IV 



of Science, Proceedings of the Boston Natural History Society, Edinburgh 

 New Philosophical Journal, Report of the Canadian Geological Survey, etc 

 along with those furnished by a large number of correspondents compared ; and 

 in nearly every case of doubt, the result checked by the examination of speci- 

 mens. Valuable assistance has been given in the true unselfish spirit of science 

 by the Rev. Prof. Hincks, D. A. P. Watt, Esq., W. Macoun, Esq., and others. 

 Absolute reliability however is scarcely attainable at once, where there has 

 been so much guessing at truth in some of the local reports, and by the kind 

 permission of the Editors of the Canadian Journal and Canadian Naturalist, 

 an occasional annotated supplemental list may be published in those maga- 

 zines, and notice given of species rejected on a better acquaintance with their 

 range. 



There are two classes of plants to be disposed of in addition to those which 

 may certainly and properly be termed Canadian. A plant is sometimes cited 

 as having been met with in some spot where no subsequent explorer has ever 

 succeeded in finding it. Has this arisen from a mistake on the part of th e 

 botanist? Or has the plant been driven from its home, by the march of culti- 

 vation, draining, and other changes? Circumstances cannot always determine 

 In many cases we can say positively that the authority is so good as to 

 warrant us in admitting the species. Generally however such plants must 

 be held for the present as doubtful. These, with a few border species growing 

 in such positions as to render their occurrence in Canada almost certain, havt; 

 been gathered into a separate group on page 27. They should be specially 

 looked for along the United States frontier. Finally, a second separate list 

 contains those occasional stragglers, which are found sparingly escaped from 

 gardens, and maintaining a precarious existence ; usually disappearing after 

 two or three years. 



The Pamphlet was originally intended only for gratuitous distribution : 

 but it has been thought better to put a few copies into the hands of the Book- 

 sellers, as in some cases this will render it more easily accessible, 



ST. FRANCIS COLLEGE, 



January 13, 1867. 



