26 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Aprit 



About two-thirds of the surface is covered with soil varying from 

 one inch to thirty inches in depth 



In the year 1887, the island, which was then beautifully 

 wooded, was swept by a fire which completely destroyed all vege- 

 tation, except a lew straggling pines at the water's edge. Those 

 who saw the island during and after the fire, say that the desola- 

 tion wrought was so complete that it was scarcely possible that 

 any young plants or even seeds could have survived the intense 

 heat. Since that time no new timber has been cut, no domestic 

 animals have been on the island, and with the exception of a few 

 hares, deer-mice and squirrels, there apparently has been nothing 

 to interfere with the development of the smallest herb. 



This situation seemed to present a problem which, if worked 

 out, might cast some light upon the kind of vegetation which 

 under similar conditions of climate, soil, non-interference, etc. 

 might reasonably be expected to develop in a period of eighteen 

 years, and with a view to the solution of this problem a somewhat 

 careful investigation has been carried on for two consecutive 

 summers. 



Altogether there were found on the island forty-seven differ- 

 ent varieties of trees and shrubs, and a number of these were 

 evidently new comers. The following is a comparative statement 

 of the height and circumference of a few of the largest trees in 

 1904 and 1905 : 



Popuhis tremuloides, American Aspen - 

 Poplar 



Betula papyrifera, Paper or Canoe Birch 



Primus Pennsylvania, Wild Red Cherry 



Pinus Strobus, White Pine 



Acer rubrum, Soft Red Maple 



Ouercus rubra, Red Oak, Black Oak. . . . 



Thuya occidentalis, American Arbor- 

 vitas, White Cedar 



Pinus resi?tosa, Red Pine 



Larix Americana, American Larch, Tam- 

 arack 



Quercus alba, White Oak ... 



Abies balsamea, Balsam Fir 



Tsuga Canadensis, Hemlock Spruce . . 



