying matter which are too small to be noticed
by the larger aquatic animals. Were it not for the presence of these insects,
which swarm in vast armies ia all stagnant water in warm climates, thus purifying it
as wellas the atmosphere, such localities would be uninhabitable by any animals
higher than reptiles. Again, strange as it may appear at first sight,if it were not for
the existence of the many borersand wood-eating insects we could have none of those
lovely forests which give so much beauty to our landscapes; and are the source of
so much wealth to the country. Let us imagine that all these insects have been
destroyed at one fell swoop, and note the consequence. A giant of the forest dies,
and in course of time, during some winter storm, is blown down. Where it falls
there it lies, and nothing can grow from the space it covers. Time rolls on and
tree after tree falls, until the whole ground is covered with the trunks and limbs
of fallen trees, and what was once a stately forest, with all its wealth of life, isnow
a vast wilderness where nothing can grow. How different is the beneficent
operation of nature under the present conditions ; scarcely has a tree shown
signs of declining vigor than the insect hosts are at work. First of all come certain
species which pick out any weak point and deposit their eggs there. The larve
in due time hatch, and, eating into the tree, accelerate its decay. When it dies
and falls tc the ground it is immediately pounced upon by the large wood-boring
beetles, which deposit their eggs upon the bark. These hatch into grubs armed
with strong jaws with which they soon bore into and through the trunk, thus
rendering it permeable to air and moisture. Smaller beetles and other insects
follow in the wake of the larger, and bore out the softened decaying wood, some

a ee ee ee

13

musing it as feod, others as materials for their nests. The rapidity of the work of
destruction is astonishing, and in an incredibly short time, the giant which had
taken hundreds of years to mature is reduced to mere dust, which serves as a
fertilizer of the soil, and enables it to produce fresh trees to fill up the gap left by
the one which has goue.

It is questionable whether any good results would follow from giving
statistics of the amount of damage done by insects at different times, for so
enormous are the figures that could they even be appreciated they would not
be believed by those who do not make a study of the matter. It was estimated
‘by Mr. B. D. Walsh, a careful observer, that in 1861 the injury caused by insects
in the State of Illinois alone amounted to twenty million dollars, and that the
-damage done by insects in the United States cannot be less than three hundred
million dollars annually.

It may not be out of place here to say a few words with reference to
scientific nomenclature. There appear very frequently in the different
newspapers accounts of the depredations of insects, and, that these may be concise
and explicit, it is absolutely necessary that some of the technical terms of
Entomology should be used. But this is not pleasing to the agricultural classes,
“ for,” say they, ‘‘ how do we know what such terms as hymenopterous, coleop-
terous, or dipterous, which are so frequeutly applied to insects, mean ?”

If they take an interest in their own affairs they should make a point of
finding out what these terms mean. No one suffers more from these hosts than
they do, and it is ridiculous to think of their remaining inactive spectators when
it is in their power to avert, or at least, diminish the evil by following the
instructions given in the works of Entomologists. To be in a position to do this
they have simply to learn the meaning of about a score, at the most, of classical
words. Now let us consider what would be the result of their taking this trouble.
in the first place, Entomologists would be led to write brief and popular accounts
of their researches, and in the second the farmers themselves might be enabled
to furnish to more systematic students, as the result of their own observations,
data of the greatest importance. Curtis in his “ Farm Insects,” expresses himself
as follows: “It is a great mistake to suppose that scientific descriptions and nom-
enclatare ought to be employed for the use of those only who are specially engaged
in the study of Natural History. If insects be not thus accurately described, and
their names learned carefully, the facts noticed by practical observers are generally
worthless, and may tend to mislead, by the confusion of one species with another,
and the subsequent adoption of improperremedies. It is thus that I have found,
‘in extensive reading on these subjects, that a very large amount of the information
given by practical agriculturalists and gardeners has proved valueless in cases
where, if the particular species alluded to could only have been identified, it
would have been of the greatest value in furthering subsequent investigations.”

14

But why, it may be asked, use Latin and Greek, why not use English
Firstly, because English is not spoken in all parts of the globe, while Latin and
Greek are the universal lauguages of the learned in all countries, and secondly,
because the very nature of these languages particularly adapts them for the pur-
pose. In Natural History it is frequently necessary to distinguish very different
and very approximate forms, and it is of the greatest importance that the differ-
ence perceptible to the eye should be explained by precise terms in a concise
and readily understood language, and Latin has been unanimously chosen by
scientific men. When, however, as is occasionally the case, that tongue is
deficient in a characteristic expression, the example of the early writers is
followed and application is made to the Greek, which, from the euphony of its.
words and the fullness of it tones, is well adapted to the construction of perma-
nent names of orders and genera.

There has been great difference of opinion among entomologists as to what
orders in the animal world the class INSECTA should include, and perhaps even
more upon the division of these orders into sub-orders. As Dr. Packard’s
“ Guide to the Study ef Insects” is the only manual we have here, it will be well
to follow the plan there presented in drawing a short sketch of the class.

Insects are divided into three orders :—

1. Hexapopa,’or true insects, which have six legs, and attain the perfect
state, in which they generally possess wings, through a series of stages of existence,
or metamorphoses, known by the names of the egg, the larva or caterpillar, the

pupa or chrysalis, and the imago or perfect insect. Upon examining the body of

a perfect insect, it will be seen that the portions of the boly are more distinctly
separated than they were during its earlier stages and that now the segments of

the body are collected into three chief regions,—the head, the thorax, and the

abdomeu. It is from this division of the body that the word insect is derived.
Aristotle called insects entoma, from entemnein = to cut in, and the Roman writers,.
following him, called them insecta, from insecare, which also means to cut m, and
this name has been adcpted by all later authors.

2. ARACHNIDA, or spiders, wnich have the segments of the body grouped
intv two regions, and have eight legs, but no wings; they pass through no
metamorphoses, but grow by frequent moultings of the skin.

3. Myrtapopa, or centipedes, which have the body worm-like, without
wings, and the segments not grouped into regions (exvept in the newly hatched
young), have no metamorphoses, and grow by the development of additional
rings to the body.

We will turn our attention to the first of these orders. The true insects.
are divided up into seven sub- »rders, according to the structure of their wings,
and these again are grouped together into two series, according to their relative

a. oe | Pee

15

rank and affinities. The first and higher series has the body usually cylindrical,
mouth parts more generally formed for sucking ; metamophoses complete, larva
usually cylindrical, very unlike the adult. The sub-orders embraced by this series
are Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, and Diptera.

The second and lower series, has, usually, the body flattened, mouth parts
adapted for biting, metamorphoses complete, larva flattened and often resembling
the adult and comprises Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Orthoptera, and Neurcptera.

The three regions into which the segments of the six-legged insects are
grouped, are known by the names of the head, the thorax and the abdomen.
The head carries the special sense organs, as the eye, the mouth, and the antenne.
The eyes are wonderful structures, and are constructed to covera very large field of
vision ; they consist, first of all, of two large compound eyes, made up of numer-
ous small six-sided facets, which are so numerous that Leeuwenhoec is said
to haye counted as many as 8,000 in the eye of a fly, and Strauss 8,820 in that of
a cockroach ; besides these two compound eyes, there are in many insects two or
more simple eyes (ocelli) arranged across the forehead, they can be easily seen in
the common Humble Bee. There are some insects which have only ocelli and
even some with no eyes at all.

The principal organs of the mouth are six in number, two on each side of
the opening, one above and one below, the upper single organ is the upper
lip or labrum, the lower the labrum or lower lip, this lower lip has a basal
joint (mentum) supporting a more flexible part (ligula); the upper or inner
integuments of the ligula is usually developed into a kind of tongue, which
isa distinct part (lingua) in the locusts and dragon flies ; the superior pair of
the lateral organs are the upper jaws or mandibles, which are generally hard
and serve to tear the food, the inferior pair are the lower jaws or maxille, which
are generally soft and serve to carry the food to the gullet, to be swallowed. To
the lower jaws and under lip are attached short jointed processes, called palpi or
feelers. These oral organs are the same in all insects, although the structure is
vastly different among those which obtain their food by mastication and those which
obtain it by suction ; by dissection and comparative anatomy, however, it can be
shown that they are identical, only greatly modified in form, in both of these
classes. In biting insects, as beetles, the side pieces are short, far apart, and have
a horizontal motion, and the upper lip isa flat plate closing the mouth above ;
with sucking insects as mosquitoes, the same parts are elongated into lancet-like
organs, are close together, and have a longitudinal motion, and the lower lip at
the same time is developed into a tube, which encloses them. In Lepidoptera
the three upper organs are very feebly developed, while the maxillx are elongated
into a delicate proboscis, the identification of which with the maxille is shown by
the occasional presence at its base of a pair of minute palpi; the lower lip is
soldered to the head, but is furnished with a pair of palpi, well developed and

16

clothed with scales, which act asa protection to the proboscis. In the flea the
middle lancet seems to represent the upper lip.

In bees the lower lip and maxille form together a sucking apparatus, but.
they are also provided with well developed upper jaws or mandibles.

In the front part of the face of an insect are two appendages, which vary
very much in form, in the different sub-orders and genera, and even in the sexes-
of one species ; they are called antenne. What the exact functions are of these
important organs, is not known, but it is probable they have more uses than
one. Experiments have been made with moths in which it was observed that if
the antennz were removed the insect seemed unable to direct its flight. It is
probable too that the olfactory nerve is situated in the antennez. The different
forms which the antennze take have been made use of by entomologists in

classifying insects.

The next division of the body of an insect is the thorax. This is the solid
portion which bears the organs of locomotion, and comprises the three segments.
which follow the head. The first one is called the pro-thorax and bears the first
pair of legs, the next or middle segment is called the meso-thorax and supports:
the second pair of legs and the anterior pair of wings, the third segment is called
the meta-thorax, and to it are attached the third pair of legs and the hind wings..
The wings aie objects of great beauty and strength, aud consist, asa rule, of a
double membranous plate, traversed more or less, by bony veins.

The last division of an insect’s body is the abdomen, which consists of a series
of segments attached by membranes. Each of these segments is formed of two
’ arcs or semi-segments, one above and the other below. Theabdomen is the seat of
the organs of reproduction andalimentation. The senses of insects are dependent
upon the nervous systen, which consists of a series of nervous masses or ganglia,
joined together by two nervous threads, the whole constituting a nervous chain,
from which nerves ramify to the different organs, enduing them with the various
senses they possess ; from the first ganglion the nerves of the eyes and antenne
are fed, and from the second themouth. Hearing and smell are certainly possessed
by insects ; but their appropriate organs are not ascertained. They also possess
taste, sight, and touch, the latter being seated probably in the antenne, the palpi
and in the tarsi of the feet.

The circulatory system is well represented in insects. The blood is generally
colorless, but occasionally of a greenish or reddish hue. The heart, which com-,
prises a series of large reservoirs in the form of a long tube plainly discernible
through the transparent skins of caterpillars, lies above the alimentary canal on
the upper surface of the body.

Insects do not breathe, like large animals, through their mouths ; but by
means of breathing-holes in their sides, which connect with two great air canals.

17

(trachew) which run along the sides of the body,and from which smaller tubes convey
the air in very small volumes to different parts of the body, and so oxygenate the-
vital fluid in its passage. In the Arachnida this tracheal system is considerably modi-
fied, respiration being effected among some spiders by ordinary ramified tube-tra-
chee, and among others in certain sacs or cavities in the abdomen which have been
called pulmo-branchize from an idea that they partook both of the nature of the
lungs of the higher animals and the branchiz or gills of fishes; as, however, the
blood does not penetrate these sacs, but is merely oxygenated in its passage by and.
round them, while it is being re-collected after use and previous to being sent
back to the dorsal vessel or heart, these cavities are now believed to be trachez
localized within a peculiarly furnished sac. Tube-tracheee when examined with
the microscope are wonderfully beautiful, Traversing as they do the whole
bodies of insects, they must necessarily be very flexible, and it might be supposed
that the rapid movements of the insect might sometimes cause them to collapse,
in which case the circulation of the air would be stopped. Upon examination
we find that there is a beautiful and simple contrivance which renders this
impossible. The tubes consist of a double integument between which runs a
hair-like spirally-twistea fibre, just like the coil of wire which is sometimes put
inside indian-rubber speaking tubes ; this adds considerably to the elasticity of
the air vessels, and when these collapse through the movements of the insects, it
prevents the opposite sides from adhering, and causes them to resume their
‘tubular form as soon as the pressure is removed. There are generally nine pairs
of breathing pores or openings through which the air is admitted into the trachee.
These openings are so constructed that it is impossible for the dust to enter the
tracheee. At the outside orifice is a corneous plate, and inside that is a hollow
chamber, and then at the other side of that is another valve. In perfect insects
nearly all the air enters through the thoracic spiracles.

“When an insect is preparing itself for flight, the act of respiration resembles
that of birds under similar circumstances. At the moment of elevating its elytra
and expanding its wings, which are indeed acts of respiration, the anterior pairs
of spiracles are opened, and the air rushing into them is extended over the whole
boay, which by the expansion of the air-bags is enlarged in bulk, and rendered
of less specific gravity ; so that when the spiracles are closed, at the instant the insect
endeavors to make the first stroke with, and raise itself upon its wings, it is enabled
to rise in the air, and sustain a long and powerful flight with but little muscular
exertion.” In the pupal and larval state respiration is performed almost equally
by all the spiracles; but in the imago almost all the air enters by those in and near
the thorax, so that, generally, a pinch under the thorax will kill most soft-bodied
insects by suffocating them.

Perhaps no sub-order of insects presents more examples of wonderful.
instinct and exquisite adaptation of their forms and habits to required ends than

18

are to be found among the Hymenoptera or membrane-winged insects. It is on
account of the highly developed instincts, exhibited in the care they take in pro-
viding for their young and in laying up stores for winter use, added to the
important part they play in the fertilization of many plants, that they have been
placed first in Dr. Packard’s system of classification. I shall speak later on of the
relations between insects and plants, and will now direct your attention to a few
points in the life history of insects which have seemed to me to be of more
interest than usual.

By far the larger proportion of these insects are beneficial, and feed either
in the larval or perfect state upon other insects. Of beneficial insects mention
must first of all be made of the honey bee, concerning which aione whole volumes
have been written; and afterwards of the various wasps and allied genera which
feed upon and store up for the sustenance of their grubs, enormous numbers of
caterpillars, and other insects, as well as acting as scavengers. Among the social
bees, wasps and ants, there are found not only males and females, but also other
kinds of individuals which are necessary for the successful propagation of the
species ; these are called neuters, and sometimes laborers or nurses; they are,
however, essentially females, having the female organs, but in an imperfectly
developed and } assive state, their sting being only an accessory part, which is
changed into a special weapon of defence, and is the homologue of the ovipositor
in fertile femaleinsects. The worker bee, besides collecting the honey aud pollen
which is to serve as food for the offspring of the queen, has to carry the eggs
from the queen to their proper cells and feed the larve when they are hatched ;
they are therefore indispensable for the propagation of the race.

I class wasps among beneficial insects, because the sting ior which they are
dreaded is never used against man, except as an instrument of defence, while its
proper use is the destruction of his enemies, the caterpillars of numerous noxious
species of insects.

Although some members of the wasp family do fill their cells at certain
periods with honey, the food of the greater part, undoubtedly, consists of animal
matter, chiefly other insects, which they either seize with their mandibles, or,
when it is to be stored away for the use of the larve, sting todeath. The poison
introduced by the sting owes its virulence to the presence of a peculiar acid known
as formic acid. This acid is said to be chemically very similar to chloruform, and
its action upon insects stung to death is very peculiar. It does not kill them at
once, but paralyzes them, so that they live for many days, and, in some cases,
jarve have been known to turn into pupe after having been stung, but have not
had sufficient strength to complete their final change into imagines. The use of
this antiseptic property of the poison is easy seen. The mcther wasp, having

ES

19

prepared the nest for her young, fills it with insects which she has stung ;
she then lays an egg and closes up the nest. Upon the grub hatching it has a
larder well supplied with provisions which will keep fresh as long as required for
it to complete its transformations.

The Ants do not demand much of our attention in this country as either
injurious or beneficial insects, although there are a few species which are occa-
sionally troublesome, and destructive to posts and fences. The almost human
aspects of ant-life, however, as exhibited by different species, provide a favorite
study for the entomologist, and an investigation of them could not fail to fill
even the least curious with wonder and amazement. Their dwellings are con-
structed on the most scientific architectural patterns ; some species have their
cows (aphides), which they tend with the utmost care. There are some again
which make expeditions against less powerful ants, and carry them off to serve
them as domestic servants, they themselves becoming entirely dependent upon
the assistance they thus secure, so as to be almost helpless without it. Others,
notably the celebrated Agricultural ants of Texas, cultivate the ground, reap the
harvest, and store up the grain.

Of allinsects beneficial to man, none, perhaps, surpass the ichneumon flies
which are parasitic upon the larve of various insects. This is an enormous class
embracing insects of all sizes, according to the size of the insects they infest.
Rhyssa lunator, the largest found in this country, has a body nearly an inch and
a half long, and an ovipositor of upwards of four inches, while there are some -
which are so small that they can only be distinguished by the aid of a strong
magnifying glass. No class of insects seems to be exempt from the attacks of
these freebooters; and with them there does not even seem to be honor among
thieves, for nearly every species has a parasite of its own class. As arule, the parent
fly has at the end of the abdomen a long pointed instrument with which she
pricks a hole through the skin of a larva, and down which she passes an egg
which, in time, hatches into a white, footless, eyeless grub, inside the skin of the
caterpillar. Now, I have said that most insects breathe through breathing-pores
in their sides. These, however, are an exception, and have their spiracles in the
tril. The first care of the newly-hatched grub is to find one of the caterpillar’s
breathing-pores and fix its tail to it, so that it may breathe the air. It then sets
to work and feeds upon the body of its host until fully developed, when it eats
a hole through the skin and escapes.

Before closing this, I fear, already too long address, I feel constrained to
direct your notice to some of the contrivances by which Nature provides that
the flowers of plants may be visited by such insects as may assist in fertilizing
the ovary, and may keep away such as are useless.

_ In order that the ovules contained in the ovary, which is part of the pistit
of a fiower, may be fertilized, it is necessary that the pollen from the anthers of
.

20

the same, or a different flower of the same species, should reach the stigma or top
part of the pistil. Some flowers are capable of self-fertilization ; but it has been
proved by experiment that it is more advantageous to the future plants that they
should be fertilized by polien from other specimens ; and it will be found on ex-
amination that there are several very beautiful contrivances by which self-fertili-
vation is prevented. These are either in the structure of the flower or in a
difference in the time that the pistils and anthers reach maturity. In some
plants, too, the staminate flowers are all borne on one individual plant, while the
~pistillate are on another; but it is necessary that the pistils should be fertilized
by pollen from the anthers, and this is generally effected by insects carrying pollen
on their bodies from one flower to another when visiting them in search of honey.
To ensure these visits just at the time when the flowers are in full vigor, this
nectar is secreted to attract them. Of course, flowers can only be fertilized by
pollen from flowers of the same species, aud it is a remarkable fact that a bee
only visits the flowers of one certain species of plant during any one journey,
and further, that honey only developes in flowers just when the essential organs
care mature. There isa most remarkable and interesting book just published
called “ Flowers and their unbidden guests.” It is by Dr. Kerner, Professor of
Botany in the University of Innsbruck, and translated from the German by W.
Ogle, M.D. It is, perhaps, the most valuable contribution yet written
towards demonstrating the principle which, I believe, should actuate every
student of Natural History, viz.: finding a use for everything that nature has,
made. The author holds the opinion that the position, direction, and shape of the
leaf is of just as great significance for the preservaticn of a species as the form,
colour and smell of a flower ; and that rot even a hair is meaningless whether
found on the cotyledon, the leaf, the stem, or the blossom. In fact, he proves
that these contrivances are formed, among other things (for they have probably
more uses than one) for the prevention of those small flying insects, which are
too small to touch both the anthers and stigma of a flower, and also those creep-
ing ones which, from not having wings, are unlikely to go immediately from
one plant to another, from obtaining the nectar. These contrivances, as I have
said, are of many kinds. In some plants there is a viscid ring in the middle of
each joint of the stem, as in our own Silene antirrhina ; in others, as Polygonum
Pennsylvanicum, the short stalks which support the flowers are embellished with
viscid glands. This is also the casein Linnea borealis, the lovely little flower known
‘by the name of Twin Flower. In some the leaves meet in a ring round the
stem, and thus form a cup which collects dew and rain, and entirely isolates the
stem, and so prevents creeping insects from mounting. In some plants we find
thorns, which are most effectual barriers to all soft-bodied animals as snails and
slugs. As arule, too, the closer to the flower the greater is the accumulation ;
everyone must have noticed that in the common thistle the lower leaves are much
less prickly than the upper. The form of the flower, in many instances, acts as a
barrier to useless insects, In the common garden antirrhinum, or snap-dragon,

21

the mouth of the corolla is firmly closed, and can only be opened by strong insects
like humble bees ; such small insects as ants are unable to enter. When, however,
an insect as large as a bee has entered and covered the stigma with pollen, the
tension of the corolla gradually diminishes, and smaller insects can freely enter.
Perhaps one of the most remarkable proofs that the hairs often found
on the stems of plants are meant as a protection against creeping
insects is presented im the variation which takes place in our
common water polygonum, When this plant grows in water it is evident
that nothing is required to keep off useless creeping insects, for it is so isolated
that they cannot get at it; but there is a very common form found
upon the shore, the whole stem of which is densely covered. with rigid hairs ;
and I have no doubt at all that this is to protect the flowers against creeping
insects. One more curious method occasionally found in plants to protect their
flowers from creeping insects is the presence of nectariferous glands at the base
of the leaves, generally on the petioles; these act as allurements to draw them
off. There are sometimes other appliances designed to protect the flower during
the time the seeds, the means of reproduction, are maturing ; these lie in
the actual flower itself. Some flowers have thorns on the calyx and on no other
part of the plant ; and, again, many plants are preserved from destruction by the
presence of certain alkaloids and other chemical compounds, as in Datura,
Asarum, Solanum and Oonium Anyone who has bred batterflies will have
noticed that caterpillars will feed upon the leaves of a certain plant, but will not
touch the flower ; and this is also the case with many ruminant animals—they
will eat the leaves, but not touch the flower.

There are many other subjects of vital importance and immense interest
to which I should like to direct your attention, but time forbids. The magazines
and literature of the day teem with articles setting forth the claims of natural
science, and anyone that wishes to keep up with the age must work hard, but
I venture to say that his work will have so much interest attached to it that ne
will find a reward for his labors in a life of unalloyed pleasure.

SECOND SOIREE.

Turspay, December 2lst, 1880: The first paper of the evening, “ The
Relation between Science and Literature,” was read by Mr. W. D. LeSueur,
B.A., who pointed out that the differences between literature and science, as
regards the faculties they called into play and the methods by which they worked,
were by no means so great as often supposed. To see aright in any branch of
study required considerable preparation of mind ; and to generalize with success

4

22

either in the region of science or that of literature, required considerable imag—
inative power. Literature had, under the influence of science, become more defi-
nite in its methods and aims, and science, under the influence of literature, had
become more popular in its character. Some of the most eminent men of science
of recent times were possessed of a high degree of literary power. Both lit-
erature and science had suffered somewhat through the vanity of some of their
professed students ; and there was a tendency on the part of both to degenerate-
inte mere individualism. Both were, however, essentially social in their charac-
ter, and should therefore be pursued in subordination to social ends. If we
were to keep in view the vast debt we owe to the civilization into which we
have been born, we should not, as students either of science or literature, seek
merely to please ourselves, but should consecrate our best efforts to the cause of
humanity.

The second essay, by Mr. J. G. Whyte, on “‘ Herbert Spencer’s Biology,”
gave a most excellent condensation and exposition of the theory so ably advo-
cated by that illustrious philosopher. He pointed out the gradual and wide-
spread change which has taken place in conceptions of the formation and
progress of the earth and its inhabitants, so that the once universally accepted
theory of special creations and frequent catastrophes has in great part yielded to
that of evolution, first brought into prominence by the writings of Darwin..
While it is not claimed that this theory will furnish the immediate solution of
every problem which greets the student of natural history, it undoubtedly
enables him to grasp the meaning of many things formerly unintelligible, to
arrange them in proper sequence, and to render them of service in his further
studies of the animal and vegetable worlds. As the studies of paleontology,
embryology, etc., receive increased material and workers, more of the “ missing
links ” are from time to time unshrouded, and the forms at present inhabiting

the earth are more readily traced back to those which existed in far earlier ages.

THIRD SOIREE.

TUESDAY, January 11th, 1881: Rev. A. F. Kemp, M.A., LL.D., delivered
an address on “Some Fungi found at Ottawa,” first explaining the difficulties
encountered by a student in this branch of botany through the absence of works

23

of reference or other means of determining the numerous species, many of
which require careful microscopic study on account of their minuteness. He
then gave an outline of the classification of fungi and a description, illustrated
by admirable figures on the black board, of the structure and fructification of

several species, selecting such as might be easily found in the neighborhood.

Dr. R. J. Wicksteed, B.C.L., L.L.D., then read an interesting paper on
“The Chaudiere Gold Fields,” in the Province of Quebec, in which the geological
formation of the district was fully discussed, and illustrated by the aid of maps.
The various methods of working and extracting the gold were then considered,
and models of several of the machines used were shown, as also nuggets of gold
from the mines, and packets of unsifted dust, in which could be seen specks of

the precious metal,

FOURTH SOIREE.

TuxEspAy, January 18th, 1881.—“ Mergors anD Mrreorites.”—Mr. H. B. SMALL.
* * * * * % * * ¥* *

The phenomenon of shooting or falling stars, or meteors as they are more
generally styled, is now acknowledged to have existed since the formation ef the
solar system, long anterior to the existence uf man. On any clear evening it is
estimated a watchful] observer may see on an average two shooting stars every
five minutes, and at certain periods of the year in such abundance as to have
obtained the name of meteoric showers. These apparently emanate from
some constellation or from a point of space known as a radiant, represented by
a certain constellation, whilst single meteors appear to come from no parti-
eular point, but move in all directions and from every part of the sky. These
are styled sporadic. In their normal condition these wandering bodies before
they reach our vision are known as meteoroids, and in their own proper orbit
are never visible from the earth. They are then regular circumsolar bodies
obeying the laws of motion and gravitation as rigidly as the planets. Striking
or rather entering our atmosphere at a speed of forty-eight miles per second, they
at once become self-luminous from the heat engendered by friction with the
atmospheric medium, and the arrested motion producing a sudden compression
of the air. To illustrate this] may mention that there is a little instrument
ealled an air match, consisting of a piston and a cylinder, somewhat like a
syringe, in which a light can be struck by suddenly forcing down the piston upon
the air below in the cylinder. As the air cannot eseape it is suddenly compressed
-and gives cut a spark sufficient to ignite a piece of tinder at the bottom of the
eylinder. Some idea from thismay be formed of the heat evolved by the motion
of a large body in the atmosphere with the velocity of a meteor. A combustible
body under such circumstances would be speedily ignited, but could not burn
freely till reaching air of greater density; thus on entering the lower portion of
the atmosphere it would burn with great rapidity and according to its distance

24

be more or less entirely consumed before reaching the earth. It has been esti-
mated that by the time they have traversed a space of fifty miles, the
meteoroid, or meteor as it has then become, is heated, melted, evaporated, and
extinguished in a period of not Jess than a second of time. The height from us
at which they become heated to visibility is sometimes as much as 200 miles, but
the average has been put down at seventy-five miles, and extinction about tifty
miles above the earth.

The length of the are or course they describe in their visible path varies
greatly, owing to the position of the observer. One may flash up, increase in
size and brilliancy and disappear without seemingly describing any arc. The
course of such a one is directly towards the observer, but to another person
thirty or more miles distant it would exhibit an are of several degrees in length.

Different and varied views are held by philosophers as to the origin of
meteoroids. One theory is that they are fragments of an exploded or shat-
tered planet filling interplanetary space, most of which through holding orbits
round the sun will ultimately fall into that body and serve as fuel for that
central orb. To illustrate this, supposing our earth through some gigantic
convulsion became disintegrated and burst into numerous portions, these would
continue to move on becoming more or less erratic in their movements; the
smaller portions would first feel the influence of disturbing agencies larger than
the earth, and moving inward would become entangled as it were in the resisting
medium in space which is now acknowleged to exist. This resistance would
ehange their orbits, and the lighter particles would form a more erratic orbit than
the heavier or denser ones. They would gravitate towards Venus, which lies
inside our orbit, and be the first to fall on it, whilst the denser fragments
metalloids, and metals would be the last.

Dr. Brewster favors the theory of Meteoroids being fragments of a large
planet similarly as the asteroids, the previous existence of which was long ago
suggested by the vast chasm between Mars and Jupiter, where only asteroids
have as yet been observed Dr. Olbers, the discoverer of three of the known
asteroids, held the same idea, and that the lesser fragments coming within the
attractive power of a planet wovld fall towards it, and when entering its atmos-
phere would go through all the conditions referred to, fusion, luminosity, ete.
Sir John Herschell, however, differs from this theory. The diameter of Jupiter,
the largest known body in our planetary system, is 80,000 miles, whilst that of
Clio, one of the smallest, is only sixteen miles. Chladin, a philosopher at the
end of the last century, thought that bodies might exist as much smaller in
comparison as Clio to Jupiter, having only sixteen feet diameter, and in the
same ratio we come down to one-twenty-fifth of an inch, mere cosmic dust.
Myriads of these may revolve in space without our having any knuwledge of
their existence.

To this comet dust is now attributed by scientists that peculiar fleecy’
brightness’ known as the zodiacal light. Any observer of the western sky at this
season of the year for about one hour after sunset may see a soft faint cone
shaped glow of light extending about forty degrees, following nearly the Sun’s
path in the heavens. Near the equator when the ecliptic rises high above the
horizon it can be seen nearly all the year round, and in a very clear atmosphere
in the tropics has been traced all the way across the heavens from east to west
forming a complete ring. The theory that now prevails is that the light from the
sun when below our horizon reflects on the cosmical atoms of floating star dust
and meteoroids is the cause of the soft celestial glow that now lingers evening after
evening in our western sky. An illustration of this is afforded by a ray of light
which finds its way into a darkened room through a small orifice, revealing as

25

motes dancing in a sunbeam the particles of dust floating in the air of the room,
but only visible where the entering ray of light falls athwart them.

in this connection the recent deep sea soundings of the Challenger have
brought to light a curious fact. Sir Wyville Thomson found that beds of sediment
were being slowly formed on the deepest ocean floors, but so slowly was the rate
of deposition made that it has been compared to the fall of dust in an unoceunied
room. No better proof of thiscan be given than that an examination of the abyssal
mud disclosed the presence of an appreciable proportion of meteoric iron the
product of those falling stars which dissipate themselves on entering our atimos-

here. Professor Geikie says in a recent geographical lecture in Scotland “ to.
earn that mud gathefs there so slowly that the very star dust forms an appreci-
able part of it, brings home to us as hardly anything else could do, the idea of
undisturbed and slow accumulation.”

An interesting memoir by M. Tschermak, of the University of Wissen-
chaften was published in 1875 on thesource of meteoroids, and a paper on his
memoir was last year read before the Royal Irish Academy by Mr. Robert Ball.
Techermak claims a volcanic source in some celestial body. Mr. Ball follows
the theory further, and by able reasoning shows that if ejected from the planets
or asteroids there would only be a chance of one in 50,000 of them falling on the
earth. If in the early stage of our own earth’s history, long anterior to life, when
mighty convulsions were rending it, colossal volcanoes may have existed with
explosive energy enough to drive missiles upwards with a velocity which would
carry them far enough from the earth to a point where they would continue to
move in orbits round the sun, crossing at each revolution the point of the earth’s
track from which they were originally discharged— if this were the case there are
now doubtless myriads of these projectiles moving through the solar system, the
only common feature of whose orbit is that they all intersect the track of the
earth, and it and they now and then meeting, the point of intersection would be
marked by the desent of a meteorite. This theory was hinted at by Dr. Phipson
in a work published by him in 1866, and Mr. Lawrence Smith, another later
writer on this subject inclines to the same view. No volcano now exists with
explosive energy enough to eject fragments that could constitute future meteoroids
and if such ever did exist, it could only bein the early stages of the earth’s history.

Another and an ingenious thecry advanced by Professor Newton of Yale
College, and one meeting with general acceptance, is that meteoroids are fragments
of or attendants on a comet, and in a lecture of his in 1879 he scientifically
endeavors to prove this. Speaking of the recurring November meteoric showers:
which manifest themselves at their maximum every thirty-three years,
he says vast masses of these small bodies move in a long thin stream
around the sun, and the earth at stated times plunges through them taking-
with its atmosphere each time scores of millions of them. Their orbit is
described in thirty-three and a quarter years. They go out a little
farther than the planet Uranus or about twenty times as far as the.
earth is from the sun. While they all describe the same orbit they are not
collected in one compact group, but taking four or five years to pass a given
point in the orbit, they may be likened to a train several hundred million of miles
long, but only a few thousand in thickness. Along with this train travels a
comet. Every August, about the tenth of the month, there is another star
sprinkle or slighter display of meteors (known amongst the common people as St.
Lawrences’ tears) and a comet whose period is 125 years, moves in the plane:
with these meteors and in a like orbit. Again early in December there are star
showers, the meteoroids composing them travelling in tke orbit of Biela’s comet.
In April slight showers again occur, conuected with another comet’s orbit. The

26

sporadic meteors of nightly occurrence are but outlying stragglers of a number
of meteoroid streams, and the leading problem of meteor science to-day is to
find these streams and their attendant comets. Professor Newton says the known
comets have been apparently growing smaller with their successive returns.
Halley’s comet was much brighter in its earlier than its later recurrences. Biela’s
comet has divided into two, if not more, parts, and has perhaps gone altogether
to pieces, as it could not be found in 1872 where it should have appeared. The
question naturally arises what causes a comet to break up. This is as yet only a
matter of speculation, but this much is known that comets surely come from
stellar space in whose unimaginable degree of cold a condensing mass furnished
heat for the making of a meteoroid. In cooling, or by some inteynal convulsion .
the mass may break and enter the solar system either as a mass of pebbles or as
one huge body. Nearing the sun new and strong forces act on it. The same
heat and repulsion that develop and drive off from acomet in one direction a tail
100,000,000 miles long may have worked off and scattered in another direction
solid fragments to wander in their own orbit around the sun, an infinitesimal
comet for millions of years—till entering the earth’s atmosphere one by one they
crash through it either to fall on the ground or to be annihilated by friction before
reaching it.

Professor Schiaparelli an Italian authority on these questions regards
meteoroids as original inmates or portions of one of what he styles star drifts,
and of whose existence decided proofs are given by Proctor, and composing with
other stars of the same vast eddy attendant bodies accompanying in its journey
through space the general drift or star family of which the sun forms part. On
this assumption they are bodies from some more distant space than the star family
of the sun, wanderers from more distant star drifts,

The conflagration of a star through contact with weteoroid bodies is not
an unknown occurrence. The first on record took place 2000 years ago, and is
described by Hipparchus. It was seen blazing in full daylight. Similar events
are recorded in 945, in 1264, and in 1572. In 1596 Fabricius observed a
similar occurrence, followed by another in 1604. In 1673 another made its
appearance, remaining visible for two years, whilst as recently as 1848 a similar
event was noticed, and a few, years ago, the latest on record, another appeared
which was ably written upon by Proctor in an article of hisin Belgravia. In 1869
- two meteoric masses are recorded as having fallen into our sun, affecting the
whole frame of the earth. Vivid auroras were seen where they had never before
been seen, accompanied by electro-magnetic disturbances all over the world. In
many parts the telegraph lines refused to work, signal men received many shocks,
and at Boston and elsewhere a flame of fire followed the pen of Bain’s telegraph.
This was the effect of two comparatively small meteors. What would be the
effect of a comet, bearing in its flight many millions of these falling into the sun
can be understood. It would be only temporary, but no student of science
would be left to record it. Proctor reassures us by saying that all but one of the
known star conflagrations have occurred in the zone of the milky way, and that
one in a region connected with the milky way by a stream of stars, and if among
the comets in attendance on our sun there is one whose orbit intersects the sun’s
globe, it must already have struck it before the era of man.

An interesting question has quite recently been put forward by the Lancet the
well known English medical publication, respecting the possible influence of me-
teoric matter on the animal life of the earth. Professor Herschell has sueceeded
im examining and analysing by means of the spectroscope, the light of seventeen
of these bodies, and he has succeeded in detecting the well known yellow bands
produced by sodiuin incombustion. “It is strange,” says the Lancet, “to consider

o-

~/

what becomes of all the sodium thus dispersed throughout the upper regions of
the air, as there can be no doubt that in some form or other it reaches the earth.
The very air we breathe must at all times contain, in howevee minute a propor-
tion, the cosmical dust thus brought to us from the mterplanetary spaces, and
as the different meteoric systems are differently constituted, the air we breathe is
constantly being impregnated with various forms of metalic dust. It is not
certain that deleterious results do not occasionally flow from an excess of some of
the elements contained in meteors. Professor Roscoe goes so faras to conjecture
that the soda which all accustomed to work with the spectroscope find present
everywhere may by its antiseptic properties, exert a considerable influence in
maintaining the public health. Speculations and hypotheses of this kiud are no
doubt interesting, but, it seers to me, barren of utility till proved. AndImerely
quote from the Lancet to show that the study of meteors is attracting other
attention than that of astronomers.

Atmospheric eiectricity is now also being attributed to meteoric influence,
and Professor Govi in 1878 leansto the idea that a certain amount of heat is
introduced into our atmosphere by the meteors that enter it, and Professor
Everett attributes the sudden variations of tie needle of the electrometer from
no apparent assignable external cause, to the same influence. He adds our great
want at present is balloon observation, and he says that he “ feels convinced that
friction of the air or of the solid particles contained in it is one cause of the
generation of electricity in the air.”

Scientific theories necessarily lack finality. Sufficient to-day to explain all
the known facts, 10-morrow’s discoveries may show their inadequacy, and lead to

their modification or abandonment.
* * * + % * * * * *

A description of the most celebrated meteorites here followed, which it is
found necessary to omit.

The above was the only paper read at this soiree, as Mr. H. M. Ami,
whose name appeared upon the programme for a paper upon the “Iron Deposits
of the Ottawa District,” was unable through ill-health to prepare it.

FIFTH SOIREE

TuESDAY, Ist February, 1881: Prof. Geo. Baptie, M. A., delivered an
address upon “Some Diatoms found in the Ottawa,” explaining the nature of
these minute organisms and their importance as showing the co-relation and
interdependence of the natural sciences. He stated that the Ottawa River was
particularly rich in diatomacez, and showed the construction of several species,
with their delicate silicious skeletons, varying in shape and marking. The lecture
was Ulustrated by figures on the blackboard as well as by a fine set of microscopic

slides.

“ON SOME COLEOPTERA INJURIOUS TO OUR PINES.”—W. HactE HARRINGTON,
¥ ¥ * + * ¥ # *

With the exception of a few species, which, (unless they occur in most
unusual abundance), can do little or no harm, all our beetles injurious to the
pine are comprised in four families, named respectively :—Buprestide, Cerambycide,
Curculionide, and Scolytide.

The family Cerambycide contains our largest and commonest pine-borers,
such as M. Confusor, that large grey beetle with very long antenne, which is so-
abundant here in summer and autumn. Its members also destroy much
timber, but their depredations are confined chiefly to dying or dead trees,
whereas many of the species included in the other families attack living ones. L
will therefore leave untouched to-night these very interesting “long-horned”
beetles and briefly consider some species from the other families which are found
to infest the pines in the vicinity. The first, Buprestidae, contains some of our
handsomest beetles, and all its members have strong, shapely bodies, clad in horny
armour so tough that transfixing them with the entomologist’s slender lance
(a pin) is often quite a difficult matter. Their shape is oblong, the head being
sunken as far as the eyes in the somewhat square thorax, which is Joined closely
to the abdomen. The color varies snuch in different species, but is usually very
striking, and cf a metallic-like lustre ; golden, coppery, green, and other brilliant
tints prevailing. ;

The largest species is Chalcophora fortis, a remarkably fine beetle varying
from one to one and two-tenth inches in length and being about three-tenths of
an inch wide. Their color is a coppery brown, but newly emerged specimens
have often a golden-greenish burnish, or a powdery appearance caused by very
minute particles of wood, scattered in the indentations of the elytra and thorax.
The brilliancy of their appearance is increased by raised lines and patches on the
thorax and elytra which are polished and show off against the remaining sur-
face, as work of burnished metal does against a grained or frosted ground. This
beetle is comparatively rare, but perhaps as common in this locality as in most
parts of the country.

Chalcophora liberta very closely resembles the last species in its markings,
and might readily be mistaken therefor by those not familiar with both. It is
smaller, however, being only from three-quarters of an inch to one inch long and
is somewhat different in color. It is generally of a bright coppery red, but varies
greatly in this respect, specimens being found of all shades from brassy-black or
purple to orange-bronze. This beetle, like the preceeding one, is frequently
found (especially upon saplings) in the centre of a cluster of leaves, head inwards
and in this position would, by the inexperienced observer, be probably taken for
a young cone. It appears to feed upon young cones and leaves at such times,
and these are probably the food of all the pine-investing Buprestians after reach-
ing the perfect state, as I have found nearly all the species thus situated in the
leaf clusters. This beetle, C. liberta, is quite abundant, as will be seen when I
mention that M. Fletcher and Mr. Greata (a former member of this club)
collected with me in one afternoon (21st Sept., 1878), in a small grove of saplings
and young trees, over one hundred specimens, and that a couple of days after-
wards we collected in the same place over half as many. On the 23rd Sept.,
1880, I captured in about an hour 28 (13 males and 15 females) and could easily
have obtained more. The larve of these beetles had probably bred in trees,
or stumps and logs in the neighborhood and had resorted to these saplings to
feed and pair.

Chalcophora virginiensis is stated by Fitch to be always an inch or more in
length, but I have measured a great many specimens and find that few exceed

29

an inch in length, the rest varying from seven eights of an inch up to the
maximum of slightly over an inch. This species is duller in color than the pre-
ceding species, and the raised lines on the elytra are less sharply defined. It can
be further distinguished by two impressed spots on each elytron interrupting the
the second line. This species have been found by me almost invariably crawling,
or at rest, upon the sunny side of the trunk or limbs, instead of among the Jeaf
clusters. Its color tones so well with the bark of young trees that itis not easily
seen, until this habit of frequenting the sunny side of the tree is known, when it
can be more readily found. We have already noticed that liberta closely
resembles the young cones and thus have in these beetle two very good instances
of protective coloring and habits. C. virginiensis is not so abundant as C. liberta
but is by no means rare and is not unfrequently found about the city on the side-
walks or crawling on houses or fences,

There is great difficulty in determining the complete life-history of the
Buprestidze, as the greater part of their existence is spent within the tree, and
the effects of their depredations are seldom apparent until thev have quitted
their dark winding passages to emerge clad in bright armour for a brief existence
in the sunlight. Observations by dillerent naturalists have, however, established
pretty conclusively the chief points in the life of the larvae, many species of
which do not confine their ravages to old and dead trees but are found destroy-
ing those still living and thriving. The larvee of these beetles may be readily
recognized by the broad flattened segments immediately behind the head; the
rest of the body being narrow, thus giving them some resemblance to a tadpole.
Commencing life as minute, footless grubs they bore crooked passages between
the bark and wood ; gradually, as they acquire strength and size, they sink sloping
and winding tunnels through the sapwood to some depth below the surface, and
when nearing maturity again work upward to the bark and undergo their meta-
morphoses in the end of the burrow, finally eating through the bark and emerg-
ing as brilliant beetles.

I have found in pine stumps a large larva evidently belonging to one of
the three species already described, between the larve of which there can be but
little difference either in size or shape. Last summer I made drawings aud
measurements of one, which I unsuccessfully attempted to rear. It was two and
four-tenth inches long and four tenths of an inch across the widest segment, nar-
rowing afterwards to half this width. These larve, in common with those of the
other beetles to be mentioned this evening are foottess, and move forward in their
burrows-by muscular expansion and contraction of the segments of their bodies.

Entomologists are at variance as to the time passed by these beetles in the
larval state ; some thinking that they only spend one year as grubs, and others
allowing twice as long. It is only certainly known in the case of a few species,
and varies greatly for different genera. My observations made during several
seasons seem to establish the fact that the members of the genus Chalecophora
make their appearance in two broods, the first in Spring and the second in the
Autumn,

E arly in May they appear abundantly for a short time, and are found in
gradually diminishing numbers until the end of June. During the next two
months none are to be seen, but about the middle of September they are numer-
ous and continue so until the end ef that month, The appearance of the speci-
mens both in May and September indicates that they have just emerged, for the
depressed portions of the elytra are whitened by some powdery substance,
apparently like fine saw-dust, which soon rubs off. as

During both these periods the sexes may be seen paired and it is my
opinion that the beetles from eggs laid in May and June come forth in the Sep-

30

tember of the following year, while from eggs laid in September the beetles
emerge in the Spring of the second year after. This gives to the larve of the
first batch an existence of fifteen months, including one winter, and to those of
the second a period of nineteen or twenty months, including two winters, during
which season of the year the grubs must be more or less inactive, probably en-
tirely so.

7 Dicerca tenebrosa is a beetle one-half to five-eighths of an inch in length, of
robust form and having the wing-covers tapering and prolonged at the tips, and
rough looking from the presence of several rows of raised, black spots, separated
by spaces densely punctured.

Buprestis maculiventris is a brassy-brown species, from five-eighths to six-
eighths of an inch long, common upon both cld and young trees in June and
July. Iam inclined to think that it feeds also upon spruce, as while in Cape
Breton last August I noticed a couple of these beetles, in a section wooded almost
entirely with spruce, pines being rarely met with. It is easily distinguished by
the yellowish-red spots on each side of the segments of the abdomen beneath,
-and by smaller spots of the same color upon the shoulders of the thorax and
upon the face. Its wing-covers are thinner and softer than those of preceding
species and often have a rumpled appearance, as if bent in two or three places.
It is inferior in beauty to our other Buprestide. I have found several of the
beetles emerging from the pine timbers of the Maria Street Bridge, about the
end of June.

A species closely allied to it, but slightly larger and marked by feur yel-
lowish bands across the elytra, is named A. consularis. I havenever found it upon
pine trees but feel confident that, trom its similarity to the last species and from
having found specimens near lumber vards and on pine structures, it infests the
pire. It is somewhat rare in this locality.

Buprestis striata is a handsome beetle five-eighths to six-eighths of an inch
Jong. Each wing-cover is marked by four raised lines and, in the greater number
of specimens, by a bright green stripe down the middle. The thorax is covered
with coarse punctures, becoming denser and confluent at the sides, and has also a
slight glimmer of green. The lower surface of the beetle has the appearance of
brightly polished coprer. This very beautiful and strikingly marked insect is
occasionally taken feeding on the pine leaves in May and June. A couple were
taken at the Chats Falls on the occasion of our excursion on 24th June last.

Melanophila fulvoguttata is a small brassy-black beetle five-sixteenths to
seven-sixteenths of an inch long, the wing-covers bearing each three yellow dots
arranged almost in the form of a circle upon the back of the beetle. Thestrface
is very finely granulated and punctured. Tie beetle is found dung June both
on spruce and pine.

The last of the Buprestians which I have to describe is in my opinion the
gem of them all, so brilliant is it, especially in thesunlight. It is also the smallest,
the males only averaging fouy-sixteenths of an inch in length and the females
five-sixteenths. The larve inhabit young saplings aud the small limbs of larger
trees. The beetles are found on the trees during June and July ; seeming to
‘delight in the hottest and brightest days of these months, and displaying in such
weather great activity, whereas on a cool, cloudy day they are much less alert.
‘When among the leaves they are, from their color, very difficult to see, and if
shaken off upon a beating net they take wing with such swiftness as very fre-
quently to ecape capture. The instant they drop upon the net they are off like
-a flash of emerald light. The color of the female is a uniform vivid greén or
blue-green, with the exception of the antenne and feet which are black, but the
male has the thighs and sides of the thorax coppery or bronzed, and is thus easily
distinguished, as well as by his smaller size.

’

—

31

The members of the family Curculionids are very easily recognized by
the manner in which the head is elongated ; many species having it prolonged
into a very slender proboscis or beak, whence they have received the distinctive
name of “snout beetles.”” They-are all vegetable feeders and the larvee invariably
live concealed within the substances upon which they feed. Several species do
considerable harm to pines, of which the commonest here is Hylobius pales, the
dark weevil dotted with scanty grey heirs,so abundant about our lumber yards
and streets during the greater part of the summer. Its length is about three-
eighths of an inch. In May and June the beetle may be observed perforating
the bark with its long snout, the end of which bears minute but strong jaws, and
depositing its eggs in the holes thus made. The larve when hatched burrow
between the wood and the bark, loosening the latter and inducing decay in the
tree. H. Stupidus is a larger beetle, distinguished by having the scutel and the
scanty hair clothing the body yellow. Its habits are the same as those of the
preceding species but it is far less abundant.

Pisscdes strobi, the “ white pine weevil ” is slightly smaller than the foregoing
species but attacks the young trees in a more vital part, and often effects serious
damages upon rising forests. It is a chestnut, or reddish-brown beetle, having
two little dots on the thorax, the scutel and an interrupted band across the
back white, and patches of yellow hair upon the elytra. The leading or topmost
shoot of thrifty young pines is the object of its attack, and often in a grove of
young trees every one will have the top shoot destroyed. The female bores
holesin the bark, in which it places eggs, at irregular intervals the whole
length of the shoot, and as soon as the larvee are hatched they eat downward
towards the centre of the twig and burrow in the pith. In the cells thus
formed they undergo the necessary changes and emerge the fellowing spring in
the perfect state. For a month or two after the eggs are laid the growth of the
twig is unaffected, but as the larvee increase in size it begins to wither and dies
very shortly. One of the lateral or side shoots curves upward to take place of the
one destroyed, but a crook is thus caused which lessens in a great degree the value
of the tree and renders it totally unfit for a spar or mast, which is one of the most
important and noble uses to which a pine tree can be devoted. Thus was prob-
ably caused the fork in the famous old pine on Bank Street near Patterson’s Creek.
When the weevils are numerous thev also attack and destroy the lateral or side
shoots. The only way to prevent their ravages is but cutting off all the dead
shoots, in autumn, while the larvee are in them, and burning them.

The Scolytide are closely related to the snout beetles and are often called
bark weevils although they have not the elongated heads of the true weevils. They
are small beetles, our largest species but little exceeding one-quarter of an inch
in length. Their cylindrical shape, abruptly truncated at each end, has led to the
remark that they appear as if they had been made by the inch anc then cut into
small pieces. By perforating the bark and loosening it they injure and destroy
many of our forest-trees, their immense numbers counterbalancing their minute-
ness.

A number of years ago, a train of passenger cars crashed through a high
bridge, built of timber and comparatively new, and many lives were lost. The
accident was caused by the rapid decay of the timbers and a celebrated entomologist
on examining them found that the exterior had been bored by niyriads of these
little beetles, and water filtering into their tunnels had rotted the wood.

Pityophthorus sparsus is the first on the list, as well as the smallest of those
I have found, and it isalso very abundant. It is barely one-sixteenth of an inch
long ; the thorax being dark and the wing covers yellowish. About the middle
of May pine saplings may often be seen with drops of balsam oozing out of the

32

"bark and standing like beads of amber all over the trunk and limbs. Each of
these drops show where one of these minute beetles has perforated the bark. On
examination many will be found still in their tiny burrows beneath the bark,
usually in groups of three of four, and others will be found boriug their way
through the bark to deposit eggs.

Xyleborus Xylographus is a considerably larger species, measuring between
two-sixteenths and three-sixteenths of an inch in length and about one-sixteenth of
an inch in diameter. The thorax is nearly as long as the body, and is bluntly
rounded in front, the head being deeply sunken in it and almost hidden. The end
of the body appears as if a piece had been gouged out, and the sloping tips of
the elytra bear several small teeth and are bearded with hairs. The beetle varies
in color from yellow to yellowish brown, and, from its habits, has very appro-
priately been named the “ wood-engraving” bark-beetle. It is said by Fitch to
be “the most common and probably the most pernicious of all the insects infest-
ing the forests in the State of New York” because “it is liable to attack trees
that are in full health and vigor, those that are young as well as old.”” The beetle
bores through the bark, and then tunnels for some distance between the bark and
the wood, lengthwise of the trunk or limb. Along the sides of this gallery the
eggs (about fifty) are laid in notches, and, as soon as hatched, the young larve
proceed to mine slender passages for themselves, working outward from the
original one, and enlarging them as they proceed. Lach larva avoids, if possible
eating into its neighbour’s burrow, and the tracks of some species of bark-beetles
make very regular patterns indeed. The bark is thus so loosened from the
wood that it dies and comes away in large pieces, enfeebling the tree and sub-
jecting it to the attacks of large borers.

Tomicus calligraphus, the “ elegant writing” bark: beetle, is slightly larger,
but is very similar in appearance to the last species. It is of a chestnut brown
color, and is sparsely clothed with yellowish hairs; the elytra being lined with
coarse punctures. The burrow formed by the female in which to deposit her
eggs is from six to twelve inches long, but more irregular than is that of the last
species. The tracks of the larvee are more tortuous and larger, and the perfora-
tions in the bark are also bigger.

Tomicus pini, the pine bark-beetle, is smaller, being barely one-eighth of an
inch long. It is probably the most abundant of all our pine bark-beetles, but as
its ravages are said to be confined to old trees, it is not so serious a foe as the pre-
ceding varieties. The tracks made by the larvee differ from those of other species,
and look as if several eggs had been placed at the bottom of a hole bored in the
bark, and the young had eaten outward in diverging directions. The burrows are
about two inches long, and are eaten partly in the outer surface of the wood and
partly in the bark. The beetle is dark brown, the tips of the elytra bearing each
four teeth.

Dendroctonus terebrans is the largest of our bark-beetles, measuring four-
sixteenths to five-sixteenths of an inch in length and found in some abundance. The
head is much larger, proportionately, than in the other species, and is plainly
visible ; the thorax is shorter, and the elytra bluntly rounded at the tips, not ex-
cavated, nor toothed. Its color is dark reddish or foxy. It perforates larger
holes in the bark, and mines curving galleries in all directions, confined chiefly to
the inner bark-layers, and only slightly grooving the surface of the wood.

Hylurgops pinifex is a smaller and darker beetle, about three-sixteenths of
an inch, or slightly more, in length, and of a dark reddish brown color; very
abundant about lumber yards and pine groves.

The last species which I shall mention resembles the foregoing, but is
slightly slenderer and varies much in size ; being from two-sixteenths to four-

38

sixteenths of an inch long. Its color is black, and in this and other respects
it appears ,to correspond “with the beetle given as Hylastes carbonarius by Dr.
Fitch, and for the present I have named it so, not knowing the synonym which
it now bears. The specimens of it exhibited were taken, en the 24th May last,
at Wright’s Island, in the Gatineau.
The two cases upon the table contain specimens of the beetles described,
as well as others, in all, forty species of Ottawa coleoptera injurious to fie
pine, viz. :—

SCARABEIDA, 5326 PER OSD NPR SOE MIE Rand.
3426 Dichelonycha albicollis, Burin. ms dentator, Fabr.
BUPRESTIDA. CHRYSOMELIDA.,
3683 Chalcophora virginiensis, Drury. 5609 Cryptocephalus notatus, Foor.
3684 & liberta, Germ. 5676 Glyptoscelis hirtus, Oliv.
3686 «é fortis, Lec. 5740 Chrysomela philadelphica, Zann.

3696 Dicerca tenebrosa, Kirby.

t ‘ OY. CURCULIONIDA,
3715 Buprestis maculiventris, Say.

3718 re consularis, Gory. 8853 Seythropus elegans, Couper
3721 3 striata, abr. 8928 Hylobius pales, "Herbst.
3735 Melanophilafulveguttata, Harris, 8931 “__ stupidus, Sch,
3768 Chrysobothris Harrisii, Hentz. 8934 Pissodes strobi, P ach,

8937 aS affinis, Rand.

CERAMBYCIDAi. 8990 Dorytomus mucidus, Say
4915 Orthosoma cylindricus, Fabr. ie ;
4924 Tragosoma Harrisii, Lec. Ser ees
4927 Asemum meestum, Hald. ‘ 9501 Pityophthorus materiarius, Fitch,
4928 ~ atrum, Munn. 9528 S sparsus, Lec.
4932 Criocephalus agrestis, Kirby. 9546 Xyvleborus xylographus, Say.
4960 Callidum antennatum, Newm. 9562 Tomicus calligraphus, Germ,
4961 “« -Janthinum, Lec. 9568 is pini, Say.
5153 Atimia vonfusa, Say. ip semicastaneus, Mann.
5165 Rhaginm lineatum, Oliv. 9619 Dendroctonus terebrans, Lec.
5323 Monohammusscutellatus, Say. 9642 Hylurgops pinifex, Fitch.
5325 6 contusor, Kirby. Hylastes carbonarius, F%tch.

Nore.—The numbers in the above list are from Crotch’s (revised) Check-List of North Ameri-
can Coleoptera.

SIXTH SOIREE.

Frimay, 11th February, 1881: J. A. Grant, Esq., M.D., F.R.C.S., F.G.S,
delivered a lecture upon “The Brain, the Gymnasium of the Mind,’’ which might
be considered a continuation of his lecture upon “The Brain” in last year’s
course, and was in like manner illustrated by the dissection of a human brain, as
well as by charts and a series of skulls. He contended that the human counten-
ance, which derives its expression from the influence of the brain, was a much

34

more scientific index of a man’s mental qualifications than the shape of his skull,
and detailed the physical composition of the brain. He condemned in unsparing
language the cramming process so prevalent in our public system of education,
and earnestly advocated'the bestowal of more attention upon the physical health
of the young, in order that their brains miglit first be properly developed. The
lecturer instanced several men of commanding intellect who had in their youth
been more noted for athletic skill than for mental attainments.

“Norges oN Two SPECIES AND ONE GENUS OF FOSSILS FROM THE TRENTON
Limestone, Ortawa.” Mr. W. R. Bruvinas.

1. Lichenocrinus eratertformis, Hall.—I have to record the discovery of this
species in the Trenton Limestone at Rochesterville. _ Previous to this no species
of Lichenocrinus as been observed in the Trenton Limestone, being confined to
the Utica Slate and lower part of the Hudson River Group. There are four
recorded species of this genus, and L. crateriformis is the lowest in ume, it alone
having been found so low as the Utica Slate, while the others belong to the
Hudson River Group. My specimens are imperfect, are two in number, and
were discovered associated with Lixcrophycus Ottawaensis, Paleophycus obscurus,
Pasceolus globosus, Chetitis petropolitanus, C. discoideus, Ptylodictya acuta, Mur-
chisonia bellicincta, M. gracilis, Urthis testudinaria, O. subquadrata, Leptena sericea
and Heterocrinvs Canadensis. ’

2. Pleurocystites filitextus, Bill.—This species was founded upon an imper-
fect specimen which had lost a part of the base containing the greater portion of
the basal rhomb. The condition of the specimen rendered it doubtful whether
another specimen, figured on the same plate* belonged to the species under
consideration or to P. Elegans. During the past summer I was fortunate
enough to obtain a suite of specimens of LP. filitextus, ranging in size from 0°5
inch to 1°5 inches in length of body (head of most authors) ; and a careful ex-
amination has caused me to form the opinion that the figure originally taken as.
doubtful belongs to this species. The specimens in my possession appear to show
that the peculiarities of the upper thombs, the size of the irregular plates on the
ventral side, and the general form of the body, afford excellent specific means of
distinction, but the basal rhomb in some specimens is hardly distinguishable from
P. Elegans, while in others it presents the rounded corners of the typical
specimen. j
3. Genus Curaboerinus, Bill.—I give a note on this genus principally to
point out how the freshest beginner in the study of a scientific subject may be of
use in collecting facts to aid a scientific authority in generalization. The genus
1 am considering was’founded in 1856, and three species described. A specimen
of one of these species alone exhibited the azygos plates, the peculiarities of
which separated the genus from Cyathocrinus. No other species have since been
described ; nor has the discovery of new specimens been recorded. In the “ Pro-
ceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia,” Nov. 4, 1879, Mr.
Charles Wachsmuth, the highest American authority on the Paleozoic Crinoids,.
stated the opinion? that “Carabocrinus is founded upon a malformed or recuper-
ated Cyathocrinus.” The anomalous form of the azygos plates was dwelt on

* Fig. 2, Decade 3, G. 5. C. + Revision of the Puieoecrinodea, page 144,

Bh

in detail, and the distinguished author stated the view that they were portions of
a single plate “ which was accidentally broken during the life of the animal, and
afterwards recuperated, leaving marks of fracture which Billings took to be
sutures between the plates.” During last Spring I collected a small specimen of
a species of this genus, and shortly after was favored with a view of another
specimen (likely of a new species), which Dr. Grant had sent him from Belleville,
in company with specimens of a new species of Porocrinus, for description. Both
the specimens had the identical arrangement of azygos plates shown in the
generic diagram.* I communicated the result of my examination to Mr. Wach-
smuth, and ke at once stated that he would abandon his view.

SEVENTH SOIREE.

Fripay, 257TH FEBRUARY, 1881.—“ Lintace#,” By Ligut.-Cot. WM. WHITE.
* * *% + * * * * % *

I propose to devote our time this evening to the genus Lilium, from
which the order Liliacee derives its name. ‘This genus includes plants with
scaly bulbs, from which arise leaty stems, bearing at the top from one to many
large showy flowers. The stem leaves are alternate or whorled, short and usually
sessile, except the two eastern forms, which have heart-shaped leaves and long
petioles. The great characteristic of the Tiger Group, and one by which they are
easily propagated, is the constant presence in the axils of each leaf of one to three
bulblets, shiny and black, about the size of peas, which, in the Autumn, fall, or are
gathered, and in three years’ time will, if cultivated, produce flowering bulbs.

The flower of the lily consists of six petal-like divisions or sepals, either dis-
tinct or partly united below, and spreading or recurved above, forming a funnel-
shaped or bell-shaped perianth. Each of the divisions has a honey-bearing furrow
at the base.

The genus Liliwm has been sub-divided hy Professor Baker, of Kew, into
five sub-genera ; each being perfectly distinct from the others, so that any person
who will take the trouble to master the characters of these five sub-genera will
have no difficulty in referring to its proper position any specimen which may be
under consideration.

According to Professor Baker’s classification, the first sub-genus is—

Cardiocrinum. —The perianth is funnel-shaped, with oblanceolate segments,
faleate only at the apex. Leaves large, rotundate-cordate, very different to the
lanceolate or linear leaves of all the cthers, with true petioles sometimes as long
as the leaves. The only two lilies at present known belonging to this sub-genus
are the heart-shaped leaved (L. cordifolium) lily from Japan, and the Giant Lily
(L. giganteum) from the Himalayas. This sub-genus is at the same time the finest
and most distinct of all true lilies, being completely different from all the rest in
possessing long petioles, and in the shape and veining of its leaves.

The second sub-genus has been named—

Eulirion.—Perianth funnel-shaped, with oblanceolate segments, falcate only
at the apex, stamens slightly curved parallel with the style, lines linear or lance-
shaped, sessile or nearly so, flowers fragrant, often white, never red. Of this sub-
genus there are twelve species known to the Old World, of which the one beat

* Decade 4, G, S.C.

3

36

known is the White Lily of our gardens (L. Candidwm). The white Japan Lily
(L. longiflorum), which also belongs to this sub-genus, is now frequently met with
in cultivation, but is rather tender in our severe climate.

The third sub-genus is—

Archelirion.—Perianth open, funnel-shaped, with deeply spreading segments,
which are broadest below the middle ; stamens diverging from the curved style.
Leaves sessile, as in the Tiger Lily, and with short stalks, as in Awratum and
Speciosum. There are only four species in this sub-genus, but three of the four,
the Tiger Lily (Z. Tigrinum), the Golden Lily (L. auratum), and the red-spotted
Japan Lily (L. speciosum), originally introduced as L. lancifolium, are now to be
met with in most large collections.

The next, the fourth sub-genus, is—

Isolirion, erect-flowered Jilies—Perianth pbreadly funnel-shaped, standing
erect for a considerable time, usually brilliant red or yellow, segments oblong,
lance-shaped, or spathulate, stamens diverging on every side from the erect style.
Leaves in whorls, as in L. Fhiladelphicum, or scattered, as in L. Catesber. Lilium
Philadelphicum is‘common in open copses tharoughout Western Canada and the
Northern United States, stretching westward to the Rocky Mountains, and south-
ward along the Alleghanies to North Carolina. It was introduced to England in
1754. Lalwwm Catesber is also an American lily. It is found from Carolina to
Georgia, taking, in the South, the place occupied by L. Philadelphicum in the
North. This lily does not usually succeed well under cultivation, and is therefore
rarely met with in gardens.

The fifth and last sub-genus is the

Martagon, or Turks-cap Lilies.—Flowers in racemes, nodding, dotted
usually of a brilliant red or orange colour ; perianth broadly campanulate ; seg-
ments lance-shaped, deeply falcate, grooves deep ; stamens diverging on all sides
from the curved style. In this sub-genus we have twenty-three species, including
many superb forms:—Ezacelsum, with its tall, peculiarly graceful, nankeen-
coloured flowers, so exquisitely scented ; Canadense, with its beautiful nodding,
bells, one of the first introduced to European gardens from this continent, figured
in Parkinson’s Paradisus in 1629; the purple Martagon, which puts forth its
flowers in the early summer months ; and several others not less handsome, but
not so generally known.

The genus Lilium (the name lily is said to be derived from a Celtic word
“i,” signifying whiteness, the lily having been long considered an emblem of
purity), as you will already have observed, embraces several of the most remarkable
species in the whole vegetable kingdom, distinguished by elegance, size and
variety of colour; ranging in size from the dwarf forms of Umbellatum, with
flowers only six or eight inches from the ground, to the magnificent Giant Lily of
the Himalayas, bearirg its crown of blossoms eight or nine feet high. Lilies are
among the oldest and best known flowers of our gardens ; they are also among
the most recent introductions of plant collectors. d

The White Lily (L. Canodidwm) is said to be a native of the eastern
islands of the Mediterranean. It has been cultivated in England since the days of
John Gerarde, a surgeon and botanist, who was born in Cheshire in 1547, and died
in 1607. Yet, with this exception, lilies may be said to be of recent introduction.

In 1774 Linneeus found only nine species to describe, of which five be-
longed to the Old Werld exclusively ; three, Superbum, Canudense and Philadelphi-
cum, to North America ; and one, Kamschatkense, said to be common to both
continents. This latter, however, appears to have been re-named, as I am unable
to identify it in more recent classifications. Shortly after the time of Linnzeus, the
Pyrenean (L. Pyrenaicum), the Orange (L. Crocewm), and Catesby’s Lily (L.
Catesbei), were added to the list.

37

Towards the close of the last century, Thunberg published a work on the
flora of Japan, and introduced to the world some of the wonderful species from
that country. About 1823 Dr. Van Siebold, of Wurzberg, visited Japan in the
capacity of physician to the Dutch Embassy, and up to his death, in 1866, never
ceased to collect and to encourage the collection of these plants for introduction
into Europe.

In 1804, the now well-known Tiger Lily (LZ. Tigrinwm) was bronght from
Japan by Captain Kirkpatrick. The attractiveness of its brilliant red flowers
joined to the hardiness of the plant, which enables it to withstand the extreme
cold of Canada, and to flourish in the moist climate of Britain equally well, has
rendered it for many years past one of the best Known and most generally culti-
vated of all lilies.

It is only quite recently, however, that the most magnificent lilies of Japan
have become generally known, the splendid Golden Lily (L. awratwm) having only
come into general cultivation within the last ten or twelve years. Lilies are sup-
posed to have been cultivated in Japan for centuries with as much care and
attention as have been given to the production of tulips and hyacinths in
Holland.

It is somewhat singular, considering how much attention has been given
of late years to the iatroduction and cultivation of lilies, that the origin of
two of the most beautiful species in cultivation is unknown.

The Nankeen Lily (L. Excelsum), a beautiful sweet-scented lily of the
Martagon sub-genus, closely resembling in form and general appearance the well-
known White Lily (L. Candidum), is one of them ; and Brown’s Lily (L. Brownii),
a lily of the long:forum type, having the outside of the petals a deep chocolate
colour, is the other. L. Mxcelsum (or Testacewm, as it is frequently called,) is un-'
known in a wild state, and is supposed to be a hybrid between the common
White Lily (ZL. Candidwm) and scarlet Turk’s-cap (L. Chaleedonicum. L. Brownii
is believed to have been introduced from China or Japan, but nothing certain
seems to be knowa either as to the place from whence it came or the person who
first brought it into notice.

* * ¥ + * * *

On the same evening an instructive paper was read by Mr. J. Martin
“On the study of Botany.” He described the different parts of plants, their
functions in the economy of nature,.and the simplicity of the method of classi-
fication that had been adopted by botanists ; and urged the claims of the science

of botany on the younger members of the Club in an able and interesting

manner.

EIGHTH SOIREE.
Fripay, 11th March, 1881: On this evening a lecture was delivered by
_ Prof. J. Macoun, F.L.S., Botanist to the Canadian Government, on “The Capa-
bilities of the Prairie Lands of the Great North-West, as shown by their Fauna
and Flora.” The lecturer first explained the laws of geographical distribution,
by which, for example, the geologist can state the horizon to which certain fossils
must belong, and the botanist determine, by the inspection of plants from a
pertain locality, the character of the soil and of the climate, and the consequent

38

adaptability of the district for the growth of certain varieties of cultivated plants,
He asserted that this botanical test was the only true criterion by which the agri-
cultural status of any district should be judged. In the North-West every species
of plant was found to have its particular habitat as regards soil and moisture.
This fact had been realized by the members of the Geological Survey, for in the
last report Prof. Bell had stated that “the information derived from a study of
the distribution of trees and shrubs, and of the flora generally in any district,
affords one of the most certain means of judging the climate for agricultural
purposes.” Such a test had been applied by him in his explorations of the Peace
River country during 1872 and 1875. Many excursions off the direct line of
travel were made in descending the river, and all the species of plants noted,
with the exception of three, were similar to those of Ontario, whence he deduced
that the summer climate of the Peace River region was similar to that of Ontario,
aud that the same cereals which came to perfection in the latter place would do
so in the former. Actual cultivation had since fully proved the truth of that
deduction, The previous season he had visited the Cypress Hills region, and
received unfavourable impressions of it on account of the number of Rocky
Mountain species of plants growing there. He at once concluded that the district
would not ripen cereals, and further obseryation justified that conclusion. With
reference to the large tracts of alkaline lands, so generally denounced as sterile
and incapable of cultivation, he explained that their apparent aridity and want
of vegetation was nearly always due to causes which cultivation of the soil would
remove. Holland, principally an old sea-bottom, was noted for its fertility, and
salt marshes when reclaimed from the sea, as in the Basin of Minas, were known »
to form the best pastures in the world, although salt lands were said to be regions
of sterility. Yet he knew that on the alkaline soil, even where the cactus and
sage-bush grew, the grass was always cropped short by the cattle, and from his
observations he believed them to be some of the best pasture lands in the world.
On these soils also seaside plants, such as the cabbage, grew in great luxuriance.
Passing on, the lecturer alluded to the warm and cold soils of the vast interior,
and stated that nearly all the prairie uplands were covered with a warm soil, and,
from the nature of the flora, he was positive that frosts would never do serious
injury in these localities. The river silts and clays produced plants that were
boreal in their tendency, as contrasted with the southern plants found growing on
the uplands ; and in the river valley crops invariably suffered from frost. The
farmers were rapidly learning this fact, and, ayoiding the loamy lands of the

39

valleys, preferred the dry exposed prairies formerly neglected, but now found to
be incomparably superior, for the growth of cereals, to the lower but cooler lands.
It was found that on the warmer soil of the prairies the crops ripened three
weeks earlier than in the river valleys and the colder lands of Manitoba. Hence,
the second prairie steppe, beginning one hundred miles west of Winnipeg and
extending to the Saskatchewan; would be found far superior to Manitoba for the
growth of cereals, because there a certainty of at all times ripening the crops was
assured. Although summer frosts might occassionally make their appearance in
the valleys, there were none, or scarcely any, on the level plateaux. Last year
crops put in after the 15th June had been injured by frost, but only severely in
the valleys. With regard to rain, little fell before the crops were planted, but
after that there was an ample fall to secure their full growth. The lecturer then
enunciated an important botanical law, as accounting for the well-known heavy
crops of grain secured so far north. This was the law of wonderfully increased
reproduction as plants approached their outer, or northern, limit. Hence, the
cereals grown in the districts alluded to,so near the extreme northern limit, were
found to be more prolific than those grown anywhere else. Ordinarily, on an ear
of wheat grown in Ontario each fascicle contained but two grains. In Winnipeg
they averaged two and a-half, at Prince Albert four, and at Edmonton nearly five.
When it was taken into account that the heads also increased in length, it was
not difficult to understand that the same number of stalks that would produce
fifteen to twenty bushels to the acre in Ontario would yield twenty-five bushels
at Winnipeg, and from thirty to forty bushels farther north. As regarded the
grasses found in various parts of the country, the same species grew under the east-
ern base of the Rocky Mountains as were found farther east, and commonly sup-
posed to be inferior in quality. The only difference was, that on the dry plains of
the south hardly any grasses produced large crops of seeds, so that the fodder
afforded by the natural drying up of the grasses was richer in nutriment, nearly
equalling first-class hay. The “ buffalo grass,” incorrectly named “ wild oats,” did
not, as often stated, harm either sheep, horses or cattle. Referring to Capt. Pal-
liser’s assertion, that the country near the Red Deer Lakes was barren, he
explained that this was due to buffalo and deer having eaten the district bare.
In 1879 the same tract of land was covered with waving grass, but not a
quadruped was to be seen there. The land which had supported millions of
buffaloes could assuredly not be called barren, but could feed cattle for the English
market, and also supply the wheat, flax and hemp so largely imported from

For “ Nuphar luteum, Smith” read “ Nuphar luteum, Smith, var.

40

Russia by the Mother Country, for its climate was ey a bors of Southern
Russia, which supplied all these commodities. While conde the stock-
raising capabilities of the country, he referred to the popular belief that cattle
fatten on the grazing lands of Texas and warm districts of she Sant see ees
izing it as a fallacy, as shown by the custom amongst graziers of driving their
herds northward to fatten. This was also in obedience to a well-known ee
which provided that the farther north animals were found the greater was their
nepal for putting on fat. On this ground he was convinced of the great advan-
tages possessed by the North-West as a cattle-raising country. A iad years ae
Major Butler had styled this country the Great Lone Land, but o was heme
rapidly settled, and was destined, in the near future, to be a great grain prorneee
and stock-raising country, sustaining a large population and exporting an immense

surplus of grain and meat.

Errata—Flora Ottawaensis, page 41,

9”

For “ Sarracenia purpurea, L.

v. hiterophylla” read “‘S. purpurea, L. var. heterophylla, Torr.”

Omit “Rosacrx. Amelanchier Canadensis, T. & G.

v. Botryapium, Gray.” — {

For “ Sedum Telephium, L” read * Sedum Telephium, L.”
For “ Senecia vulgaris, L.” read “Senecio vulgaris, L.”

For “ Pyrola rotundifolia, L. ]

read ‘* P. rotundifolia, L., v. uliginosa, G.”

v. Uliginosa, G.”

For “Lasratex” read “ LABIATR.”
For “ Lycopus Europus, L.

,

‘ ass read “LL, Europeus, L., var, intezrifolius, G.” -
v. integrifolia, G.” read “L. Europeus, L., grifolius,

For “ Nicaudra” read “‘Nicandra.”

For “ Urtica Dioica, L.” read “Urtica dioica, L.”
For “Schenchzeria” read ‘« Scheuchzeria.”

For “ Carex irrigna” read “ C. irrigua.”

For “ Poa Scrotina” read ‘Poa serotina.”

For “ Asplenium Filix-Femina.

é a A “A, Filix-foemina, Bernh., v. Michauxii, Mettenius.”
v. Michauxii, Mettenius.” \ out ere 4 :

Pe © Terme ne Ga AFI NSIS:

ADDITIONS TO LIST OF 1879-1880,

NYMPH#ACEX,
Nuphar luteum, Smith.

SARRACENIACE.

Sarracenia purpurea, L.
v. hiterophylla.

ROSACEA.

Amelanchier Canadensis, T. and G,
-v. Botryapium, Gray.

CRASSULACEA,
Sedum Telephium, L.

HAMAMELACE®.
Hamamelis Virginica, L.
CUCURBITACES.
Sicyos angulatus, L.
COMPOSITA.

Aster estivus, Ait.
Senecia vulgaris, L.
Cirsium muticum, Michx.
Onopordon Acanthium, L.

ERICACEA,

Pyrola rotundifolia, b.
v. Uliginosa, G.

SCROPHULARIACEA,
Linaria vulgaris, Mill.
LABIATE.,

Lycopus Europzus, L.
v. integrifolia, G.

SOLANACEAR,
Nicaudra Physaloides. Geertn.
CHENOPODIACE,
Chenopodiuyr Ambrosioides, L.
URTICACE,
Urtica Dioica, L.

BETULACE,
Betula lenta, L.
Alnus viriiis, D. C.
SALICACEA.
Salix myrtilloides, L.
NAIADACE &.
Zannichellia palustris, Micheli.
Potamogeton Vaseyi, Robbins.
ALISMACEA.
Schenchzeria palustris, L.
Sagittaria graminea, Michx,
ORCHIDACEA.

Habenaria fimbriata, R. Br.
-virescens, Spreng.

CYPERACE,

Carex Backii, Boott.
—limosa, L.
—irrigna, Smith.
—arctata, Boott.
filiformis, L.
——loxgirostris, Torr.

GRAMINEA,

Vilfa vagineeflora, Torr.
Agrostis perennans, Tuckerm.
Muhlenbergia sylvatica, T. and G.
Poa cesia, Smith.

Serotina, Ehrhart.

Festuca nutans, Willd.
Triticum caninum, L.
Gymnostichum Hystrix, Schreb.
Avena striata, Michx,

Millium effusum, L.

Panicum capillare, L.

FILICES.

Asplenium Filix-Femina.
v. Michauxii, Mettenius.

49
DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES OF POROCRINUS,

FROM THE TRENTON LIMESTONE.

With remarks on the Genus, by JAMES GRANT, M.D.; F.R.C.S.; F.G_S., ete.

Genus Porocrinos, BILLINGS.

Porocrinus, Billings, Report Geological Survey of Canada, 1856.

Porocrinus, Billings, Decade 3, Geological Survey of Canada, 1859.

Porocrinus, Meek and Worthen, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1865.

This genus was founded on one species from the Trenton Limestone at
Ottawa :—P. Conicus, the type of the genus. In the Proceedings of the Academy
of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, 1865, Meek and Worthen described P. Pentago-
nus, from the Trenton Limestone, and P. Crassus from the Hudson River Group,
both from Illinois.

We have now a new species from the Trenton Limestone at Belleville, dis-
covered by Mr. W. R. Smith, of that city.

The specimens examined exhibit some new features, which do not, however,
in any way invalidate the original description of the genus.

In the original description of P. Conicus the pores are spoken of as “ fine
elongated parallel slits which appear to penetrate through the plates.” In the
descriptions of P. Pentagonus and P. Crassus the divisions between the pores are
mentioned as “ plates.” A careful examination of the new specimens, about to
be described, show that the pores do not open on the outside surface, each pair of
plates being externally arched, making the hydrospires appear like one side of a
collection of flat black tubes placed side by side, while one specimen (Fig. 2) has
on several of the hydrospires a thin investing membrane, as in Paleocystitis and
Comarocystitis. E. Billings states that in these last named genera it is probable that
the pores are not visible externally unless the surface is worn. I fancy that all
the species of Porocrinus already founded were described from worn specimens.
The membrane mentioned covers each hydrospire completely and obliterates the
sutures of the plates where it covers them.

I cannot find that the vault plates or the structure of the arms have been
before observed. Meek and Worthen, in describing P. Crassus, state that the vault
seems to consist of three or four comparatively large plates.” The vault and
arms described hereinafter are much the same as in Cyathocrinus (as revised by
Wachsmuth. )

Porocrinus, SMITHI, Sp. Nov.

Basals.—-Five, pentagonal, wider than high, of nearly equal size.

Subradials.—Five ; three hexagonal and two heptagonal.

Radials.—One by five, as long as the sub-radials, while four of them are
wider, hexegonal, excepting that their apices are notched about one-fifth the
length of the plates to form a part of the passages of the arms, and in two of
them the angle adjacent to the proboscis is wanting. Articulating facets about
one-quarter the width of the radials, and extending downwards nearly to their
centres.

Brachials.—One- by five, as wide as arm joints, but at their points of
greatest length nearly three times as long as an arm joint.

Azygos plates two, the lower one quadrangular, resting on the two hepta-
Hee plates ; and the other, pentagonal, supported on one heptagonal and the
ower azygos plate.

43

Cup, obconical of a sub-pentagonal outline viewed from below; at the
junction with the column the diameter is a little less than one-half the greatest dia-
meter. Surface of cup ornamented with radiating costa, two lines of which, one
each at the centre of the radials and sub-radials, form zones around the cup ;
between these two lines others pass at right angles across the sutures of the plates,
forming a series of triangles ; below the lower zone, from the centre of each sub-
radial, a single costa passes downward to the basals, where it is continued, one-
half on each plate (without bifurcation), and expands into a slightly elevated ring,
encircling the base of the cup.

Each rhomb, or hydrospire, occupies an angle of three separate plates ;
they are trilobate, and in shape bear some resemblance to a very stout letter Y,
with pointed terminations, having three re-entermg and nine salient angles.

The angles of the inter-costal triangles tu the edges of the hydrospires are
striated in lines parallel to the lines of the spiracles. These striations are not
even grooves, but appear to be formed of elongated, shallow pits or punctures
placed with their ends in contact.

Arms simple, apparently long, one specimen having a portion of an arm,
once and a half the length of the cup, but slightly reduced in diameter, and
without branching (Hig. 3). The same specimen shows that the grooves of the
arms were bordered by erect rows of plates about two-thirds the width and some-
what less than one-half the depth of the arm joiuts.

Vault composed of five large piates separated by broad grooves continuous
with the upper grooves of the arms and radiating from the centre of the apex ;
four of these fit in between the re-entering angles of the radial plates, and the fifth
(situated immediately over the proboscis) is excavated in the same manner as the
radials on either side of the upper azygos plate. The radiating grooves
appear to be covered with double rows of small plates interlocking and alternat-
ing with one another. Only one specimen has been examined showing the sum-
mit structure, and in it the arrangement of plates at apex could not be satisfac-
torily made out. A small tube or circular opening was observed at the lower
end of one of the grooves, immediately above the arm notches (Figs. 1 and 6).

The proboscis appears to have been short and made up of lancet-shaped
imbricating plates, but as the area immediately around it has none of the plates
preserved in the only specimen possessing this organ, it cannot be spoken ofwith
certainty.

Column round, with a small pentagonal canal. In the specimens examined
only small portions of the columns are preserved, and these taper to such a degree
that the diameter is reduced from one-quarter inch to one-fourteenth inch in a
proximal fragment of column three-eighths of an inch long; and in a similar
portion five-sixteenths of an inch long from one-quarter inch to one-ninth inch.
The separated disks of column appear flat and smooth, and show five indistinct
petaloid depressions on the under side which correspond with similar elevations
on the upper side, and which terminate outward on the line of sutures of basais;
these disks do not reach the external surface of the column, there being an invest-
ing sheath or covering encircled by wavy lines at distances from each other equal
to the thicknesses of the disks.

This species differs from P. Conicus in having prominent cost instead of
a smooth surface ; in having wide short basals; in having the external shape of
the hydrospires trilobate instead of being spherical triangles ; asalso in its greater
size. From P. Crassus the chief points ot difference are that the sutures are not
prominent, nor does the base overhang the column, while the hydrospires are
trilobate throughout. P. Pentagonus is the species most nearly related to the one
now under consideration. It differs in the shape of the body which (in P. pen-
tagonus) is obovoid and broadest on a line drawn through the centre of the sub-
radials ; it also has only a portion of the hydrospires trilobate: otherwise it
appears to agree very closely with our new species.

44

DESCRIPTION OF PLATE.

Fig. 1. Side view of a specimen of Porocrinus Smithi, without arms or
column.

Fig. 2. An imperfect specimen, haying a membrane covering two of the
hydrospires.

Fig. 3. Flattened specimen, with portions of arms and column.
Figs. 4 and 5. Sections of column showing size of central canal, &.
Fig. 6. Summit structure of specimen shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 7. One of the sub-radial plates enlarged.

Fig. 8. Diagram.

Fig. 9. Specimen of Agelacrinites Dicksoni from the Cabinet of Dr. Grant.

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