118 



Besides many interesting species that are well known to us, Miss 

 Taylor brought specimens of two planis fmni Peel River in the Mackenzie 

 delta which may eventually throw some light on the origin of the 

 northern flora. One is a species of Birch which is evidently a good 

 sized tree and which is either identical with a Siberian species [Betiila 

 microphylia) or is new to science. Ripe fruit of the species was procured 

 and seed has been handed to Mr. Fletcher to be grown in the Botanic 

 Garden of the ENperimenial Farm, and thus in time, I trust, we shall 

 know exactly what it is. The other species is an Umbelliferous plant 

 related to the genus Ligusticum which may also be new. 



This collection is of much interest and demonstrates clearly what 

 good scien'^^ific results may be obtained by an observant traveller with a 

 little trouble if only there be a wish to make the most of such 

 opportunities as may arise. — John Macoun, Ottawa. 



:o:- 



CONCHOLOGY. 



LiMN^A STAGNAi-is. — A beautiful living albino of this species was 

 fo'md tn Chilcott's Lake, Masham, in August. The animal did not 

 appear to differ from those in the numerous other specimens of the 

 same species which occurred in the same locality; the shell, however, 

 was as white as a pearl and of beautiful lustre. Erosion of the epider- 

 mis and exposure to the sun tend to whiten the shells of all our snails ; 

 but the epidermis of this example is perfect. Its whiteness results no 

 doubt from disease of those peculiar glands whose function it is, in the 

 shell-be. iring mullusca, to extract an infinite number of beautiful pig- 

 me Its an J deposit them in that combination of variety and regularity 

 at which all have marvelled who have ever observed a cabinet of 



shells, where 



" Not a shell 



" But shows some trace in freckle, streak or stain, 



" Of His unrivaled pencil." 



Helix dentifera. — This rare shell was taken a few years ago on 

 Mr. Craig's farm near Casselman. It appears to have reached at that 

 pjint the north-eastern limit of its distribution in Canada. There is a 



