47 



SUB-EXCURSIONS. 

 No. 1. The first Sub-Excursion of the season was held on Satur- 

 day, 5th May, and was under the direction of the President. The 

 lateness of the present spring affected the attendance, scarcely a dozen 

 members appearing at the appointed hour. 



The place chosen for investigation was Beechwood, always one of 

 the first localities to reward those seeking for early spring flowers. 

 Eleven species only were collected, which were named and described by 

 Mr. Whyte. The Liliacece being specially examined and explained. 



No. 2 was held to the Beaver Meadow, Hull, on 12tli IMay. It 

 was a lovely warm afternoon, and the botanists turned out well. When 

 the party reassembled to hear the addresses of the leaders 23 were found 

 to be present. The baskets were well filled and provided ample material 

 for the leaders' addresses. 



Mr. Robert Whyte gave an interesting address upon the plants 

 collected and drew particular attention to the Cruciferce or Cress 

 family, all of which might be easily recognized. These plants are all 

 characterized by their cross-shaped flowers, and many of them have a 

 pungent taste. All aie edible and wholesome. Prof, Macoun also 

 spoke at request of the leaders upon the best way to study the willows. 

 The different divisions and groups of the Salices were explained, and 

 the best way to collect and study these different plants was explained 

 in a simple and attractive manner. The Mosses and Liverworts wei-e 

 also referred to, and the members were urged to collect them. 



Mr. Fletcher then followed as Entomological Leader, and spoke at 

 some length upon some of the malformations found upon plants 

 known as Galls. These, he explained, were formed by an interesting 

 group of insects, of which Mr. Harrington and he had made a special 

 study. He also advised the members to decide at once what line of 

 study they were going to take \\\), and get their apparatus in order. 

 Frequently valuable specimens in all branches of natural history were 

 lost or destroyed from the collector not having at hand the proper 

 apparatus for preserving them. Speaking of the branches in which he 

 was a leader, he said that bottles, boxes and cyanide bottles could be pro- 

 cured, by those wishing to study insects, of Mr. Henry Watters, 

 Sparks St.; gauze for nets from Messrs. Crawford Pioss ifc Co., and 



