Miscellaneous, 225 



The columns of range may be used by observers filling the 

 blanks or adding to the recorded range in either direction ; but 

 this must be done carefully and with a perfect knowledge of the 

 species noted. The name of the county should be given as well 

 as of the town, and is preferable if only one is stated. Such 

 blanks, filled up, may be cut out and sent to the Smithsonian 

 Institution, addressed to the Commissioner of Patents, with the 

 writer's name. Meteorological observers will take a special in- 

 terest in the subject, and in most cases can make the best notes 

 from their habit of observing the connexions of peculiarity of 

 climate and forest growth." 



A second extract is furnished by the general conclusions as to 

 the causes of the peculiar characteristics of the " Campestrian " 

 region of the western prairies : 



" Now coming to the Campestrian Province we find, as 

 already stated, that no new forms of trees appear, while those 

 found rapidly diminish and disappear towards the west. Thirteen 

 species have not been traced west of its eastern border ; about 

 ninety extend pretty far into the Texan and Illinois regions, but 

 only five or six get across the eastern limit of the Camanche and 

 Dacotah regions, which, however, receive nine or ten more from 

 the west and north. 



The Saskatchewan region, bordering close upon the well- wooded 

 Lacustrian Province, may have a few more eastern species, and 

 possibly more from the west, as there is evidence that it is better 

 watered and approaches in character to the Illinois region. 



It will be observed that the southeast and northeast borders of 

 this province form nearly a right angle with each other,and extending 

 east into Michigan cause a wide separation of the Lacustrian and 

 Apalachian provinces. This is one of the most well defined facts 

 in the distribution of trees. A careful examination of the minute 

 land office surveys has shown that the line is exceedingly distinct 

 in Wisconsin and Minnesota, prairies prevailing to the south of 

 it interspersed with oak-openings and groves of deciduous trees 

 along the streams, while to the north pine and spruce forests with 

 tamarack swamps cover the whole country, having the other 

 Canadian trees with them. This is doubtless in great part due to the 

 change in the character of soil and of the underlying rocks, which 

 retain the moisture, while it is completely drained off to the south. 

 Thus we have here a distinct division of the two eastern forest 



Can. Nat. 5 Vol. 7, 



