94 The Ottawa Naturalist. 



EXCURSIONS. 



Excursion No. 2, Galetta. Weather of ihe bright, exhilarat- 

 ing order ; a large gathering of enthusiastic naturalists, and a region 

 rich in scenery and varied in the natural products, all combined to 

 make the excursion to Galetta on the 15th of June one of the most 

 enjoyable in the history of the Club's outings. 



About 140 excursionists gathered at Elgin street station at 1.45 in 

 the afternoon, from whence they were taken by the Parry Sound rail- 

 way to Galetta, some 35 miles distant. The train slowed up at 

 McDougall's and Graham's Crossings, where the numbers were swelled 

 by the addition of parties from the Experimental Farm and Richmond 

 Road. 



The railway passes through some of the finest agricultural districts 

 of Carleton County, now " in verdure clad " with the green of the 

 meadows and grain fields. 



The village of Galetta is reached in an hour. Here the party is 

 met and cordially welcomed by Mr. G. C Whyte, a brother of the well- 

 known enthusiast in botany, Mr. R. B. Whyte, at whose recommenda- 

 tion the locality at Galetta was chosen. The town hall was kindly 

 placed at our disposal, and was used as a storing room for wraps and 

 lunch baskets. 



The next move was to collect forces, designate leaders for the 

 various branches, and begin the serious business of the afternoon. It 

 was at this time that the unavoidable absence of such well appreciated 

 and willing leaders as Mi. Fletcher, Drs, Ami and Ells, was felt and 

 deeply regretted. 



President Shutt then explained the geography of the district and 

 asked Messrs. Whyte and Craig to lead in the search for botanical 

 1 miens ; while Prof. Prince, Messrs. Halkett, Whiteaves and Ferrier 

 represented the zoological and geological sections. 



The principal exploring grounds lay along the banks of the Missis- 

 sippi, a tributary of the Ottawa, and in the vicinity of Chats Lake. 



It may be interesting to note here that Galetta is situated on a 

 spur of the same Laurentian formation which crosses the Ottawa River 

 at the Chats Falls. This ridge of gneiss crops out prominently at 



