lU 



Fifteenth. On the afterno-n of the 2Sth September a few active 

 workers ot the Conchological Branch, inclutiing two ladies, met at 

 Ratte's and procuring a large skiff rowed down the Ottawa to Duck 

 Island. This locality is remarkable for producing in abundance one of 

 the most lieautiful shells found in the inland waters of North America. 

 A few specimens of this species, Unio occidens, Lea, were observed on 

 the bar which runs fi-om the head of the i.sland towards tlie Quebec 

 hore ; but no attempt was made at coUectiug until a landing had been 

 effected opposite Templeton \Yharf, and the appetites of the party, 

 shar[illy whetted by the long pull down the river, had been appeased by 

 a hearty liincheon. The excursionists then divided, some remaining on 

 the Northern shore and the others crossing the island. On the 

 Southern sid'e Unio Occidew, U. horealls, U. ellipsis and a large coarse 

 form of U. complanatus were very common. A still larger but less 

 pouderous variety of complanatus, pale in colour and beautifully rayed, 

 was found sparingly, and for the first time since 1881. One specimen 

 ol U. ulatas, and a few U. gracilis, U. rectus and U. gibbosus weie 

 taken near the lower end of the island, all in fine condition. In the 

 meantime those upon th > North shore had not been idle. They had 

 collected great heaps of Unio occidens, U. complanatus and U. ellipsis, 

 with several U. borealis and a few V. gi-acilis. One specimen each of 

 Anodonta undulata and Margaritana undrdatu, the latter of reniaikable 

 size, was also found. The material of the afternoon's collecting was 

 carefully examined before leaving, and any not required were replaced 

 in the waters. All the shells selected were remarkable for size, beauty 

 or variety, and the Unio occidens rival in brilliancy of lustre and 

 variety of form and coloring the choicest productions of tropical seas. 

 A long pull, after a second attack on the lunch baskets, landed the 

 party at Ottawa highly pleased with the result of the- excursion. 



Sixteenth. The special object of this snb-excuision of the 1st 

 October was to investigate the diff^-rent 'species of Fraxinus found in 

 the locality. 



RockclifTe was the locality visited, and many different trees weie 

 examined. Specimens of the seed of the Red Ash {F. pubescens), the 

 White Ash {F. Americana) and the Black Asli {F. sambnci folia) were 



