NATURAL HISTORY AND PHYSIOGRAPHY OF NEW BRUNSWICK. 51 



5. Ranunculus Cymbalaria, Pursh. On edge of the .streams from the 



spring's. 



6. Atriplex patulum, L., var. hastatum, Gray. In sandy places. 



7. Distichlis maritime/,, Raf. 



S. Puccinellia maritima, Pari., var. minor, Watson. In very salt places. 



9. Scirpus pungens, Vahl. 



10. Juncus bv/onius, L. 



11. Ilea fulvescens (Ag.) J. Ag. 



12. Rhizoclonium, probably Kochianum. 



13. Rhizoclonium, probably i->ji<<riniii var. implexum. 



It will be noticed that all of the above species, except No. 10, are 

 of marked halophytic habit, characteristic of salt marshes or sea-coasts. 

 Probably a more skilful collector would find yet other species. One 

 in the list, Spergularia borealis, is new to our flora. 



It is easy to understand how these plants persist where they are, 

 for the salt water of the springs is sufficiently like the salt water of 

 the sea. But how did they come there 1 The nearest sea-coast is, in 

 an air line, at least twenty-one miles away, with high hill-ranges 

 between. For the occurrence of such a colony, one of three explana- 

 tions is possible : — First, the plants may have been transported from 

 the sea-coast by man ; but the large number of the species, and espe- 

 cially the presence of the Alga?, is against such accidental introduction. 

 Second, natural modes of dissemination may have carried them from 

 the coast ; but the most of them are so little specialized for such 

 locomotion that this is very difficult to believe. Third, under different 

 geographical conditions in the past they may have extended continuously 

 from the sea to this place, but have since become extinct between. 

 This is doubtless the correct explanation, and is homologous with that 

 of the occurrence of isolated Arctic colonies. During the latest post- 

 glacial subsidence this region dipped beneath the sea to an extent 

 estimated by Dr. Matthew at 200 feet.* At that time the sea, bringing 

 the coast plants with it, must have extended up the Kennebecasis, 

 deeply burying these springs, which, as shown by the Intercolonial 

 Railroad levels, are not over seventy feet above present high-tide mark 

 at St. John. The subsequent elevation of the land, with the return 

 of the fresh water, would of course exterminate the Halophytes every- 

 where except where they could find salt, which happened to be the 

 case at these springs. 



There are other salt springs in New Brunswick — in the parish of 

 Upham, and at Bennett's Brook, near Petitcodiac ; while others are 

 said to occur on Coal Creek, Queens County. There is also a brook 

 * Bulletin of this Society, No. 2, page 4. 



