56 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. [Feb. 



light substances from floating until the aggregated weight of 

 stones, mud, wetted rushes, and sodden sticks becomes, en mass, 

 specifically heavier than water, is a secret I was never able to dis- 

 cover. They always work at night, hence it is impossible to 

 watch their operations. 



The pleasure of describing the habits of these interesting 

 animals must be my excuse for these lengthy notes. A new 

 species, like gold, usually tempts its finder to wander beyond the 

 limits of prudence ; if such has been my failing, I crave for- 

 giveness, and conclude with the sentiments of Wordsworth — 



" To the solid ground 

 Of nature trust* the mind that builds for aye : 

 Convinced that there, there only, she can lay 

 Secure foundations." 



From the Intellectual Observer. 



A CATALOGUE OF THE CARICES COLLECTED 



by John Macotjn, Belleville, C. W. 



The following list embraces ninety species, many of which 

 have not hitherto been published as Canadian, and three of which 

 are new. All the species have been critically examined and 

 determined by Prof. Dewey, of Rochester, U. S., the eminent 

 caricographer ; his descriptions of the new species are cited from 

 Silliman's Journal for March, 1866. 



Nat. Orel. CYPERACE.E— Genus Carex Linn. 



C gynocrates, Wormsk. : Cedar swamps North Hastings ; Big 

 swamp Murray ; on a mound in a swamp near Belleville Railroad 

 Station. 



C. polytrichoides, Muhl. : Cedar swamps ; common. 



C. Bickii, Boott : Rocky ground vicinity of Belleville and 

 Shannon ville ; scarce. 



C. bromoides, Schk. : Marshes and borders of ponds; scarce. 



C. siccata, Dewey : Sandy plains; abundant around Castleton. 



C. disticha, Hudson — var. Sartwellii, Dewey : Small marsh 

 west of Belleville College ; rare. 



C. teretiuscula, Good. : Marshes along the Bay of Quinte : 

 marshes and swamps ; abundant. 



