1893.] NEW YORK AC.VDEMY OF SCIENCES. 193 



The occurrence of Magnolia glauca near Cape Ann is however 

 so well known that exception would naturally be taken if men- 

 tion of this southern species were neglected; but it need onlj' be 

 said in this connection that the fact of this tree being native at 

 tliat locality has been questioned by those who are competent 

 to exjjress au opinion. John Robinson, who has written and 

 published works upon the flora of that region-'', says, on page 10 

 of " Our Trees " : "Why the Ii[ag)tolia should be found in 

 Gloucester is a mystery. The ' Hermit, ' a well known Glou- 

 cester character, a student and lover of nature, feels sure that 

 it was brought from the South, Virginia, perhajis, and jilanted 

 in some old garden." If, however, the tree be truly native 

 there, the fact is of the utmost significance, as will be appre- 

 ciated when the geological discussion in the final portion of this 

 contribution is considered. 



The question which will now naturally arise is, how did this 

 pine barren flora spread to the localities in New England where 

 we now find it ? It is a southern flora, and is characteristically 

 American ; few, if any of the species being known in the old 

 world. Its course of migration was from the South, either by 

 way of the mainland through New York and Connecticut, or else 

 across the salt w-ater from Long Island. If it came by way of 

 the mainland we should reasonably expect to find evidences of 

 its migration through New York and thence eastward through 

 Connecticut. It might be urged, however, that these plants are 

 mostly sand-loving species and that the soil throughout the re- 

 gion mentioned would not be favorable for their growth. Such 

 is doubtless the fact and their almost entire absence from the 

 region is not surprising. In fact, knowing the plants as we do, 

 it would be very difficult to imagine them either becoming 



* ■• Tho Flora of Essex Co., Mass.," cloth, pp. 200. 

 " Our Trees," paper, pp- 120. 



I have not thought it necessary to refer any more fully to works upon the 

 botany of Massachu.setts, but for the convenience of those who may wisli to 

 continue the comparisons and perhaps note further facts of interest,! liavo 

 concluded to append tho followintc list, from which the principal part of my 

 information in regard to the flora was obtained : 



"Flora of FitchburK and Vicinity," Fitchbure: Agassiz Assn. 



" List of the Plants Growing Naturally in Milton, Mass" J. R. Churchill. 



" Flora of Worcester Co., Mass." Jos- Jai-kson. 



"List of riauts Found Growing Wild Within Thirty Miles of Amherst." 

 N. A. Cobb. 



" A Catalogue of Plants Growing Without Cultivation Within Thirty Miles 

 of Amherst College." E. Tuckorman and C. C. Frost. 



■• A List of Plants Growing Without Cultivation in Maiden and Modford, 

 Mass., With Some Contributions to a Flora of Middlesex County." Middlesex 

 In.stitute. 



Transactions N. Y. Acad. Sci. Vol. XII. June -20, 1893. 



