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APR 4O. 1917

TIBLD-PATARALISTS

CLC3.

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VoLuME “IT, No. I.

OTTAWA, CARADZ :
Cifizen Prinling and Publishing Company. [V\etealfe St.

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1884. 1885,

OTTAWA

FIELD-NATURALISTS’ CLUB

TRANSACTIONS NO. 6.
VOLSIE NOL NS

S@ are ha:

PAGE

RT SEMPS TACT COLSON Oisd = No ae ate cece crac ciote: setevese voters GPS aTelomeiors eh STSISTSTATE COATS cesSreis. ores 'aie'e era eiateeiolelereureccteene 14
List of Standing Committee.......... sea, arctan taro DO SOCORRO REE CRE COE OUG cs 154
List of € orresponding Memb erste saccerk craters tiomece etcsnteresaisia ots crsietatelstslslslatele sofa COT OICO CTO OCLC 154
“LIS Gili WNICTe SRR ABE Ania pe Re RRGrn CH nee TROT etn rr rear it aeE Een Shr GAOADAnOSES 155
Annu] Report (OnE <Giotrire rel eo eistcero ae atte tt otto COR DERUIS Goce Ar OTRO OA OAR EAD DOS 10 Comnancre 157
MEAT Ete AE EEL Gayo siya ete oie aia clas ctste sie 9 0 wisele wf ale fe wi wisict eerie etereleVese(\ohalslsietaretel slelovalaie¥a 159
AORTA OTIS EOE Us A TpVinhe aecrtnsrmr cea on bi sivercivvwe ciete’s atsromio ei steraye fave aciain wate’ elt ale eiejshatn slacerniele's 159
Report ot Delegate to ‘Royal Society of Canada... ....- lay taRtaretorele ners selaite careers 161
ianienmeleAnidrensot dhe cP resident a c.ciwicstoe ules secs «cise socsias sehebels one delaseien/eeelas 164
MMEFeM UO UTTTCLT ATCC ETO be cee iia ce clas tie acs acs os cious arate aualeborenglnerero tiene ate Sisré aewaieiers Mr. W. P. Lett 177
The Minerals of the Ottawa District........+0.-ssseseccesseeeceuess a C. W. Willimott 189
MErresMiUlMvOLIISCAIOL OttawWaves.s.c0ccces sees sehen sneviteasennrs) r. EF. R.: Latehford 211
Wheat (with special reference to that grown in the Ottawa Bidtied | .Mr. Wm. Seott 252
Wai SALE SMM OUELOTN- CAIUS. «vids soc ee sts. osie'v es abvee seals ercines Mr. W. H. Harrington O44
DIAC OMMUO TIMES OSS Spent, aoe tise tere slodsieins--s Oberst Abeic eesti ace aistelee 2 Mr. W. k. Billings 248
Notes on the Geology and Paleontology of Ottawa........se0-.-seeeees Mr. H. M. Ami 251
Report of the Palaeontological Branch......... ...- Ree erat ome MPR CnrA tat: SOO0L 259
ROE MO LEGER OTaTale als EP Che tec e foto. Mjcicisic <sivice sisicis meer cre aisvelers «siete wcll s'wisieiaialeseiae 262
Repomimotethe GoncholoriCaleisramChicic. aes «re veiecs)e as els « sie) olviewiste.sisile/s.s'sle'e.0 stessioieluinlase etalale Senco
Report of the Entomological Branch..... aware teste steSargatichichs et aaa helene area ates 268
Report of the Ornithological Distal te One DEG RCO COE OME Re ne DEO COPOA MICE aU COO ROL 20
Report of the Zoological ESrsUgl CLIPART RIT a eo Rideo whe Oe coeieteiete His Glare cinislaidinle oresnieielone stoxaMeretntese

Abstract of Meteorological StatiSticSsasseiets accccae ce Hensse Wavy ce cles econ Mr. A. McGill 384

OTTAWA, CANADA:
CiTIZEN PRINTING AND PUBLISHING COMPANY, 31 METCALFE STREET.

1884

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

President 2
H. BEAUMONT SMALL, M.D.
Vice- Presidents : =%.
lst, JAMES FLETCHER: | np, R. B. WHYTF,
Secretary:
W. H. HARRINGTON.

Greasurer : =
W. P. ANDERSON.

WPibrarian :
W. L: SCOTT.
Committee : art
PROK. J. MAGOUN,. |” Ek. MAMI, | -Fak LATCHFORD, i

Standing Conunittees of Council ;
Publishing—J ames Frercuer, W. P. ANperson, W. H. Hanne
Excursions—R. B. Wuyte, F. R. Larcurorn, H. M. Ami.
Soirees —JamMes Firrcuer, Pror. J. Macoun, W. L. Scorv.

Corresponding Wembers :

Saunpers, Wm., F.22.S.C., London, President of Entomological Ss
* of Gaal
Bs, Hit, A. J., C.#. Port Moodie, B.C.
_--«- Epwarps, Henry, 185 East 116th Street, New York., U.S.
f ANDERSON, Rev. Duncan, M.4., Spruce Cliff, Levis, Que.
Smita, Joun B., National Museum, Washington, U.S. — ;
Merriam, Dr. C. Harr, Locust Grove, N.Y., U.S.

oe 4

LIST OF MEMBERS.

Adams, F. D., B.A.Se. Cousens, W. C., M.D.

Allan, W. A. Craig, Wm., (Russell).

ami. HH M.. B.A., GS. Creighton, J; G.; 6.A.,-5.0. LE:

Anderson, W. P., C.E. Davy, BRAC.

Anderson, Mrs. W. P. Dawson, G. M., D.S., Assoc. RSL,

Armstrong, John R. PEGS, Le dee

Armstrong, Mev. Win., J/.A. Devlin, R. J.

Ashworth, John. Dimock, W. D., B.A.

Balland, /tev. J.B.,-0.M.I., D.D. Uixon, F. A.

Baptie, Geo., J/.A.. M.D. Dodd, R.

Barlow, A. E. Donaldson, B.

Bate. H. Gerald. Ewart, D.

Bate, H. N. Faribault, E. R.

Bell, E. B. Ferrier, W. F.

Bennetts, F. K. Fleming, Sandford, C.4., C.M.G.,

Billings, B. PRIS Cs

Billings, W. R. Fletcher, James, 7. R.S.C.

Boardman, Wm. F. Fletcher, Mrs. J.

Boulton, J. G., Staff-Com. RN. Fortescue, L.

Bourinot, J. G., F.R.S.C. Fortescue, Mrs. L.

Bowman, Amos. Puller; Thos.,7h.G. A:

Bristow, A. A. Garvock, W. B.

Bristow, Mrs. A. A. Gemmill, J. A.

Broadbent, Ralph L. Giroux, N.J.

Brodie, W. (Toronto). ; Grant, Miss Isabel L.

Brough, Jas. 8. Grant, 232A MD eR Case

Brumell, H. Pareth. TUB Carolee! Ue eT SLOP

Bucke, Horace W. Grant, Miss Jessie.

Burgess, T. J. W., J/.D., F.R.S.C., Grant, Miss Mary.
(London, Ont.) _ Greene, G. M.

Butterworth, C. A. Grithn, W. H.

Campbell, A. M., (Perth). Hale J.

Campbell, Wm. Hardie, John.

Casey, Maurice W. Harmon, Miss A. Maria.

Castleman, J. S. (Casselman). Harrington, W. H.

Chalmers, Robt. Harrington,. Mrs. W. H.

Chamberlin, Mrs. B. Harrison, Edward.

Chisholm, A. Hodgins, John.

Christie, A. J., Y.C. Johnson, Geo.

Chrysler, F- H., B.A. Johnson, E. V., CLL.

Coleman, John T.’ : Jones, C. J.

Coté, P. M. KearnsJ°€:

b 155

156

Keefer, Vhos. C., C.£.

Keeley, D. H.

Kilgannon, A. P., C.L.

Lambert, Hon. O. H.:

Lambe, L. M.

Lampman, A., B.A.

Lampey, Wm. G.

Latchford, F. R, B A.

Lawson, Prof. G-PicD:, GED:
F.C.I., F.RS.C. (Halifax).

Lee, Miss K. G.

LeSueur, W. D., B.A.

LeSueur, Mrs. W. D.

Lett, W. P.

Lindsay, A.

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

Lowe, John.
MacCraken, John I.
McConnell, R. G., 2.
McGill, A., B.A.Se.
MacLaughlan, I. J.
McElhinney, M. P.
McInnes, Wm. 4
McKenzie, R. T. \
McLaughlin, 8.

McLean, J. D.

A . Se.

MeMillan, John, 4/.A.

McNab, Chas.

Macsun, John, M.A., F.LS.,
PERS. C.

Macoun, J. M.
Marsan, Fev. C. F.,
Martin, KE. D.
Matheson, D.
May, George,
Nicholson, M. Vernon.
Odlum, E. J/.4., (Pembroke).
Oxley, James M., L.L.B.
Parris, Miss Oriana.

Parris, Wm.

Perley, Henry F:, CLE:
Poirier, Hon. P. 8.

Pratt; H..0.-1-

Pugsley, J. W.

Rauscher, Rudolf.

ORT Me:

Reed, E. Baynes (London).

Richard, Louis N., B.A.Se.

Scott, Miss Lilian.

Scott, R. D’Arcy.

Scott, Wm.

Scott, W. L., B.A.

Selwyn, A. R.C., £.L.D., FBS,
FERS.

Shaw, James F.

Short, John.

Small, H.-Beaumont, V7.D.

Small, H. B.

Smith, Henry R.

Smith, W. H.

Sowter, E. T. W.

Steers, C. J.

Stewart, J. C.

Stewart, John (Madoc).

Summerby, Wm. J., J/.4. (Rus-
sell). ‘

Symes, Miss E.

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

Taylor, Rev. Geo. W. (Victoria,
B.C.)

Thorburn, John, JZA., £.L.D.

Tomlinson, J., U.2.

Tyrrell, J.B. BA;

Verner, J. W. D.

Watters, Henry.

Watts, J. W. H, RCA.

Warwick, F. W. (Buckingham).

White, Ges. Ee

White, Lieut.-Col. Wm.

W hite, Wi ke Spit |

Whiteaves, J. F., #.G.S., FRSC.

Whyte, Miss Isabella.

Whyte, J. G.

Whyte, R. B.

Whyte, Mrs. R. B.

Wicksteed, R. J., B.C.L., L.LD.

Willimott, Chas. W.

Woods, Samuel.

Wright, W. R.

Young, Chas. J. (Perth).

Young, James. ,

F.G.S.

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COUNCIL.

To the Members of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club :
The Council has much pleasure in reporting that the progress of

the Club during the past year has been very encouraging. The mem-
_bership has largely increased, being now 168, the number of new
members clected having been 50. Two corresponding members have
also been elected, viz.: Mr. J. B. Smith, of Brooklyn, N.Y., a promi
nent entomologist, and Dr. C. Hart Merriam, the secretary of the
American Ornithologists’ Union.

The Club excursions were four in number. The first was held on
22nd May, and to it were invited the members of the Royal Society
of Canada, then in session in Ottawa, and delegates to that society, with
their families. Kingsmere was visited and there were present over
100 persons, of whom 36 were guests of the Club. The second excur-
sion was to Buckingham on 12th June, while the third was held on
24th July, when, through the kind liberality of Capt. Goulet, the Club
was enabled to visit the Chat Falls in the Steamer Chaudiere. Asa
slight recognition of Capt. Goulet’s generosity toward the Club, two
volumes on natural history have been purchased and bound for presenta-
tion to him. They are “ La Terre et les Mers,” by Figuier, and
Wood’s “ Natural History.” The fourth excursion was to Casselman
on 21st Aug., when the members were kindly received by Mr. and
Mrs. Castleman, who have since removed to California. All these
excursions were well attended, anl were successful in every respect ;
the first one being the largest and most important yet held.

Sub-excursions were also held on Saturday afternoons during the
season, and a number of interesting localities were thus visited.

At the: Dominion Exhibition held here in September the Club
was represented by collections in various branches, and the exhibit
attracted much attention. A silver medal and diploma were specially
awarded the Club for the exhibit as a whole, while the following mem-
bers received individual awards :—Dr. Small, a silver medal for collec-
tion of reptiles; Mr. Henry M. Ami, first prize and diploma for

geological specimens ; Mr. H. P. Brumell, several prizes for minerals ;
157

158

Mr. R. B. Whyte, first prize for botanical collection ; Mr. Fletcher, two
first prizes and extra prize for insects ; Mrs. Chamberlin, special prize
for paintings of fungi ; Mr. F. R. Latchford, special prize for collection
of Jand and fresh water shells; and Mr. W. L. Scott, special prize for
collection of eggs. ,

' The application mentioned in last year’s report, as having been
made to the Ontario Legislature for a grant, was unsuccessful, and
further efforts during the present year have also resulted in failure.

A large number of very valuable publications have been received
in exchange for the Transactions of the Club, or as donations from
persons interested in its work, and it has been necessary to purchase
book shelves for their reception and to have a number of volumes
bound.

Transactions No. 5, Vol. IJ, No. 1, were pullished in due time,
and contained 152 pages. They have been very favorably noticed by
various scientific journals, and have been largely asked for in exchange
for other publications.

The winter course of meetings comprised six Soirées, which were
well attended, and at which valuable papers and reports were read,
which will appear in the next number of the Transactions.

In addition, afternoon lectures were given in Botany, Mineralogy
and Ornithology by Prof. Macoun, Mr. Willimott and Mr. W. L. Scott,
respectively.

The Botanical Class conducted during the previous winter by Mr.
Fletcher was continued by him nntil the end of May.

Ata special general meeting of the Club held un the 28th March the
Rules formerly in force were somewhat modified and enlarged in order
to provide a Constitution in accordance with the terms upon which
incorporation was obtained. A copy of this Constitution was sent to
each member, and it was published in the Transactions.

The Council, in performance of their duties, met twenty-three
times, with an average two-thirds attendance, while a large proportion
of the work was performed by the Standing Committees on Excursions,
Soirées and Publishing.

Signed on behalf of the Council,

W.H. HARRINGTON,

Secretin y.

og =

ire SORE R SeBALAN CK SHEET

Dr. The Treasurer in account with the Ottawa Field-Naturalist’s Club, 1884-85. Cr.
RECEIPTS. EXPENDITURE.

To-balance from 1883-84......$ 12 32 || By excursion expenses........ $ 92 61
Membership fees)... «-.s. 4.104 00 Soirée Gl nada naar 5 50
Excursion receipts......... 96 45 Cost of Transactions No, 5.. 162 50
Soirée COM ee ceserercs 2 50 | Inibrary, expenses: ......--- 13 0F
Sales of Tansactions....... 50 75 | Printing, miscellaneous.... 17 45

|
Postage, stationery, etc..... 13 42
| Balance on hand......... ode ag
|
Pare Lae
326 02 $326 02

WM. P. ANDERSON,
20th March, 1885. Treasurer.

ADDITIONS TO LIBRARY:

Among the more valuable exchanges and donations received dur-
ing the year by the librarian (space cannot be afforded for his complete
list) were the following :—

Geological and Natural History Survey of Canada :—“ List of Pub-
lications,” ‘ Reports of Progress.” 1870-1882 and Maps, “ Palzo-
zoic Fossils,” “Mesozoic Fossils,” “Fossil Plants,” ‘Figures and
Descriptions of Canadian Organic Remains,’ Decades I-IV,
‘* Catalogue of Canadian Plants,” Part I., etc., ete.

Linneean Society :—“ Transactions.” Vol. I, ete.

Historical and Scientific Society, Winnipeg :—‘ Transactions.” 12
Nos., ete.

U. S. Geological Survey :-—“ Mineral Resources of the U. 58.,” ete.

Brooklyn Entomological Society :—‘ Bulletin.” Vols. I-VII.

Dr. C. Hart Merriam :---‘* Mammals of the Adirondacks,” etc., ete.

160

Cambridge Entomological Club:—~< Psyche.” Vols. I, I, Vol. VI,
Nos. 117, 129.

Royal Society of Canada :—“ Transactions.” Vol. I.

Torrey Botanical Club :—“ Bulletin.” Vol. XI, Vol. XII, Nos. 1, 3.

American Association for the Advancement of Science :—“ Proceedings
of the Minneapolis Meeting, 1883.”

Prof. Edward 8. Morse :—A very valuable collection of Papers and
Addresses on Ornithology, Conchology, Ethnology, ete., ete.

Dr. George Vasey :—‘‘ Agricultural Grasses of the U.S.

American Ornithologists’ Union :—‘“'The Auk.” Vol. 1.

H. B. Small :—‘“ Reports of -Dept. Agriculture, Canada,” 1870-1883.

Prof. C. V. Riley : —Entomological “ Bulletins” and “ Reports,” ete.

Entomological Society of Ontario : - Canadian Entomologist,” Vols.
I-XVI., “‘ Annual Reports,” 3-14, and Index 1-13.

REPORT TO THE - ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA.

(Read at the Third General Meeting, May, 1884.)

During the year that has elapsed since my last report, the Ottawa
Field Naturalists’ Club has pursued its special work of developing the
Natural History of this neighborhood, with all its former vigor and
activity, and its prospects have never been more promising than at the
present time. It has added forty new names to its roll ; it has become
an incorporated society in accordance with the Ontario Statutes, and
marked success has attended its efforts in every branch of Natural
History. In the swnmer months much zeal was displayed in pursuing
the field work, and the efforts of the Council have been specially
directed to rendering this work as systematic as possible. Under the
direction of the leaders, the various branches,—representing Geology,
Mineralogy, Botany, Entomology, Conchology and Ornithology,—made
numerous afternoon excursions, some of them being held fortnightly
throughout the season. These were well attended by the working
members, and those desirous of becoming acquainted with the study of
the branch ; and in many instances they assumed the character of classes
for the instruction of beginners. The regular excursions were held
monthly, the attendance varying from twenty-five to sixty. The first
excursion of this season has been arranged for Thursday next, that the
Club may have the honour of entertaining the Fellows of this society
on an outing among the ever attractive Laurentides, and to allow those
who are interested in Natural History an opportunity of studying this
neighbourhood.

Our soirées or winter meetings were seven in number, at which
reports of the work done in the sectious during the summer were pre-
sented, and papers read on subjects of local interest. The following is
the programme :—

Dec. 6th, 1883.— Inaugural Address, by the President.
“ 90th, 1883.—Notes oa the “ Fiora Ottawensis,” with special re-
ference to the introduced plants, by J. Fletcher.

Report of the Ornithological Section.
161

162

Jan. 7th, 1884.—The Sand-plains and Changes of Water-level of the
Upper Ottawa, by E. Odlum.
Report of the Geological Section.
Notes on, and a list of, the Cambro-Silurian Fossils of the vicinity
of Ottawa, by H. M. Ami, B.A.
Jan. 31st, 1884.—Edible and Pcisonous Fungi, by J. Macoun, M.A.,
F.L.S., F.B.S.C.
Report of the Botanicil Section.
Feb. 14th, 1884.—Ottawa Coleoptera, by W. Hague Harrington.
Revision of the Suctoria, by J. B. Tyrrell, B.A., F.G.8.
“ 28th, 1884.—The occurrence of Phosphate Deposits, by G. M.
Dawson, D.8., Assoc. R.S.M., F.G.S., F.R.S.C.

Note on a new species of Archzocrinus, by W. R. Billings.

Report of tne Entomological Section.

March 13th, 1884.—The Deer of the Ottawa Valley, by W. P. Lett.

Report of the General Zoology Section.

Classes of instruction were continued throughout the winter
months, that in Botany being especially successful under the directisn
of Mr. Fletcher. The attendance was large, and the examination held
at the close showed that the course had been earnestly followed. No.
4 of our Transactions has been issued, containing 84 pages and a plate.
It embraces the work of the winter of 1882-3, (a copy of which is pre-
sented herewith). Our Library is new assuming considerable propor-
tions, being entirely formed of publications received in exchange for our
Transactions. As they are all devoted to Natural History and kindred
subjects, and represent the work of Naturalists throughout the countrv,
they form a most valuable collection of original papers, such as are not
to be found in the ordinary scientific works.

The officers for this year, elected at the annual meeting in March,
are :—

Patron—His Excellency the Governor General.

President—H. Beaumont Small, M.D.

Vice-Presidents.—Ist, James Fletcher ; 2nd, R. B. Whyte.

Secretary — W. H. Harrington.

Treasurer —W. P. Anderson.

Librarian—W. L. Scott.

Committee—Prof. J. Macoun, H. M. Ami, F. R. Latchford.

163

As an evidence of the work we have accomplished, the lists pub
lished in our Transactions are worthy of notice. In the field of Botany
920 plants have been collected ; of shells we have found 208 species ; of
birds 198 ; of fishes 48 ; and of insects L004. This last coilection, pre-
sented by Mr. Harrington during the past winter, is one of special
merit. It is arranged and named after the revised classification of Drs.
LeConte and Horn, and is probably the first so adopted in this country.
As all the collections have been made within a few miles of this city, IE
think we can reasonably claim to have one of the most thoroughly
worked districts of Canada. This local study of Natural E:istory is one
we would earnestly ask the Royal Scciety to encourage. Were locat
societies, instead of wandering aimlessly among the paths of natural
science, to devote themselves to this work, and report it to the meetings
of your Society, there would soon be accumulated a fund of information

more perfect and complete than by any other method.
May, 28th, 188t.

PRESIDENT’S INAUGURAL ADDRESS.

_H. Beaumont SMALL, M.D.

(DELIVERED 4TH DEC., 1884.) ;
Members of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists Club, Ladies and Gentlemen :

It is a very great pleasure to me to welcome you here this evening,
to inaugurate our sixth series of winter meetings, more particularly as
the prospects of the Club are in no way dimmed, and the continued
success that attends our efforts is a subject for mutual congratulation.
It has been the fate of many Natural History associations to have
conimenced with equally bright prospects, to have flourished for a year
or two and then to have languished and died from a lack of the energy
that brought them into existence. With our Club it has been different,
each year brings increased strength and each season’s work attracts and
retains the interest of its members. The reason for this is obvious,
for we have a special object in view and a congenial work to perform,
and as the knowledge of our local resources increases the desire to
augment that information becomes greater.

Since my last address our society has become incorporated in
accordance with the Statutes of Ontario. In taking such a step the
Council has recognized the prospects of our permanent existence and
made the foundation more secure, but the main object in thus becom-
ing a legitimate provincial organization was to pave the way for pro-
curing a Government grant. In this, however, we have not been
successful. Our application was apparently received with favor, the
Commissioner of Education was visited personally and acknowledged
the worthiness of our claim, but we have not received any substantial
response. Further attempts will be made this winter, let us hope with
better results. The grant of even a small sum would prove of ines-
timable value ; at present all our revenue has to be carefully expended
to provide for the neccssary current expenses and many much needed
improvements postponed for want of funds. Had we the required
means our usefulness would be much increased ; many schemes might

be adopted to stimulate members to greater activity, original research
164

165

could be more forcibly promoted, and public benefit achieved by ciren-
lating in the surrounding country much useful information.

That members have been doing valuable work has been recog-
nized, and a compliment has been paid to the Club by the selection of
one of our number to fill the position of Honorary Entomologist to the
Department of Agriculture. We all congratulate Mr. Fletcher on the
position he has attained, and I am sure he will receive assistance from
every member of the Club in carrying on such observations as may be
required of him.

The summer which has passed by has been one of more than
ordinary activity to those inclined towards science. The Royal Society
met in this city for the third time, affording us another opportunity to
attend its meetings and listen to its papers and discussions. As no
effort was made by our citizens to recognize the presence of the society
here, your Council extended co them an invitation to attend our first
excursion, arranged specially for their convenience to the Chelsea
mountains. The spot selected was the ever-attractive Kingsmere, the
suitableness of which was greatly enhanced by the kindness of Mr.
and Mrs. Bourinot, who placed their house and grounds at our disposal
and assisted in every way to arrange for the comfort of our visitors.

The day was all that could be desired, our members supported
the Council by attending in large numbers, and the guests expressed
themselves well pleased both at the natural beauties of the locality and
the interesting work of the Club. To those of our members who were
active naturalists, working in the field with Dr. Sterry Hunt, Prof.
Lawson, Prof. Saunders, Dr. Merriam or Dr. Percifer Fraser was a
rare treat and an opportunity for an interchange of ideas that may
never present itself again.

The visit of the members of the British Association later in the
season was not lost to us. All must have been interested in seeing so
many of the jealing English minds personally visiting our country, and
at the opportunity it afforded to become acquainted with authorities
previously known only through their writings. As one result we have
now been placed on the exchange list of several similar British Clubs,
at whose gatherings any of our members would be certain to receive a

cordial welcome should they present themselves.

166

The regular Club work has been followed with the usual energy,
the system of field work of the previous season being continued in this.
The leaders have been actively engagel in directing their various
branches, and their reports will show continued progress. The Satur-
day sub-excursions were well attended by their followers, especially in
the early part of the season, as the summer advanced and towards its.
close they were only held at irregular intervals owing to the absence of
some of the leaders and a number of the more active members. The
general excursions were as popular as ever. The first of these to
Kingsmere, with the Royal Society, I have referred to as particularly
interesting. That to the Chats Falls was well attended, and though
the time for exploring the surrounding country was limited, our Geole-
gists succeeded in making important discoveries in the formations that
occur there. The genial Captain Goulet’s well-known generosity once.
more manifested itself, for he again conveyed the party on his commo-
dious steamer. To show that we appreciate his kindness and good-
will, a set of works on Natural History are being appropriately bound
and inscribed, to be presented to him. The excursions to Buckingham
_ and Casselman also brought us in contact with distant members. At
the former Mr. Warwick did all in his power to point out the places.
of interest in that district, and at the latter Mr. and Mrs. Casselman
renewed the hearty welcome of last year. ~ ;

This year the Transactions were presented to you early, and are
greatly in advance of any of the previous numbers. The papers were
lengthy as well as more numerous than in former years, and too valu-
able to be presented in abstract. In addition, the very valuable list of
Coleoptera and unusually interesting reports, maintain the usual excel-
lence of our publication. That the Council is enabled to publish such
a work and keep the expenses of the Club within its moderate income,
is a sign that no extravagance is permitted, it is for this reason they
expect the members to support them by purchasing extra copies.
Nearly all have friends elsewhere interested in scientific pursuits by
whom the Transactions would be greatly appreciated, and it is by dis-
tributing a few copies in such channels that you will extend the influ-

ence of the Clul and add to its reputation.

167

Our library is increasing rapidly. In exchange for oar Transac-
tions we receive twenty-eight regular publications, eight of which
appear monthly. Besides this our free list numbers seventy-three, and
of these only twenty-three have not donated something in return.
When it is remembered that all are on purely Natural History subjects
and all of them modern works, it will be understood what a useful
collection we are founding. The librarian is now endeavoring to adopt
some scheme by which they may be circulated that all may benefit by
what we possess in common. :

The winter programme, I hope, will meet with your approval ; the
papers are fewer in number than those of last year, but more time will
be allowed for discussion and short notes on any subject. In the after-
noon lectures. to be conducted by the leaders of the several branches,
we hope to furnish a very thorough couse of instruction, specially
adapted for those wishing to gain an insight into any branch, teaching
you not only the science, but also how and where to look for the
objects you are m search of and how to preserve them, in fact all the
information requisite to commence work when the summer arrives.

The work that our Club has in view is perhaps the most attractive
that can be offered to those who have a few spare hours and a desire
for some intellectual recreation, and it allows of the consoling reflection
that the time so spent is in no wise wasted, for besides adding to the
range of one’s information, it is also aiding a work of lasting benefit.
The world is rapidly learning the value of this knowledge, and many
are awaking to the fact that there are many interesting fields of science
hidden behind the veil of ignorance, a veil which is easily drawn aside
by a little study or association with those already versed in Natural
History. :

Any that“‘attend our meetings or join in our excursions show their
appreciation of this knowledge, and by their presence manifest a fond-
ness for nature and a desire to learn something cf its mysteries. Many,
no doubt, wish they were versed in some branch, but fear to commence,
they are overawed by the apparent vastness of the subject and the ex-
tensive knowledge of those who have made it their study. Instead o¢
watching the progress of those long experienced, they should look at

what there is to do and select some branch suited to their tastes and -

168

circumstances. The beginning once made, all will follow easily, for
when viewed with method, each division and sub-division is complete
in itself and leads gradually to others more extensive.

Some of our members will attain an eminence and be recognized
bevond our little circle ; some will build up a reputation that will ex-
tend over the American scientific world and reach transatlantic centres ;
but the greater number of us must rest content with a local record, and
be satisfied that our mite, when added to that of others, will be made of
some value. We are only amateurs and the work presented is emi-
nently suited for such. ‘There are large fields and small fields ; some,
where members have already worked and prepared the way, others, for
those more ambitions, where little or nothing has been done. For
those who cannot take long walks or have not time to make large col-
lections, there are subjects that may be studied in an cccasional spare
hour, and which may even be studied by the roadside in the daily walks
to your office. It is always beneficial to make a retrospect of one’s
work, to consider the advance made and compare it with what there
remains to do, and on the present occasion it may not be inopportune
to glance over our work to see what has been accomplished, and ascer-
tain what remains for new workers to begin upon.

Before entering the domain of the lower animals, a subject pre-
sents itself which has not yet received our attention, but which would
furnish a very appropriate paper for one of our meetings. It is not
very many years since where we now live was the home of the native
Indian, and a paper on this subject with some historical facts of local
interest would prove both attractive and instructive. The remnant of
the once numerous tribe that frequented this district is gathered in a
few scattered settlements, and as each succeeding year comes and goes
the opportunities of acquiring a knowledge of their natural habits and
customs becomes less, and with them will pass away innumerable
legends and stores of Indian lore which can never again be obtained,

Beginning at the head of the animal series the class J/ammalia is
the first to receive our attention. This comprises all that are popularly
known as animals. Strange to say, this important division has received
very little attention. A paper on the deer has been bronght before
you, and one on the otter will be presented this winter ; beyond this,

169

nothing has been done with the exception of a few notes embodied in
the reports on general zoology. The need of studying this at once, must
be evident to you all, as no other class is so influenced by the settling
of the country ; species that once were numerous, in a very few years
may be reduced to an occasional stray individual. Even now, a paper
on any family would, to a great extent, be taken up with detailing how
plentiful they were in former years. But while the number of individuals
is greatly diminished, the number of species is much less affected. Dr.
Merriam in his recent work on the mammals of the Adirondac region
mentions 46 species that occur there, and Dekay, in the report of the
New York State government, gives about 50. A list published in the
bulletin of the Natural History Society of New Brunswick contains 43
as found in that province. In our neighbourhood we should find the class
well represented. It would astonish many of our people were they aware
of the good-sized animals that may be found in the woods they frequently
visit, whose size it would be supposed would render them easily visible,
but whose habits of life make them wary, and they easily escape the eye
of the unobservant. Within very short distances of the city we may
expect to fin { the greater number on these lists, while at no very great
distance the more ferocious are constantly making their presence known,
to the detriment of the farmer.

One of our first objects then is the systematic study of our mam-
mals and the preparation of a perfect list. More is required than
simply an enumeration of species, to this should be added whatever in-
‘formation may be gained regarding their numbers, their range, and the
fact of their being permanent or only visitors. When this is prepared,
then notes and papers on particular families may follow with more
advantage. In this study all the information you require may be
obtained from “Jordan’s Handbook of the Vertebrates,” and ‘Dr. Mer-

’

-viam’s Mammalia of the Adirondacs.” The former is now the generally
accepted authority, not only on this, but also on all the classes of
vertebrates, and furnishes an excellent working key. In the latter you
will find the result of many years observations of a thorough naturalist
in a region where the Fauna is essentially Canadian.

The next class, Aves, is one we are very intimate with, our

ornithologists being among the most active of our members. The list

170

of those observed is now very complete, numbering 203 species, and

the reports of the leaders contain many valuable facts relating to the

habits of our pretty songsters, but only one paper has been read, that
on the ducks. <A beginner entering this field has much to attract and

occupy his attention. Although the list must be very complete their
migratory habits allow every possibility of discovering a new species,

Besides their general habits and characteristics there are many subjects
adapted for special lines of observation. Their eggs and nests furnish

a study of themselves ; the arrival and departure of the various species
‘is a point that is receiving particular attention just now, and to which

should be given a large share of our time ; their songs would make an

‘interesting series of observations, while their power of communicating

with one another would provide the subject for an excellent paper.

It has always appeared to me that birds, of all members of the animal

series, are the ones most suited for our lady members. It is here that

nature puts on her most showy and pleasing attire, no long tramps are

required to seek them in their haunts, nor any tedious work required
to prepare collections. A bird may almost always be watched in its

native state and a few minutes reference to the handbook establish its

identity. Unlike other members of the animal kingdom, they are

visitors, not residents. Some spend the summer with us and take their

departure for the south on the approach of cold, while others come for

shelter in the winter months from a still colder north, others again

only rest a short time in journeying from one clime to another. These

pretty visitors are looked on with a more friendly interest when it is

remembered that they will return again after several months of wander-

ing, and the very same bird, fed and watched one season, returns the

next.

In the classes of reptiles and amphibians we find another field as
yet undisturbed. We want some one to tell us what kind of turtles are
to be found here, what snakes, what lizards, what frogs, aud many other
interesting members. For those with limited time these branches are
particularly suitable, they are easily sought for and obtained and their
number is not great. In a stroll to the nearest woods or along the
Ottawa or Rideau rivers several species may be noticed. The whole

mumber will not exceed 50 species. The study of their habits will

a

Wid

quickly become interesting, the wonderful contrivance.of nature allow-
ing them to carry their lungs outside, that they may breathe in the
water or in tlie air, will soon attract your attention, as will also the
transitions that take place, such as the development of the tadpole into
the full formed frog. This branch will also allow much scope and
great facilities for original research, information regarding its members
is very sparse, and a description of their life will always be valuable.

The class Pisces is one that has been studied and a very complete
list published, but much yet remains to be done, and more workers
are to be desired. The study, unfortunately, has many obstacles to
impede its progress. Inhabiting, as they do, an element that cannot
be explored, their habits are obscure, while their peculiar structure and
delicacy of coloring make them dithcult to preserve. For this reason
our information regarding their life and habits is very scanty. We
want members to trace their range and nuubers and habits of life.
A very practical point well worthy of your attention is the influence
of sawdust in our rivers. Does it affect them or does it not?

In passing from the Vertebrata to the Anthropoda, we enter a most
extensive and varied field, where orders surpass in numbers whole classes
of the former sub-kingdoms. In addition to the study of individuals, the
general characteristics are subjects well worthy of being brought before
our meetings. The higher aninials are so coustituted that life is main-
tained in a single course, but in the lower, the organs are so rudimen-
tary that the animal makes entire changes to accommodate itself to
external influences. This is witnessed in the development of the
beetle from the grub, the fly from the maggot, or the butterfly from
the caterpillar.

The highest class, Zrsecta, furnishes a continuous series of attrac-
tions. The descriptions of the Hymenoptera read like a fairy tale.
The peculiar habits of life of the bees and wasps are known to many
of you. The ants, with their soldiers and toilers, their aphidian cows
carefully tended and even reared from eggs, for the sake of the honey
they supply, the evident language they possess, all combine to place
them amongst the most marvellous objects of nature and should cause
them to receive your attention, They may be found in vast numbers
everywhere, but how few stop to watch them! The ichneumons, which

172

deposit their eggs in the body of living insects, which, when hatched,
generally destroy their hosts to sustain their own life, and the gall-flies,
each of which forms a characteristic gall on its own special tree, are well
worthy of your notice. The horn-tails and saw-flies, destructive foes to
some of our most valuable trees, will be brought to your notice during
the present course of soirées.

It is remarkable that the order Lepidoptera has not possessed more
followers, the gay colours of the butterfly are generally the first attrac-
tion of the young naturaiist, and all clubs might be expected to have
many members working in this branch. Those who are so occupied
should make it their primary duty to prepare a list of our species.

The order Diptera, comprising flies, is large and important and
presents many suitable fields for beginners.

The order Coleoptera, comprising beetles, you are familiar with.
All our Transactions contain papers on them, and a very valuable list
was issued in our last number. In the order Hemiptera, or bugs, we
want systematic workers. They occur everywhere, in water and on
land, some are found only in the top branches of trees, some only in
the lower, while other forins remain stationary all their days. Any
one possessing house plants may follow this study most readily ; here
we meet with the plant lice, which are so sought for by the ants and
carefully tended for the sake of their honey-like secretion. Then there
are the grasshoppers, locusts and crickets that should be described,
eack forming a good subject for those by whom limited collections only
can be made, as also the dragon-flies, and allied insects.

The class of Myriapoda or centipedes is not so numerous as the
insects, nor as attractive, but should receive your attention as they are
wholly unstudied here.

The class Arachnida offers you the mites and spiders. The former
have received some attention and several new species are figured in our
publications. The spiders are repulsive objects, but most interesting in
their habits and modes of living. The webs furnish a study of them-
selves, ranging from special forms, like the diving-bell of the water-
spider, to the common geometric web so well known to all.

The Crustacea are tke lower division of the arthropods, forming
to the waters of the world what the insects are to the land. Nine-

173

tenths are supposed to exist in the sea, the remainder being found in
fresh water. Numerous not only in species, but also in individuals,
they are found in every pool of water or collection of moisture. They
live on animal matter and are active scavengers of our watecs. Some
are parasitic on other animals inhabiting their element—a favorite
place to obtain many forms being the gills of fish. In their turn they
are the chief food for our fishes. Nearly all are microscopic, but a few
forms grow to a great size, the most familiar of which is our eray-tish,
and these would make an excellent beginning for observations in this
class.

Of all the sub-kingdoms the Mollusca is the one least represented
with us, the term being equal to Vertebrata or Arthropoda with their
vast number of species. But two of its classes, Gasteropoda and
Conchifera, are present, the combined number of their species col-
lected being only 116. This is not for want of work on the part of
our conchologists, as it is one of our most thoroughly studied branches,
but because the land and fresh water contain but few members of that
division, so abundantly present in the ocean. The collections-in this
branch are not difficult to make, and to those who wish to study their
habits they offer special inducements, for an aquarium and a handful
of snails will supply all the necessary material for a long series of
ex periments.

In passing beyond the divisions enumerated we come to those.
lower forms of animal life, the study of which may hardly be in.
keeping with the title of our Club; with the exception of one class all.
are microscopic, and so demand work confined to the library rather:
than to the field. But there may be many who find this more suited.
to their tastes and circumstances, and to each a varied and attractive:
world is opened, from which might be produced papers most accept-
able for our meetings. The only member who brought this sub-
ject before our notice was the late Dr. Kemp, who presented a few
notes on the fresh water sponges, and referred incidentally to some
members of other classes in a paper on the filterings of our water
supply.

The Annelida torm a class well worthy of your attention and are
known to you through the common earth worms and leeches.

174

‘The Rotifera form a very numerous class, the great majority in-
habiting fresh water, the number found in salt water being compara-
tively small. They are to be found everywhere, in little pools or large
bodies of water and by their presence indicate its freedom from the pro-
ducts of decomposing matter. The characteristic feature of the little
animals is a circle of processes arranged around their head, each one
performing a circular motion, the whole giving the appearance of a
wheel revolving around the head.

The marine jelly-fish are represented by two forms. The best
known being that many armed minute monster, the hydra, which, when
cut in pieces, grows into as many fully formed individuals. It is very
plentiful, and may always be obtained from the muddy bottom of the
canal. The other form is more uncommon, its arms are many branched
and it remains anchorel to other objects, this species grows as much a
two inches in length and in all probability will be found here.

The fresh water sponges form a sub-order of that extensive class ;
some ten genera have been described from all quarters of the globe re-
presenting a great many species. ‘I'hey occur in clear water and grow
to a considerable size, though the cold of winter always destroys them.

From these we descend to the single-celled animals, to which the
term Jnfusoria is properly applied. They are present in all water and
moisture in countless numbers and furnish a vast field for study ; re-
‘searches in this class has been mostly confined to Europe, the Ameri-
can forms have scarcely been worked at all.

Still lower are the Pyvotozca, soft, structureless animals without
shape or form, known to you by the ameeba. They are innumerable
and occur everywhere. It is a class that has received much attention
on this continent, and the recognized authority is Prof. Leidy’s recent
work on the Fresh Water Rhizopods of North America.

This superficial glance over the vast and varied region, the animal
kingdom, thrown open for us to wander in, is given with the hope that
knowing what there is to be done, in learning how many attractive
fields there are yet without workers, some others may be induced to
take a more active interest. Each year should see an addition of new
members eager and ambitious to continue the work and act as a spur to
those alleady engaged. Our first requisite is a complete catalogue of

175

all the objects of Natural History that occur in the adjoining country.
Among the lower forms of life the difficulties are so great that the pros-
pects of obtaining this end are very dim, but with this exception there
is no reason why we should not become thoroughly acquainted with our
resources. ‘To accomplish this we want leaders in every class and in
many instances we need workers devoted to particular orders or
families. It is not necessary that the first lists should approach per-
fection, any list is better than none, once commenced they are centres
which will rapidly increase, and form starting points where others may
begin, while sn incomplete list will—from its very defects—prove an
incentive to many to bring it to perfection.

A natural outcome of all intelligent collecting, beginning with the
first efforts in that line, is the developing of the power of observation.
Things that before were passed by unnoticed now attract attention and
the many relations that natural objects bear to each other are dis-
covered. ‘This is the source of the attraction with which this science
retains its followers, without it the hardest worker can never become a
naturalist, and rarely continue a steadfast student.

That this power may net be wasted notes should be made of all
observations during the preparation of lists, for a record of a series
carefully followed is the matter we require for our papers and must
mainly constitute our offerings to science. Every fact is of values
whether it be general in character or refer to some particular local con-
dition. Notes of local interest, by themselves, may not appear of much
importance, but when compared with similar observations from other
sources, may prove of the greatest value and may tend to add to our
knowledge of faunal distribution, that very important phase of the
science of Natural History.

Our work must not end with the perfecting of our lists and publi-
cation of scientific records, something move is required of us in this
practical age, which it is our duty to furnish. We must be prepared to
answer the question which might be put to us by the captious—of
what practical use is the Club? Our response to this should be found
in the Transactions ; there the agviculturalist should learn what are the
pests that destroy his crops and how they may be conquered or pre-
vented; the speculator should be able, from their perusal, to obtain the

176

information that directs him to the mineral deposits that are to be
found. In the papers to be read to you, this will, ina great measure, be
carried out, and in our notes and discussions it would be well if this

practical end were kept in view.

Prof. Macoun said that when the President of the Literary and
Scientific Society in his inaugural address a few days previously had
stated (when referring to the Club) that the mere collection of a great
many species should be buat a small part of the work of the Club he
had quite agreed with him. But it should not be lost sight of that collec-
tions were of great value, for the work performed by any naturalist
would to a great extent die with him if his collections were not placed
ina museum. He had, for instance, a knowledge of several hundred
Species of cryptogams, but a list of these without the possession of the
specimens would be of little value. Each collector should deposit
duplicates where they would be accessible to every one for study and
comparison.

Mr. H. B. Smacr alluded to the great value of such a collection,
for instance, as one of insects injurious to crops, showing the species
destructive to the various plants, as well as the insects which prey
upon these injurious ones. There was in Washington such a collection
as he had described, and he hoped soon to see one in Canada. With
reference to the appointment of Mr. Fletcher as Government ento-
mologist, referred to by the president, he could give a practical instance
of the vaiue of such an officer. Specimens of very fine grains intended
for the Antwerp Exhibition were condemned by him as unfit, and if
sent they would have brought discredit upon the country.

Mr. R. B. Wuyre said that the small resources of our societies
rendered it difficult to sustain a museum, and that while it was perhaps
posible to overestimate the value of a public museum it was probably
too often the case that private collections were undervalued.

Mr. W. L. Scorr thought that not more than twenty-five reptilia
and patrachia could be looked for in the vicinity.

The President explained that the number mertioned by him had
been suggested by Dekay’s list of those found in New York State.

Mr. HarrinGton explained that many species found there could

177

not be look for so far north as Ottawa, and he was disposed to consider
Mr. Scott’s figure large enough to include all the species likely to be
found in the vicinity.

The PresipeEnT stated that he believed this number of species had
already been noted.

THE CANADIAN OTTER.

WituiamM Pittman Lett.

Read 18th December, 1884.

The Canadian otter (Lutra Canadensis), of which I am briefly to
treat this evening, like the wapiti and the wild goose, derives its dis-
tinctive designation from Canada, over every part of which, as at pre-
sent constituted, it is distributed. It belongs to the Mustelide, or
weasel family, and genus Lutra; of which interesting group of our indi-
genois mammalia it may be said to stand at the head. With the ex-
ception of the black and silver grey fox, the otter is by far the most
valuable fur-bearing animal to be found in Canada. Its fur is thick
and fine next the pelt, with longer and coarser hairs of uniform length
of a glossy dark brown colour, inclining in old animals to greyish,
around the under part of the head and belly. Above all other kinds
of fur that of the otter is extremely durable, and the darker it is in
colour it is the more valuable. I have known an otter-skin cap to
have been worn for thirty years, winter after winter; and although
somewhat faded in appearance, after frequent repairing and periodical
remodelling, the skin was still strong and tough, and the fur by no
means worn out. Plucked-otter, dyed, is almost as beautiful as South
Sea seal, with the advantage of being much more lasting. Otter-skin
coats. caps and gloves are always costly articles of apparel, but when
the beauty and durability of the fur is considered, they are always
worth the money. From the nose to the tip of the tail a full grown
otter measures five feet. The body is thick, compact and muscular.
The eyes are small and black in colour. The head short and flat. The
teeth are fine and sharp. ‘The neck long and thick, the legs short, and

178

feet entirely webbed to the nails. The tail, which is somewhat ellipti-
eal in shape, rather than flat, is broad, thick and powerful at the root,
from whence it gradually tapers off toa point. This massive and mus-
cular tail—which is about eighteen inches long—acts as a rudder, and
aids the animal in its rapid turnings when in pursuit of fish, upon
which it principally feeds, although not exclusively ; for the otter is
fond of eating any kind of flesh, especially that of birds. It is said that
these animals make considerable havoc among wild ducks, which they
can easily surprise and capture by diving underneath them and seizing
them by the legs. An adult otter of the largest size weighs about
thirty-six pounds. The average weight, however. may be estimated at
about twenty-five pounds.

The otter is, perhaps, the strongest and most muscular animal of its
size living. In its wild state it is extremely shy ; but when cornered
beyond the possibility of escape, it is singularly bold and ferocious.
Singly, very few dogs can match a large otter. Like many other indi-
viduals of the jere nature, which are naturally fierce in their wild
state, when domesticated the otter is gentle and docile to an extraordi-
nary degree.

Strictly amphibious, yet chiefly aquatic in its habits, and physic-
ally constructed rather for navigation than pedestrianism, the otter, as
swimmer and diver, is scarcely second to the sea) or the walrus,
Amongst the digitigrade carnivora of America no animal of the same
size possesses so much muscular power, and few, if any, wear so costly
a garb.

Although similar in size and appearance to the otter of the British
Islands, the skin of which is of little value, the coldness of our Cana-
dian winter naturally imparts its superiovity and commercial value to
the skin of the Canadian otter.

As yet, otters have never been hunted in this country with packs
of hounds (a cross between the large wiry-haired terrier and the fox-
hound) as in the old country. They are invariably taken in steel traps
set in the water at the entrance to their dens, or at the foot of their
slides, and frequently also at ‘‘air-holes” in the ice. During the
season of open water, in setting his traps for otters, the hunter, if he
can avoid it, never goes on land. While at this work he remains in

179

his canoe, lest his footsteps, or the touch of his hand might leave any
traces of the scent of an enemy cn shore. A long chain is usually
attached to the trap, the weight of which is intended to drown the animal
when it plunges into deep water on finding itself caught. Otherwise,
it has been frequently known to gnaw it’s paw off and escape. When
surprised alive in a trap on land, as sometimes occurs, an otter is ex-
ceedingly ferocious and difficult to kill. Its strength and activity

under such circumstances are amazing.

I extract the following on the otter from ‘“ Mammals of the
Adirondacks,” a recent. most interesting and instructive work written
by that accomplished naturalist, Dr. Merriam, of Locust Grove, in
the State of New York. I quote from Dr. Merriam, not only because
he is an established authority as a naturalist ; but also for the reason
that his remarks are generally strongly corroborative of what I shall
say further on; and which was written before I had the pleasure of

seeing his valuable book. Of the otter Dr, Merriam says :—

“Tt is thoroughly amphibious, making long journeys through the
forest, and swimming the lakes and rivers. It can remain under water
almost as long as a loon, and I have known one to swim nearly a quarter
of a mile without showing its head above the surface. Its food con-
sists chiefly of various species of fish, and the lohster-like fresh water
decapod, called the cray-fish. When unable to procure these in suti-
cient quantity it devours frogs, and it is said to depopulate the poultry-
yard, and even to prey upon young lambs. It can dive and swim
under water with such speed and rapidity, that it can overtake and
secure with great ease and certainty any of the fresh water fishes. In
confinement it will eat meat, and is said to prefer it boiled. The num-
ber of cray-fish (Cambarus) that the otter destroys in the course of a sum-
mer, is almost incredible. The otter “sign” that one finds so abundantly
about our lakes and streams, on rocks and logs, often consist wholly of
the chitinous exo-skeleton of this crustacean. At other times. fish-
bones are mingled with the broken cray-fish shells. Otters are restless
creatures, always on the move, and are constantly roaming about from
lake to lake, and river to river. They sometimes go from place to

place ‘just as it happens,” so to speak ; while at other times they

180

travel in definite routes, following one water course for a number of
days or weeks, and returning by another.

“The nest of the otter is generally placed under some shelving
bank, or uprooted tree, and has been found in a hollow stub. The
young are commonly brought forth about the middle of April, and two
{rarely one or three) constitute a litter. Three otters, the female and
her twe young, are generally seen together during the summer and
fall.

‘* At all times and on all occasions they manifest an insatiate and
uncontrollable desire to break the peace with any dog that chances to
cross their path—and woe to the unfortunate brute !”

The extraordinary pugnacity referred to by Dr. Merriam may
possibly occur in certain cases, and may, perhaps, be superinduced by
age. With domesticated otters up to the age of two years, so far as
my daily experience has enabled me to form an opinion, I am obliged
to pronounce their demeanor towards dogs to have been of the most
friendly and pacific character. On every occasion both of my pet
otters were almost affectionate in their advances to their canine friends.
I have heard also of other tame otters that had been kept for a num-
ber of years, at least four or five, that bore a character of the mildest
kind under the circumstances. Wild otters, of course, are always
ready for a fight.

Essentially differing from nearly every other species of the family
Mustelide, the otter is peculiar for the total absence of that mephitic
and unpleasant odor which so strongly characterizes the skunk, the
mink and the weasel. Even the apartmeat in which an otter has
been contined for months is completely free from anything resembling
the heavy, disagreeable smell of a dog kennel.

From personal observation I can fully corroborate Dr. Merriam’s
account of the exterminating manner in which the otter levies contri-
bution upon the cray-fish. In the course of half an hour either of the
tame otters which I kept would capture and devour fitteen or twenty
of those little fresh water lobsters. They were, also, very fond of
mussels, or shell fish, so common in our rivers, diving for them and
bringing them to me on shore, and waiting with much impatience
while I broke them open with a stone.

181

Respecting the otter eating frogs, I shall give my experience upon
this point presently. When other and more agreeable food is scarce,
the animal, driven by hunger may, and possibly does, prey upon frogs
in its wild state ; but nothing is more certain than the fact that when
partially under the restraints, and influenced by the etiquette of civi-
lization, the taste for music in this connection is by no means epicurean.

In India and China otters are taught to fish, and when expert
they are let down out of boats with a rope or small cord fastened to
them, by means of which they are drawn back into the boat when
they have caught a fish. I never found this kind of a safeguard
necessary. If one of my otters was in the water and I left the shore
or hid from view the instant it rose to the surface it came to land and
went in search of me.

The otter usually burrows in the banks of streams, or, if not,
appropriates the already excavated den of the muskrat. The entrance
to its den from the side of the river, creek or lake is always under
water. About three or four feet inwards from the external or lower
entrance the hole inclines upwards to a sufficient height for the forma-
tion of a dry nest to sleep in. From the sleeping-place an opening is
made obliquely through the top of the bank for the double purpose of
admitting air and of allowing the passage of the animal in that direc-
tion. Advantage is constantly taken of this upper and second mode
of exit, which is sometimes concealed by fallen leaves, for the purpose
of looking out in order to be certain that no enemies are near.

The sport of sliding, amongst animals, I believe, is peculiar to
the otter alone. Otter-slides down the face of steep banks may be
seen in both summer and winter. Upon those slides the playful
animals amuse themselves for hours at a time, much in the style of
taboganning. I spell and pronounce this fashionable word according
to the orthography and mode of accentation of Chief Mayaskawatch,
late ot the tribe of the Algonquins, of which aboriginal branch of the
red men of America I have the distinguished honor to be a regularly
baptised and duly initiated member. According to the traditions of
my tribe, the tavogan was first suggested to the Indian mind by the
otter gliding down his slide. The tabogan and the bark canoe are

both purely Indian inventions, so perfect in their model and construc-

182

tion, and so admirably adapted to the purposes for which they were
originally intended that no white man has yet been able to improve
upon either of them. ike the boomerang of the native Australian
they are nerfect and insusceptible of improvement.

Tn the act of sliding, the otter, after a few rapid jumps to gather
momentum, stretches himself at full length, with his front legs drawn
close to his sides, and his hinder legs stretched out on each side of his
massive tail, and on his belly down he goes, if the season be winter,
sometimes forty, fifty or a hundred yards, according to the height of
the hill. When the ground is free from snow the slides down the bank
are not usually more than twelve or fifteen feet. In travelling over
ice barely covered with snow or hoar frost the otter generally takes
three long bounds and then slides along the smooth and level surface a
distance of twenty feet, continuing this mode of travelling Tor miles.
The process of sliding appears as if it gave the animal a rest, as well
as its usual amusement, between each succession of jumps.

On account of the shortness of its legs the otter makes very slow
progress in deep snow. If the snow has recently fallen and remains
in an unconsolidated state, if pursued, it dives under the surface and in
an incredibly short space of time may be seen popping up its head
twenty or thirty yards off to reconnoitre. After taking an observation
down it goes again, regulating its direction by the position of ils
enemy. If the snow happens to be heavy and closely packed this
mode of progress fails and its movements are slow and labored. It
can then be easily overtakea by a man on foot; but when overhauled
it makes a fierce resistance and a determined battle for its life. It isa
well-known fact to those acquainted with its history and habits that
the otter in its wild state is fully as fierce, and, under any circumstances,
as courageous as a bulldog, and almost as skilled an adept at fighting.
Owing to its short legs, on land the gait of the otter is awkward,
although a little too fleet for the time of the fastest pedestrian. In,
water its motions are simply the perfection of ease, grace and elegance.
The lightning rapidity of its sinewy plunges is almost beyond belief.

In the pursuit of fish for food the otter does not depend entirely
upon its extraordinary speed; nor does it always catch its prey by
what might be called a tail on end race. It approaches its intended

183

victim from behind with great caution. It stretches itself at full
length, as when sliding, and with its short front paws paddles itself
slowly and stealthily along with its kody perfectly motionless, no move-
ment being perceptible but the gentle action of its short fore legs.
When within about eighteen inches of its unsuspecting quarry the
pursuer arches up its back, like the bending of a bow, and with the
speed of an arrow darts upon its victim, seldom failing to seize and
secure it at the first plunge. Should it fail in the first attempt, provid-
ing the water is clear, the chase is continued, very generally with suc-
cess. Otters are very destructive to fish. When abundant in a stream
they eat a small portion only of each one caught ; but when scarce and
difficult to find they usnally devour the entire body. A full grown
otter is quite capable of catching and killing a fish twenty pounds and
upwards in weight, either pike, maskinonge or salmon; but 1 am
inclined to the belief that it prefers fish of a smaller and more man-
ageable size.

Otters are extremely fond of cray-fish ; but, strange to say, they
are not lovers of frogs. After frequent trials I never could induce
either of my pet otters to eat a frog, although they were by no means
slow at killing them. When fish was not available both of them were
satisfied with bread and milk, meat or potatoes. They were, also,
always ready for fresh fish or salt, if allowed, of any kind, raw or
cooked ; although they always preferred getting them living, if possible.

In a domesticated state otters are very docile and playful animals
They will follow their master like dogs, literally answering to their
names when called. They have two notes or tones of voice, one a sort
of satisfied grunt, like that of a pig, the other a shrill half squeal half
whistle. The latter is given short and sharp and with peculiar vindic-
tiveness of tone when they are enraged. They are singularly fond of
playing with dogs, more especially with water spaniels, with which
animals they delight to frolic in the water. In common with dogs,
otters appear to have an intuitive knowledge or consciousness of the
dispositions of people who either like or dislike them, and exhibit their
love or hate at first sight. After a close scrutiny of a stranger, if the
impression is favorabie they act accordingly, if otherwise they display

their repugnance forthwith by an angry whistle, which is invariably

184

the warning prelude of an unpleasant application of their teeth, most
commonly to the bare hand, which they manage to reach by standing
erect on their hind legs.

As I haye before remarked, tame otters are remarkably fond of
dogs of every kind. They seem also to possess the power of exercis-
ing a strange fascination over the whole canine race. The conditions
are as follows. When a tame otter meets with a strange dog it advances
quietly and insinuatingly towards it with a singular serpent-like motion
of the head and neck. When close enough the otter endeavors to
smell the nose of the stranger. If the dog undergoes this operation
quietly for half a minute it is conquered and immediately transformed
into a friend, no matter how hostile or uncertain its first’ intentions
may have been. 1 have seen an Irish water spanicl eight years of uge
playing around the yard for hours with one of my pet otters in a
friendly manner that nothing could induce him, at such an age, to
assume towards one of his own species. This mesmeric power of the
otter, so far as I know, is a new idea for zoological students, which is
no less strange than true. It is a species of animal magnetism which
I have frequently seen exercised with unfailing influence and certainty.
Another fact ‘nay be worth relating. As they sometimes do with
members of the human race, I have never seen tame otters manifest
any dislike at first. sight to dogs; and never that I have authentically
been able to Jean, do they show any disposition to quarrel or fight
with dogs unless first attacked ; and then “ the tug of war” requires a
Spartan in the canine foe. Ia such a case, even with dogs, their appar-
ent affinity, they become bitter, unrelenting and revengeful, until they
have taken vengeance upon their assailants, after which they are
always quite willing to establish friendly relations with their antago-
nists.

With very little trouble I taught both of my tame otters, ‘ Pon-

,

tiac” and “ Pocahontas” to fetch from water; at which accomplish-
ment, for quickness, no dog was a match for them. Theie mode of
fetching was entirely different from that practiced by dogs. They
plunged under water and reappeared at the exact spot where the object
thrown out for them to fetch floated, which they seized and brought

under water to the shore. With a persistent system of instruction,

185

and the exercise, perhaps, of much patience, an otter might be suffi-
ciently educated to make a good retriever from water. If his eapabilities
could be developed to their utmost, the sportsman, on open water,
could do without a gun. The chief difficulty would be to prevent the
animal from mutilating the gime, which, unless taught otherwise, it
would be liable to do.

In this connection I remember an incident in which Pontiae wag
the chief actor. I was sitting a short distance below the Queen’s
Wharf on a Thursday evening, while Pontiac was disporting himself in
the water. Generally, on such occasions, we used to be favoured by
twenty or thirty spectators. On the evening in question we were
alone. About thirty yards from shore a fisherman came along with a
canoe load of fine pickerel for market next morning, I requested him
to sell me a string of fish. He agreed to do so if I went to the market
next-day. In the meantime Pontiac had stretched out his neck and
winded his game. He then quietly disappeared under water, and came
up on the outside of the canoe, into which he climbed ; and having
secured one of the best strings of pickerel without having been noticed
by the owner, he dropped into the rivar, and with his plunder, soon
made his appearance at my feet, to the profound astonishment of the
fisherman. It is needless to say that I had no difficulty in persuad-
ing that fisherman that it was actually necessary that he should dis-
pose of that particular string of fish. I hada peculiar method of en-
forcing obedience, therefore I experienced no difficulty in inducing
Pontiac to relinquish his plunder. By experience I had discovered
that the most effectual mode of mastering an ottet was to seiza him by
the tail and raise him from the groand. When thus suspended, well
out from the side, the otter is powerless, although a little too heavy to
retain for any length of time at arm’s length.

On another occasion Pontiac robbed a careless citiz2n of two or
three pounds of beefsteak which he was carrying home from market.
After perpetrating the robbery he ran off with his booty, and concealed
himself amongst some thick cedars which grew in front of the house,
and could not be found until after he had finished his banquet. Pon-
tiac was a perfect terror to cats. Whenever he could catch an unfor-
tanate member of the feline race, a short, sharp and decisive line of

186

action followed. Poultry, also, to use the language of the venerable
African, had to “ roost mighty high” when Pontiac was round. From
this fact you may naturally conclude that hens aad otters cannot advan-
tageously be kept at large on the same premises. Next to fish, Pontiae
had an unconquerable partiality for fat chickens, irrespective of plum
age or pedigree.

Pontiac knew his name, always came when called, and followed
his master on the street, or in the woods, as faithfully as a dog. One
evening in summer I started in a bark canoe for ‘‘ Brighams’s Creek,”
leaving Pontiac on shore. Apparently in great trouble, he immediately
began whistling, and started after me swimming on the surface of the
water, seeming as if afraid of losing sight of me. When he found that
he was losing ground—or rather water—he concluded that a desperate
alternative was necessary ; and under he went, and in less than two
minutes, all dripping with water, he was on my back. The afternoon
was warm and I did not mind the wetting.

Pontiac had a nose as keen as that of a highly bred hound or
pointer, both of which dogs, in extreme sensitiveness of smelling, excel
the setter. In our rambles, when we chanced to get into a cedar
swamp, which was quite frequently the case, I have seen him running
on hare-tracks with the spirit and vivacity of a beagle or a harrier. On
such occasions he has been often upwards of half an hour at a time out
of sight. When wanted, a call or two would bring him out instantly,
and no matter how winding or circling my track might be to a hiding
place, either on snow or on bare ground, he followed it with the pre-
cision of a blood-hound, whistling almost at every jump to let me know
that he was coming.

Notwithstanding his apparent craniological defects, Pontiac was
singularly sagacious ; so much so, as to constitute a living contradiction
to the dicta of phrenology. In his flat, serpent-like head Prof. Fowler
would find it difficult to imagine where there was room for brains.
His organs of alimentiveness and destructiveness, however, must have
been fully developed, a fact which cats, fishes and poultry, if they could
speak, would amply confirin.

My other little otter, ‘‘ Pocahontas,” I regret to say, died young,
from the effects of a blow on the head from a stone ; an unlucky inci-

187

dent which, perhaps, happily for the offender, I did not witness. The
occurrence was annoying, and the loss to me considerable. Pocahontas
was an accomplished capturer of fish ; so much so, that had she lived
to become two years old, my rod and line might have been entirely dis-
pensed with, and the ichthyological branch of sport left altogether to
her. After having taken and devoured about thirty cray-fish, on the
day preceding that on which she was assassinated, she caught in the
evening three fine pickerel to the surprise an? admiration of a crowd of
spectators.

At two months old Pocahontas commenced her piscatorial studies
by catching minnows in a large tin dish—then went through a course
of cray-fish—then advanced to rock-bass and chub, ascended then to
pike and suckers, and finally went through the higher branches of a
finished education by graduating with distinguished honors in the
epicurean curriculum of black bass and pickerel. I had taken great
pains and trouble to develop her natural instincts ; and had she not met
with such a tragic end, I feel certain that her future performances
under water would have proved marvellous.

Tam done. If I have been able to interest my audience. If I
have advanced a single theory, or related a single fact hitherto un-
known, or unpublished, in relation to the Canadian otter, I shall feel
happy to think that my connection with the Field Naturalists’ Club of
the City of Ottawa, means something more useful and something better

than one of a mere honorary character.

Mr. W. L. Scorr wished to call attention to a valuable series of
otter skins kindly loaned by Mr. Devlin for inspection, and including
raw, dressed and plucked Canadian otter, as well as a beautiful ex-
ample of the sea otter (Hnhydra lutris) for comparison with them. Mr.
Devlin had informed him that the most of.his skins came from the
Upper Gatineau and Liévres, about 100 miles north of Ottawa, and
that they were only equalled by those from the northern parts of
British Columbia. Skins from Manitoba and the North-West were
larger, but coarser and less valuable. Those from the upper Ottawa
were not so dark or rich in color as those from the upper Gatineau,

while those obtained south of us were light and poor and only worth
‘ ;

188

half as much. He (Mr. Devlin) bought annually from 400 to 500
skins. The value of the otter skin fluctuated less thaa that of most
furs, and ranged from $4 to $15, according to size and quality. The
sea-otter skin is much larger and very much more valuable than that
of our own species. That animal, besides being much bigger, had the
feet also more webbed, and differed in its dentition and in other peints
so much as to be placed in another genus. Its range is now northward
from British Columbia along the Pacific coast. The European otter
(Lutra vulgaris) was smaller than the Canadian, but had a longer tail.
Mr. Anpekson said that his friend Mr. Noble had informed him

”?

that he had frequently trapped “ sea-otters” on the shores of the north
of Scotland, and he wished to ask if these were the true “ sea-otter ;”
for if so its range was not so restricted as lad been stated.

Mr. Nose then described the manner in which he had captured

”

the so-called ‘ sea-otters,” and from his description it was apparent that
the animals in question were merely coast-frequenting specimens of
the common European otter.

Prof. Macoun and Mr. J. B. TyrreLt gave very interesting
accounts of the occurrence of beaver, cotter and muskrat in various
districts of the North-West, but differed as to localities producing the
best skins.

Mr. WuircHer referred to Mr. Lett’s mention of the otter prey-
ing on ducks, and stated that he had seen an otter come up and sit
on the rocks along side of ducks, and that the birds did not appar_
ently mind him, although the appearance of a mink would have made
them all fly. Possibly this was because the otter seizes his prey from
beneath the water and therefore the ducks do not recognize him as an
enemy on land, whereas it is there that the mink attacks them. He
had killed on one occasion six otters on the Constant creek (about
fifteen miles above the city). He had observed that the otter, viewed
from above, when swimming under water looked surprisingly small,
owing to the dark color of its back tending to render it almost invisible.

Dr. Bett explained that the quality of the furs from the North-
West did not depend altogether on the latitude. The animals inhabit-
ing the open plains were lighter in color than those in the mountain
and wooded districts.

ited

189

MINERALS OF THE OTTAWA DISTRICT.

Cas. W. WILLIMOTT.

Read 15th January, 1885.

it will be unnecessary to enter into any introduction, more than
to define the limits expressed in the title as the Ottawa district. As my
own observations have extended only over portions of the three neigh-
boring townships, Templeton, Hull and Wakefield, and having a
strong aversion to indirect information, I think perhaps it might be

best to concentrate our views to tis area, and even to do justice to

these three townships would require a far more voluminons treatise

than our available space will permit.

About sixty minerals are found in these three townships, many of
which are not rivalled in the Dominion. It is doubtful whether the
same extent of country elsewhere in Canada can claim one half that
number.

In bringing together such a large variety of minerals in such a
limited space I must necessarily curtail many of their features, and,
indeed, little more than giving a general outline, touching on their
more important characters, is all I can expect to accomplish.

Each mineral will be treated separately, giving at the same time the
lot and range, or the name of the mine at which it occurs, so that those
interested in this science may have an opportunity of testing the merits
of this paper, as well as forming an introduction to the minerals of our
neighborhood.

We shall first consider the metallic minerals, foremost of which is
native gold.

Native Gold.—The only instance of the occurrence of this metal
is based on the authority of the late Mr. H. G. Vennor, who obtained
a specimen from Capt. Cates of the Péche village. It was said by the
latter gentleman to have been picked up during a journey through the
woods on the east side of the Gatineau river, in the township of Wake-
field. The mineral, which I had the pleasure of seeing, consisted of fine
visible native gold in a ferruginous quartz, associated with green apatite.
This specimen assayed, gold, 11.725 ozs. to ton, silver, 52.323 ozs. to ton

190

Lead and Zinc.—The only representatives of these metals observed
in our district are the two sulphides, galena and blende. These
minerals are found associated in a greyish-white crystalline garnet
that occurs in lenticular masses in a crystalline limestone on lot 6 of
the Ist range of Wakefield. The blende, which is in black, shining
cleavable masses, is often se intermingled with the galena as to give,
apparently, more prominence to the latter mineral, a feature that must
ever be guarded against by intending speculators.

Copper.—The only mineral representing this metal is the yellow
sulphide (chalcopyrite) found in specks and small imperfect crystals in
some of the veins of the apatite mines.

Tron.—_Under this heading we shall, for the sake of convenience, |

include both the oxides and sulphides of this metal, viz, magnetite,
hematite and varieties, limonite, pyrite and pyrrhotite. The magnetic
oxide, or magnetite, is found in more or less quantity in the above
townships. The more workable deposits, however, so far as onr present
knowledge goes, lie in the township of Hull, where mining operations
have been carried on at intervals for the last thirty years.

The ore coming from these mines 1s coarse in texture and is often
traversed by veins of red hematite, besides occasionally enclosing scales
of graphite and mica. Lenticular patches of this ore occur in a dark
green pyroxenite on the south half of lot 7, in the Ist range of Wake-
field, and alse on the north half of the same lot it fills a vein in lime-
stone. The outcropping portion is highly crystalline, and owing to the
crumbling nature of the walls good erystals often variously modified
may be obtained.

The variety known as specular iron ore occurs at the Haycock
location in Templeton and Hull. According to Dr. Harrrington it is
in parallel beds in a highly feldspathic gneiss. This ore is often mixed
with the magnetic oxide, and often to such an extent as to almost
wholly replace the former. A white granular apatite, and a trans-
lucent variety of greenish fluor are often associated. The finest crystal
of specular iron found in Canada came from these mines. 7

The next iron ore noticed (although probably not in suflicient
quantity to be available for practical purposes) is a vein of limonite
of about 1 foot wide, resulting from the alteration of iron pyrites.

Tl

Flanking this vein is a less altered pyritous substance enclosing black
shining crystals cf tourmaline.

The variety bog iron ore is found in several places in Templeton
and Hull. But the area covered by this mineral has yet to be ascer-
tained.

We now come to the two sulphides of iron, pyrrhotite and pyrite.
The former, by far the more uncommon, occurs in small veins and
masses in some of the apatite mines. The latter is much more abun-
dant, and is rather an objectionable than a desirable substance.

It frequently permeates apatite deposits. often to such extent, as
to detract greatly from the commercial value of the latter. In some of
the apatite mines, large bedded masses of this mineral occur, enclosing
various minerals, the most noticeable of which are crystals of apatite
nd scapolite with their angles more or less rounded. At other times
it is evenly distributed through large deposits of apatite. To enumer-
ate all the physical characters exhibited by this mineral would be both
endless and useless. I shall therefore select from a few places, this
mineral that offers various physical characters. At Haldane’s mine in
Wakefield, large bedded masses of pyrites were penetrated in sinking
their deep pit, often enclosing rounded green crystals of apatite, and a
rusty brown scapolite. During the progress of oxidation of the pyrites,
the latter mineral (scapolite) only, is affected, the apatite in all cases
retaining its original color, even when partly liberated by the disinte-
gration of the pyrites. This locality has afforded from time to time,
fine brass yellow crystals of this mineral, exhibiting such faces as the
cube, octahedron, dodecahedron and other modified forms.

At McBryde's Mine, in the saine township, this mineral is found
associated with blende, galena, garnet, &c., in bronze-brown masses,
which might, at first glance, be taken for pyrrhotite, but which, however,
is not magnetic.

At the Jackson Rae Mine in Templeton, large quantities of this
mineral have been extracted, graduating in color from a brass-yellow to
almost grey. Sometimes thin coatings entirely envelope apatite crys-
tals.

Molybdenum.—The sulphide of this metal (molybdenite) has
been detached in small foliated masses at MecBryde’s Mine in Wake-

192

field. This mineral, until within the last few years, commanded a very
high price ; even as much as $4 per pound being paid for it. At pre-
sent it is scarcely saleable at any price. It was formerly used in the

production of a blue color for calico printing, which is now superseded

>?
by the bright and less expensive aniline colors.

Graphite or Plumbago.-—This mineral bears”’a strong resemblance
to the above mentioned molybdenite, physically, although to the ac-
customed eye it presents some points of difference ; its lustre is scarcely
ever as bright, and does not give the peculiar greenish streak on porce-
lain. But I doubt whether those characters would be conducive to its
ultimate recognition. And I think, perhaps, in all cases it would be
betier, at least more reliable, to test it chemically. The disseminated
folize of this mineral may almost be considered as a constant inclusion
in the various bands of limestone and pegmatite that traverse theso
townships, in, however, as far as my observation goes, insufficient
quantity to be available fur practical purposes. On Lot 7, R. 1, of
Wakefield, lenticular masses of serpentine enclose this mineral in
foliated masses and disseminated folix. On the same property a fine
granular variety, somewhat similar to the Cumberland plumbago, oc-
curs in pockets of a crystalline limestone.

Apatite.—The elucidation of all the characters, physical as well
as mechanical, that so conspicuously characterize this important min-
eral, must necessarily be attended with many theoretical ideas which
will ever present themseives to the practical observer. It is a stupid
idea, and yet rather a prevalent one, that the various products in nature
must conform to the formule laid down by man. As practical observers
can we reject such chairs of evidence, linked as they may be by actual
facts, because intricate nature will not divulge her secrets to an imagin-
ative mind, I say no. If the existing laws that govern the chemical
nature of minerals are not conformable with man’s ideas, then all I can
say is, So much worse for the man. For assuredly, the various grada-
tions that mark the progress of alternation and dissemination of minerals
will ere long (assisted by the all powerful microscope) crush out of ex-
istence many wild and exaggerated theories. So leaving the origin of this
mineral (apatite) to the investigators of the near future, we will pass
on to some of its physical characters. No mineral in the Ottawa dis-

193

trict is perhaps better known, especially the freshly fractured speci-
mens. Out-cropping veins or beds are seldom so conspicuous,
being generally made apparent by a whitish weathering, and might
easily be passed over unnoticed. The similarity existing between
pyroxene and apatite has often been the cause of much annoyance to
the pseudo-miner. The mineral, locally known as phosphate, is found
of almost all shades of color, from white to almost black, passing
through various shades of green, red, yellow, and blue, the last
color being by far the most uncommon. Small prisms of this color are
sparingly dispersed through a disintegrating coarse crystalline lime-
stone on the south half of lot 7, range 1, of Wakefield. ‘The yel-
low variety occurs in crystals two inches in length, associated with
oblique rhombic prisms of pyroxene, on lot 14, range 1, in the same
township. The black, or dark-greenish variety is found in nuggets of
a slaggy appearance, with pitted surfaces, at the Jackson Rae Mine in
Templeton. The white is generally confined to the granular varieties,
known as “sugar phosphate,” but rarely occurs in a state of absolute
purity, being more or less mixed with the coarse cleavable mineral:
A dark-green granular variety, impregnated with iron pyrites, forms
a large deposit on Jot 12, range 1, Wakefield.

The green and red varieties may be regarded as the predominating
mineral, and in many of the mines the two colors are interblended |
which feature may continue through the entire mass. At the Jackson
Rae Mine in Templeton, and at a pit known as the “Spring Mine,” a
quantity of a beautiful, translucent, sea-green apatite has been extracted
comparatively free from foreign inclusions. A very pure reddish mine-
ral, assaying as high as 86 per cent of tribasic phosphate of lime,
occurs in bedded masses at Gemmill’s Mine in Wakefield. A block,
estimated at 4 tons, was blown out by a single blast from one of the
masses. ‘ Moore’s Mine,” in the same township, is remarkable for the
abundance of crystals that have been extracted during the last four
years. Huge crystals, hundreds of pounds in weight, have been met
with imbedded in a pink cleavable calcite.

When visiting this mine two years ago, a beautiful vein of inter-
locking crystals of a translucent sea-green color, had been developed.
The gangue formerly surrounding these crystals had been dissolved to

194

the depth of one foot, giving great prominence to these forms. But
owing to their frangibility and easy cleavage, they could rarely be
removed intact.

We may certainly infer from this that the phosphate mineral is less
acted upon than the surrounding limestone, and yet, if these erystals
are entirely liberated and exposed to a moist atmosphere they soon
undergo disintegration.

The rounding of the angles of these crystals has drawn forth many
theories respecting their disfigurement, fusion being offered as an
explanation by some mineralogists, whilst others attribute it to a sol-
vent action. Now, whether we adopt the igneous theory, or that of par-
tial solution, serious objections may arise to refute either. In the first
instance, minerals easily fusible and yet preserving their sharpness of out-
line, are found associated with rounded crystals of a less fusible apatite.
Then again, we meet with rounded crystals of pyroxene (although much
more rare) imbedded in limestone, also enclosing rounded crystals of
apatite. Now, it is hard to understand how the apatite and pyroxene
alike should -be attacked by the action of a solvent, when the latter
mineral is almost insoluble. Some aluminons varieties are, however,
decomposed with great difficulty by sulphuric acid at the temperature
of 250° c. It frequently happens that crystals of apatite assuming
sharp angles are indiscriminately mixed with others that have been
rounded, imbedded in the same limestone. On the other hand i# rarely
happens that crystals lining the walls of fissures have their angles
rounded, although frequently one or more of their faces are obliterated
or otherwise contorted, probably due to an interrupted crystalization.
Eent or broken crystals that have been recemented are of common oc-
currence. The same crystals often enclose calcite, and others again
have cavaties extending the whole length of the crystal, are entirely
empty, or contain a rounded pebble of cleavable calcite.

I should like to engage your attention for a few moments on the
occurrence of this mineral in Hull and Wakefield. At an opening
known as the “ Gow Mine,” in Hull, a pit has been sunk 150 feet in
limestone, parallel to the wall of a large fissure which may be said to
characterize this band for several miles, it being made the more con-
spicuous by the abundance of crystals everywhere adorning its walls,

i

195

Several mines have been establishe] on this band with gratifying re-
sults. The apatite, which is mostly of the greenish variety, runs in
most cases conformably with the limestone, aluhough some small veins
were seen intersecting it. The aggregate yield of this band in the town-
ship of Hull may be roughly placed at 4,500 tons.

We also find this mineral an ingredient of the orthoclase band
running through this township, and like the latter, characterized in
places by a contact wall covered with crystals of pyroxene, apatite,
phlogopite, &c. I am not aware of any remunerative mines situated on
this band. Many atte~pts have been made to work the small veins
that occur at places, but have generally resulted in failure.

At Haldane’s Mine, in Wakefield, a pit has been sunk 125 feet,
on what appears to be a vein, cutting the stratification, of a dark-green
granular apatite, impregnated with pyrites, also often enclosing epidote,
scapolite, pyroxene, &c. The latter mineral is frequently of a caver-
nous nature, in which case the cavities are filled with chabazite and a
silky fibrous mineral resembling natrolite.

At Wilson’s mine in the same township a fine granular, strongly
coherent, reddish apatite, mixed with a green, cleavable variety filled
a vein 12 inches wide in gneiss, which, however, became “nipped” at
no considerable depth.

In following some of the erystal beds ab ‘ Moore’s Mines” large
cavernous “bugs” were struck, walled with beautiful crystals of
pyroxene, phlogopite and apatite. One of these vaves was 30 feet
long, 6 feet in width and 8 feet in height, roofed with a pink crystalline
limestone, studded with green crystals of apatite standing out in relief
on its partly dissolved surfaces.

The following statistics for the three townships may be sumima-
rized as follows:—For the township of Hull, up to the present time,
between 5,000 and 6,000 tons have been extracted. Wakefield has
probably afforded between 8,000 and 9,000 tons, and Templeton between
16,000 and 17,000 tons. ‘The total output of all the mines in Canada
for this year (1884) is 22,143 tons, extracting 1,790 tons supplied by
the Perth and Kingston district, we have 20,353 tons, the product of
the Ottawa county for one year.

We now come to the anhydrous and hydrated silicates, of which

we have about 30 representative minerals.

196

The first of these we shall notice is the fibro-tabular Wollastonite,
oceurring on lot 7, range 1 of Wakefield, in small delicate pink crystals,
but which, however, soon fade on exposure. This mineral also occurs
in large, fibrous masses in a dark sky-blue calcite at the same locality.
A similar mineral occurs on lot 14 of the same range, enclosing an
amber-colored garnet and prisms of a brown or greenish idocrase.

Pyroxene.—This mineral, either massive or crystallized, miy be
regarded as the most common associate of the apatite deposits. Now,
under this heading, we have.a uumber of varieties, but until more
extended research shall have established their authenticity it will be
better to retain the general name of pyroxene. ‘The massive variety,
which is mostly of some shade of green or grey, compris2s large areas
of rock masses, which may conform to the general deposition or cut it.

No attempt can or will be made, with our limited space, to enu-
merate every physical character offered by this mineral. But we will
select such illustrations as may offer the widest points of difference.

On Jot 9, range 13, of Hull, crystals of a grayish or grass green
color, often doubly terminated, occur in a band of pink limestone,
making up one-half its volume. They vary in size from 1 oz. to many
pounds in weight. Good crystals are often fuund in the soil, that have
been liberated by solution. ‘The largest and finest crystals. of this
mineral are found at Moore’s Mines, in Wakefield. Their planes, how-
ever, are rough and dulled by an incipient decomposition, a defect more
than counterbalanced by their sharpness of angles. These crystals
frequently attain an enormous size, often enclosing portions of calcite,
phlogopite and apatite, and like the latter mineral are often found
bent, and sometimes broken and recemented. On the 7th lot of the
first range various modified forms of the four-sided prism occur ina
crystalline limestone, and by extended replacements of their basal edges
produce such forms as the octahedron with rhombic bases. Other
complicati ms exist, such as the enlargement of one set of faces at the
expense of others, giving rise to very unsymmetrical shapes. Their
color is white and translucent, their opacity depending on the advance-
ment of decomposition that so conspicuously in places mars their
exterior lustre. On this same lot a mineral is found, having the erys-
talographic form of pyroxene, exhibiting every hardness between 6 and

a? a

197

2. In the vicinity of some lenticular patches of a serpentinous mineral
fine inclined square prisms of pyroxene are associited with a scaly
white garnet, and although their external planes are converted into an
unctuous steatitic mineral their internal fracture are vitreous ; gener-
ally semi-transparent to translucent, of a greenish white color. These
crystals are built up of thin laminz, parallel with their lateral planes,
in the direction of which they cleave with great facility. The dark
green lamellar variety occurs in patches in a massive seapolitic rock on
lot 7, range 7, of Templeton, and at the same locality in calcite veins,
erystals with rounded angles, often semi-translucent, are frequently met
with. Fine crystals of a black color are said by Dr. Harrington to
occur on lot 13, range 11 of Templeton.

The mineral uralite,-also mentioned by the same gentleman, is
found in many places in Templeton, where it apparently forms a transi-
tory mineral between pyroxene and hornblende.

Hornblende, although a common associate of the apatite veins, is
nevertheless never as constant as the latter mineral (pyroxene). Inde-
pendent of the extensive rock masses wherein this mineral furms a
variable ingredient, it may be said to be confined to mixed veins, com-
mingling with such minerals as apatite, pyrite, pyroxene, epidote,
scapolite, &e. The crystallised varieties are seldom observed in the
apatite veins, although remarkably fine prisms often occur in close con-
nection. On lot 12, range 16 of Hull, dark green translucent prisms
nearly 4 inches in length are interspersed through a band of pink
limestone. They are also met with in radiating groups in cavities in a
pyroxene rock. A pale green translucent variety, occurs in modified

rhombic prisms on lot 17, range 1 of Wakefield. A greenish gray
fibro-bladed variety in reticulating masses occurs at one of the openings
at Gemmill’s mine in the same township, associated with apatite and
occasionally enclosing ferruginous prisms of zircon. A broken section
of the latter mineral measured half an inch by a quarter. The fibrous
variety actinolite may be frequently met with. On the 12th lot in the
12th range of Templeton, a bluish, fibrous, partly altered hornblende
occurs on the walls of an apatite vein.

A white fibrous tremolite is found in the neighborhood of Old

Chelsea, in white crystalline dolomite.

198

Garnet.—This mineral, until within the last two or three years, was
regarded as a rare occurrence in this neighbourhood, being principally
confined to small crystals, distributed through the laurentian gneisses.
In the vicinity of the Baldwin Mines in Hull, the precious variety, pro-
vably almandine of a blood-red color, in lamellar masses, often an inch
or more across, occurs in a schistose rock. A massive variety of a
dingy reddish-brown color occurs on lot 18, range 2, of Wakefield, in a
vein cutting the stratification. Crystals showing rhombic faces
sometimes an inch or more across, are associated with crystals of
epidote and stilbite in the more cavernous portions cf the vein. The
above garnet was mined to the extent of about two tons, in supposition
that it was apatite. A red variety of this mineral occurs—according
to Dr. Harrington—on lot 12, range 12, of Templeton. An amber-
colored garnet, probably essonite, oceurs on lot 14, range 1, of Wake-
field. This locality a few years ago afforded some handsome crystals,
having been extracted for apatite. A certain gentleman on hearing of
the occurrence, with an eye to dollars and cents rather than national
development, obtained, either by gift or purchase, nearly all the out-
put. Iam told some of these crystals measured three inches across, all
of which were sold in the States. This locality has since been visited
by dealers from Philadelphia and New York, who have now almost ex-
hausted the mineral. These crystals occur in a bed of wollastonite,
with brown prisms of idocrase ; sometimes the latter mineral is im-
bedded in the former. Occasionally patches of « translucent scapolite
are entirely enveloped in a coating of garnet. Notwithstanding its
high lustre and bright color, it could not be applied to any ornamental
use, owing to the grains constituting the crystals, being so loosely co-
herent.

A. few miles west of this locality, on lot. 6, in the same range,
handsome crystals of alime garnet, occur in a band of crystalline lime-
stone, associated with pyrite, galena, sphalerite, wollastonite and py-
roxene, forms exhibiting the faces of the rhombic dodecahedron and
trapezahedron being common. Layers of the latter are often extended
almost to the obliteration of the former. Their color varies from white,
or almost colorless, to dark-green, passing through wine-veilow, sul-
phur-yellow, and purple. One perfect crystal from this locality would

199

weigh about one pound, being of a dark-green color, translucent only
on the edges. One of its planes was penetrated by an octahedron of
grey pyroxene. The white variety attains even a much larger size,
and crystals as large as a cricket-ball may be frequently met with.
On the next lot, 7, a garnet apparently containing much more iron, fus-
ing to a black’ glass, occurs in a band of disintegrating limestone, and,
like the latter rock, is rapidly losing its cohesive properties A portion
of a large crystal obtained near the surface could not have weighed
less than five pounds originally. Its color is more of a brownish tinge,
and it is seldom as bright in lustre. A peculiar white scaly variety
in crystalline masses, more or less mixed with a serpentinous min-
eral (its line of contact being often difficult to discern) occurs in close
connection with the above. It sometimes exhibits one or more rough
faces, which are invariably altered to a steatitic mineral.

Chrome Garnet.—Beautiful little dodecahedrons of this mineral
occur in small groups, or attached erystals, in a fine granular grey
pyroxene, on lot 29, in the 4th range of the same township.

Zircon. —Fine specimens of this mineral have been fouad at vari-
ous times during the development of the apatite deposits in the above
townships. A crystal 15 inches in length is said to have been found by
a miner on lot 23, range 13, of Templeton, who, being doubtful of its
nature, broke it up to satisfy his inward curiosity. You may imagine
the poor man’s feelings when he was told that he had just let slip
through his fingers $200. One crystal preserved from this locality,
now in the possession of Mr. J. G. Miller, measures four and a half
inches laterally and one inch across the faces. Another crystal from
Gemmill’s Mine in Wakefield is said to be six inches in length. Sniall
erystals may frequently be found in calcareous portions of the pyroxene
rocks. On lot 14, range 1, of Wakefield, crystals from a quarter to an
inch in length occur in a thin layer of shaly limestone that is intercal-
ated between beds of wollastonite. At Haldane’s Mine, in the same
township, minute pink semi-transparent prisms occur in pyroxene.

Idocrase.— Handsome crystals of this mineral are found in Tem-
pleton and wakefield. Brownish-red slightly modified prisms, an inch
in diameter, occur on lot 7, range 12, of the former township, and on
lot 14, range 1, of Wakefield, brownish and greenish prisms often over
an inch in diameter, occur in a wollastonite rock.

200

Caxoclasite.—In this connection may be mentioned a mineral that
has been described by Prof. Lewis, of the Academy of Natural Sci-
ences, Philadelphia, as eaxoclasite. ‘This mineral occurs in blue ecaleite
on lot 7, range 1, of Wakefield, in square prisms with their solid angles
unsymetricaily truncated. Its color is white, generally more or less
stained with oxile of iron, lustre resino13, soma imes inclining to
pearly, opaque.

The name chosen would imply that the mineral in question has a
poor cleavage, whereas it has none. Then again, in the analysis given
by the same gentleman, two or three per cent. of phosphoric acid was
determined. Perhaps Mr. Lewis did not observe the minute prisms of
green apatite that sometimes penetrate this mineral, and from which
source, no doubt, his phosphoric acid was obtained.

Scapolite.—This mineral may be regarded as one of the most con-
stant associates of the apatite deposits, generally occurring in bedded
masses, sometimes alternating with hornblende, producing a banded
structure of several feet in thickness.

At times masses of this mineral are made up of aggregations of
huge but rough crystals of a grayish white color. However, some good
examples of crystallized forms are met with in many places in Wake-
field and Templeton. For localities in the latter township I would
refer to Dr. Harrington’s report, 1877-78. He says the finest crystals
occur on lot 14, range 12, and on lot 23, range 13; crystals over one
foot in length, although externally rough, are frequently met with.
On lot 7, range 7, of the same township, a thick bed of grayish white
scapolite was penetrated, enclosing patches of a lamellar dark green
pyroxene and green apatite. On lot 10, range 10, a beautiful translu-
cent variety occurs, and which assumes a pink color on exposure. In
the township of Wakefield, on lot 17, range 1, fine square prisms,
sometimes modified, of a grayish white color, occur, coating an out-
crop of the massive variety. On the next lot, 18, range 2, a grayish
translucent massive variety is interstratified with hornblende. On lot
7, range 1, doubly terminated prisms with rough exterior planes are
liberated from a disintegrating limestone. On lot 6, range 2, a trans-
lucent canary yellow cleavable variety occurs, but how associated T did

not ascertain.

=.

201

Wilsonite.—This mineral is now generally believed to be an
altered scapolite, and may often be observed forming a neucleus in
masses of the latter mineral. Good illustrations occur at many of the
scapolite localities.

Kpidote.—Independent of the occurrence of this mineral in the
stratified rocks of the neighborhood, we meet with it in crystals lining
cavities, besides forming an ingredient in many mixed veins. On lot
18, range 2, of Wakefield, dark yellowish green crystals, from a six-
teenth to an inch in length, line cavities in massive garnet. At Hal-
dane’s mine in Wakefield Jarge quantities. of a greenish crystalline
epidote were extracted, associated with pyrite, &e. Occasionally ter-
minated sqnare prisms of a light yellowish green color, enclosing dis-
seminated’ pyrites, are embedded in a grayish green granular apatite,
and are apparently pseudomorphs after scapolite. In the township of
Templeton this mineral occurs on lot 9, range 10 and lot 23, range 13.

Mica.—This name will be retained to include a number of doubt-
ful minerals, all of which have one perfect basal cleavage. Besides
being disseminated through the schistose and gneissic rocks it often
constitutes large volumes in some of the phosphate veins, either dis-
tributed in small scales through extensive masses of apatite and pyrox-
ene, or forming large aggregations, sometimes affording plates two feet
square in a calcareous gangue.

The mica fever, so prevalent in all parts of the Dominion, does
not seem any milder in this neighborhood. The unwavering enthu-
siasm after marketable mica, encouraged by flattering reports, of irre-
sponsible persons, will always remain a source of dubious speculation
with the far-seeing capitalists. We shall not attempt to deny that
unlimited quantities of this mineral are found in the above townships,
but with one or two exceptions I have rarely met with plates suffi-
ciently transparent, or free from included minerals, or from contortion,
as to be available for commercial purposes. On the south half of lot
10, range 10, of Templeton, plates two feet square were taken cut during
the development of an apatite deposit. These plates were perfectly free
from folds or inclusions, transparent enough in thin lamine, but yet
unsaleable because they would not stand the so-called New York fire
test. Yet this same mica has been exposed to the heat of an ordinary

stove for the last two years, and although it became slightly discolored
it nevertheless compares favorably with some grades of the commercial
article. At Chitty’s mine in Wakefield, great quantities of this mineral
were met with, capable of supplying very large plates, although occa-
sionally marred by lateral joints.

What this mineral lacks in a commercial point of view is more
than counterbalanced by the magnificent prisms available to the scien-
tific world. For symmetry of form the crystals lining the walls of
fissures, or enclosed in limestone, are not rivalled in the Dominion.

At Moore’s mine, in Wakefield, prisms over a foot in diameter
with lateral planes varying from an inch to a foot or more, stand out
in relief on the dissolved surfaces of the limestone. Thin plates of this
mineral are remarkable for showing in a strong degree the asterism or
radiating star when viewed through a transparent plate of it. This is
due, according to G. Rose, to intersecting minute crystals of biotite,
but considered by Tschermak to be some undetermined substance.
More recent investigations have put forth rutile as the inclusion.
This peculiarity does not extend to all our micas alike, as non-asteriated
varieties are frequently associated with the asteriated. Neither is it
confined to any particular color, as the pearly white and the black both
exhibit these optical characters. _Prisms of the black variety often
exhibit lateral cleavages, which are easily obtained, breaking up into
rhombic forms. On lot 7, range 1, in the same township, a pearly
white sometimes tinged with a copper red color occurs in a bed of lime-
stone often holding concretionary inclusions of calcite. These crystals,
which are sometimes twinned, are peculiarly characterized by a phos-
phorescent light that glows momentarily when the plates are suddenly
parted. Large aggregates of these crystals are sometimes met with
where one-half the prisms, laterally, are transformed in a slightly
micaceous steatitic rock, the unaltered portion having thin films of
carbonate of lime interpolated between the lamine.

Oligoclase.—A mineral occaring in veins in a gray pyroxene rock ”

on lot 16, range 12, of Hull, has been referred by Mr. Hoffmann to
oligoclase. It is often beautifully crystallized, of a slightly translucent
white color, weathering to an opaque milky white.

Aibite.---This mineral is mentioned by Dr. Harrington as occur-
1ing at several places in Templeton. No locality being cited, it is

203

possible this name may be applied to many of our local feldspars, but
until analysis shall have established their properties it will be better to
refer to them under the general heading of feldspar.

Orthoclase.—The gneissic and granitic rocks, so extensively de-
veloped in these townships, consist for the most part of various colored
feldspars, associated with quartz, mica, hornblende, &c. Tue strong
structural resemblance of the various members of the feldspar family
makes it difficult to discriminate between the several allied minerals,
Neither do I think it possible (except in well crystallized specimens) to
esta>lish any member of this family without the assistance of the
chemist or the microscope. I have no doubt that much of our feldspar
belongs to the triclinic group, yet there is every reason to suppose the’
greatest bulk of the above bands is largely composed of the oblique
potash variety (orthoclase). In the township of Hull large cleavable
masses of a white, vitreous feldspar, enclosing a nucleus of a grey
material, make up considerable proportions of one of the above bands,
sometimes to the exclusions of the quartz altogether. Feldspar, in
some form, is almost invariably present, in more or less quantity, in all
the apatite veins, sometimes associated with homblende, pyroxene,
quartz, sphene, &c.

Fine crystals of orthoclase are said to occur in Wakefield. In the
township of Hull on lot 7, range 12, beautiful flesh-red crystals occur
in cavities in a massive variety, and on the south half of lot 6, in the
same range, large cleavable masses of a green feldspar, associated with
a yellowish banded variety and a white translucent quartz, make up
large proportions of a band traversing this lot. Sometimes large,
brittle, black crystals of tourmaline are interspersed through this peg-
matite rock.

Titanite or Sphene.—This mineral may also be regarded as a com-
mon associate of the apatite veins. Sometimes occurring massive in
lenticular patches in pyroxene rocks, at other times distribnted in
crystals through various vein-stones.

Rude crystals of a brownish color occur in many places in the
township of Templeton. In Hull, lot 12, range 13, imperfect crystals
of this mineral are so abundantly distributed through a pyroxene rock

as to make up one-half its bulk. The finest crystals I have observed
d

204

in these townships, occur on lot 7, range 1, of Wakefield, in a band of
limestone. They are clove brown in color, sometimes measuring
two inches across. A little south of this locality, on the same lot,
crystals of a light cinnamon brown color are profusely disseminated
through a dark cleavable pyroxene. The latter rock is eut by quartz
also thickly studded with these crystals. A few hundred yards north-
east from the latter place lenticular patches of a crystalline titanite of
a dark brownish black color are enclosed in pyroxene.

This mineral is also said, by Mr. Frank Adams, to occur in crystals
in a disintegrating dyke in Hull.

Tourmaline.—This mineral, of a black color, may frequently be
met with, either enclosed by or investing the rocks of the neighbor-
hood. Black, lustrous crystals, variously modified, occur in a pinkish
calcite at Wilson’s mine, in Wakefield, and in apatite on the next lot
17, range 1. Large radiating and reticulating masses invest the sur-
faces of a syenite, on lot 18, range 2. The interstices formed by the
crossing of the prisms are occasionally filled with crystals of white
scapolite.

The finest crystals of this mineral observed in this neighborhood
occur sparingly on lot 15, range 12, of Hull, investing a hard grey
pyroxenite. They are generally less than an inch in length, exceed-

ingly bright in lustre. Their form is hexagonal, capped with planes of

the rhombohedron. This mineral has been observed at several places in

Templeton.

Having now reached the end of the anhydrous silicates, I will
briefly allude to hydrous compounds.

Tale.—A mineral having the aspect of tale, occurs in small foliated
masses of a silky lustre, enclosing a nucleus of calcite at MeLaurin’s
mine in Templeton.

Steatite-—A mineral of the nature of steatite has been observed in
several places in the above townships, forming smal] bedded masses.
One of these is on lot 7, range 12, of Hull. On lot 7, range 1, of
Wakefield, crystals of a yellowish steatite (pseudomorphs after pyrox-
ene) occur in a coarse disintegrating crystalline limestone.

Serpentine.—This mineral is more confined to the limestone bands,
through which it is distributed in grains, bands and lenticular masses.

=

Its color varies from a light yellow to a dark green, often revealing «
sharp conchoidal fracture. In the neighborhood of Chelsea, serpentine
limestone is interstratified with other bands enclosing apatite crystals.
In the same limestone bands of a semi-fibrous yellow variety occur,
resemblizg the structure of hornblende, und possibly pseudomorph after
that mineral. On lot 7, range 1, of WakeSeld, large lenticular masses
of a translucent green serpentine occur in limestone. It breaks with
a sharp conchoidal fracture, and is occasionally marred as an orna-
mental stone by inclusions of a foliated graphite and large masses of a
white micaceous-looking garnet.

Chrysotile, or Serpentine Asbestos.—This mineral occurs in the
neighborhood of Chelsea, forming concentric veins in a serpentinous
limestone. The fibres are sometimes an inch and a half in length, and
rather too strongly coherent, [ think, to be of any iinmediate commercial
value. Other localities in the neighborhood of Templeton have afforded
a Similar mineral, the fibres, however, in this instance being more
separable. A quantity was mined some years ago from one of the
latter localities, but with what success I am unaware.

Ripidolite.—A_ greenish foliated mineral occurring on the west
half of lot 18, range 9, of Templeton, is referred by Dr. Harrington to
this variety.

Prehnite.—Tbis mineral was noticed at Post’s mine in Templeton,
in greyish white, strongly coheren*, mammillated groups ; in cavities in
pyroxene. It has also been noticed elsewhere in the same township.

Zeolite group.—Four representatives of this family have beem
noticed in the above townships, viz., stilbite, chabazite, natrolite and
heulandite. The first mineral, stilbite, occurs in small, sheaf like
aggregations of a yellowish or white color, associated with epidote,
lining cavities in a massive garnet rock on lot 18, range 2, of Wake-
field. A mineral in acicular tufts resembling natrolite is also often
associated.

The mineral chabazite occurs ab Haldane’s Mine, in the same
township, in transparent to translucent rhombohedral crystals, often a
quarter of an inch across. Their color varies from colorless to wine-
yellow, and frequently fine illustrations of penetration twins may be

observed. I also noticed a similar mineral at Post’s Mine, in Tem-

pleton.

206

Heulandite.—This mineral, in small, opaque, white, oblique rhom-
bic prisms, invests the surfaces of a paroxenic rock on lot 7, range 1, of
Wakefield.

We now come to the sulphates, of which we have but one repre-
sentative, in the form of Barite, or sulphate of barytes. This mineral
is used extensively for the adulteration of white-lead, which, by afford-
ing a white powder when ground, together with its high specific gravity
and cheapness, is often made to replace 75 p>r cent. of the lead, and
although the bulk may be increased, the body of the paint is impaired.

A vein of this mineral, often veined with green fluor, was worked
some years ago in the township of Hull. Another deposit of this min-
eral is on lot 12, range 12, of Templeton. It occurs in white lamellar
bedded masses in gneiss. The appearance or overlying portion is more

-or Jess colored by the oxidation of some furrugiavus mineral, and is
greatly mixed with calcite.

Carbonates.—Of this group, like the sulphates, we have but one
member in the form of limestone, or calcite, Independent of the ex-
tensive beds of amorphous and crystalline limestone that so character-
ize this neighborhood, more especially the western portion, we find
bands of a more cleavable nature cutting through the pyroxenic strata,
forming the gangue of apatite and other minerals.

On lot 7, range 1, of Wakefield, a beautiful dark-blue cleavable
variety is associated with wollastonite, and on the same property a
translucent, green, cleavable variety, often exhibiting large cleavage
‘planes, enclose garnet and pyroxene. Numerous other localities in
these townships have afforded forms of the dog-tooth spar and other
‘combinations.

Flourids.—Fluorite, or fluor-spar, may frequently be noticed
amongst the associated minerals of the apatite veins. On lot 13, range
13, of Hull, small semi-transparent greenish cubes occur in a limestone,
and on lot 10, range 14, octahedrons of the same color have bzen found.
Tt is also frequently met with in small quantities of a blue, violet or
purple color.

Anhydrous Oxides.—Indep2nlent of those members of this
group already mentioned under iron ores, we have spinel and rutile to
notice. The former ozcurs in cubes, sometimes more than an ineh

207

across, in a band of limestone, on lot 7, range 1, of Wakefield. ‘These
erystals vary from a dark-green to a light lavender blue, and may be
more rarely observed in semi-transparent crystals of a pink color, con-
stituting the spinel ruby. These crystals are buill up of granular
conchoidal fragments, which are often transparent. Some of these
cubes when broken are found to contain a nucleus of a black, vitreous
color, having the hardness of about four, and easily fusible before the
biow-pipe. Another instance of the alteration of this mineral was
observed in the sam2 region where a group of these crystals were
partly converted into a steatitic mineral. Crystals of spinel from the
size of a pea to that of a bean are distributed through a grey pyroxene
rock that extends over many acres.

Ratile.—Is found in small red geniculated crystals in barite on
lot 12, range 12, of Templeton.

Silicon Group—Quartz.—This mineral, not only forms one of the
commonest constituents of our rock masses, but fills many of the veins
that traverse them. It sometimes encloses such minerals as apatite,
pyroxene, titanite, &c. A vein of this nature occurs on lot 18, range
2, of Wakefield. Crystals of this mineral are by no means common ;
however, a few good forms have been met with in Templeton and Hall,
of such shades of color as smoky-brown or amethystine, and colorless.

Jasper.—This mineral occurs in a bed 2 feet in thickness, overlain
by gneiss, on lot 15, range 10, of Hull. It varies in color from a dark-
red to a chocolate-brown, sometimes mottled with yellow, and is sus-
ceptible of receiving a high polish, comparing favourably with similar
specimens from Lake Superior and Noya Scotia.

It is occasionally marred by inclusions of hard foliated masses of-
mica and crystalline specular iron.

Agate.—A_ yellowish-brown chalcedony alternating with bands or
quartz may be referred to this mineral, occurring on lot 17, range 9, of

Templeton.

Mr. W. L. Scorr asked what Mr. Willimott’s opinion was respect-
ing the nature of caxoclasite, whether he agreed with Mr. Lewis as to
its composition ; also why the barite shaft on the road to King’s moun-
tain, which had been visited ei passant on one of the club excursions
hed been abandoned ?

208

The lecturer had never visited the locality of the baiite shaft, and
could not say why it had been abandoned. He did not agree with
Prof. Lewis in thinking that caxoclasite contained phosphoric acid.

Mr. Lawson had not caught the lecturer's idea respesting the
rounding of the angles of pyroxene and apatite crystals. He com-
batted the theory of igneous action and favored that of solution,
Mr. Lawson considered the objections to the igneous theory satifactory,
and did not think the lecturer had. made out his case against the
theory of solution, which appeared to be, that, as rounded crystals of
pyroxene were found with similarly rounded crystals of apatite, the
modification in each being evidently due to the same cause, and as
pyroxene was totally insoluble, the rounding could not have been
effected by a solvent. Mr. Lawson thought that water at very high
temperatures could dissolve almost anything.

Mr. W. BR. ANDERSON understood that the mica of this locality
was phlogopite, which contained a small quantity of water, and was in
consequence less refractory than muscovite, the chief commercial variety.
He had been informed that muscovite was found in the Mattawa district,
and wished to know if such were the case. The lecturer had no doubt
ef it, as he had specimens probably referable to that variety.

In reply to Mr. Small, the lecturer stated that his apatite statistics
-were derived from the export returos, and consequently were exclusive
of the quantity mined and awaiting shipment, as well as of the 800
tons used in the Brockville Chemical Works. ;

Mr. Lawson asked what the New York fire test for mica was?
Mr. Willimott was not certain, but thought it was merely resistance to
a blow-pipe flame. It was recognized as the standard of value in
Canada. Muscovite was untouched by the blow pipe flame.

In a discussion on apatite it was elicited that nothing less than
70% material paid, although arrangements were reported as being in
progress for shipping 65% stuff to England for treatment by a new
process. Members of the British Association had informed Prof.
Macoun that the refuse of the Templeton mines was superior to any-
thing worked.in England, and that in the future middlings would be of
great value.

‘Mr. Lawson stated that untreated apatite was proving in the long

aun superior to superphosphate.

209

Mr. Wittimotr thought this probable because in its action it
would resemble the valuable fertilizer ground bones.

In reply to Mr. Fletcher, who asked if there was any official
statement on the point, Mr. Small cited the report of the Department
of Agriculture on tests made at the Agricultural College, Guelph,
showing that good effects followed ils use in the third year after appli-
cation when applied to root crops, but not to cereals. He found this
opinion endorsed in leading Scotch agricultural papers, and stated there
was a large demand for the ground, untreated apatite in Belgium to
fertilize the sugar beet farms.

Mr. FietcHer thought if this were true the farms in the apatite
district should be particularly fertile, which, from what he had seen
in this district, did not appevr to be the case.

Rey. Mr. Marsan instanced some particularly fertile patches on
the upper Gatineau, which had been worked for thirty years without
manuring and still remained fertile. This success he attributed to the
vicinity of phosphate deposits. He thought the two theories as to the
best means of using the phosphate reconcilable. Roots require little
phosphate, while fruits must have it. In spring it is found that all
the phosphorus in a plant is contained in the root, in July 14 is in the
straw, white at harvest time it has found its way into the fruit; conse-
quently cereals would require it in such a form as would favor rapid
assimilation, while root crops could get it from the more slowly disinte-
grating ground apatite. In the reports of the French agricultural
schools preference was given to the raw material, and the French news-
papers were advising the same treatment.

The lecturer’s remarks on all points he considered most exact. He
(Father Marsan) had studied the neighborhood of the Desert, which
was very similar to the formation at Chelsea. No tract is so uniform
as the crystalline limestone band. The observations of the survey had
extended 60 miles up the Gatineau ; 90 miles farther up the river the
same formation was found.

He had found gold on Trout Creek, which empties into Eagle
River. Although the geological formation would lead one to expect its
existence he had paid little attention to the first reports of its presence,
because farmers often confused mica and pyrites with the precious

a

210

metal, and would show him finds of these glittering deceivers, but
when he had an opportunity he brought a sample of sand to the College
laboratory and found traces of gold in it; he had, however, been unable
to obtain any sand since in consequence of the water being too high
whenever he passed.

Respecting the apatite deposits he had reached the conclusion that
they diminished in number and quantity as the Ottawa basin was left
behind.

Prof. Macoun said that from a botanical point of view there were
advantages peculiar to each method of applying apatite, as annuals
required phosphorous supplied rapidly and would benefit from super-
phosphate, while biennials would require it principally the second year

as a constituent of their large crops of fruit.

211

OBSERVATIONS ON THE TERRESTRIAL MOLLUSCA OF
OLTAW A AND VICINITY:

F. R. Larcurorp, B.A.

(Read February 5th, 1885.)

In a paper read before this Club on the 5th of March, 1880, Mr. Gu.
C. Heron notes the occurrence in the vicinity of Ottawa of thirty-three
species of terrestrial mollusks. While his list is remarkable not only
as the record of a single year’s work, but as the most extensive Cana-
dian list previously published, it does not include many species
which are now known to occur here. Some of these have been recorded
from time to time in the reports of the conchological branch of the
Club, and quite a number of others have been found for the first time
during the past year. Owing to the importance of several of these
additions, it has been thought advisable that a new list should be pub-
lished, and the task of preparing it has been allotted to me. Recog-
nizing that its value will depend wholly on its accuracy, I have been
careful to include in it no species of whose identity [ am not certain,
and of whose occurrence here I am not personally aware. With a
single exception, I have myself found every species mentioned. Chiefly
for the benefit of members of the Club who may take up the study of
this department of natural history, the localities in which the different
shells now occur are pointed out, and such outlines of the form of
certain species given as nay, it is hoped, obviate the necessity of refer-
ence to publications not always readily accessidle. In this connection,
I would recommend as a most valuable work, Morse’s Terrestrial Pul-
monifera of Maine, a copy of which has been presented to the Club by
the learned author.

In nomenclature I have often been at a loss what course to take.
Following in the main Dr. Binney, I have in some instances adopted
in preference, certain subgeneric names of Prof. Morse, which have not
so far been generally accepted, but less on account of their propriety
than because the shells to which they have been applied, being com-
paratively new to science and limited in their distribution, are
very little known. As our shelis in many cases do not agree in

size with the dimensions given for the same species in the monographs of
the Smithsonian Institution and in other publications, accurate measure-
ments are given of every species.

Macrocyclis concava, Say.—In 1883 I found this species in con-
siderable abundance in a_ thicket of prickly ash, in an open
space in the woods on the left shore of the Rideau, above Billings’
Bridge. Elsewhere it does not occur in abundance, though two or
three shells are not unfrequently found together in several localities.
The shells found under the prickly ash were burrowing in a strong clay
soil. Their preference for this situation may be owing to the fact that
the moisture condensed by the leafy shrub would be as abundant as in
the woods, and remain nearer the surface than where the mould was
deep, while it would be as little or even less subject to rapid evapora-
tion. J. concava is noted for its cannibalistic propensities, and a
specimen kept with smaller species destroyed several before its opera-
tions were observed. Our shell is almost transparent and measures no
more than 14:5 by 12°35 mm. in diameter. Shells of this species re-
ceived from the distinguished field conchologist, Mrs. Andrews, of Knox-

?

ville, Tenn., are 22 by 18 mm. and though “living” shells, are
white and opaque like the “ dead” shells found heve.

Zonites tnornatus, Say.—This species was probably once common
on the Ontario side near this city, but so far as I know is not found
there now. On the Quebec side it is not rare. High up on the west-
erly slope of King’s Mountain, I found ten or twelve examp:es on the
occasion of the Club’s excursion thither on May 22nd, 1884. My
favorite collecting ground, and tae only one apart from the Laurentides,
where this species is at all common, is near Fairy Lake. If you follow
in a northerly direction the ridge of the hill beyond the Aylmer Road
toll gate, a scramble of a mile over rocks and through tangled woods
will bring you to a small brook, so hidden beneath rank growths of
moss and fern that but for its musical fall of a few feet into a pebbly basin
its presence would be unnoticed. The vegetable mould in the vicinity is
deep, loose and moist, andin it numerous species find a congenial home.
I have taken in this locality, in the space of a few yards, all the large
helices found near Ottawa, and many of the smaller ones. The animal
of Z. inornatus is bold and very active, and is colored various shades of
blue. Mature shells have an average greater diameter of 13 mm,

213

Hyalina nitida, Miiller.—This is one of a number of species found
here which occur also in Europe, but which are indigenous to America,
and not imported. In low-lying places it is not uncommon. The
woods near Billings’ Bridge aflord it in considerable numbers under
logs and driftwood lying along the outlet of Dow’s swamp. In July
1883, it was particularly abundant in company with Succinea ovalis on
the verge of the brook flowing through the beaver meadow in Hull
but both were absent on every occasion on which I visited the place
during the past season. Owing to the moist nature of its habitat, it is
able to venture abroad in the day time, and I have more than once
observed it on warm, sunny days meving about actively early in the
afternoov. In common with species which occupy localities subject to
inundation, it is capable of living some time under water. Specimens
kept forty-eight hours in an inverted test tube, immersed in an aqua-
rium and containing no free air, were apparently lifeless when taken
out, but soon recovered. If placed unconfined in the aquarium, they

find their way to the sides and climb to the surface of the water as

quickly as possible. J/. nitida is the largest of our Ayaline, measur-

ing often 7 mm. in diameter by 4°3 mm. in height.

Hyalina arborea, Say.—This occurs in hardwood groves every-
where, and sometimes in the driest stations in open fields. Indifter-
ence to its surroundings leads it to frequent even pine woods, which
other species always avoid. It often burrows to a considerable depth
in the under side of rotting logs. A few of the shells found here have
a greater diameter of 5-6 mm., but the average of twenty specimens is
only 5°1 mm.

Hyalina viridula, Menke.-—Like I. nitida, this-shell has a wide
distribution in Europe as well as in America. It manifests like that
species, but not to the same extent, a preference for moist localities,
and is almost as common as //. avborea. It may be found near the
city on the left shore of the Rideau canal, immediately below the Bank
street bridge. It greatly resembles //. arborea, but may be readily
distinguished from that species, when viewed from above by the sudden
enlargement and comparatively greater width of the body whorl. me:
is also smaller by a little than //. arborea, seldom attaining more than

5 mm. in greater diameter, and has one whorl less.

214

Hyalina indentata, Say.—This species is very rare here. I hay
taken occasional specimens in Billings’ bush on this side of the Ottawa,
butit is least rare in Hull, where it occurs with 7. tnornatus. The sheli
is highly polished and transparent, and the lines radiating trom the
minute umbilicus distinguish it from allied species. The largest speci-
men taken measures 4°8 by 4°55 mm. Those usually met with are only
a little smaller.

Hyalina binneyana, Morse—Inu a letter to Mr. Fletcher, Mr. Heron
stated that he had found this shell shortly before leaving Ottawa. It
has not, however, appeared in the Club lists, nor in any list of Cana-
dian shells. In looking over shells collected in Billings’ bush I found
several specimens which I though¢ at first were immature JZ. viridulu,
though remarking theie difference in color. A careful examination of
these shells and a comparison with typical specimens from Maine,
kindly furnished by Mr. T. H. Aldvich, of Birmingham, Ala., prove
them to be H/. binneyana. It is pellucid and polished like H. inden-
tata, but has an open umbilicus. Greater diameter 3-5, lesser 3, height
1-4 mm.

Pseudohyalina minuscula, Binney.—This was recorded from Eard-
ley, Quebec, in the report of the conchological branch, published in
Transactions No. 3 of this Club. I have since taken only two shells,
but have no note of the locality where they were obtained. It seems
very rare. ‘The shells found have a greater diameter of 2°6 mm.

Pseudohyalina exigua, Stimpson.—In moss collected in Dow’s
swamp by Mr. Harrington in the fall of 1883, this species was found in
considerable numbers. I have met with it in Billings’ bush under bark
and decaying leaves, and in similar situations in the hills northward.
Many of our smaller shells appear to great advantage under the micro-
scope, but in the delicacy and intricacy of its sculptured surface this is
perhaps the most beautiful of all. It is very minute, its greater
diameter being only 2 mm.

Striatura miliwm, Morse.-—Mr. Heron records this shell in a foot
note to his paper, and he informs me that he found it in Billings’ Bush.
I have searched for it there during several years and obtained only
three specimens. In the moss from Dow’s Swamp two others were
found. It must be regardel as very rare in this vicinity. Under the

215

microscope it yields in beauty not even to P. exigua. It is even
smaller than that minute species, the greater diameter of my largest
specimen being only 1:2 mm.

Striatura ferrea, Morse.—The only specimen I have found was
obtained in the hills near the iron mines in Hull on the 16th Novem-
ber, 1884, when several other interesting discoveries were made. It is
a very distinct species ; but to be absolutely certain of its identity, I
sent the shell to Prof. Morse, to whom I am. under many obligations,
and he returned it as correctly determined. Like S. midiwm it has
only three volutions, but is less transparent and of a dead steel-grey
color. The specimen found measures 2°8 mm. in greater diameter.

Conulus fulvus, Drap.—This little shell is very common in moist
stations in shady woods, and sometimes in open pastures, often occur-
ring in company with //. viridula. It is more globose than any helix
found here except Strobila lubyrinthica, from which it differs externally
in being highly polished. It is subject to great variation in size, the
greater diameter ranging from 2-4 to 3-2 mm. and the height from 1:3
to28mm. Jeffreys states that in England specimens collected in dry
situations are much larger than those found in wet moss, but my largest
shells were taken in a very wet station north of Fairy Lake.

Gastrodonta multidentata, Binney.—¥rom a notice of the first ex-
eursion of the Club to the King’s Mountain, published in a city news-
paper, it appears that Mr. Heron found this shell there on May 22nd,
1880. It seems a very rare species. Repeated and careful search for
it was unsuccessful until my visit to the hills north of Hull in Novem-
ber last, when I obtained one specimen under a log in a moist, well-
shaded locality. It is 2:7 mm. in greater diameter.

Patula alternata, Say.—This is the only ornamented species of
land snail indigenous to Eastern North America, //. varians, and the
banded variety of H/. hortensis, b2ing importations from the West
Indies and Europe respectively. It is the commonest of our large species,
frequenting the open more than others, though often found in the
woods, and seems capable of enduring the driest situations. In the fall
it assembles in particularly large numbers, but is at all times more or
less gregarious. In April, 1882, I observed hundreds under flat rocks
near the old lime kilns in Rochesterville. The marl beds east of

216

Hemlock Lake furnish it in great abundance. In the spring the
animal secretes copiously a brownish fluid which stains the fingers,
and which probably is the matter used to color the brown parts of the
shell. In captivity it is not given to rambling, and if supplied with
food will remain for days in the same place. The eggs are deposited in
June and July, and measure 25 by 2-1 mm. _ I first noticed the young
early in August, when they measured 2-6 mm. in greater diameter.
They increased to 3-8 before hibernating in October. They had then
and for the following summer a well-marked keel at the upper third of
the last whorl. Mature shells measure 18:5 mm. in greater diameter by
16 mm. in lesser diameter, and have an average height of 10 mm.
They are subject to considerable variation in elevation and depression
and in the greater or less distinetness of the alternating color marks,
Patula striatella, Anth. —This is closely related to the last species
in form, structure and habits, but appears to evince a greater love for
the woods. The vnder side of a rotting hardwood log is its favorite
resort, and in such stations in Billings’ bush and elsewhere I have
taken it in great numbers in late autumn and early spring, and, in less
abundance, during the summer. It is usually light-brown in color, but
is sometimes of a reddish tinge. Young shells, as in the case of
P. alternatu, ave prominently keeled, and some specimens retain -this
peculiarity to maturity. The average greater diameter is 5 mm., but
some specimens found measure 6°5 mm.
Mr. Harrington found this shell in

Planogyra asteriscus, Morse.
moss gathered in Dow’s swamp in 1883, and it was recorde! from
Ottawa for the first time in Transactions No. 5 of the Club. I find it
also among shells collected in Eardley in 1881. It does not appear to he
uncommon in moss in moist, well-shaded localities. Although less than
two millimetres in greater diameter (its exact measurement is 1°8) it is
easily distinguishable from other minute species by the numerous thin
lamin projecting at short intervals from the body whorl and giving
the shell the appearance of an asterisk, after which it is very appro-
priately named.

Helicodiscus lineatus, Say.—This beautiful little shell is not un-
common in rich woods under moss and fallen trees, but does not occur
anywhere in great numbers. Billings’ bush or Dow’s swamp may be

“whe

217

depended upon to furnish a dozen specimens any summer afternoon.
The animal is long and slender, of a whitish color and very timid.
Geeater diameter 3:3, height 1-4 mm.

Strobila labyrinthica, Say.—-The normal form of this shell resem-
bles C. fudvus in size and color, but its surface is strongly marked with
raised lines of growth, and the aperture armed with six ribs, three of
which are thickly set with sharp projections pointing outward. The
yielding tissues of the animal pass over these without catuhing, but an
intruding insect or other enemy would find his progress effectually barred
by them. The color of the shells is generally brown, but [ have found
several examples which are of a chalky white. These albinos were taken
living under troughs used in catching sap in a grove of sugar maples
in Hull. A favorite station for this shell is in mossy crevices in
rocks, where it is sometimes found in large numbers. From between
ledges in Brigham’s quarry I have taken it in great abundance.
Greater diameter 2:4, height 2 mm.

Stenotrema monodon, Rackett.—This species, which was first de-
scribed from Canada, belongs to a small group of distinctively American
shells. It is common here in or near woods, and often in very dry
stations, but nowhere do more than a few occur together. While it
loves company it seems always satisfied with one or at most two com-
panions. Its constant occurrence in twos and threes under the one log
or stone is perhaps something more than a mere coincidence. It
varies considerably in elevation and slightly in diameter. I have not
found any whose greater diameter is less than 9 or more than 12 mm.
The umbilicus in some specimens is wide and open, and in others from
the same localities is so narrow as to be concealed by the reflection of
the peristome. This latter form has been called var. fruterna, but it is
not, I think, deserving of recognition even as a variety. On the other
hand, the small, globose form termed var. leaii, which is never found
here, though common in the Manitoulin Islands, seems to me clearly
entitled to specific rank. The young of S. monodox have a simple lip,
are brown in color, strongly keeled, and always covered with a velvety
growth of hair-like projections. With age the lip thickens and becomes
reflected, one tooth is formed on the labium and another within the
aperture between the upper and lower walls of the last whorl. Lastly,

218

the shell looses its keel and hirsute coat and becomes smooth and
sometimes polished. The change thus produced between immature and
mature shells is so great that it is at first difficult to realize that they
are not altogether different species.

Mesodon albolabris, Say.-—This our largest, and though not in
point of numbers, our commonest land snail, is, on account of its size
and color, the one most frequently noticed by an ordinary observer.
Dead shells are often seen washed out by the rains from hillsides or
lying in strong contrast with the blackened soil in the woods where
fires have passed. Still, outside of a few localities I know of no place
where an afternoon’s diligent search would be rewarded with more than
a dozen living and mature specimens. The marl beds east of Hemlock
Lake can I find be always relied on to furnish this species in quantity.
It would be hard to imagine conditions more favorable, the marl not
only holding moisture well and preducing grasses and mosses which,
in growth or decay, afford rich supplies of food, but also furnishing in
abundance, in what has once done duty for the same purpose, the very
material required for the formation of shells. Another place where I
found M. albolabris common in the summer of 1883, is a ravinein Hull,
lying northward about a quarter of a mile from the house built and
formerly occupied by Mr. Lindsay Russell. This locality, however,
though visited often, afforded me very few shelis during the past sea-
son, when my best find was made in an open pasture near the magne-
sian limestone quarries in Nepean.

M. albolabris vavies in greater diameter from 20°5 mm. to 30°25
mm., representing in cubical capacity a ratio of 1 to 3}. These are ex-
tremes, and though numerous examples approaching either limit may
be found, the average size is nearer the maximum. The great majority
vary between 24 and 28 mm., and fifty shells measured give a mean
greater diameter of 26-2 mm. Very large or very small shells seem
confined to no particular locality, but occur indifferently in all.

The shell of this species although sometimes of a light greenish
color, is usually of a beautiful russet. The lip, broad and white in old
specimens, is in the young comparatively narrow, and quite often of a
delicate rosy tint, which unfortunately soon fades in the cabinet. The
animal is generally of a pale grey color darkening towards the head.

219

Of a number kept in my garden last summer I found the eggs of only
one, which were in a cluster loosely adhering to one another and buried
half an inch beneath the surface of the mould. They were thirty-eight
in number and measured approximately 3 by 3°55 mm. In twelve days
after their discovery (which was made on June 4th) some, and in fifteen
days all, had left the eggs, and had well formed but very thin shells of
somewhat less than one and a-half whoris. They had added nearly two
whorls by the first week in October when, with their parents, they
went into winter quarters, the old shells burying themselves in the
mould and the young in moss, which had been kept as a preserve for
minute species.

While neither this nor any other species found in this country
serves as an article of human food—though //. aspersa is said to have
been imported into California for that purpose, I know of an instance in
which J/. albolubris was used as a remedy for tubercular consumption,
but not with the result desired.

Mesodon thyroides, Say.— This tine shell does not seem to oecur in
the immediate vicinity of Ottawa, but forty miles to the south-east, at
Casselman, it was found in considerable numbers by Mr. Harrington on
the 21st of August last. This is the first record of its occurrence in
Central Canada, and I can find no evidence of its having been ever
taken in Quebec. Near Toronto, Dr. Brodie informs me, it is not un-
common. It is a smaller and more elegantly formed shell than Jf
albolabris, and differs otherwise in having, like J/. sayii, a narrow lip,
an open umbilicus and a tooth on the parietal wall. A variety of JZ.
albolabris, has also a toothed labium, but it does not oceur here, nor
even so far as I can learn, in Western Canada, though it might be ex-
pected there, as it is found in Michigan. AZ. thyrotdes is more elevated
than J/. sayii, and is larger than any of that species found here, the
average greater diameter of the five examples I received from Mr. Har-
rington being 23-2 mm. It also differs from that shell in having a nar-
rower umbilicus, and in wanting the tooth on the lower margin of the
peristome.

Mesodon sayii, Binney.—Although generally considered a rare
species, here in certain localities at least, it is not altogether uncommon.

Unlike Mr. Heron, I have not been successful in finding it alive on the
é

220

Outario side of the Ottawa, though I have someiimes found dead
shells. The nearest station to Ottawa where I have met with it is in
Hull, on the northerly slopes of the hill beyond the Aylmer road toll-
gate. <A visit to this locality is usually rewarded with two or three
mature living examples. Young shells are not nearly so rare. I took
eleven in the afternoon of the 26th of April, 1884. They were from 13
to 16 mm. in diameter. Previously I used to leave immature shells of
this, as of other species, where I found them, but having learned that
helices were easily reared, determined to try the experiment with these
young J/. sayit. I placed them with mature shells of the same and
other species in a glass-covered box, half filled with rich loose mould,
moss and withered leaves well moistened ; and kept them plentifully
supplied with food in the form of lettuce, cabbage and flour paste, all of
which they appeared to relish exceedingly. ‘They grew rapidly, and by
the Ist of July had begun to form a thick peristome. The tooth on the
basal margin did not appear for some time. Still later the tooth on
the parietal wall was formed, a thin transparent film at first, increasing
in thickness and diminishing in length and breath as layer after layer
was day by day deposited by the little artificer with as much precision
as if the highest intelligence directed its operations. By September Ist,
the shells were all fully formed, but quite thin. The addition made in
captivity is lighter in color than the portion formed previously. It
consists in no case of more than a whorl, but as this is the last and
largest it increases the diameter of the shell more than a third and
brings it to from 19 to 21-3 mm.

Whether from eggs deposited by these or the older specimens I
cannot tell, but early in August I first noticed in the box a number of
young shells a little more than two millimetres in diameter. They
appeared to grow but slowly, yet by November had increased fully a
whorl. On the 16th of that month, while collecting in the Laurentides,
I found hibernating a dozen or more immature J/. sayii precisely like
those I had taken near the city the previous April. The lines of
accretion formed immediately before hibernation were of a reddish colour.
Between this dark band and apex, another band less prominent is distin-
guishable at the point reached in one season by the shells I had reared
from the egg. From these facts L infer that J/. sayii attains maturity in

two years. J/. a/bolabiis appears to mature in the same period. In
every specimen [ find on the body whorls, about one whorl from the
aperture, lines of growth thicker or darker than the rest, and about
two and a half whorls from the apex a second and fainter series of dark
lines. Besides these hibernation marks there are other irregularities less
prominent, which indicate dry periods in summer, when the animal was
obliged to remain inactive and growth was retarded. When the sign
of hibernation in the body whorl is preceded, as it sometimes is, at a dis-
tance of four or five millimeters by a mark less distinct, it may be
inferred that the autumn of the second year of the shiell’s life was cold
and that the animal went early into winter quarters, but fine weather
following, it came forth again and was able to grow a little before the
cold came to stay.

Although the wesodons attain their full size in two years, the
shell at the end of that time is quite thin. The occrrence of thick and
thin shells in the same locality is due to the fact that some are old and
others young.

Vallonia pulchellu, Miéiller.—This is another of the helices found
here which has a distribution both in America and Europe. It is also
sald, like C’. ful/vus, to inhabit Siberia and the Azores, and has aceord-
ingly not only a circumpolar range in three continents, but extends well
to the south in a fourth. Jt is one of the smallest of helices, measur-
ing only from 2 to 25 mm. in diameter. Although so small, its pearly
whiteness renders it easily discernable, and it may be found in quan-
tity almost anywhere here, under logs and stones near springs or the
margins of streams. It manifests an especial preference for wet sta-
tions and is more common by far in open fields than in the woods.
The animal is milk white in color, in part tinged with yellow, and is
very timid. The slightest jar or movement made neir by causes it to:
withdraw within its shel]. The observer who places it on a slide and
awaits its exit needs to be the possessor of great patience, but he will
not be unrewarded for his pains though the little hubitant refuses to
come forth. The shell itself is a beautiful object under the microscope,
and is sufficiently transparent to permit the beating of the animal’s’
heart to be distinctly seen within it.

Puctum minutissimum, Lea.-—\his is one of the smallest land
shells known, and if, as some think, identical with 7. pygmeum of

bo

22

Europe, also one of the most widely distributed. West of Billings’
bridge it is not rare, but on account of its extreme minuteness is very
hard to find. I have also obtained it in Hull, but on either side of the
Ottawa it occurs only in moist, but not wet, places, in hardwood groves.
The greater diameter of the largest shell found here is 1-1] mm., height
0-6 mm.

Vitrina timpida, Gowld.—Large numbers of this beautiful sheil
assemble together in the fall, and continuing together during the
winter and for some time in the spring, then disperse. Late in
October, 1881, it was particularly abundant under wet leaves and
grass in the upper end of the Hull beaver meadow. As might
Le inferred from its northern range, it is very hardy, being excelled
in this respect not even by the Jimaces. On November 16th,
1884, I noted great numbers in Brigham’s pasture, Hull, under

-cedar logs im light, sandy loam. Although the ground was covered
with snow and frozen for some distance on each side, under the
logs the shells were all moving about among numerous clusters of
eggs apparently not long deposited, and numbering from eight , to
twenty-three, in each cluster that 1 counted. The large clusters
seemed too bulky to be the produce of a single individual, but as the
eggs are not fully inflated when in the body of the animal they then
require much less space than that which they occupy when deposited. The
eggs, less opaque than those of the Aelices, and less transparent than
those of the /imaces, measure 1:4 by 1:1 mm. The shell itself has
usually a greater diameter of 6 mm., but often reaches 7 mm. Shells
from Hull much exceed in size those\ found on the Ontario side of the
Ottawa. The whole internal economy of this species may be viewed
through its transparent shell. The heart of one specimen was observed
to beat 130 times a minute.

Limax agrestis, L.—The presence of this mollusk here could seareely
have passed unnoticed by Mr. Heron, who recorded many very rare
species. For my own part, I did not find it until 1882, when I met
with a single specimen within the city limits. In the same locality, in
the following year and since, it has been very abandant. It is an im-
ported species, its advent here, I am irclined to think, being quite
recent. It is marvellously: prolific: the eggs observed under a strip of
board last October literally covered the ground. They are pellueid,

i)

)9
5}

nearly spherical, and 2°3 mm. in diameter. Leuch, a German, is
quoted by Jeffreys as saying that a pair of these slugs have been
known to lay 776 eggs. Some of them were dried eight times succes-
sively in a furnace and yet produced young. A number of this species
placed in captivity early in November have been active all winter,
although the storeroom in which I have kept them is often very cold,
and their eggs have continued to be deposited apparently without inter-
mission. As an instance of this hardiness of the mollusk, I may men-
tion that one morning in January when the temperature of the room
was 34° Far., or only two degrees above freezing point, I found a pair in
coitu on the under surface of the glass cover of the box. On very cold
days they remain contracted on the earth under a piece of basswood
log, while the native species kept with them—JZ. campestris, under the
same circumstances, cling to the log itself. . agrestis attains a length
of 55 mm, when fully extended, and is subject to great variation in
color. Fiesh tints prevail in the young, but in about fifty per cent. of
the specimens observed they become in time replaced on the back and
sides by dark blotches, more or less numerous, resulting sometimes in
producing examples of a deep brown color. The rudimentary shell
may be found beneath the posterior part of the mant!e.

Limax campestris, Binney.—This is the species commonly met with
in moist places in woods or open fields or along the banks of rivers—
everywhere except on sandy soil. It is less than half the size of L.
agrestis—27 mm. being about the average length—and is not so com-.
mon in gardens as that species. I have found the two together only in
one station, near McKay’s Bay, New Edinburgh. At any period of:
their growth, even when of the same size, the two species are easily dis-
tinguishable by the usually lighter color, and greater opacity and ap-
parent solidity of the foreigner. The foot of the native species also.
presents « more marked contrast between its centre and sides. While
the mollusk is at rest the centre of the foot is bluish and semi-trans-
parent, Lut when it begins to move, the muscles contracting form an
opaque spot which advances towards the head and is quickly followed
by another and another, presenting the appearance of a miniature
torrent rushing with great rapidity from the posterior to the anterior

end of the foot.

294

=

If either Z. campestris or L. agrestis is sispended in the aquarlum
ona sheet of glass or other convenient support, it will descend by
means of a thread of mucus to the bottom, and making its way across
it and up the sides, rests only when its breathing pore has been bronght
above the surface of the water. In its progress the tentacles are almost
wholly withdrawn within the head, and vision, which must be dim at
best, becomes impossible.

Tebennophorus carolinensis, Bosc.—This large slug is not uncom-
mon in this vicinity inside the loosening bark of decaying tiees and in
rotting logs. On the Clnb’s excursion last July to the Chats, it was
observed in abundance in the woods near Mohv’s wharf under the bark
of old beech and elm stumps. It is very variable in color, some
specimens being of a uniform yellowish tinge, others with dusky spots
sprinkled over the mantle usually in groups of two or three longitudinal
rows. My largest alcoholic specimen is 34 mm. in length, 18 in height
and 12 in diameter. When extended it would be from 80 to 100 mm.
long.

Ferussacia subcylindrica, L. (Bulimus lubricus, Gould.)—Mr.
Heron states that this shell is found in great numbers six miles from
Ottawa along the line of the St. L. & O. Ry. Near the city it is not,
to my knowledge, so abundant, though still far from rare. I have found
it most plentiful in a rocky field in New Edinburgh, lying beyond and
to the left of the main entrance to Rideau Hall, and solitary specimens
will be met with in the woods everywhere. The only two shells found
in Hull on November 16th differ very much from those usually oceur
ring. Measurements of what may be called the typical form give an
average length of 6 mm., diameter 2°5. The Hull shells measure 6-8
by 2.3 mm. Although the diameter is only 0.2 mm. less, yet as the
shells are longer than the type, they appear much more slender. It
remains to be determined whether these two shells represent merely
accidental variations or a fixed variety peculiar to the Laurentides.
They were hibernating when found and had formed their winter
epiphragm which is altogether different from the thin transparent
membrane used during aestivation. It is thick, strong and calcareous,
like that formed for winter use by J/elix pomatia of Europe. None

other of our indigenous shells, nor even those which are common to

2295

America and Europe, as //yalina nitida, Vallonia pulchella ov Tachea
hortensis, fora. a calcareous epiphragm before hibernation, but I have
observed a similar structure in Aglaia fidelis from British Columbia.

Pupa pentodon, Say.—In moss and around the roots of ferns and
grasses this little shell may be found here rather abundant. I once
took a large number in company with other pupas and many of the
smaller helices, in the ravine at Upper Chelsea below the ruins of the
old mill. It is smaller than any pupa found here, being only two mm,
in length by;one in diameter. The name pentodon is somewhat mis-
leading, inasmuch as the shell has very frequently as many as nine
teeth, though only five are prominent.

Pupa armifera, Say.—Al\though now added to our list for the first
time, this species does not appear to be rare. My first specimens were
taken in July,?1884, near the Hull abutment of the Pacific Railway
bridge over the Ottawa. Previously, however, on the 6th October, 1882,
five specimens had been found by Mr. Harrington on the cliffs above
the Queen’s Wharfin this city. It seems to manifest a preference for
rocky situations. 1t is the largest pupa found here. If the measure~
ments—1? by 22 mm.—given by Binney and Bland in their mono-
graph and repeated in Gould’s Invetebrates of Massachusetts, are cor-
rect, this species does not here attain the size it reaches in the United
States. Of the eighteen or twenty specimens taken at Hull the largest
is only 4 mm. in length and the majority are only 36 mm. The dis-
parity is still greater in diameter, which in our shells is not more in
any case than 2 mm.

Pup contracta, Say.—This is our commonest species. It occurs
in moist situa‘ions under leaves and stones in woods and low pastures,
One corner of the field on the opposite side of the railway from Dow’s
Swamp is very wet during the six months that the water remains in
the canal near by. A number of cedar logs are in this corner, and un-
der them [. contracts may b2 always obtained in abundance, accom-
panied by Valloiia pulchella and Carychium exiguum. All three are
very minute shells, but owing to their color easy to find. This pupa is
very much smaller than armifera and considerably Jarger than pentodon
being 2:5 mn. in iength by 1:3 in diameter. It has three and often

four teeth, that on the transverse lip being very large and prominent,

226

Pupa corticaria, Say.—In a letter to me Mr. Heron states that
this shell is common in Billings’ Bush under logs and bark and in moss
at the foot of trees; but I have succeeded in finding only a few
specimens. Several, however, were found in the moss collected in
Dow’s Swamp by Mr. Harrington. It resembles pentodon, but is
longer and more slender and has only one or at most two teeth. The
number and arrangement of the teeth render it quite easy to determine
the identity of these small shells. ;

Vertigo gouldii, Binney.—The vertigos are still more minute than
the pupas, but the chief difference between the two genera is in the
structure of the animals. In vertigo the lower tentacles are wanting,
while in pupa they are, though short, always present. J”. gouldit is not
rare. I have found it sparsely distributed in a number of localities and in
abundance in one. This is on the left bank of Brigham’s creek, at the
head of the rapids, below Washburn’s axe factory. An embankment
has been constructed from the railway to the creek, and under and
on the sides of the stones that lie on the grass near the shore this
species is sometimes so common that I have collected thirty or forty
there in the course of half an hour. On other occasions I have been
unable to obtain more than two or three specimens. Unlike our pupas
and like our other vertigos, one excepted, this species is of a brownish
color. Binney (Gould’s Invt., 2nd Ed., 44() gives the number of whorls
as “rather more than four.” One shell has fully five, but otherwise
agrees with the type. Its length is 1‘9 mm., diameter 1 mm.

Vertigo bollesiana, Morse.-—Like Striatura jerrea, this rare shell is
now recorded from Canada for the first time. The only specimen
obtained T found in the hills near Ironsides. I took it for pupa pento-
don, but perceiving differences with a lens, placed it under the micro-
scope, when its identity with V. bollestana, to my great joy, at once
became apparent. Prof. Morse, to whom I sent it for examination, has
returned it as this species. JV. bollesiana resembles V. gouwldii in the
number and arrangement of the teeth, and 7. pentodon in color, It
has, howewer, only four whorls, and is smaller than even the former
species. My specimen is 1°6 mm. in length and 1 mm. in diameter,

The diameter given by Morse of an inch, is a little less.

, THOU
Vertigo ovata, Say—Is our commonest species. In moss from

Dow’s swamp it was very abundant, and I have taken it in great num-

297

aa

bers under cedar logs in wet stations in the Hull beaver meadow. It
has two teeth on the transverse lip, while the species above mentioned
have only one. Compared with this, V. bollesiana is very small, and
V. gouldii very slender. Its measurements are, length, 2 mm.;
diameter, 1-2 mm. In Binney and Bland’s monograph its size is given
as much larger—3 mm. by 1:5, and in Gould’s Invertebrates as slightly
shorter and much less ventricose—“three-fortieths of an inch” by ‘‘one-
twenty-fifth of an inch,” or, expressed approximately in millimeters,
1:88 by 1.

Vertigo milium, Gould.—This species is still more minute than
any yet referred to. It was first recorded from Canada in the report of
the conchological branch of this Club in 1882, from a single specimen
which I found in Billings’ bush. I have since taken a few in the same
locality, but none elsewhere. It seems to prefer the edges of bits of
maple and elm bark. J have no doubt that it is not uncommon, but
its extreme minuteness makes it hard to find. In fact it is by gather-
ing pieces of bark and holding them up to the sun so as to catch the
reflection of light on the polished shell that I have been able to pro-
cure specimens. Still it is not, at least here, as small as stated by the
text writers. The length of the shells I have found is 1:1 mm., and
the diameter 0°77 mm. In the description given in Binney and Bland
its length is given as 0-8 mm.; diameter, 0-6. In all other respects our
shell agrees with their description and the much better figures given in
Morse and Geuld.

Vertigo simplex, Gould.—Though larger, and therefore not so hard
to find as V. mliwm, this shell is almost as rare. I have taken solitary
specimens in Billings’ bush, in Hull, and ina grove of young maples.
near Beechwood, hut never met with a number at one time. It has.
more whorls than our other species, and the aperture differs also in
being wholly unarmed with teeth. Here again my measurements differ
from those I find given elsewhere. Mature shells of V. simplex found
here attain, and sometimes slightly exceed a length, of 2 mm., while
the diameter varies from 1 to 1:1 mm. According to the authors of
the Smithsonian monograph its length is 1°6 mm., breadth 0°38 mm.

Succinea ovalis, Gowld.—This, the most beautiful of our amber

shells, is by far the commonest of the three species found here. It de-

998
—!

lights to Jive in the immadiate vicinity of water, bat it is not, as some
think, amphibious. If placed in an aquarium it lies motionless on the
bottom for a time and then tries to reach the sides of the glass and
climb above the water. Oa old logs in wet places it is often very
common. In Nepean Bay, just beyond the Union Station, a great
many large pieces of boom timber were lying in 1883, and doubtless
from many years previous; and on this timter, just above the water
line, in July and August of that year [I observed S. ovsiis in countless
thousands of every size. They were conspicuously absent from sticks of
Square timber cut the preceding winter, and on which the a/lye on
which they feed had not then begun to grow. This locality is
now almost completely destroyed, having, been filled in with refuse
from the mills, and in 1884 afforded me neither this shell nor that
which I chiefly sought there—Spherium truncatum, Linsley,—a species
I have not found elsewhere. The muddy banks of the brook in the
Hull beaver meadow are the most prolific collecting ground for S.
ovalis in this vicinity, and the shells found there are large and of a
rich amber color. When collecting there in 1883, Mr. Harrington,
who was beating for insects in alders along the brook, was surprised
to find in his net a number of young shells of this species, which
had climbed the alders to a height of ten feet.

On June Ist, 1884, I observed this shell in considerable numbers
—many in covtw—on moss in a swamp near Sparks’ Mills. They were
slightly smaller than the Hull shells, which average 11:5 mm. in length
by 6 mm. in diameter. Near the same place, but on the banks of the
Ottawa L tound later in the same year two remarkably large shells,
which I refer to this species. The larger measures 17-6 by 8:9 mm,
and the smaller 15:3 by 8 mm.

While camping with a few friends on an Island in Heath’s Bay,
Jounty Pontiac, I saw S. ovalis appear in great numbers under very
peculiar circumstances. One of our party, to whom had fallen in turn
the tedious lot of taking care of the camp in the absence of his com-
panions, found that fishing alone in the bay was wretched sport, and
paddling his canoe near to the shore, begin, in order to while away the
time, to splash the water inland as far as he could with the paddle. To
his infinite surprise and wonder the shore was soon coverel with these

999

-=

living beads of amber, which moved slowly about, and as the stones
became dry disappeared beneath them.

Suceinea avara, Suy.—This species is far from common here. Like
S. ovalis, it inhabits moist places in the woods and open fields, but un-
like that species, never congregates in large numbers. I have taken about
a dozen examples in a space of five or six square yards in the locality
which afforded me the very large S. ovalis just referred to. They are
of much greater size than the shells usually found, averaging 85 by
5-6 mm. I have one shell still larger from Billings’ Bush. Tt meas”
ures 10-4 by 6 mm.

There can scarcely be imagined a covering better adapted for pro-
tective purposes than that with which S. avara is provided. Overlap-
ping the thin edge of the shell, the mantle secretes around the peri-
stome a viscid substance to which particles of earth adhere and remain
firmly attached. The shell closely resembles a speck of mud or frag-
ment of bark ; and as it.is very slow in its movements, must often
escape the searching eyes of enemies, whether bird or naturalist.

Succinea obliqua, Say. —This is the largest of the three species
found here. It does not, like the others, frequent wet stations only, but
is often met with in dry wocds far removed from ponds and streams. It
is quite a common shell, although not often seen except after warm showers
in summer when they appear so suddenly and in such numbers that, like
the young toads which sometimes accompany them, they might be
thought to have fallen with the rain. The fact is that their dwellings
being flooded they seek higher levels; and the wet ground being well suited
for locomotion, make little expeditions on duty or pleasure until they
find the earth becoming dry again, when they return to their hiding
places in the grass or under stones Tney are unwilling to remain un-
der water, but if confined there are, I find by experiment, able to live
without free air for at least forty-eight hours. The largest shell found
measures 18°5 by 10 mm., but the average is much less, being 14 by
8-5 mim. Shells a little smaller are very common in the marl beds,
and specimens collected there hibernating on the 5th November,
1834, have since been subjected to cold tar below the freezing point;
and yet, if now placed in tepid water, they become active in a few

minutes.

The forty-two species above noted constitute the number of terres
trial mollusks now known to occur in this vicinity. That others may
be expected will appear from comparison with lists of the shells found
in the Eastern States, where the molluscan fauna is most like our own,
and with the few imperfect Canadian lists which preceded Mr. Heron's.
In 1864 Morse catalogued from Maine forty-nine species. Vertigo
bollesiana, found subsequently, increased the number to fifty. With the
exception of 7. inornatus, I. nitida, P. armifera and Succinea obliqua
(which is replaced there by S. totteniana) all the shells found here are
recorded from that State. Two of the Maine species, Alexia myosotis
and Melamphus bidentatus, inhabit salt marshes and cannot be expected
inland. The remainder, with the exception of J/esodon dentiferus and
Zobgenites harpa, are European species introduced by commerce. One
of these, Zachea hortensis, is said by Mr. Heron to have been taken near
Ottawa. It is, however, with another species mentioned by Morse—
Pupa muscorum—wore usually a resident of the sea coast, though it
extends inland along the St. Lawrence at least as far as Quebec. The
occurrence of Pomatia aspersa in Maine and of the slugs Arion ater
and Zimax flavus is merely accidental, and none of these species appear
to have obtained a foothold here. J/yalina cellaria, on the other hand,
has increased rapidly and has extended far inland. Dr. Brodie found
it in Toronto last September, and about the same time it was discovered
in Portland, Oregon, by Mr. H. E. Dore, It is certainly a species that
may be looked for here. As to 7. harpa, it appears to pass north of
Ottawa, being found at Gaspé, James’ Bay, and on the north shore of
Lake Superior. J/. dentiferus, one of the rarest American helices, can
be traced to nearer home. It appears in Adams’ “Shells of Vermont,”
a list including thirty-six species, and in a more accurate and extended
list kindly furnished me by Mr. E. M. Goodwin, of Hartland, in that
State. Mr. Whiteaves recorded it from St. Lambert, Que., in 1861, and
it may be the shell catalogued from tne valley of the Rouge as Helio
exoleta* by D’Urban in the same year. Dr. Brodie found it last summer
in Muskoka. It accordingly occurs both east and west of us. The

_ *D’Urban’s (HZ. exoleta is more likely to be the toothed variety of albolabris, whieh,
since the above was written, [ found in the valley of the Lievres, in the County of Ottawa,
near the High Rock phosphate mines.—F.R.L.

Am

231

hills along the right bank of the Gatineau, from Wright’s Bridge to
Gilmour's mills, presenting every variety of soil and hygrometric con-
ditions, should furnish this shell if it is to be found here. Pallifera
dorsatis is another species that we may soon add to out list.

In Adams’ and Goodwin’s catalogues appear three other species,
which, though more southerly in their range than Jf, dentiferus and
P. dorsalis, the presence of JL. thyroides at Casselman leads me to hope
will be found within the range of the club’s operations. These are
Zonites fuliginosus, Triodopsis palliata and T. tridentata. All
occur in the Adirondacs and at Toronto—T7\ tridentata coming east at
least as far as Belleville.

There is a record of Pupa fallax, under the name of Bulimus
marginatus, in D’Urban’s list, and also of Hyalina capsella from Mon-
treal, but these species I should not expect to find near Ottawa.

Not more than six possible additions to our list remain to be
made. But a record of the occurrence of species, with remarks on their
habits and relative abundance or scarcity, are only the first though
necessary steps towards a satisfactory knowledge of our terrestrial
mollusca. Their life history is still unwritten and opens up to the
student a wide and fruitful field of observation.

232

WHEAT, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THAT GROWN
IN THE OTTAWA DISTPRICT.

WILLIAM SCOTT.

(Read 19th February, 1885 )

The wheat plant having been brought to us from other countries
and not being (as far as we know) a native of America, it becomes
necessary to speak of it first in a general way. It has not been found
growing wild in any country, but is a plant of cultivation.

As an escape, it shows no persistency, and were its cultivation to
cease, it would speedily die out and vanish from the earth. Its origin
is stillan unsolved problem. The grasses coming nearest to 1t are Triticum
repens (the creeping couch grass) of Great Britain, and the gi-
lops ovata, a grass found growing wild in southern Europe. ‘This latter
is accepted by some botanists as the parent of our cultivated wheat.

Grant Allen claims that wheat ranks by descent as a degenerate
and degraded lily. That it was at first a simple plant, without flowers.
After ages, it acquired those bright colours and beauty that rivalled
‘¢Solomon in all his glory.” Then ‘it fell from its high estate and
became a rush, with dry, brownish flowers, then a wood-rush, and
finally a grass, when it had to toil for a living, and begun storing up
starch and gluten.

De Condelle says that the bulk of evidence goes to show that the
home of the wheat plant is in the country lying between the Persian
Gulf, the Mediterranean, Black and Caspian Seas.

We know that wkeat has been cultivated as far back as there are
records of man. The monuments of ancient Egypt, of an age previous
to the Shepherd Kings, whose rule ended about 1600 B.C., and the
ancient books of the Hebrews show that in those days it was already
well established, and whenever the ancient Egyptians or Greeks allude to
the introduction of wheat, they attribute it to some fabulous personage.

The lake dwellers of Switzerland cultivated a small. variety of
wheat, a specimen of which, dug up at Backs, shows this prehistoric
variety to have been cultivated down to the time of the Roman Con-

quest.

233

Another variety less common during the Stone age, has been found
in Western Switzerland and Italy, and still another variety in Hung-
ary, grown apparently during the same period. A grain of this type of
wheat has been found in a brick belonging to the pyramid of Dashur,
to which is ascribed the date 3359 B.C. None of these varieties are
identical with any now grown.

The Chinese claim to have grown it 2700 B.C. It is said to have
been introduced into America by a slave of Cortez, who found a few
grains in some rice brought from Spain. It reached Massachusetts in
1602, Virginia in 1611, and the Mississippi valley about 1718.

Botanists classify the wheat plant in its various forms under the
name Triticum vulgare. Some apply the name Triticum hybernum to
the bearded, and Triticum pestivium to the beardless form, while others
give these names to the winter and summer varieties, respectively.

A number of varieties, on account of their compact spikes, have
been classified under the name of Triticum compactum. Other varieties
with a long, loose, nolding spike and glumes long and bearded, are
known by the name of Triticum polonicum. The stems of this plant
have been known to grow to the length of six feet. Triticum durum,
or horn wheat, is a flinty variety. It is cultivated extensively in the
vicinity of the Mediterranean, and yields a good crop in a very poor
soil. his variety is identical with the goose or rice wheat largely
grown in Canada to-day, and is almost worthless as a flouring wheat.

Mummy wheat is called Triticum compositum, probably on account
of the ears being composed of branches sometimes to the number of ten
or twelve. A single ear of this wheat frequently contains as many as
150 grains, and as it naturally follows, the quality is very poor. It has
been grown in Canada under the name of Egyptian wheat.

A variety closely resembling mummy wheat is known in England
under the name of Clog wheat, a peculiarity of which is that the stem
contains a light pith.

With reference to the wheat found in the tombs of Egypt there is
no evidence to show that a single grain of it has ever sprouted.

The varieties of wheat are now practically countless, one French
investigator having produced over 300. They differ in size, shape and
in the physical character of the berry; some are long, some short; some

234

have thick bran, and some thin; some are brown, red, amber or white;
some are soft and starchy, others hard and flinty. Fall-wheat may be
changed into spring-wheat and spring-wheat into fall-wheat by repeated
sowing in about three (3) years.

A grain of wheat is nota seed but an entire fruit, and roughly
speaking consists of three main elements: the husk or bran, the flonr
and the germ.

The husk or bran consists of four layers of cells, the two outside
ones being called fruit coats, and the two inside ones being called seed
coats. In the first layer the cells run lengthways along the berry and
become shorter as they approach the ends. The cells of the second
layer are across and round the berry. From the first of these layers,
at the end opposite the germ, springs a mass of vegetable hairs forming
what millers call the “fuzz,” and which they remove as much as
possible with scouring machines, befors the wheat is ground,

In wheat the walls of these hairs are thicker than the width of
the canal. In the fuzz of rve the canal is wider than the thickness of
the wall. This furnishes one mode of detecting a mixture of rye in
wheaten flour. Underneath the fruit coats we find the seed coats called
the dermis or covering of the germ; the cells of these coats cross each
other almost at right angles. The upper one is called the transparent
layer and the lower one the color layer. It is the coloring matter in
this layer that g.ves the peculiar hue to the wheat berry which we
term red, brown, amber or white. The only exception to this is a
variety ealled violet wheat found by the African traveller Hildebrand
on the shores of the Red Sea, the coloring matter in this variety being
found in the transverse cells of the outside coat.

The inside seed coats contain a peculiar kind of ferment which
acts upon the gluten and liquefies it. This ferment is insoluble in
‘water, Boiling water destroys its activity, a lower temperature retards
its action, a dry heat of 212 degrees Farenheit does not effeet it.
Moisture and warmth are necessary for its development and a tempera-
ture of about 75 degrees Farenheit is most favorable.

Underneath these inside coats there is a thin film which botanists

tell us is the remains of the seed bud.

Situated in the end of the berry, opposite the fuzz end, is the
germ with its shield furnished with small straight tubes through which
it absorbs the fluid starch. The germ contains fatty matter and it is
stated that one pound of oil can be extracted from 100 pounds of germ.
The miller therefore carefully excludes from the flour, the bran with its
ferment and the germ with its oil, for were these allowed to remain in
the flour it would not keep but would spoil in a short time. This
ferment in the bran is the cause of the miller’s bran pile heating in
warm weather.

Starch, which is more used by the human race than any other
chemical compound, except water, and which is found in every plant
that has been examined for it, constitutes about from 55 to 73 per
cent. of the wheat berry.

Its granules consist of granulose encased in cellulose, which is a
covering of the same chemical composition as granulose, but so dense as
to render the starch granules insoluble in cold water. Treated with
boiling water they swell and burst and the starch then becomes soluble.

Starches differ in the size and density of their granules, the largest
being found in a kind of arrowroot called Tous /es mois, next to this
comes the potato, then sago, the bean, pea, wheat and maize. Although
maize gives the largest percentage of starch, yet the potato surpasses
any known product in the quantity produced from an acre. It is
owing to the density of the starch granules in maize that bakers scald
cornmeal with boi'ing water before mixing it with flour when making
cornbread.

Starch submitted to a high temperature with some moisture forms
dextrine or British gum which is used for stiffening goods, for sizing
paper, and for adhesive purposes, and therefore when the tongue is
applied to an envelope or postage stamp the only danger incurred is the
absorption of a little modified starch. Eyyptian wheats being poor in
gluten and consequently of low value for bread-making are largely used
in Great Britain in the manufacture of British gum.

Although starch occupies such a large portion of the wheat berry,
yet (taking its nutritive value and the part it plays in the mechanical
process of breadmaking) the gluten is by far the most important con-

stituent.

fi

236

If a piece of dough is kneeded in water the starch will wash out
and leave in the hand an elastic, sticky, grey or yellowish substance
called crude gluten! As nitrogen is not found in starch but in the
other constituents of the wheat berry, these are called the nitrogenous
parts, and as the chemical composition is similar to animal albumen
they are called the albuminoids—sometimes divided into soluble
and insoluble albuminoids—under which latter name gluten (being a
compound substance) is often designated. Some say that gluten is
found throughout the wheat berry in sacs along with the starch granules.
It was formerly supposed to be in one layer of cells next the bran and
as it was thought impossible to remove the bran without taking some
of this layer with it, the conclusion was jumped at that the best portion
of the wheat was thus lost, and some people under this delusion still
habitually or periodically rasp their digestive surfaces with indigestible
branny foods,

It is on the quantity and quality of the gluten thatthe goodness
of the wheat and consequently the quality of the flour depends, and as
the percentage of gluten varies from about four (4) in poor wheats, to
about thirty (30) in good hard wheats, there is ample room for the
almost innumerable grades of flour.

Wheat with a small percentage of gluten is termed ‘ soft” wheat,
and wheat with a large percentage of elastic gluten is termed ‘ hard”
wheat.

Some varieties of wheat, notably red winter varieties, contain a
large percentage of inferior gluten which millers and bakers term
“short” in contradistinction to “long” gluten which is more elastic
and which is characteristic of our Canadian fyfe wheat.

Wheat is sometimes injured in the harvest field by continuous wet
weather. Heat and moisture.start the ferment in the bran, the gluten
begins to dissolve and the germ to sprout, and when the flour is made
into dough, the chemical action continues, and the baker says the flour
runs, the result being dark, heavy bread, caused by the gluten being too
weak to retain the gas generated by the yeast or leaven.

Bakers counteract this chemical action with lime-water or alum,
but as our climate is comnaratively a dry one alum is seldom used in-

this country.

237

The variety alone does not give us a high gluten value:

Soil, fertilizers and weather influence the grain favourably or un-
favourably to a great degree. A high, dry temperature is also necessary
during the ripening and harvesting periods. A fine looking sample of
Oregon wheat, grown west of the Cascade Mountains, gave only 7 per
cent. of gluten, owing to the excessive rainfall and damp climate of
that portion of the country. For the same reason, and also because of
a partially exhausted soil, the wheats of Great Britain are soft, some
Scotch wheats giving only 5 per cent. of gluten. That the yield of
wheat in Great Britain is about 30 bushels to the acre, may be accounted
for not only by the use of fertilizers, but also by the product being soft,
that is, having a small per centage of gluten. Ifin Great Britain it
were possible to grow hard wheat, that is, wheat with a large percent-
age of gluten, the product per acre would be much smaller. Millers in
Great Britain require to import hard wheat to mix with their soft
wheat, in order to make strong flour.

Turning to Hungary, which may be termed the home of hard
wheat, as it is the home of the new process of grinding it, called the
Hungarian or roller process system, we find it described as a country
of extraordinary fertility, in the form of a basin or plain at the foot of
the Carpathian Mountains. The driest months are July and August.
Soon after sunrise the temperature during these months rises to about 74
and in the course of the day attains to from 95 to 100, remaining at
that until nearly sunset, while during this time there is little or no
rain and the nights are dewless. This same characteristic of climate
during the ripening period, belongs to the Vistula country of Poland
and the famous black soil country of Southern Russia, although the
winters there are much more severe thanin Hungary. An analysis of —
Hungarian flour of different grades, yave from 35 to 42 of moist gluten.
Hungarian .wheat, sown in England or in Scotland, becomes soft ;
and English or Scotch wheat, sown in Hungary, becomes, to a certain
extent, hard.

The macaroni and vermicelli of Italy consists of a dough made
from hard wheat pressed into the shape of tubes. Italy, after having
exhausted her own lands, has drawn on the hard wheat provinces of
the South of France and the North of Spain, and also on the North of

238

Africa, one African variety yiclding as much as 26 per cent. of gluten.
The manufacture of macaroni is now carried on in other countries,
notably at Odessa, on the Black Sea, and also in New York.

When tbe riches of a virgin soil become exhausted a lower,
though more enduring level, appears to be reached, which precedes its
final exhaustion for wheat growing.

The product of this lower level is soft. This may be seen to day
in old Canada and the United States, where fall wheat constitutes
about three-fourths of the entire crop. Fall wheat contains a lower
average of gluten than spring wheat, and therefore its cultivation has
extended into the North-Western States, where it was formerly sup-
posed that it could not be grown.

Returning to the Eastern Coast, we find that the New England
States now grow wheat enough to last their population only about. three
weeks.

Clifford Richardson, in his report to the United States Departnient
of Agriculture, shows that the wheat and flour of the Eastern States are

‘dow in albuminoids, and that the percentage gradually increases as
you go westward, until the Rocky Mountains are reached, when it again
-dleclines to the Pacific Slope.

Minnesota, long known as a hard wheat State, is gradually turn-
ing into one of soft wheat,a large proportion of her crop last year

being soft, and the millers of Minneapolis have accordingly drawn a
‘large portion of their hard wheat from Dakota Territory. In a few
“years more they will, without doubt, be compelled to draw on our

North-West country for their supplies of gluten. Dakota wheat con-
tains about 25 per cent. of gluten and Manitoba wheat about the same
or perhaps more.

Coming nearer home we find that the Province of Quebec is about
-exhausted for wheat growiag, and that Ontario is now in process of ex-
chaustion. A short review of the varieties of wheat grown in this
vicinity may serve to bring this out more clearly, and I may say that
although the quantity grown is limited, yet in no part of Canada, that
I know of, are there more varieties of wheat grown than in the vicinity
of Ottawa. Beginning with spring wheat, a variety called Black Sea,
is about the oldest known here. It isa bearded wheat. The berry is

239

small and of a dark-red color. The straw is fine and slender, so much
so, that if the weather is wet during the ripening period, it is sure to
lodge. A peculiarity of this variety is its tendency to shoot out or
throw up a number of stocks. It was formerly extensively grown in
the Province of Quebec and in this vicinity on both sides of the Ottawa,
but is now grown only by a few farmers who have good soil, principally
heavy clay. Tam not aware that it has been grown in any other part
of Canada. Its name suggests whence it came to us.

Fyfe, or as it is sometimes called Scotch wheat, is sail by tradition
to have taken its name from a man named Fyfe, who got some out of a
cargo shipped from the Black Sea to Glasgow, and who brought it to
Canada. Others say it came to us from Fyfeshire, in Scotland. How-
ever, there is little doubt that originally it was a Russian wheat. It
corresponds very closely with a celebrated variety of Poland known as
Sandomir wheat, as the Black Sea does with another called Szkalmirka,
both being native wheats of the Vistula country of Russian Poland.
Fyfe wheat is dark in color, so also are the native wheats of Hungary
and Russia. Fyfe is a bald wheat, with strong straw and small berry ;
and as the bran is very thin, it consequently yields a high percent-
age of flour. It varies in color from light to dark-red. It is therefore
called Red Fyfe, in contradistinction to White Fyfe, a very much in-
ferior milling wheat, its only point of resemblance being the shape of
the berry. Itis hardly necessary to state that the Red Fyfe contains
a larger percentage of gluten than any other known variety. I
think the line of species might be drawn between the bearded Black
Sea and this Fyfe wheat, and if they are net direct descendants
of prehistoric wheat, they are at least not far removed from the parent
stock.

Red Fyfe wheat spread from Old Canada to the Western States -
and thence to our North-West, the land of hard wheat. It is now fast .
dying out in Ontario, being grown only in spots where the land is
new, or where the land, if old, is rich and deep. We have a few such.
spots in the vicinity of Ottawa, one notably in the township of Eardly, .
where, in a strip of land lying between the mountain and the river,
this wheat has been grown for the past twenty years or more, and.
is still grown in all its purity.

240

With regard to the other varieties grown here it is difficult to get
their proper names, as some of them have different names in different
localities. Thus ‘‘ Lost Nation,” which is also called “ Parry Sound and
McCarlem,” is a variety somewhat resembling Fyfe, but with a larger,
longer and coarser berry. It is an average milling wheat, containing
from 12 to 15 per cent. of gluten. It may be seen in some of the North-
West samples, where it passes for Fyfe wheat. One sample that I saw
from Duluth was all pure ‘“ Lost Nation,” and was graded as No. 1
hard Fyfe.

“Club” and ‘ Golden Drop,” two varieties resembling each other
have small, short, light colored berries. They are grown principally
in light soils, and average from 8 to 10 per cent. of gluten. “ China’
or “ tio Grande,” having a large, coarse, wedge shaped, dark colored
berry, ranks as a milling wheat about the same as ‘“‘ Club Wheat.”

“Red Fern” has a small dark colored berry resembling Black
Sea wheat, and its milling value is about the same. It is grown prin-
cipally on heavy clay land, and contains from 10 to 15 per cent. of
gluten.

“ Red Chaff” (so called from the col ur of its glumes) is an utterly
worthless wheat for milling purposes, and the berry so much resembles
Fyfe wheat that only an expert can tell the difference.

Gvose, Arnectka, Rice, or Garibaldi wheat, was known in this
part of the country some twenty years ago under the name of “ Midge
Proof.” It is a dense, light colored, almost transparent wheat, and
ranks abcut the same as Red Chaff for milling purposes—that is,
-almost worthless.

From Fyfe we have descended through these and other varieties
that have come and gone, each one with less gluten (or, as we say,
softer) than its predecessor, until now we are down to a thick skinned,
soft, starchy wheat, called White Russian. This variety (known in
the United States under the name of “ Lost Nation”) constitutes,
along with Goose wheat, the bulk of the spring wheat grown in
Canada. Its percentage of gluten is very low, probably from 6 to 7
per cent., and consequently by itself it does not make a strong flour.

In the white fall wheats we have had the same degeneration. The
Deilil, Sonles and Treadwell, wheats rich in gluten, have vanished, and

241

in their place we have thick skinned, soft starchy wheat, called
Clawson.

Red and Amber, winter wheats introduced into Western Ontario
some five or six years ago on lands not completely exhausted have
given a satisfactory yield, producing good grades of flour with
high percentage of short gluten. The strength of these varieties, how-
ever, is on the decline, and in a year or two more they will in all
probability have run their course.

Tt has now become evident that a variety of wheat with a large
percentage of gluten requires a new, rich, deep soil ; also that a variety
with a smaller percentage of gluten will yield a larger crop on the same
soil ; also that a partially exhausted soil which will not grow a wheat
with a high percentage of gluten may give an abundant crop of a softer
variety ; also that the softer the variety of wheat the thicker is the
husk or bran ; consequently not only is the quality of the flour poor,
but the quantity is also less. This gives rise to contention between
millers and farmers, the former asking for quality, and the latter grow-
ing the variety of which his land will produce most.

Gilbert and Lawes say that season comes before fertilizers. This
statement applies especially to Great Britain, where they seldom have
a good season. The season of 1884 was probably the best, the world
over, that this generation has seen. Wheat growing countries (Canada
included) brought forth bountifully, and the present low prices are the
direct result of the unusually large yield.

Yet with plenty of wheat, we have been importing flour from the
United States at the rate of six or seven hundred thousand barrels per
year, simply because the strength of our land is being exhausted and
our wheat is soft or deficient in gluten. It has been repeatedly proved
that the percentage of gluten can be increased by fertilizers, Prof. Mark
in one instance increasing it 8 per cent. Clifford Richardson in his
report says (alluding to Gilbert and Lawes’ experiments) : ‘‘ This seems
to show that the application of mineral manures to our Eistern lands
should bring up the yield of grain and the quality as far as we are able
to judge ana profit by these experiments abroad.

Yet Canada is allowing thousands of tons of phosphate to leave
her shores every year, which, if manufactured and spread over her ex-

242

hausted fields, would in future years more than repay the temporary
gain she is now getting from the sale of it.

Turning now to a country which in the marketing of its first mil-
lion bushels of wheat may be said to have just passed its first birthday
(our Canadian Northwest), we find a land whose extent and richness it
is difficult to comprehend, and whose capabilities for wheat growing are
as yet comparatively unknown.

It is only necessary to examine the samples of our North-west wheat
to know that they are the product of a wonderfully rich soil.

It is true that, owing to the rush with which the country was
opened up, and to the consequent difficulty in getting good seed (set-
tlers being obliged to take whatever they could get), some of the
samples are mixed, but the fact that some of these mixed samples
have passed fur hard wheat only further proves the capability of the
soil, by its hardening soft wheat, that is, increasing its natural percent-
age of gluten.

Gilbert and Lawes, in a report of an analysis of the soil of the
North-west, say : ‘These proved to be nearly twice as rich in nitrogen
(or plant food) as the average of arable soils in Great Britain—prob-
ably about as rich as the average o! the surface soils of English per-
manent pasture.” And again: “All these soils showed an exceedingly
high percentage of available plant food.”

Prof. Macoun from botanical evidexce maintains that the wheat
fields of the future will be found further west on the now so called
barren plains, and I may say that in comparing these lands with other
hard wheat countries I, in a less scientific way, arrived at the same con-
clusion, yet this conclusion was arrived at before I had the pleasure of
hearing Prof. Macoun express his decision. And further, taking the
wheat growing plains at the foot of the mountain ranges in Europe,
taking the State of California, a State in which some years ago the
growing of wheat was thought impossible, but which last season led the
States and Territories of the Union with a crop of over fifty million
bushels, I feel sure that the great plains, now called grazing count y,
lying at the base of the Rocky Mountains, will in future ‘Years become
an immense wheat field, capable of supplying not only the wants of
Canada, but also a large portion of the wants of outside importing

countries.

243

The country importing tha largest quantity of foreign wheat is
Great Britain. In 1864 Russia supplied 41 per cent. of this quantity,
and the United States 21 per cent. By 1874 the United States had
taken Russia’s place, and by 1884 Russia had been shoved aside by
India, with Australia pushing hard for third place.

The United States’ wheat crop for 1884 amounted to over five
hundred millions of bushels, but it is not likely that it will ever again
have so large a surplus for export. On the contrary, owing to the
unprofitableness of wheat growing in the Middle and Southern States,
the increase of population, and the gradual and inevitable exhaustion
of the soil, there is every probability that the quantity exported will
show a decrease each succeeding year.

Great Britain’s colonies and dependencies are now rising from a
position of dependence to one of support; and before another decade
has passed away the country we call our home will, by the production
of wheat in its great North-west, occupy the foremost place in that.

Greater Britain that is to be.

ace!

NOTES ON OUR SAW-FLIES AND HORN-TAILS.

W. HacuEe HARRINGTON.

Read 4th March, 1885.

TENTHREDINID#.—When asked by our Soirée Committee to pre-
pare a short paper for this evening I furnished th2m with the above
title, thinking that I would be able to prepare a list of our local
Tenthredinide and Uroceride and to preface it with a few remarks on
some of the genera and species. A more careful’ examination of the
material in my collection convinces me that it would be injudicious to
attempt the preparation of a list this year, and that by deferring it
until after another season’s collecting it may be very much more com-
plete. It may then even be possible to publish one of all our Hyme-
nopetra.

To show how incomplete our knowledge of the species still is I
may mention that of seventy-two species of saw-flies which I have
determined there are only fifteen in which both sexes are represented.
Of the remaining fifty-seven there are forty-eight represented by females
and nine by males. Jt will thus be seen that as regards the male
insect only one-third of my species is complete. This scarcity of the
males seems to hold throughout the order (hymenoptera). My remarks
this evening will therefore be very brief, and confined to a few of the
more important species.

Cimbex Americana, Leach.—This, our largest saw-fly, is not un-
common some seasons, the larve being frequently found on elms,
although, not being gregarious like many species, they do no noticeable
injury.

Trichiosoma triangularum, Kirby.—At first sight this might be
mistaken for one of the varieties of the last-named species, but it is
smaller, more hairy, and differs in several points of structure. I have
only taken one male, but have found large green, cimbex like larve
which were apparently those of this insect.

Abia Kennicotti, Nort.—Mr. Guignard has kindly given me speci-
mens of this bee-like species, which were, I believe, taken by Mr.
Fletcher last spring.

245

Acordulecera dorsalis, Say.—This species is not uncommon upon
the bitter hickory (Curya amara) in June and August. My specimens
are all females of var. b. of Norton. Abbé Provancher has described,
from a single specimen, A. saginata, which seems to me to be identical
with this variety of dorsalis.

Aylotoma.—We have three species, all of which appear to be rare.

Cladius isoimeria, Harris. The larve of this species are yellowish,
black-spotted grubs, occurring plentifully on willows in June. They
spin a light, transparent yellowish cocoon, ard the flies emerge toward
the end of July. Specimens bred by me last year were all females,
and I am indebted to Mr. Fletcher for the male.

Nematus.--Of this destructive genus we have several species,
including the universally known ventricosus, or currant saw-fly.
Another species which has attracted much attention recently by its
ravages on the larches in Quebec, New Brunswick and portions of the
United States, has apparently reached this locality, and will be found
here next summer, viz., V. Hrichsonii.

Mr. Guignard has captured a nunber of

aflessa hyalina, Nort.
this species, which has not hitherto been recorded from Canada. He
informs me that they were obtained im his yard in July, and had prob-
ably been carried thither by easterly winds from some large poplar
trees on Waller street.

Emphytus.—Four or five species of this genus occur, including Z.
maculatus, a well-known foe to strawberry plants.

Dolerus.—Cf our six species of this genus, aprilis is the most com-
mon, and is the only one which has yielded both sexes ; unicolor and
arvensis ave probably sexual varieties of one species, as specimens of
the former are all males and of the latter all females. My specimens
of arvensis were obtained early in May upon stumps covered with fer-
menting sap, which attracts many insects.

Dinuera Americana, Prov.—l have captured one specimen of this
rare species, which has tke venation of the wings very irregular, the
cross nervure between the marginal cells being almost otsolete, and
there being only three sub-marginals instead of four.

Selandria.—Vhis genus contains several very injurious species, of
which 7vbi, the raspberry saw-fiy, is perhaps the most obnoxious. — Its

246

larve were very abundant during the summer, both on cultivated and
wild raspberries.

Allantus basilaris, Say.—A large saw-fly common on golden-rod
in August. Larve unknown.

Macrophya.—F ive species of these rather handsome saw-flies have
been taken, chiefly upon alders, or the plants growing in their vicinity,
but I have not succeeded in identifying the larve of any species.

Strongylogaster and Taxonus contain a number of species which it
is somewhat difficult to distinguish satisfactorily, especially as the
majority of my specimens are males.

Tenthredo.—This genus has furnished a dozen species, all of con-
siderable size and variety of colouring. They are chiefly found in moist
localities where there is a profusion of herbaceous plants; such a
locality may be found in the beaver meadow near Hull.

Lophyrus.—A genus not hitherto included in Canadian lists.
Abbé Provancher, in his admirable treatise on hymenoptera, states that
he had never met with specimens. We have, however, at least three
species occurring on evergreens. J. abietis is not rare on spruce, nor
L. Abbottit on pine. L. fulvus is remarkable for having only 13-jointed
antenne, and was originally described from a specimen from Texas.

Lyda.—The species of this genus are very numerous in America,
and are separated on very small differences of form and colouring, so
that the determination of species is difficult. We have five species,
generally found on pines, upon which the larve of one or more have
been found feeding.

Urocerip&.—There are but six species to record in this family,
belonging to four genera, and only two of the six can be said to be
numerous.

Oryssus occidentalis, Cvress.—A male of this species (hitherto
recorded from the Western States} was captured by Mr. Fletcher, and
is now, through the kindness of Mr. Guignard, in my collection.

Uroceros ualbicorniss Harris.—These insects are sometimes found
flying about our streets, having apparently emerged from telegraph poles.
Last August males were observed on larches at Stewarton. One of
these, when disturbed, flew off some distance in an angry or excited
manner and returned to the precise spot on the small branch upon

247

which he had been resting. This he repeated several times until
captured, although no reason could be discovered for his attraction to
the spot except a small wound in the bark from which a drop of resin
exuded. These males I then supposed to be those of U. flavicornis,
but further examination seems to prove them albicornis. In 1882,
U. cyaneus was abundant in September and the beginning of Octo-
ber, during which period I captured ten females and five males. These
were all taken about the city, and I was then of the opinion that they
came from the maples, which are by far the commonest shade trees
along our street. As the insects have since been rare it seems prob-
able that they also came from the telegraph poles. Perhaps the large
number of new poles that are at present being put up may furnish us
with some interesting insects during the approaching season.

Tremex columba, Fabr.—This is by far the commonest of our
Uroceride, and is also the largest. It attacks principally maple and
beech which have been wounded, or which from old age have com-
menced to decay, but it also occasionally lives in other trees. It may
be found in the autumn emerging from, or ovipositing in, the trees just
mentioned, and the bodies of those which have perished in the latter
act are frequently seen fastened to the trunks. The males are very
rare.

NXiphydria albicornis, Harris.—In the summer of 1883 this species
was very plentiful in the city and neighbouring woods, infesting young
or medium sized maples, to which they are apparently very injurious,
as they riddle the wood with holes similar to those of tremex, except
that they are smaller. During the past season this insect was rare
and only a few specimens were observed. X. attenwata is a very rare
insect, of which only two males have yet been captured.

248
TWO NEW SPECIES OF CRINOIDS.

WaLTeR R. BILLINGS.

(Read 4th March, 1885.)

GENUS EUSPIROCRINUS, ANGELIN.

EUSPIROCRINUS OBCONICUS, N.Sp.

Cup obconical, about 4 wider than high ; tapering from 0-75 ineh
at top to 0°25 inch at the column.

Underbasals, five in number ; pentagonal ; subequal ; about 4
wider than high.

Basals, five ; three hexagonal and two—those adjacent to the
anals—heptagonal.

Radials, five ; wider than high ; subpentagonal ; alternating with
the basals ; the middle third of their uppermost side slightly excavated
for the attachment of the brachials. .

Brachials, variable in number ; of the anterior arm, four ; left pos-
terior arm, three ; right anterior and right posterior, five ; and the right
anterior either three or four, 1 am unable to say which, the specimen
not being sufficiently perfect. Above this the arms dichotomize fre-
quently one branch after leaving the bracial dividing on the fourth
plate, the divisions of which bifurcating on the fifth plate, and at least
once again higher up. The secondary and tertiary bracials seem to
vary from five to six, the quaternary to be five, the quinary eight.

No pinnule.

Anals three, within the calyx; the lowest one pentagonal
having its two lower faces resting against the sloping sides of the
posterior and the right postericr basals, the second resting on the
upper side of the posterior basal, having on its right the first and
third anals and on its left one of the radial plates. Above these is
a ventral tube of large pieces of which but three series of three plates
each were fully observed.

Column of a 5-foil section, with a canal of corresponding shape
and a width about one-half that of column. The portion of column
collected is three and one-half inches long ; 0°25 wide at base of cup,

249

tapering to 0°15 inch at 0°35 inch from base of cup, from whence
downward no taper or expansion is visible. Joints of column about
0.25 inch thick, slightly gibbous in centre; each joint consisting of
five pieces as in some species of L/eterocrinus.

This species agrees. with Angelin’s genus Huspirocrinus in the ar-
rangement of the cup-plates, anal area, ventral tube and arms. The
brachial plates differ from those of the typical species in number, which
is only a specific difference. The author of the genus considers, as also,
does Mr. C. Wachsmuth, that the coiling of the arms, such as is shown
on plate 4, fig. 7@ of Angelin’s beautiful Jconographia, as characteristic
and notable from a generic point of view ; but as 7a of the same plate.
does not indicate this peculiarity, I look upon the failure of my speci-
mens to show anything beyond a tendency (such as is to be seen in,
Carabocrinus) to cur] inward as not affecting the generic relations of this
species.

This species is the first described from American rocks. Belong-
ing to a genus resembling Poteriocrinus, excepting in its lack of pin-
nule and differing from Dendrocrinus in its anal area, it is an. interest-
ing addition to our list.

TRENTON Formation.—One of the two specimens collected was
obtained on Division Street, Rochesterville, and the other at Hall,
P.Q., in the C.P.R. cutting adjacent to the Aylmer Road crossing.
-—Collector W. R. Billings.

Genus ARCH AOCRINUS.—WacusmutH & SPRINGER.
ARCHZOCRINUS DESIDERATUS.—n.sp.

Cup subglobose ; the breadth once and a-half the height.

Basals, once and a-balf to nearly twice as long as wide ; five m
number ; hexagonal; bent to an angle of 90° at about 2 of their
length from the column, the united basal plates forming for the first
portion of their length‘a cone surrounding the column, and their dis-
tal sides supporting the primary radials.

Primary radials 3 x 5 ; the lowest series pentagonal ; the second
hexagonal; the third pentagonal, each supporting two rows of secondary
radials four plates to each row. Each row of secondary radials sup-
ports two rows of tertiary radials having each two or three plates all of
which are included within the cup. The quaternary series are free.

250

arm-plates, six rows to each ray, of which the inner rows of tertiary
plates each support two and the outer one; so that there are thirty
arms, which are robust and fringed with stout pinnule. The arm-
pieces are first single and sub-cuneiform, but change gradually until
about the fifth or sixth plate they consist of two rows of interlocking
and alternating cuneiform plates.

In each interradial area the proximal series consists of one plate,
resting directly on one of the basals, succeeded by two plates in four of
the areas and three plates in the azygous; above which the plates are
much smaller. As stated above, the radials are connected with the in-
terradials, as high as the top of the tertiary radials, which is the
base of the arms; at this point four or five of the last inter
radial plates connecting with each tertiary radial form part of a
flexible fold, which is continued onward four or five plates further
into a cornu, the point of which approximates to that having its rise
on the opposite side of the same interradius ; these folds and cornua
were, at first sight, supposed by me to be arms.

When Mr. Wachsmuth detined this genus the arms and the vault
were unknown. ‘The specimens figured show these features in a very
satisfactory manner. The vault is seen to be composed of very small
plates, and with an anal opening near the ambulacral centre. There is
no proboscis and the vault and arms approximate to those of Glypto-
crinus.

The cup-plates are smooth and gibbous. The radial plates have
obtuse ridges, following the longitudinal axes of the rays, much ele-
vated at the sutures but almost obsolete in the middle of the plates.

TRENTON Formation.—All the specimens collected by the author
on Division street, Rochester ville.

OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS CLUB. TRANSACTIONS N°G:

Archaocrinus

desideratus
2.52

A flatrwd specimen showin
we ee aE
tertiary radius-anabrorrial ruinber

Swecmer ?, Euspirocrinus

A soo bconicus
Bon | 1.SD

A af Come
WEUNETE JTOHV
Dunston Street, Ohana Diagram of Otawa syec®

BB.£7 WRB. Dei= S.C M£lavcuiin. PHorTo-Limno.

OTTAWA FIELD-NATURALISTS CLUB. TRANSACTIONS N°6

Archeocrinus
desideraius

’ , Bea}
Diagram of a A

Large Specimen \ ae ys TS /
C. 5 Cas ne /».
Cvikg to the spec” 2S a = My

\ ane VAR /
not being sufyiiely \\\ £ J AM
cleaned to allow of bre ae. iZaN

underbasals beng seen they are omnilled here and in
The descriplion, aihough probably present,

BBETHRB. Dez

CM Laventin ProTo-LiTHO

251

ADDITIONAL NOTES ON THE GEVLOGY AND PALAON.
LOROGY OF OTTAWA AND VICINITY:

BY HENRY M. AMI, B.A., ASST. PALZONTOLOGIST GEOL. SURV. OF CANADA.

Read 4th March, 1885.

Further enquiry into the varied anil interesting as well as exten-
Slve series of strata exhibited in the Ottawa valley, both above and
below the city, has added not a little to the sum of our knowledge
already recorded in the transactions of this society and elsewhere. Both
in paleontology and s‘ratigraphy, much new to the locality, to Canada,
and in some instances to science, has been discovered. .

The field of research is vast and important, but fortunately a
decided increase in the interest taken in geological science has marked
the season just closed. No less than sixteen members of the geological
section took advantage of the sub-excursions, a number of whom made
collections whiist ethers took only a partial yet appreciative interest in
the subject.

The beautiful sequence of the fossiliferous sedimentary strata,
ranging from the Upper Potsdam to the Hudson River inclusive, is here
well defined and nay be studied to great advantage not only from a
mere chronological standpvint but also in comparison with rocks con-
sidered to be synchronous with these, and deposited under rather dif-
ferent conditions in other portions of this continent. To trace out
accurately and ascertain the degree of submergence and elevation
which at different times are known to have occurred in this neighbour-
hood during the paleozoic period; and likewise to note the sequence of
life during this same period as evinced from the pu‘wuntological data
already obtained and still coming in, the chauges in the jlora and
fauna corresponding to the changes of water-level, are indeed tasks
worthy of a Murchison, of a Sedgwick, a Barrande, a Logan, or
a Billings. Without going into details as tp the result of a number of
sections which have been studied from exposures in this neighbourhood,
the general results obtained in the field during the past summer may be
summed up as follows, the notes on each formation being given
separately.

g

252

Potsdam Formation.—At Montebello, Mr. Louis J. Papineau has
been carrying on extensive operations in this formation and has dis-
covered numerous tracks of marine animals upon the sandstones which
once formed an ancient sea-shoré. Some beautiful slabs have been ex-
tracted.

Chazy Formation.—As has already been noticed in former tran-
sactions, the measures of this formation are clearly divisible into these
series in the following ascending order: (a) Sandstones, with flags and
shales ; (b) Shales ; (c) Limestones. The sandstones are very poor in fos-
sils. Aylmer town and Pointe des Chenes, however, have yielded a few
species, whilst a specimen of Lingula, as yet undetermined, but pro-
bably new, was found in the shaly division at Hemlock Lake, New
Edinburgh ; at Hog’s Back, Nepean, some very fossiliferous beds
occur, one especially noteworthy containing abundance of Lingula Bella,
( Billings ), a Lamellibranchiate shell also undetermined and Cyrtodonta
breviuscula, ( Billings.) Numerous black phosphatic nodules, probably
coprolites, are frequently associated with these.

On the occasion of the Club’s visit to Moore’s Landing, opposite
Quyon, about 40 miles west of Ottawa, the geological branch had a
splendid opportunity afforded them of examining a fine section of the
Chazy formation. The measures at this place are exposed from the
river margin to the top of the hill (with'a few places of concealment) a
thickness of 135 feet. This exposure can be traced down the Ottawa
in an undoubted continuous series as far to the east as Skead’s Mills,
near Ottawa, along the Ontario shore, outcrops of which are almost
everywhere to be seen, but especially about Berry’s brewery and
along the lake shore and at Brittania. This tract of country was
geologically coloured .as Calciferous in the 1866 map published by Sir
Wm. Logan, but from conclusive paleontological evidence obtained at
this excursion it can be positively asserted that these measures are of
the Chazy formation. Deposited horizontally and even now quite un-
disturbed, the beds at Moore’s Landing hold an abundance of organic
remains in the uppermost or limestone portion of the section. The
characteristic band of impure limestone teeming with remains of Ha-
tomostraca nay also be seen here in its normal position—as at Aylmer,
Hog’s Back, L’Orignal, ete., from which places it has been recorded,

253

The species most abundant is probably the Leperditia Canadensis, var
Louckiana (Jones.)

The associated bed of limestone exhibiting numerous and large
concentric patches of rock supposed to repesent the Stromatocerium
rugosum of Hall, is exposed along the road a considerable distance, and
fine specimens have been collected of what appears to be the above
species. A doubt still exists in the mind of the writer as to whether
or not this bed, which is almost if not entirely composed of this
organism, may not be merely the result of concretionary action. Micro-
scopic sections of specimens prepared by Mr. Weston have not given
any characteristic structure. Besides the above there were collected:
Columnaria incerta (Billings), a fossil coral; a Pleurotomaria like P.
pauper (Bill.), an Orthoceras sp. and Leperditie already refurred to.
There is but little doubt that the strip of country lying between. this
place and Ottawa, now occupied by the Ottawa River, and extending
some distance on either bank, presented at one time a perfectly flat
and continuous aspect.

Denuding agencies have evidently been at work in forming the ~
bed of the Ottawa River and also to a certain extent Lake Des Chénes
—agencies which during the “glacial epoch” must have been much
more active than the present slow but sure denuding action of subaérial
or atmospheric erosion.

Another very typical exposure of the Chazy formation was
observed and examined to the eastward of the Rideau Hall grounds.
close to where the measures of the Trenton formation, characterized hy
the abundance of fossils peculiar to that horizon, and considerably dis-
turbed owing to a Jocal fault, come in contact with it.

The characteristic bed of concretionary (!) or laminated limestone
is well exposed over a considerable area in the country lying between
Mr. Matheson’s property and the Rideau Hali grounds, occupying the
superior portion of the measures throughout the greater part. This
area, as at present known, presents an irregular contour bounded on
almost every side by faults and dislocations of purely local origin,
bringing the measures of the Chazy in contact with those of the Black
River, Trenton, and Utica (?) formations—showing how intricate and.
at the same time interesting the geology of Ottawa is. ;

254

Besides affording good sandstone and limestone for building pur-
poses and also flagstones for paving; the Chazy formation about
Ottawa affords good hydraulic cement. On lot 34, Con. A, Nepean,
Mr. C. B. Wright has opened a large quarry in three be ls lying close
te one another in the uppermost part of this formation, and for years
past has obtained a large quantity of a magnesian limestone having a
marked conchoidal fracture and often containing small cavities lined with ~
pink calcite crystals. Higher up the river and on the line of strike of
the above mentioned exposure the same beds were noticed at several
places, whilst in the “Geol. of Canada,” 1863, page 806, it is stated
that they are continuous from Allumette Island,to Hawkesbury, a dis-
tance of over 100 miles. The cement, known commercially as the
“Hull Cement” and manufactured by calcining this rock with an ad-
mixture of clay as the argillaceous constituent required in certain
definite proportions, has been characterized as “a strong and lasting
cement ’—(see descriptive catalogue of the minerals of Canada—Dr.
Selwyn, 1876.) The clays used belong to the post tertiary epoch and
are of marine origin, being known as the “ Leda Clays.”

There has been a considerable demand for ‘“ Hull Cement” in
foreign as well as home markets during the past year, upwards of 8,000
barrels of hydraulic cement having been shipped. from this port whilst
there have already been extracted 1,750 loads of cement-stone this
winter for calcination during the coming season. ‘The cerent belongs
to that class known as ‘ slow-setting.”

Bird’s Eye and Black River Formation.—The measures of this
formation about the Petite Chaudiere on the north and south shores of
the Ottawa River were visited and a number.of the characteristic
species of fossils collected, e. g. : Columnaria Halli, (Nicholson), Tetra-
dium fibratum (Safford), ete.

Notes were taken on the much faulted and disturbed strata at this
Jocality which assumes its peculiar orographic aspect on account of
faults cutting the measures in a parallel series of steps—whence the
rapids, .

It is very difficult to ascertain in many instances the exact amount
of faulting, yet the exposures are most interesting and deserve close
study.

209

Proceeding eastward from the city we find another interesting
exposure of this formation occurring at the branching of the road lead-
ing to Beechwood cemetery, close to the swamp. Here a very inter-
esting section may be seen showing the contact of this formation with
the Utica, indicating the presence of a local fault or dislocation appar-
ently causing a downthrow on the west side of the fault of at least 200
feet. This fault is a remarkable one, and can be traced to a distance
of two miles on the Ontario side, traversing the country in an approxi
mate north and south direction, crossing the swamp above referred to,
and may be seen bringing the measures of the Trenton at a high angle to
the horizon on the east side of Mackay’s Bay. The Black River forma-
tion here, as in other places about Ottawa, is characterised by beds of dark
blue and grey impure limestone affording good building stone, almost
throughout its whole measures. At this exposure the lower measures
of the formation are tilted at an angle of 90° where they come in con-
tact with the Utica formation, then proceeding eastward the beds are
seen to dip at various angles to the east, the angle gradually decreasing
until the summit of the bluff and the cemetery are reached, where they
are practically horizontal, dipping but slightly to the east.

Amongst the organic remains found here may be mentioned Tetra-
dium fibratum (Safford), Helicotoma planulata (Salter), Plewrotomaria
lapici?a (Salter), besides lamellibranchiata and bivalve entomostraca
in great numbers requiring further study.

Trenton Formation.—In this tolerably well known and interesting
formation some points of interest are always sure to come up, both as
regards its paleontological record and local stratigraphical significance
At Ottawa and vicinity the Trenton, like its closely related formations,
is affected by a number of faults, anl it has been pretty conclusively
ascertained from flexures in the strata, accompanied by faults, exhibit-
ing what is generally termed a monoclinal structure, or simply a
‘“‘monocline ”—that there has been in most instances a downthrow on
the west side of the faults, which have a generul north and south
bearing at right angles to the course of the Ottawa River. The Tren-
ton formation, as exposed at Nepean Point and old ‘“ Barrack,” or
now “Parliament IJMill,” presents many interesting faults and

flexures.

256

Among the fossil remains worthy of note collected at the foot of
Parliament Hill may be mentioned a large sponge referred by Mr.
Whiteaves to the genus Lrachiospongia (Marsh.) This beautitul speci-
men was obtained by the writer above low water mark in a bed of lime-
stone six inches in thickness, and immediately overlying that containing
tracks or trails of marine animals, at one of the geological sub_
excursions of the Club, Dr. Baptie being present. It is the first time
that the genus has been recognized as occurring in Canada. This
Ottawa specimen measures 1() inches or 24°5 centimetres in diameter,
and presents seven “ brachia,” or “arms”—so called. These lobes, more
properly speaking, are seen to radiate from a broad circular central
portion. There appear between these, in the intermediate spaces, lobes
slightly elevated above the gener.l level of the others ; whether these
are structural or not has not yet been ascertained. The specific refer-
ence is still doubtful as microscopic sections carefully prepared by Mr.
Weston, of the Geological Survey, have not given definite structure.
In certain minor details our specimen differs from either of the three
‘species described by Profs. Owen and Marsh, from the Cincinnati group
of Ohio, and whether they are ail the same or different species, still re-
mains to be settled.

Associated with it was discovered a series of tracks, probably
made by mollusca, resembling in miniature those described by Billings
as Serichnites, from the Cambro-Silurian deposits of Anticosti. That
they are not referable to Billing’s species, S. abruptus, is at once evi-
dent by comparing the specimens with the description.

The Ottawa specimens are often tortuous in their course, the marks
or pits are arranged in an alternating manner, and about three-eighths
of an inch is the greatest width of these tracks, there being about
twelve steps or series of footprints in the space of twenty-four lines.
Ichnites like these are generally supposed to have been mollusean in
origin. Amongst the other species of interest collected at the same
sub-excursion may be mentioned as of more especial interest, Ophileta
Otlawaénsis (Billings), Strophomenu deltoidea (Conrad), Bucania bid-
orsata (Hall), &e. Besides the above, the Trenton formation has also
yielded Amplexopora Canadensis (Foord), Pholidops subtruncatus (Hall),
Illenus trentonensis (Emmons), a beyrichia very difficult to distinguish

257

from some of the Cincinnati group species described by Prof. 8. A.
Miller, as well as a number of species awaiting identification.

A very interesting sub-excursion of the club was held at a short
distance from the city in July last, when the writer, in company with
Messrs. Craig, Summerby and Dr. Loux, all enthusiastic members
and devotees to science, visited a number of interesting exposures in
the county of Russell. The Trenton was observed to crop out on the
10th lot of con. 10, Russell, and lot 30 of con. 5 of Cambridge, forming
a ridge or elevation above the general level of the country, the measures
dipping at an angle of about 15° to the north.. There may be a dislo-
cation here, but the exposures were too limited to ascertain. The strike
is almost due east and west. Farther up, at Cook’s Rapids, on the
River Castor, lot 8, con. 9 of Russell, was found a splendid expos-
ure of the Trenton formation for a distance of at least one mile,
characterized by abundance of fossils, over twenty species hav-
ing been collected and recorded from that place, amongst which
may be mentioned the Brachiospongia referred to already, Protarea
vetusta, H. Prasopora Selwyni (Nich), Bellerophon sulcatinus (Bil-
lings).

The Utica Formation.—To sum up briefly the results obtained
in the very interesting series of bituminous schists and associated im-
pure limestones, it may be said that in the exposures on the Rideau
Hall grounds the perfectly conformable position of the Utica on the
Trenton, or else the gradual passing of the Treuton measures into those
of this formation is very evident. That an unconformability has been
assigned to the Utica by many authors is a well-known fact. The
measures at Rideau Hall immediately set at rest this question upon
examining them. Not only the stratigraphy agrees, but also the mass
of paleontological evidence which has already been gathered fcom this
formation, enables one to satisfy himself of the truths of the above
statement. There is no discordance of stratification whatever, and,
further, there are species and genera which pass from one into the
other gradually. In fact it is very difficult, nay, impossible, to give
the precise bed which is first characteristic of the Utica.

The uppermost measures of the Trenton have shales between the
layers of limestones ; the sediment having assumed a more argillaceous

258

nature, owing, no doubt, to a depression of the continent and conse-
quent greater depth of the seas in the Utica times.

An important fact has been ascertained with regard to the distri-
bution of the Utica at Ottawa, viz., that it occurs on Bank street, just
west of the fault, which runs by the “Supreme Court” building. The
Utica was further ascertained to occur on Albert street, from the
corner of Kent, 175 feet in an easterly direction, having had to be
blasted by the men employed in laying drains, &c. From these shales
some beautiful specimens were obtained. The rocks here present a
striking resemblance to those of a similar horizon at such a remote dis-
tance as Collingwood, on the Georgian Bay. The association of the
trilobites, mollusks and bivalve shells, and entomostroca is strikingly
the same. Lyrodesmu pulchellum, Leperditia cylindrica, Asaphus Cana-
densis, Triarthrus bechki, Lingula Progne, Leptobolus insignis and Endo-
cerus proteiformis, all occurring together in same beds both here and
at Collingwood in Western Ontario. Amongst the additions to the list
of Utica species may be mentioned a new species of monticuliporid—
Batostoma erratica, Ulrich, MSS. ~ From beautiful sections of this
interesting branching polyzoary prepared by Mr. Weston and from draw-
ings exceeuted by the same gentlemen, together with Mr. Ulrich’s
authority, the writer has had an opportunity of identifying the species |
in question. Prof. Ulrich will soon describe it, and therefore no
description is here given of it. It has further been ascertained that
the graptolites referred to as Didymograptus flaccidus and annectans
are both referrable to the genus Leplograptus.

Hudson River Formation.—Here we have to hail a wew era in our
geological nomenclature, having to add this formation to the eight
others already known about Ogtawa, and with which the Club’s work has
dealt. That the shales and arenaceous beds found on a cutting on the
Canada Atlantic railway are of this age may be ascertained from the
following list of species found. The cutting is three miles from
Ottawa. Zygospira headi, b. (O. Erratica, H.), Orthis testudinaria,
and opertrinella, Modiolopsis modiolaris, Conrad (large), Modiolopsis .
pholadiformis (Hall), Ambonychia radiata (Hall) &c., Cyrtolites orna-
tus (Conrad), Bellerophon bilobatus—G. B.

959

In the post tertiary deposits of Green’s creek the writer, in com-
‘pany with Mr. F. A. Dixon, found an interesting coleopterous insect,
which is now in the hands of Prof. 8. H. Scudder, of Boston, and
awaits identification.

REPORT OF THE PALZONTOLOGICAL BRANCH.

To the Council of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’_Club :

I was unable to attend last summer’s Club excursions, but during
the autumn I paid some attention to a rich outcrop covering the
western portions of lots 3 and 4, concession 3, R. F., Gloucester,
County of Carleton. In 1878 Mr. H. O. Wood, P..8., pointed out
this outcrop to Mr. G. C. Heron, C.E., and myself, and T trust that
some enterprising member of this club will visit the locality and work
up the exposures thoroughly. The following species, together with.

many others yet undetermined, are now in my cabinet :

. Stromatocerium rugosum.
Tetradium fibratum.
Ptilodictya acuta.

. Orthis tricenaria.

. Rhynchonella increbescens.
Streptorynchus subtentum.
. Bucania expansa.

B. punctifrons.

B. bidorsata. .

10. Ophileta ottawensis.

11. Ecctliomphalus trentonensis.
12. Helicotoma planulata.

13. Raphistoma progne.

14. Pleurotomaria subconica.
15. Subulites subfusiformis.
16. S. elongata.

17. Cyclonema halliana.

18. Murchisonia milleri and M. milleri var. perangulata.
19. M. helicteres.

20. Endoceras annulatum.

21. Orthoceras bilineatum.

22. O. multicameratum.

23. O. amplicameratum.

SEAT F WYP

24. Lituites convolans.

25. Cyrtodonta canadensis.
26. C. obtusa.

27. C. huronensis.

28. C. subtruncata.

29. C. subcarinata.

30. Ambonychia orbicularis.
31. Modiolopsis trentonensis.
32. M. modiolaris.

33. M. meyeri.

34. M. gesneri.

3d. Illenus ovatus.

36. I. milleri.

37. Bathyurus extans.

38. Ceraurus pleurexanthemus.
Thirty-eight species and one variety.

T think it is high time that the attention of the club was called to
the fact that very little work worthy of mention has been done during
the past twenty years in Ottawa Trenton group paleontology. Looking
over Canadian scientific pamphlets and periodicals I find but two
notable lists of Trenton fossils, one by Mr. J. F. Whiteaves, published
in the Canadian Naturalist for 1865, and the other Mr. Ami’s list,
published in your Transactions No. 5. Mr. Whiteaves’ list was of 66
species from the Trenton formation (excluding the Birdseye and Black
River) of the Jsland cf Montreal. Mr. Ami’s list includes Chazy,
Birdseye and Black River, Trenton, Utica and two divisions of the
Post Tertiary. Omitting the Post Tertiary, and excluding varieties
where their species are also given, we find that Mr. Ami has given us
202 distinct species from the Cambro-Silurian rocks of this locality, as

follows :—
OHARy uae akg eae leprae iia eee 10 species.
Birdseye and Black River ..:. ....... 22° ae
Trenton? 2%s.<he ease: “oa eek Scare iy Se.
ities. Saki eens ee eee ee 45%
231 -

Less 10 marked doubtful and 19 names

repeated under two or more forma-

TODS: sais 4 Sab ae oes

Totai number of Cambro-Silurian species. 202

261

With reference to the Trenton group I may mention that this list
does not include all the Ottawa fossils described and recorded from that
group by E. Billings and others, which fact Mr. Ami mentions in his
introduction.’ These neglected names, which I propose to record are as
follows :—

Glyptocrinus ornatus, Report G. 8. C. 1853-4-5-6.

Dendrocrinus conjugans, < be s

Carabocrinus radiatus,

Orthis gibbosa, sf es uo

Cyrtoceras simplex, ef sf u

Vanuxemia inconstans, Report G. 8. C. 1857

Cyrtodonta subangulata, LC &

“ce “cc “cc

C. obtusa, “ «
C. Canadensis, ‘6 «
C. subcarinata, ‘“ “

ce (a4

€. rugosa,
Bellerophon (Bucania) disculus, Report G.8.C., 1863, pages 166-7.
Eunema strigillata, ce a : a

Helicotoma planulata,

Matheria brevis, ‘ «“ Pe
M. obtusa, “ &< “<
Modiolopsis meyeri, Paleozoic Fos., Vol. I, G. 8. C.
Csenodonta abrupta, ‘“ és «
Orthis porcata, ‘“ ‘ ‘

6s 6. é

O. retrosa,
Illeenus angustico]lis, Canadian Nat. and Geol., Ist series, Vol. 4.
5

ec

Strophomena (Streptorynchus) fluctuosa, “ ‘ Vol.
S. camerata, & ‘ «
Pleurotomaria progne, ‘“ ‘“ és
P. americana, ‘<6 ‘“ ‘“

“cc 6c “cc

Gomphoceras prematurum,

Calapeecia canadensis, Canadian Nat. and Geol., 2nd series, Vol. 2.

All the above were recorded by E. Billings, and the following by
Prof. Nicholson :-—

Ttilodictya fenestelliformis, Report Paleontology of Oils 1875.

Strophomena rhomboidalis, es .

Twenty-seven species recorded by E. Billings and two 59 Prof.
Nicholson, in all twenty-nine.

Of species observed by myself in this neighbourhood, not occurring
in Mr. Aii’s list and unrecorded by E. Billings or Prof. Nicholson, I
may mention the following :— _

1. Lingula elongata.
Discina pelopea.

3. Crania setigera.
4. Streptorynchus subtentum.
5. Bucania expansa.

6. B. punctifrons.

7. Subulites elongata.

8. Cvclonema hailiana.

9. GC. bilnx: »
10. Holopea paludiniformis.

11. Murchisonia helicteres.

12. Endoceras annulatum.

13. Orthoceras multicameratum.
14. Lituites convolans.

15. Ctenodonta astarteiformis.
16. Cyrtodonta huronensis.

17. Ambonychia orbicularis.

18. Modiolopsis trentonensis.
19. M. modiolaris. .

20. Bathyurus extans.
21. Jichas trentonensis.
Twenty-one species.

WALTER R. BILLINGS.
19th February, 1885. 5

ADDENDUM.

In the Transactions published last year (No. 5, Vol. IL, No. 2)
certain geological notes by Mr. Walter R. Billings, which were. in-
tended by him to appear separately, in a different form, were inad-
vertently incorporated in the report of the Geological Branch (Page 121).

~ REPORT OF THE BOTANICAL BRANCH.

This report has unfortunately been mislaid since it was read at the
Club Soirée held on 18th Dec., 1884, and as the printing of these
Transactions cannot be delayed, its appearance has been postponed ‘to
the next number.

263

REPORT OF THE CONCHOLOGICAL BRANCH.

To the Council of the Ottawa Field-Nuturalists Club :

GENTLEMEN,— During the past year this section of the club has
made gratifying progress in the work assigned to it. In conjunction
with the botanical branch, three sub-excursions were held in the early
part of the season. The first, to the marl beds east of Hemlock Lake,
afforded many of the commoner land shells, such as Mesodon albolabris,
Say, Patula alternata, Say, Patula striatella, Anth., Stenotrema
monodon, Rackett, and Suecinea obliqua, Say. Macrocylis concava, Say,
Hyalina arborea, Say, H. viridula, Mke., and Conulus fulvus, Drap.,
were obtained in less numbers, together witu two bleached specimens
of Mesodon sayii, Binney, and-one of Zonites inornatus, Say. Both the
latter species probably lived in this locality within a very recent period.
It is not likely that they long survived the destruction of the forest
which once favoured them by equalizing the temperature, preventing
rapid evaporation and condensing at night generous supplies of moist-
ure from the atmosphere.

On the way homeward Campeloma decisum, Say, Linnea desidiosa,
Say, and Planorbis campanulatus, Say, were collected in the lake.
Anodonta fluviatilis, Dillw., was observed in quantity in muskrat heaps
at the west end of the lake, but no perfect shells were found, one valve
being invariably broken. In one specimen of the P. campanulatus, the
bell shaped mouth after being fully formed had contracted and con-
tinued growing for half a whorl, when anather enlarged aperture was
formed. The result is P. (Adula) multivolvis, Case, in every particular
but one. The shell from Hemlock “Lake has only four and a half |
whorls, instead of the’ “seven whorls” of Case’s somewhat mythical
species, which in fact seems to have been nothing more than P. campa-
nulatus with the aperture duplicated.

’ ‘The next expedition was to Dow’s Swamp. A halt was made
en route at the Bank street bridge, where Vulvata tricarinata, Say,
Limneea stagnalis, LL, Physa ancillaria, Say, Planorbis trivolvis, Say,
and P. campanulatus were collected. Very fine specimens of L. stagnalis
occur at many points along the Rideau Canal, but nowhere of more
graceful proportions and beautifal lustre than in the dead water ex-

264

tending from the canal in a westerly divection immediately above the
swing bridge. J. ancillaria found there is also very beautiful, but
except in colour it differs little from the form of P. heterostropha, Say,
commonly met with. Both species are found in company in a depau-
perate form around the islands at the foot of the Little Chaudiére.

On arriving at the swamp no time was spent in searching for the
minute land shells—many very rare—which it produces, but our party
at once repaired to the lake in’ its centre. Valvatu sincera, Say
Limnea palustris, Miill, were present in great abundance, with not a
few Planorbis deflectus, Say, and P. exacutus, Say. The only bivalve
previously taken in the Jake was Pisidium abditum, Hald., but on this
occasion, in addition to that species, were found P. ventricosum, Prime,
and Spherium securis, Say—the former rare and the latter common
and more inflated than the shells occurring in the canal.

Later in the season, in the ditch on the opposite side of the rail-
way from Dow’s swamp, a small form of Physa gyrina, Say, was taken
in large numbers.

The third sub-excursion, which took place to Hull, was not
attended with very satisfactory results. Along the eastern slopes of
the hill overlooking the beaver meadow a few specimens of Mesodon
sayit were found. Limnea emarginata, Say, and Physa heterostropha
were taken in Scott’s Creek; and in dried-up pools beside the railway
we noticed myriads of shells of Zimnea palustris.

On the general excursion of the club to Kingsmere we obtained
Mesodon saywi, Zonites inornatus, a slug which is probably Pallifera
dorsalis, Binney, and a great many of the smaller helices. No locality
near Ottawa affords so many species of land shells as King’s Mountain
and the ravines which climb around its sides, but neither the coronal
lake near its summit, nor Kingsmere far below, appears to contain a
single shell. Many larger lakes in the Laurentides are equally unpro-
ductive. ;

At Mohr’s wharf, on the occasion of the excursion to the Chats,
Unio complanatus, Sol., U. radiatus, Lamk., Limnea catascopiwm, Say,

LL. caperata, Say, and Planorbis trivolvis were observed along the shore; .
and the woods to the south afforded JLesodon albolobris, Patula
striatella, Hyalina arborea, H. viridula, H. indentata, Say, Conulus

265

fulwus, Strobila labyrinthica, Pupa contracta, Say, Succinea ovalis, and
Tebennophorus carolinensis, Base.

We were absent from the city when the excursions were held to.
Buckingham and Casselman, but on these occasions the branch was,
represented by Mr. Harrington. Little worthy of particular mention
was observed at Buckingham, but at Casselman an important addition.
was made to our lists in the large and handsome Mesodon thyroi-
des, Say. ;

Considerable independent work was done by individual members.
of this section when business cares permitted. On the 3rd and 4th of
September a tour was made along La Péche River, in the County of
Ottawa, from its mouth to its source. As far back as Masham post.
office, the stream, flowing in a gravelly bed, often strewn with boulders,
appears to contain only two shells, Unio complanatus and Physa
heterostropha, the latter very large. Before reaching Masham a visit
was made to a small and in part shallow lake on the right of the road
leading up the valley. It is locally known as Gauvreau’s Lake, being
named, as is customary in the Laurentides, after a neighbouring settler.
It fairly teems with molluscan life. Four species, however, found com-
mon there on July 11, 1881: Annicola porata, Say, Limnew desidiosa,
Say (a small but beautiful variety), Planorbis deflectus, and Sperium
sulcatum, Lamk., had almost entirely disappeared. Campeloma deciswm
was rare as on the occasion of the furmer visit to the lake, and a large
fine variety of Planorbis trivolvis very common. Unio complanatus,
U. luteolus, Lamk., Anodo:ta fragilis, Lamk., and A. lacustris, Lea,
occurred in the shallows in great abundance, notwithstanding the im-
mense numbers destroyed by muskrats, as bore witness the large heaps
of empty shells at short intervals along the shore. In this and other
lakes the muskrats tear off one valve of the fragile anodontas, but the
thick shelled species, as well as margaritanas and unios, they treat in a
different manner, breaking off invariably a small portion of the lower.
third of the posterior margin. I[t is not improbable that they then
extract the juices of the animal by suction, and when the adductor
muscles relax and the valves open the firmer parts become easily
accessible. Where thin andontas are rare and occur in company with
numerous unios, as at several points along the Ottawa, they are treated

266

exactly like the thicker shells. The rats in such places have apparent-
ly not learned to distinguish the two genera.

Beyond Masham mills, where the mill dam was undergoing repairs,
the muddy river bed was almost dry. The same shells were found
here as lower down, and in addition Cumpeloma decisum rufum,
Planorbis trivolvis, P. bicarinatus, Say, Unio complanatus, and Sphae-
rium suleatum. Higher up, the river became rapid and narrow, with

a pebbly bottom—a mere mountain brook—and no shells were found

in it.

Later in September the outlet from Leamy’s Lake was explored.
Where it joins the Ottawa a single fine specimen of Anodonta benedicti,
Lea, was collected. In the same vicinity, and especially at the mouth
of Brigham’s Creek, the surface of the water near the shore was one
warm evening observed almost covered by innumerable univalves float-
ing foot upward. Physa heterostropha was the species most abundant.
Scarcely less common were Planorbis bicarinatus and P. albus, Mill.,
while P. trivolvis—a medium sized, robust, dark brown form—and
Limncea catascopium were sparingly represented.

As the polyzoa are classed under the mollusca, it may not be out-
side the métier of this branch to mention the occurrence of numerous
large colonies of Pectinatella magnifica in the bay into which the outlet
from Leamy’s Lake flows.

With a view to preparing a complete list of the terrestrial mol-
lusks of this vicinity a special effort was made by visiting new localities
‘to collect all. the species which occur here. The results, in part suc-
cessful, have been set forth in a paper recently read before the club.

F. R. LATCHFORD.
4th March, 1885. | PASCAL S, POIRTER.

267

ADDENDUM.

Correction BY Mr. J. F. Waiteaves or REMARKS ATTRIBUTED TO
HIM ON PAGE 133 (Transactions No. 5).

To the Secrelary of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club :

Dear Srr,—On page 133 of vol. 2 of the Transactions of the
Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club some remarks are attributed to me in
which my meaning has been misunderstood on two points.

In reference to the first, what I intended to say, and what I
believe I did say was, that, as Dr. Lea pointed out long ago,
the rivers flowing immediately west from the Alleghanies, such as the
Ohio and other tributaries of the Mississippi, contain a different set of
Unionide to those which inhabit the streams of New England and the
more northern Atlantic States which flow eastward from that mountain
range. That to the north, in Canada, where no such mountain barrier
exists, there is often no such marked distinction between these fanne,
and that this co- mingling may to some extent have been brought about
by such artificial means as the construction of canals, like the Welland.
At the time the remarks were made it did not occur to me that
some of the members present might not be aware of the fact that the
Unionide of the Pacific slope belong to quite a different fauna to the
two already indicated.

Secondly, in regard to the North American species of Anodonta, it
never entered into my mind to suppose that all the species that
have been described from this continent could be regarded as one.
My remarks were to the effect that some of the so-called species
which have so far have been recorded as occurring in Canada (and
especially those from the Province of Quebec) have been thought by
naturalists of experience to be possibly only polymorphic varieties of
the European (and possibly circumpolar) Anodonta cygnea.

J. F. WHITEAVES.
August 18th, 1885.

h

268

REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL BRANCH FOR THE
SEASON OF 1884.

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

As predicted in the report submitted last year, the depth of snow
which covered the ground was followed by a great abundance of insects,
the hibernated forms of which had been well protected from harm.
Although the spring was rather backward and the snow slow in dis-
appearing, the season was earlier than in 1883, and hibernated insects
were observed in the beginning of April. The summer was unusually
cold and wet, and tended, doubtless, to check in some degree the increase
of many species, although, perhaps, favorable to others; the influence
of such seasons being yet uncertain. The unusually severe frost of
28th May, which, especially on the north side of the river, was such as
to destroy the new wood of many native trees and shrubs, must have
destroyed immense numbers of insects, either directly or indirectly.
‘One instance of its effects may be noted. Mr. Pellissier, who lives
about three miles from the Wakefield cave, informed us that the fail-
ure of the flowers of the raspberry (Rubus strigosus), from which his
bees gather the greater part of their spring honey, was so complete that
he was afraid he would have to sacrifice many of his colonies. The
same cause must have been very disadvantageous to our native bees.

While the entomological branch remains deplorably weak in num-
bers we are able to record the addition to its ranks of two or three
members who will doubtless be of great assistance in its work.

During the last session of Parliament the Committee on Agricul-
ture summoned us to give evidence as to the injurious effects of insects,
and also as to the advisability of a practical entomologist being appointed
by the Government to investigate their ravages. The committee has
since published its report, and haviag recommended that entomological
investigations should be made under the control of the Department of
Agriculture, one of your leaders has been appointed Entomologist to
that department.

Hymenoprera.—The collections in this order have been largely
increased, and a paper on one section of the species injurious to vege-
tables is announced on the programme of our soirées. A considerable

269

number of species in other families has been determined by Mr.
Guignard, who has made a fine coilection of these very interesting
insects during the past two or three years.

LepipoptrRa.—In this attractive order a considerable amount of
work has been done, chiefly amongst the diurnals, although the noc-
turnals have not been altogether neglected, and many new and rare
species heve been added to our collections. A collection is exhibited
this evening of specimens of diurnal lepidoptera, all taken during
the year in this locality or bred from the eggs. The leaders cannot do
better than urge the members of the Club to take up the study of rear-
ing insects from the egg. The eggs of many species can be obtained with
comparative ease ; yet hardly anything has been done in this line, and
a fruitful field is open for workers. During the past year a commence-
ment has been made, and the results are exhibited to you to-night,
The exquisite specimen of Colias Hurytheme, winter form Keewaydin, in
the case was bred from an egg laid by a specimen of the summer form
Eurytheme so battered that it was hardly recognizable. At the same
time a family of twelve specimens of the common Clouded Sulphur
butterfly, Colias Phivodice, were bred with this specimen for the sake of
comparison, and were compared daily with important results. This
family was chiefly of interest, because it showed conclusively that the
white form of female, occasionally found flying with the yellow speci-
mens, is merely a chance variety. Three of the twelve were very
fine albinos. This result of obtaining white females from a yellow
female had not, we believe, been previously obtained. Other interest-
ing points as to the extent of variation were also demonstrated.

Although an alinost complete series has been collected we con-
sider it wiser to postpone for a time the publication of a list of our
diurnals, so that additional information may be acquired regarding
some of the species.

Among the larger, or rarer, lepidoptera which have occurred during
the past season, either in the preparatory or perfect states, mention
must be made of the following species. <Actias Luna was exceedingly
abundant in the larval stage near Hull, over thirty caterpillars having
been collected in one afternoon, chiefly from the bitter hickory (Carya

amara). On oaks the larve of Ceratocampa pellucida were abundant.

270

From the white pine about a dozen larvee of Hllemsa Harristi were taken,

and at the same time three of the curious larve of Platycerura furcilla.
These species feed in a remarkable manner, well worth mentioning.
Clasping a twig with their prolegs they pull down a leaf by means of
their thoracic feet until the tip is reached, when they feed on it until it
is eaten quite down; they then take the next, and so on. Another
rare species, to be for the first time recorded in this locality, is Callo-
samia Columbia, of which no less than nine larve were found on tama-
rack (larch) at Stewarton.

The most injurious insect of this order which occurred during the
season was the velvety black cutworm (Agrotis fennica). The larve
-of this moth attracted attention by their depredations early in May,
when they appeared in countless numbers, devouring nearly everything
that came in their way, and especially destroying peas and clover. This
species, although so numerous this year, had previously been an ex-
ceedingly rare insect, and it is probable, judging from the mortality
‘among those kept for study by us, that it will be very scarce again next
year. Thousands of the larvee were killel off by parasites and a
tungous disease before reaching maturity.

As leaders of the Entomological Branch we are much pleased to
‘amnounce that Dr. Selwyn instructed Prof. Macoun to collect lepi-
doptera. when examining the Nipegon district during the past summer,
and that the collection made there, although small, was of a most
important character, several very rare species having been taken, two
of which were new to science.

CoLeoprera.—The list of coleoptera published in the last number
-of the Transactions contained, as you are aware, all the species which
‘had been determined up to its publication. During the summer, how-
ever, a number of additional species were captured, and some of the
sunidentified ones have been determined,* so that about one hundred
-additional species are known. Mention may be made of an enormous
congregation of beetles (with which were many other insects) which
was observed by us on 4th May at the foot of the slide which brings
-down sawed lumber from the mills at Chelsea to the piling grounds at

* Chiefly through the kindness of Mr. J. B. Smith and Mr. BE. A. Schwarz.

271

Tronsides. The slide was not in use on the day in question, and all the
insects which fell into it throughout its length of four miles and were
carried down by its swift current were arrested at the piling grounds:
by the boards left floating in the trough. The accumulation numbered
many thousands and contained a great number of species, including
some very rare ones, but the larger part consisted of various species of
Scolytidz, or bark-boring beetles (chiefly of the pine), Aphodii and
Staphylinidz being next in abundance.

In the remaining orders a number of species have been captured
and a certain number named, while steps will be taken to have the
remaining insects determined by competent specialists. Mr. T. J.
MacLaughlin has commenced the study of our dragon-flies, and if
others of our wembers would only take up the collection and investi-
gation of one or more of the many groups which remain untouched
valuable work could be done for the Club and for entomology.

It is suggested that members could find an agreeable task in rear-
ing say a single species, as a complete investigation of the life history
of the most common insect would be of much interest and value. The:
number of species of which a complete history has been gained is small,
and new facts would be sure to reward even the beginner in this path
of science. To show what important work could be accomplished we
may state that one of the leaders has been able to provide Mr. W. H.
Edwards with a drawing of the chrysalis of a butterfly (Neonympha
Canthus) which he had not before been able to obtain, and which
rendered coraplete his illustrations of the various stages of all the

Atlantic species of the genus.

W. HAGUE HARRINGTON,
JAMES FLETCHER,

Leaders.

4th December, 1884.

272

REPORT OF THE ORNITHOLOGICAL BRANCH.

To the Couneil of the Ottawa Field Naturalists’ Club :

The work in this branch during the past season has been very
satisfactory, and the leaders are able to report no less than nine addi-
tions to the already large list of Ottawa birds published by the Club,
bringing the total number of species recorded from this locality up to
two hundred and six. Interesting notes were taken at some of the
Club excursions and working parties, but, as usual, the great bulk of the
work was accomplished individually.

Early in the year, circulars were received announcing the fact that
the American Ornithologists’ Union had taken upon itself the difficult
task of collecting material for the more systematic study of the great
problem of bird migration, and requesting those willing to assist, to take
careful notes on the movements of the birds, and report to the superin-
tendeuts appointed for the various districts. Both of the leaders
agreed to become observers, and reported individually, at stated inter-
vals during the season, embodying in their reports the observations of
other members of the Club. The most important part of the informa-
tion required was the dates of arrival and departure of the different
birds, distinguishing between the movements of the bulk of the species
and of mere stragglers. The work wili be continued during the coming
year, and it is hoped that every mamber of the Club will contribute his
mite towards making the reports from this station as full as possible.

The following are the additions made to the list of the birds of this
locality already published by the Club. The numbers refer to Cones’
“ Check List of North American Birds ” 1882 edition :

136. Sturus wevius (Bodd) Coues. Water Thrush. A young bird
of this species was shot by Mr. W. L. Scott, on the Club excursion to
the Chats Fall, held on July 24th. When shot it was running along
the side of the steep, rocky bank, which skirts the Ottawa River a
few miles below the falls. The locality is distant about thirty miles
from Ottawa. Mr. Scott observed another individual at Gallway’s
Lake, in the Laurentian Hills, on July 9th ; and a third was noted by
Mr. F. R. Latchford at the Little Chaudiere early in August.

273

188. Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides (Sw) Coues. White-rumped
Shrike. <A pair of these birds, both young of the year, were shot on
Jiine 28th by Mr. Scott, some four miles from the city, on the Quebec
side of the river. There were, in all, a family of five, but the other
three escaped. The stomachs of the two obtained were kindly ex-
- amined by Mr. W. H. Harrington, with the following result :

“Young Shrike (male). Full of insect remains, including
portions of a beetle, Warpalus (Pennsylvanicus ?) and of a: large, black
cricket.

~* © Young Shrike (female). Contents less, and more finely ground
up. Apparently all insects, including abdomen of weevil, Otiorhynchus
ligneus, head of large black wood ant (worker or soldier) and head of
some large ichneumon (/ymenoptera).”

242. Melospiza linconi (And.) Bd. Lincoln’s Song Sparrow. A
male of this species was shot by Mr. Geo. R. White, on the 16th May,
near the east end of the city.

388. Himpidonax flaviventris Bd. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. One
shot in a poplar tree, at the eastern extremity of the city, on May 26th,
by our indefaticable junior ornithologist, Master Ted White.

482. Nyctala teymalni richurdsoni (Bp.) Ridg. Richardson’s
Owl. Two specimens were secured by Mr. Geo. R. White; the first
on Jan. Ist, 1884, and the second on Nov. 29th, 1884.

~ 495, Accipiter coopert, Bp. Cooper's Hawk ; Chicken Hawk.
Master Ted White shot one of these hawks towards the latter part of
August, 1882. A specimen was also obtained on April 14th, 1884, by
Mr. Geo. R. White.

516. Buteo borealis (Gm.) V. Red-tailed Buzziwd Hawk; Hen
Hawk. A young example of this hawk was caught alive in a barn, by
Mr. Freeman, of Bowsville, Nepean, on Dec. 31st. The bird had en-
tered the barn in pursuit of some hens. The specitaen was subsequently
killed and was mounted by Mr. Coleman. |

695. Chen hyperboreus ( Pall.) Boie. Snow Goose. On Nov. |st.,
a bird of this species was ‘put up” from a stubble field on the
Ontario side of the Ottawa, by Mr. Herring, the taxidermist to the
Canadian Geological and Natural History Survey. Although he did
not succeed in obtaining the bird, Mr. Herring is quite positive as to

a74

its identity. A specimen is also said to have been shot just above the

falls, some eighteen years ago, by the late Dr. Van Courtland. The -

head and wings were preserved, and remained in the museum of the

Ottawa Literary and Scientific Society, until destroyed by moths.

847. Podiceps griseigena holbelli (Reinh.) Coues. American Red-
necked Greke. In October, 1881, Mr. Whitcher shot a young male of
this species, out of a flock of 8, on Campbell’s Bay, some twenty-eight
miles below the city. The specimen was mounted, and is at present in
the office of the Deputy Minister of Fisheries.

The following birds, rare iu this locality, or recently added to our
local list, were noted during the season :

13. Turdus ustulatus swainsoni (Cab.) Coues. Olive-backed
Thrush. Master Ted White shot + of these birds, in a swamp near
Beechwood, on May 24th ; and Mr. Geo. R. White shot one near the
same place on Sept. 24th.

134. Dendrwca pinus (Bartr) Bd. Pine-creeping Warbler. Al-
though far north of what is usually considered the northern limit of
this species, it seems a not very uncommon bird with us. Master Ted
White shot a specimen on the 8th of May last, making the fifth
recorded from this locality.

142. Geothlypis philadelphia (Wils.) Bd. Mourning Warbler. On
July 21st, an adult female of this rare warbler was obtained by Mr.
Scott. It was shot in a small beaver meadow near Pelissier, in the
Laurentian Hills, twenty-four miles north of Ottawa. The stomach
was kindly examined by Mr. Fletcher, who reports as follows :

“The contents of the Mourning Warbler’s stomach were—

1. Three of the large jumping legs and several parts of the wings of a
Tettix.

2. Fifteen thoraces of some small Hemipterous insect, probably Veides:
spinosus. YT am sorry to have to record that this is a beneficial
insect.

3. One wing of a Hemipterous insect, showing the characteristic end of
the hemelytron.

4, Four curved ova, about one line in length, of a deep vellow colour,
probably of the above mentioned tettix.

5. Part of a blue elytron of some small Coleopterous insect.

is

The rest of the contents of the stomach was made up of parts of
legs and bodies of insects, quite undistinguishable from partial decom-
position.”

173. Vireo philadelphicus, Cass. Brotherly-love Vireo. Master
Ted White secured one of these vireos—apparently very rare with us—
in his father’s garden, on Sept. 4th.

176. Vireo flavifrons, V. Yellow-throated Vireo. A pair shot
by Mr. Geo. R. White, near Beechwood, on May 15th. Mr. Scott shot
a young female, near Pelissier, on July 21st. There were two of them,
chasing each other from tree to tree, but only one was obtained. The
stomach, as examined by Mr. Harrington, contained “a large striped
caterpillar, several smaller caterpillars, and some small fragments, pro-
bably of coleoptera.”

177. Vireo solitarius, V. Blue-headed Vireo. These birds appear
to have been rather common last autumn. Mr. Geo. R. White shot
two on the 28th of September, and Master Ted White obtained a pair
on the 30th of the same month. Mr. Scott noted them on September
6th and 14th, and shot one on September 15th, and another on Sep-
tember 19th. Mr. Harrington examined the stomachs of the last two,
with the following result :

“ Solitary Vireo (shot Sept. 15th). Contents small. One cater-
pillar skin, and remains of Hemiptera (?)

* Solitary Vireo (shot Sept. 19th). Hemipterous remains chiefly.
Fragments of a species of Podisus.” ;

212. Chrysomitris pinus (Bartr.) Lp. Pine Linnet. Mr. Geo.
R. White noted these birds as late as May 15th last spring, and again
on August 15th. <A pair were shot by Mr. Galpin of Rideau Hall, on
October 6th.

227. Passerculus sandvicensis savana (Wils.) Rilg. Common
Savanna Sparrow. This sparrow, although overlooked until last year,
appears to be quite common. At Casselman, 30 miles south of us, it
is apparently the commonest sparrow, and is very abundant.

282. Passerella iliaca (Merr.) Sw. Fox Sparrow. Master Ted
White succeeded in securing two of these handsome sparrows, the first
on May 2nd, in his father’s garden, and the second beyond Beechwood,

on the 3rd September.

276

524. Buteo pennsylvanicus (Wils.) Bp. Broad-winged Hawk.
Although so long overlooked, this species appears to be one of our
commonest hawks, and quite a number were obtained during the year.
Mr.. Harrington examined the stomach of a female of this species, shot
on July 16th by Mr. Scott, and found it to contain “a mass of. lair
(mouse ?) with a number of seeds intermixed. Also the skin (almost
entire) of a large sphinx caterpillar, and remains of a large beetle, Osmo-

”

derma scabra (Scarabaeide).” The presence of the seeds is very extra-

ordinary, unless, as may have been the case, they were originally in the
stomach of the mouse.

617. Actodromas bonapartii (Schl.) Coues. White-rumped Sand
piper. On October 27th, Mr. Herring noted a number of these birds,
on the Rideau, near the rifle range. He secured two, which are now.
mounted, and in the collection of the Survey. Master Ted White also
shot two on the 8th of October, and one on the 18th. Hy

188. Chroicocephalus philadelphia (Ord.) Lawr. Bonaparte’s Rosy
Gull. Three specimens were shot on May 31st, at Kettle Island, by
Mr. Bruté. There is only one other recorded instance of the oceur
rence of this gull in ‘the vicinity of Ottawa.

The following is a list of birds giving the dates on which they-
were first observed in the spring of 1884:

Feb'ry 20—Lremophila alpestris, Shore Lark (a pair).
March 14—Turdus migratorius, Robin (one).

i 15—Astragalinus tristis, Goldfinch (a flock).
15—EKremophila alpestris, Shore Lark (abundant).
22—Turdus migratorius, Robin (abundant).
23—Junco hiemalis, Junco. :
24—Quiscalus purpureus ceneus, Bronzed Crow Blackbird.
24—Melospiza fasciata, Song Sparrow (several).
25 —Sialia sialis, Bluebird.
25—Ageleus phoeniceus, Red-winged Blackbird.
27—Sayiornis fusca, Peewee or Pheebe.
27—Clangula glaucium, Golden-eye.
28— Spizella socialis, Chipping Sparrow (one).
29—Carpodacus purpureus, Purple Finch.
_ 29—Aceipiter fuscus, Sharp-shinned Hawk.
April 1—Sturnella magna, Meadow Lark,

eA 1—WMolothrus ater, Cowbird.

“s i—Larus argentatus smithsonionus, Herring Gull,
9—Tridoprocne bicolor, White-bellied Swallow.

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April

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277

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9—Contopus virens, Wood Peewee.
14—Povwcetes grammineus, Grass Finch.
{4—Accipiter cooperi, Cooper's Hawk.
14—Anas obscura, Black Duck,
15— Ceryle alcyon, Belted Kingfisher.
15—Vl’andion haliaéltus, Osprey, Fish Hawk.
16—Spizella monticola, Tree Sparrow.
16—Tringoides macularius, Spotted Sandpiper.
17—WMergus cucullatus, Hooded Merganser.
17—Passerculus sandvicensis savana, Savanna Sparrow.
19—Colaptes auratus, Golden-winged Woodpecker.
19—Hirundo erythrogastra horreorum, Barn Swallow.
20— Melospiza palustris, Swamp Sparrow.
23—Turdus unalasce nanus, Hermit Thrush.
24 ——Petrochelidon lunifrons, Cliff Swallow.
24— Bernicla canadensis, Canada Goose.
24—Progne subis, Purple Martin.
24-—_Sphyropicus varius, Yellow-bellied Woodpecker.
25-—Colymbus torquatus, Loon.
26—Spizella socialis, Chipping Sparrow (abundant).
26—Dendreca coronata, Yellow-rump Warbler.
26—Totanus flavipes, Yellowshanks.
27— Regulus culendula, Ru>y-crowned Kinglet.
27—Scolecophagus ferrugineus, Rusty Grackle.
28—Regulus satrap, Golden-crested Kinglet.
30—Zonotrichia leucophrys, White-crowned Sparrow.
30—Verthia fumiliaris, Brown Creeper.
30—Gallinago wilsoni, Wilson’s Snipe.
l1—Ardea herodias, Great Blue Heron.
1—Chetura pelasyica, Chimney Swift (one or two).
2—Passerella iliaca, Fox Sparrow.
2—Chaetura pelasgica, Chimney Swift (thousands).
3—Dendreca palmarum, Yellow Red poll Warbler.
3— Buteo peunsyloanicus, Broad-winged Hawk.
3—Circus cyaneus hudsonius, Marsh Hawk.
3—Falco sparverius, Sparrow Hawk.
3—Cotile riparia, Bank Swallow.
6—Troglodytes domesticus, House Wren.
7—Dendreca caerulescens, Black-throated Blue Warbler.
8—Dendreca pinus, Pine creeping Warbler.
9—Anthus ludovicianus, Brown Lark.
9—Dendreca cestiva, Summer Yellowbird.
10—Antrosomus vociferus, Whip-poor-will (heard).
12—T'yrannus carolinens:s, Kingbird.
13—Jcterus galbula, Baltimore Oriole.
13 —Harporhynchus rufus, Brown Thrush.

June

278

13—Geothlypis trichas, Maryland Yellow-throat.

15—Dolichonyx oryzivorus, Bobolink.

15— Vireo flavifrons, Yellow-throated Vireo.

15—Khyacophilus solitarius, Solitary Sandpiper.

15—Mimus carol:nensis, Cat-bird.

16— Myiarchus crinitus, Great-crested Fly-catcher.

16—WMelanerpes erythrocephalus, Red-headed Woodpecker.

16—Melospiza linconi, Lincoln’s Finch.

16—Dendreca maculosa, Black-and-Yellow Warbler.

17—Cordediles propetue, Night Hawk.

17—Zameloidu ludoviciana, Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

17—Sturus auricapillus, Golden-crowned Thrush.

18—Turdus fuscescens, Wilson’s Thrush.

18—Trochilus colubris, Ruby-throated Humming-bird.

19—Myiodioctes pusillus,Green Blackcapped Flycatehing Warbler

19—Dendreca blackburne, Blackburn’s Warbler.

19—Setophaga ruticilla, American Redstart.

19— Vireo olivaceus, Red-eyed Vireo.

20-— Dendreeca pennsylvanica, Chestnut-sided Warbler.

20—Dendreeca virens, Black-throated Green Warbler.

21—Dendreca striata, Black-poll Warbler.

21—Ampelis cedrorum, Cedar Bird.

22—-Vireo gilvus, Warbling Vireo.

23—Dendreca castanea, Bay-breasted Warbler.

24—Pyranga rubra, Scarlet Tanager.

24—Turdus ustulatus swainsoni, Olive-backed Thrush.

24—Coccygus erythrophthalmus, Black-billed Cuckoo.

25—Passerina cyanea, Indigo-bird.

26—EHmpidonax flaviventris, Yellow-bellied Fly-catcher.

31—Actodromas minutilla, Least Sandpiper.
1—Mniotilta varia, Black-and-White Creeper.

The winter birds were last seen on the following dates :

16—Plectrophanes nivalis, Snow Bunting.
10-—Pinicola enucleator, Pine Grosbeak (one).
14— “yiothus linaria, Common Red-poll (a flock).
18—Lanius borealis, Great Northern Shrike.
11—Chrysomitris pinus, Pine Finch.
14—Lowxia curvirostra americana, Red Crossbill.
1— do do do
$— do do do

Last fall the summer birds were last noted on the following dates ;

August 25—Dendreca estiva, Summer Yellowbird.

Sept.

“c

3—Passerella iliaca, Fox Sparrow.
4— Dendreeca pennsylvanica, Chestnut-sided Wavbler.
4—Vireo philadelphicus, Brotherly-love Vireo.

October

“e

cas

279

S—Mniotilta varia, Black-and-White Creeper.
5—Mytodioctes pusillus, Green Black-capped Fly-catching
Warbler.
6— Vireo solitarius, Blue-headed Vireo (first seen).
13—Turdus fuscescens, Wilson’s Thrush.
14—Parula americana, Blue Yellow-backed Warbler.
1t—Zonostrichia levcophrys, White-Crowned Sparrow (first
seen).
14—Greothlypis trichas, Maryland Yellowthroat.
16—Mimus carolinensis, Cat-bird.
18—Colaptes auratus, Golden-winged Woodpecker.
19—Ardeuw herodias, Great Blue Heron.
24—Turdus ustulatus swainsoni, Olive-backed Thrush.
26—Passerina cyanea, Indigo-bird.
26—Dendreca coronata, Yellow-ramp Warbler (first).
27—Quiscalus purpureus eneus, Bronzed Crow Blackbird.
28-—Pyranga rubra, Scarlet Tanager.
30— Vireo solitarius, Blue-headed Vireo (iast seen).
2— Vireo olivaceus, Rei-eyed Vireo.
5—Zonotrichia leucophrys, White-crowned Sparrow (last).
6—Turdus unalasce nanus, Hermit Thrush.
7—Spizella socialis, Chipping Sparrow.
7 —Poawcetes grammineus, Grass Finch.
8—Lhyacophilus solitarus, Solitary Sandpiper.
I—Carpodacus purpureus, Purple Finch.
16— Melospiza fasciata, Song Sparrow.
16—Zonotrichia albicollis, White-throated Sparrow.
18——Siaha sialis, Blue-bird.
18—Dendreca coronata, Yellow-rump Warbler (last).
19—Spizella monticola, Tree Sparrow (first seen).
26—Sceolecophajus ferrugineus, Rusty Grackle.
26—Turdus migratorius, Robin.
26—Junco hiemalis, Junco ‘(bulk left).
27—Actodromas bonapartii, White-rumped Sandpiper.
\—Ceryle alcyon, Belted Kingfisher.
1—Chen hyperboreus, Snow Goose.
6—-Sturnella magna, Meadow Lark.
8—Eremophila alpestris, Shore Lark.
10—Spizella monticola, Sree Sparrow (last seen).
10—Junco hiemalis, Junco (last).
11—Astur atricapillus, Goshawk (male).
3—Corvus americanus, Crow (individuals are resident).
17—-Hylotomus pileatus, Pileated Woodpecker (probably resi-
dent—two were shot early in February, 1884).
22— Accipiter fuscus, Sharp-shinned Hawk.
26—Certhia familiaris, Brown Creeper (probably resident).

280

The winter birds were first noticed on the following dates =
August 15—Chrysomitris pinus, Pine Finch.
October 20—Plectrophanes nivialis, Snow Bunting.
Nov’br 8—Pinicola enucleator, Pine Grosbeak (one).
Hh 29— Hyiothus linaria, Common Redpoll.

W. LL. SCORE:

GEO. R. WHITE.
14th January, 1885.

REPORT OF THE ZOOLOGICAL BRANCH.

To the Council of the Ottawa Field Naturalists’ Club :

In making up the report of the proceedings and researches of this
branch during the past season, the same fact presents itself, which was
alluded to in our previous report, viz. : What is left for us to report
when the various sub-branches of zoology have been so ably dealt with
by their respective leaders? But it affords us much pleasure to state
that the appeal made by us last year for members of the Club to note
down any interesting facts, has been partially responded to, and it is to
such notes that this report mainly owes its appearance. We again
request that all observations of any interest whatever be recorded this.
year for further use.

Whilst the various branches of animal life, birds, insects, molluses,.
&c., have occupied the attention of the Club, very little notice has been
paid to mammals. We had hoped to be able to prepare, as an appendix
to this report, a complete list of the mammals m3t with in this vicinity,
but as several. data are not verified, we have deemed it more expedi-
ent to delay till next year this list, which we then hope to lay before
you verified and as complete as_ possible.

The remark in our president’s inaugural address that it would
astonish an ordinary observer, as well as many of our members, if they
only knew the close proximity of many mammals in their daily walks,
which are invisible from various causes is quite correct. One of the
chief of these is the fact that many are nocturnal in their habits, and
lie concealed by day, whilst the passer by their retreat little dreams
of their nearness. How many of us, during our rambles, ever saw a

281

racoon, for instance, or a porcupine, and yet the former are not uncom-
mon, and the latter not excessively rare. The weasel family are seldom
visible, and the ground-hog is too wary to expose itself to every passer
by.

To Mr. R. J. Devlin, of this city, who, from practical experience,
is perhaps the best authority on the subject, your leaders are indebted
for the subjoined list of fur-bearing animals of this district. He re-
ports the beaver, (found in the Blanche and Lievre tributaries), the
black-bear, otter, mink, muskrat, racoon, red fox, silver-grey fox, (rare)
cross-fox (a cross between the grey and red), marten, skunk, weasel,
fisher, lynx, and in rare instances the wolf. The latter is becoming
very rare in this district. There is great doubt if the wild-cat is found
here at all. Settlers have a habit of confounding the lynx, wild-cat
and wolverine, although the latter does not exist here. One specimen
some years ago was obtained and brought here from the Desert River,
but apparently it was a rarity.

We noticed an unusually Jarge number of racoons offered on our
market last autumn, and the carcases of some we examined were re-
markably fat. Enquiry showed that they were all taken near here,
and Mr. Devlin’s experience convinces him that this anima] does not
disappear before civilization, but rather becomes more numerous,
especially where corn is grown in any quantity in the neighbourhood
of woods or swampy thickets where hoilow trees and stumps abound.

Reference was made in the last report to the probability of the
jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius) being found here, as it was re-
corded existing at Prescott. This probability has become a fact, as
Professor Macoun reports these little creatures being seen in Major's.
Hill Park last season.

Field mice (Arvicola) are reported to have committed unusual de-
vastation last winter. Mr. W. L. Scott states that in some places he
noticed the underbrush totally destroy2d for a distance of 25 or 30:
yards, and that trees six inches in diameter were in some instances
girdled and killed by them, and in the early spring the grass was
literally a network of their runways. Mr. Harrington also states that
near Hemlock Lake mice committed great ravages, and numbers of
maples from two to eight inches in diameter were barked to the height

282

of one or two, and even more feet, and that acres of saplings and
shrubs were destroyed. It will be a matter of interest to notice if the
same conditions prevail this winter, and if so, to aszertain the cause
of the increase of these pests. The wholesale destruction of birds of
prey may have much to do with it, as disturbing the balance of nature,
but there may be other causes at work.

Mr. Scott, who has closely watched the bats during the past
season reports that out of fifteen specimens he secured, all but one were
the common bat ( Vespertilio subulutus ). During the Club excursion to
Casselman, Mr. Fletcher obtained a specimen of V. noctivagans, and
Mr. Gustavus Wickstead, on the 16th December last, found between
the windows of his office, in the Parliament Buildings, a specimen of
the Carolina bat (V. scrotinus fuscu:). Tais spacimen was referrel to
Dr. Merriam, of Locust Grove, N.Y., who pronounced on its identity,
and added that it was a southern species, rarely reaching as far north
as New York.

A seal is reported to have been seen quite recently off Gatineau
Point. Two years ago a seal was shot by Mr. Askwith opposite to
New Edinburgh, and solitary individuals have been from time to time
by the
at induces

seen in former years about the openings in that vicinity
currents of the Ottawa River. It is a matter for enqui
these marine animals to come thus far in our inland waters ; whether
driven up from tide water by storms they lose themselves, or whether
they follow the migration of any particular species of fish. If the
jatter, it might thruw some light on the winter movements of our fresh
water fish.

Allusion was made in the last report to exp2riments being carried
on by Mr. Scott, with two wood frogs (Rana temporaria sylvatica ).
He now reports that his specimens lived some ten weeks, but refused
all food during captivity. He attributes their death, not to want of
food, but to placing them too suddenly in the sun, as they began to
show great liveliness with the approach of spring. From experiments
continued with other frogs, Mr. Scott found they would never eat any-
thing already dead, as they absolutely refused anything that did not
move. Living insects and butterflies they took greodily. The pickerel
frog. (2. palustris), reported to have been found by him in Patterson’s

1)

83

Creek, and mentioned in last years’ report, is now supposed to have
been the young of Rana clamituns, and no genuine specimen of ZL.
palustris has yet been found in this vicinity. The 9th of April is the
earliest date recorded last year, as far as we can ascertain, when the
first frog was seen, and by the 13th their croaking was heard commonly
On the 1st May toads were observed making their way to the water in
great numbers to spawn, and on the 13th April tree toads were heard
piping in ponds.

The first snakes were seen unusually early, two garter snakes
(Eutenia sirtalis) having been observed by Mr. Harrington on the 14th
April, before the snow was out of the woods. A fine specimen of the
milk snake ( Ophibolus doliatus triangulus) was captured by Mr. Latch-
ford, on the Club excursion to Kingsmere, 22nd May. This species
appears to be rare in this district.

On 20th April Mr. Latchford found a large spotted salamander
(Amblyostoma punctatum ) under a log, on frozen ground, almost lifeless.
This is only the second specimen recorded as taken here. On the same
day Mr. Harrington found Jefferson’s salamander under stones on a
wooded slope near the Hull Cemetry. On 22nd May, Mr. D’Arey
Scott took the first specimen ever recorded in this locality of the two-
striped salamander (Spelerpes bilineatus). It was found near Kingsmere,
and was identified by Dr. Merriam, who was present on that occasion.

On the 21st August Mr. Harrington procured two specimens of the
spotted triton ( Diemyctylus viridescens ) during the Club excursion to
Casselman.

No fresh observations have come under our notice with respect to
fish during the past year, except the fact that the number of sheeps-
head ( Hoploidonotus grunniens ) offered for sale on our market is in-
creasing. The reappearance of this species in the Ottawa was alluded
to in last year’s report.

Before closing this report we again call attention to the valuable
aid atforded by recording the dates of the first appearance of various
animals, Every note made at the time, however insignificant, may
have some bearing on facts connected with zoological research.

The whole respectfully submiitted,
H. B. SMALL.

Wm. P. LETT.
5th February, 1885. Leaders.

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