82 Proceedings. 



and Saxifraga oppositifolia are in profusion. Other British 

 plants noted were Engeron alpinus, Pyrola rotundifolia, P. minor 

 and P. secunda, Potentilla fruticosa, Cystopteris montana, the 

 Holly and Parsley Ferns, Poa minor and P. alpina, Oxytropis 

 campestris, two Lycopodiums, and Smilacina bifolia. The genus 

 Bryanthus takes the place of our Heaths. It is probable that 

 the connection of the Eocky Mountain plants with European 

 has been by way of Asia. 



The trees are fine, generally very lofty, but too crowded 

 to be well developed laterally ; Douglas Pines, Eugelmann's 

 Spruce, and Larches are prominent. 



The effects of the North Pacific Railway upon the flora are 

 already marked ; all our most common weeds are following 

 the course of the railway westward and apjjearing on culti- 

 vated ground, especially Plantago major, Senecio vulgaris, and 

 Capsella Bursa-pastoris. Two or three western plants have 

 appeared on the shores of Lake Superior, having been carried 

 a thousand miles down the railway south-eastward. 



Noticeable on the Prairies are the very numerous birds of 

 prey, including Buzzards, Harriers, and Peregrines; they feed 

 on small mammals, such as Ground Squirrels, Chipmunks, &c. 



As the corn-line or isothermal is traced westward it runs far 

 towards the north, the air being dry, and the days of summer 

 long, with very great sun-power. The watershed between the 

 rivers flowing into Hudson's Bay and those flowing into the 

 Arctic Ocean is of very slight elevation ; and it is to be re- 

 marked that the Mississippi and several of its branches, as 

 well as several of the Hudson's Bay rivers, rise within a 

 comparatively few miles of the Great Lakes. 



The poverty and mixture of the flora of East Canada is 

 accovmted for, by Prof. Asa Gray, by the fact that the country 

 was once covered with forest, the flora of which would be very 

 meagre ; when the ground was cleared, it was laid open for the 

 introduction of plants (southern, northern, and aliens) from all 

 sides. 



Amongst characteristic plants of British North America 

 generally may be named Covnus Canadensis, Adiantum pedatian, 

 Asters (ninety species i, Solidagus, CEiiotheras, and Maples, and 

 Walnuts. 



