Section III., 1894. f 19 ] Trans. Koy. Soc. Canada. 



III. — Observations upon some Structural Varl'tfion-s in certain Canadian, Goniferœ} 



By Professor D.'^P.'Penhallow. 



(Read May 23, 1894.) 



In a former paper on so-called cannel coal from the Kootanie of British Columbia,^ 

 reference was made to an examination of certain coniferous trees from the Kootanie valley 

 as a possible means of reaching an explanation of the peculiar rod-like amber, of which 

 extensive deposits of coal are formed. The details of this examination, not hitherto made 

 public, possess some features of interest, not only as bearing upon the question of coal 

 formation, but also in its bearing upon the possible variation of different species of trees as 

 exhibited in the structure of the wood. 



In the course of a series of tests made in the testing laboratory of the Faculty of 

 Applied Science, in order to ascertain the strength of timbers of Douglas fir grown under 

 different climatic conditions, certain features of interest were developed, which made it 

 desirable to ascertain what structural alterations might be associated with differences in 

 situation and conditions of growth, and how far such alterations could be connected with 

 the actual strength of material and the peculiarities of fracture noticed. 



It is the object of the present paper to examine the evidence collected in both of these 

 directions. It will, therefore, deal in the first instance with 



I. The possible relation of coniferous trees to deposits of rod-like cannel coal from the 

 Kootanie of British Columbia ; and in the second instance with 



II. Certain structural variations in Douglas fir and their relations to strength of material. 



I. 



In the course of our examinations of the rod-like cannel coal from British Columbia, its 

 very resinous character, as well as the form of the rods, suggested its possible origin in the 

 resin-passages of coniferte, the subsequent liberation of the rods through decay or extreme 

 desiccation, and their final deposit in mass after having been separated from the surround- 

 ing woody structure through the action of water. This view was advanced ■' as a possible 

 explanation of a difficult question, but it was impossible to find in existing species any 

 which would afford even an approximation to the structural conditions which must have 

 existed in the conifera; of the Kootanie period, and which were essential to the develop- 

 ment of such large and rod-like masses. That is to say, our hypothesis made it necessary 



' The second portion of this paper must be read in connection with the one by Professor Bovey, No. 2, in 

 this section. 



^ " American Geologist," x., 331. 

 ^ " American Geologist," x., 337. 



