May, 1919] 



The Canadian Field-Naturalist 



33 



Kutchin skin canoe. In the Eskimo canoes they 

 are continuous with the central strip along the 

 bottom. 



The differences in outline, which constitute the 

 most striking superficial variations among the canoes 

 described, are dependent principally upon the shape 

 of the end strips or "fashion-pieces" just referred to. 

 A reference to Plates 1 and 2 will show that a series 

 may be found starting with a very simply curved 

 bow and stern piece (Kutchin and Dog-rib) and 

 proceeding to one having an almost perpendicular 

 upper portion (Algonquin and Malecite), and from 

 the latter form to one which is considerably re- 

 curved (Slave, Chipewyan, Ojibwa, Montagnais, 

 Micmac). 



The gunwale is another interesting item. Among 

 the Slaves and the neighboring Dog-ribs there are 

 two gunwale strips, an inside and an outside, bound 

 at intervals with the sewing or binding material. A 

 similar feature links together the Algonquin and the 

 Malecite. An inside gunwale to which the upper 

 edge of the covering is sewn continuously, is found 

 among the Chipewyan, Ojibwa, Montagnais and 

 Micmac. An upper or top gunwale characterizes 

 all the Algonkian canoes. The Algonquin and 

 Malecite have consequently all three gunwales; in- 

 side, outside, and top. The maximum of protection 

 or reinforcement is evidently gained by this employ- 

 ment of three protective strips along the upper edge, 

 although at some addition of weight. 



THE FLORA OF KAPUSKASING AND VICINITY. 



By Capt. T. W. Kirkconnell. 



Pastures new are always seen through an alluring 

 mist of anticipation, and when, some two years ago, 

 it was my military misfortune but botanical privilege 

 to be detailed for duty on the staff of Kapuskasing 

 Internment Camp in further New Ontario, I waited 

 with intense interest for my first opportunities for 

 exploration. During my exile, unkind weather and 

 strenuous duties have permitted far fewer local ex- 

 cursions than I had hoped for, yet I have been able 

 to ggin a fair approximate knowledge of the sub- 

 arctic conditions that obtain here and of the vegeta- 

 tion which they have evolved. 



Kapuskasing, in the so-called "Clay Belt," is situ- 

 ated on a river of the same name which joins the 

 Mattagami, about one hundred miles from James 

 Bay. The region exemplifies in its flora the inevit- 

 able selection power of rainfall, temperature, and 

 soil. Lying within the path of the broad cyclonic 

 disturbances that traverse North America from the 

 southwest, it has an abundant rainfall and is conse- 

 quently completely forested, except in the extreme 

 north where under duress of temperature trees give 

 place to scrubs. It also borders on the great north- 

 western reservoir of high pressure and so tastes the 

 first bitter cold of anticyclonic gales. The menace 

 of winter is felt throughout the greater part of the 

 year, and during 1918 frost was registered in every 

 month without exception. The great penetration of 

 the winter frosts cannot fail to have a discouraging 

 effect on plant life. During August, 1918, a drain 

 was being dug through the camp at Kapuskasing and 

 ice was encountered at a depth of four feet. Snow 

 \ also persists in the bush until late in the summer. 

 ^^\As a result, only species that are exceedingly toler- 



ant of cold have survived the selection of ages, and 

 even existing life is dwarfed and stunted. Finally, 

 the soil almost everywhere is a heavy clay resting 

 on gneiss and covered with from one to four feet 

 of rich vegetable mould. Thousands of square miles 

 have absolute homogeneity of conditions and the 

 flora shows like lack of variety. 



The change from Southern Ontario is marked and 

 complete. As one travels northward from North 

 Bay, the transition in the character of the forestation 

 cannot fail to attract attention. In the long climb 

 into the rock country deciduous trees are left be- 

 hind more and more ; white pine is supreme in 

 parts of the Timagami area, but before Cobalt is 

 reached the last white pine has disappeared ; and 

 in descending into the Great Clay Bog of the North 

 one sees mile after weary mile of stunted spruce 

 (Picea mariana), broken at intervals by ridges of 

 poplar (Populus balsamifera), aspen (Populus tre- 

 muloides), and birch (Betula alba). First im- 

 pressions of the endless leagues of spruce are pecu- 

 liar. One might almost, by a stretch of the imagina- 

 tion, conceive of the scene being laid in Paleozoic 

 times amid the forest of progressive Equisetales and 

 Lepidodendreae which clothed the lower James Bay 

 slope when the world was some aeons younger. Closer 

 inspection finds other trees eking out a minority exist- 

 ence. Cedar grows along river-bottoms, as do 

 Alder and Willows. Balsam and Jackpine (Pirtus 

 Banlfsiana) are occasionally found, and the Moun- 

 tain Ash (P^Tus americana) flourishes as a large 

 shrub on higher ground. Any tamarack that I have 

 found has been dead, apparently the victim of the 

 Larch Sawfly. 



^vy 



