JiETTER FROM M. E. BOURGEAU, 



localities, tufted Willows, interspersed with other shrubs, con- 

 stitute a covert for deer, and specially for the bear, whose prin- 

 cipal food, during the month of September, is the fruit of such 

 shrubs as the SJiepherdia argentea, which I have seen in large 

 quantities in his stomach. 



We arrived at Carlton on the 8th October, and there I finished 

 putting in order my last collections, containing a quantity of 

 seeds, besides the botanical specimens, and filling in all one case. 

 There are 166 packets of different seeds, several shells, and some 

 insects, which I beg you will keep until I return, to make the 

 catalogue. Of this spring's collections, I send two cases — one 

 containing the botanical packets, and the other some objects for 

 your Economical Museum ; and several diseases of plants, occa- 

 sioned , by the punctures of insects, for Dr. Hooker. In one of 

 the boxes you will find some animals' skins and birds' eggs, which 

 also I beg you will take care of till my return : each article is 

 furnished with a ticket. As the news I looked for by the arrival 

 of the Captain did not come, I shall be obliged to pass another 

 winter at Edmonton, and I trust, by the following spring, to be 

 enabled to visit those parts of the Eocky Mountains lying nearest 

 this locality ; and thus I shall have all the spring plants, which by 

 arriving too late this season I run the chance of losing. It is 

 well known that August is the most suitable month for traversing 

 the mountains ; and, besides, the Compositce and seeds of many 

 plants are not perfect till that season. 



The total number of cases which you will receive in 1858 is — 

 2 from Eort Ellice, and 3 from Carlton, making 5 in all. 



I am anxious to reach the mountains as soon as possible. It 

 is now two seasons since I saw any mountains resembling the 

 Alpine chains of my native country. 



Dr. Hooker, to whom I desire my respectful remembrances, 

 will receive at the same time all the observations which I have 

 taken since I left Carlton. I have a journal, in which I have 

 notes upon the temperature of the trees, upon the weather, and 

 on various circumstances ; and, lastly, upon the vegetation, and 

 specially upon a certain tree, which puts forth its leaves a month 

 later, which I should like to know the cause of. I desire to do my 

 utmost in rendering the voyage as useful to science as possible. 



Accept, sir, every assurance of esteem from your humble 



'"'"'''^*' ■ E. BOUEG.EAU. 



I have given special attention to the collection of Salices made 



b2 



