CANADIAN AMELANCHIER. 2S3 



Varieties. As numerous forms constantly occur between the European and 

 American types of this genus, it is dilhcult to determine to which species they 

 belong. Indeed, the two trees so closely resemble each other, that they have 

 been regarded by some botanists as belonging to the same species. There are 

 several races, however, which appear to be sulliciently distinct, and may be 

 described as follows : 



1. A. c. OBLONGiFOLiA, Torrcy and Gray. Oblong-leaved Canadian Amelan- 

 chier, a shrubby tree, with oval-oblong leaves. 



2. A. c. ROTUNDiFOLiA, Torrcy and Gray. Round-leaved Canadian Amelanchier, 

 occurring either shrubby or arborescent, with roundish-oval leaves. 



3. A. c. ALNiFOLiA, Torrcy and Gray. Alder-leaved Canadian Amelanchier, also 

 shrubby or arborescent. Its leaves are roundish, elliptical, very obtuse or retuse 

 at each end, and only serrate near the summit. 



4. A. c. PUMiLA, Torrey and Gray. Dwarf Canadian Amelanchier, with small, 

 roundish-oval leaves, obtuse at both ends. 



5. A. c. OLiGOCARPA, Torrcy and Gray. Vew-fniited Canadian Amelanchier, a 

 shrubby tree, with narrow oval or oblong leaves, which are mostly glabrous, 

 even when young. 



Geography, |'c. The Amelanchier canadensis, with the exception of the 

 maritime parts of the southern states, is spread over the whole extent of Anglo- 

 America, from Georgia to Hudson's Bay, and from Newfoundland to Oregon. 

 It is most multiplied on the fertile banks of rivers, and in swampy grounds, 

 although it sometimes occurs in dry, rocky places, where the soil is less rich. 

 This species was introduced into Britain by Archibald, Duke of Argyll, in 1716. 

 It is common in the European gardens and collections, where it has acquired a 

 height of more than twenty feet, and is much esteemed in early spring, for its 

 profusion of flowers, and in autumn, for the fine dark-red, which its leaves 

 assume before they fall. 



Properties and Uses. The wood of the Canadian amelanchier is white 

 throughout, exhibiting no difference of colour, except in being longitudinally 

 traversed by small red vessels, which intersect each other and run together, as 

 in the red birch (Bctula nigra.) From its inferior size, and want of durability, 

 it is applied to no particular use in the arts. The fruit is of an agreeable sweet 

 taste, and is used by the natives, in the northern regions where it abounds, as an 

 article of food. 



