Botanical Society of Canada. 469 



and aid which the Governments of other countries did not fail to 

 bestow upon similar institutions. 



ITumerous donations to the Botanic Garden to the Herbarium, 

 and to the library were announced. 



Dr. Dickson, Professor of Surgery, moved a vote of thanks to 

 the various donors. He alluded to the valuable character of some 

 of the donations, such as those of Professor Tuckerman, and es- 

 pecially of Sir William Logan and Prof. Asa Gray of Harvard. 

 Sir William had sent to the Society the various collections of 

 plants that had been made at different times by the officers of the 

 Geological Survey of Canada. — Many of these were from localities 

 inaccessible to ordinary collectors, and were of great interest. 

 Independent, however, of the intrinsic value of these very large 

 collections, we must regard the compliment j^aid to us by Sir 

 Wm. Logan in making us the custodiers, as an indication of his 

 confidence in the ability of our Society to sustain the character 

 of botanical science in the country. Professor Gray's invaluable 

 donation from the Cambridge Garden could scarcely be over- 

 estimated, for it, along with the donations of our local horticul- 

 turists, had enabled us in a short time to form a Botanic Garden 

 and the force of our example in this respect was already benefi- 

 cially felt by other cities in Canada. Coming at such a time, 

 when the country is distracted by civil war, we must appreciate 

 Professor Gray's donation as a special mark of favor, and accord 

 our thanks with more than ordinary fervour. 



Prof. Lavell seconded the motion, and alluded particularly to 

 the donations of trees, shrubs and plants that had been made by our 

 local horticulturists. Thanks were cordially voted to all the donors. 



A letter was read from J. Thayer, junr., Secretary of the Mont- 

 real Agricultural and Horticultural Society, stating that the 

 members of that society were desirous of establishing a Botanic 

 Garden in Montreal, and requesting any reports, documents, and 

 suggestions. The secretary was authorised to send the " Annals," 

 and other publications, to the Montreal Society, as published, and 

 to aff'ord any additional information that might be required. 



Various papers were read — we select the following. 



REMARKS ON A NEW CULINARY VSGlft'ABLE, THE PARSNIP 

 CHERVIL, BY MRS. PROF. WEIR 



On 30th August, 1861, Messrs. Vilmorin, Andrieux & Co.. the 

 eminent Seedsmen of Paris, issued a circular, in which they re- 



