Miscellaneous, 471 



then, however, it has been improved by cultivation ; the roots 

 are figured as of the size and nearly the shape of an undersized 

 early horn carrot. It is likely, therefore, to form a substantial 

 addition to our culinary crops. 



It has been stated in the Gardeners' Chronicle that the Royal 

 Horticultural Society bought up for their members all the good 

 seed that was procurable, and this was to be distributed in small 

 packets last month. It will, therefore, be satisfactory to the mem- 

 bers of the Botanical Society of Canada, to learn that our Society 

 had previously secured a supply of seeds, which will be distribut- 

 ed to members in good time for sowing. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



Note on Indian Beads presented to the Natural History Society 

 hy James Rohb^ Esq.^ Mining Engineer^ d'c. 



In a memorandum accompanying these specimens, they are 

 said to have been taken from an old burying place in a small 

 island in the St. Lawrence near Brockville. They were found 

 with two skeletons, placed in a sitting posture and facing each 

 other, buried under four feet of sand resting on a floor of clay, 

 which was supposed to have been artificial. The beads and a 

 sea shell were in a heap under three flat stones placed on edge, 

 and converging at the top. These stones were of a quality suit- 

 able for hones. 



The beads are made of native copper, which has been beaten 

 out and then doubled into thick rings, about a quarter of an inch 

 in diameter externally. They are quite rough but rather uniform 

 in size and shape. The shell appears to be the common Purpura 

 lapillus of the American coast, smoothed externally, and with 

 the apex ground off. It has no doubt been strung with the beads. 

 It is curious thus to find at a place half-way between the copper 

 regions of Lake Superior and the sea coast, the products of both 

 carried from their distant sources, and used for ornamental pur- 

 poses by the aborigines. 



J. w. D. 



