22 



want of preparation, posponed their beginning until another year ; and, to judfre 

 from the many who have sought information regarding the collection and prej a- 

 ration of specimens, the fruits of this season's work will be evident next year in 

 the increased number of working botanists. This year six new collections have 

 come under our notice and the same number of new collections may be said to- 

 be in possession of the Club. 



In accordance with the notice contained in the circular, a series of sub- 

 excursions was organized. Your committee started each Tuesday morning, 

 from the west end of the City to the woods in that vicinity, and each Thursday 

 morning, trom the east end to McKay's woods and Beechwood Cemetery. In the 

 latter localities much valuable work was done to improve our knowledge of their 

 flora, a complete list having been made of all the species observed and the date 

 of their first appearance in flower, together with other notes of interest. As 

 opportunities offered themselves, Saturday afternoon excursions were made 

 throughout the season to points at a greater distance. Of the most noteworthy was 

 one to the neighbourhood of Billings Bridge, where the Trillium Cernuum formerly 

 grew in great abundance ; but owing to the wood where it was most abundant 

 having been destroyed only two imperfect specimens were obtained. Another 

 similar excursion took place to the Mer Bleue, where Woodwardia Virginica, Scheuch- 

 zeria palustris and. oi\xQV bog plants were collected, including a remarkable Viola 

 with very long petioles ; in some instances nearly 6 inches in length. After 

 careful examination it has been referred to V. blanda. Templeton, Hogsback, 

 Mechanicsviile, Lake Flora and other places were also visited. In addition much 

 individual work has been done by members, and we are pleased to note that the- 

 important branch of aquatic plants has received full attention, as will be seen oa 

 reference to the list appended. 



The plants added this year to the Flora Ottawaensis are 31 in number, some 

 of which are very rare. More we expect will be added during the winter when, 

 members arrange their summer work and competitive collections and lists are 

 sent to the council. This is very satisfactory considering the thorough manner 

 in which the locality has been worked in former years. 



The following are a few of the more important plants on the list : 



Polygala paucifolia. The only specimen found recently in this locality was 

 gathered by Mr. H. Ami, near the St. Louis Dam, but the late Mr. B. Billings 

 collected it in 1866. It was also found at Montebello and was noticed among, 

 some plants sent from the Mattawa District. 



Rosa Carolina, Swamp Rose, was found near Meach's Lake. 



Wolftia Brasiliensis, in the Rideau Canal. 



In the difficult and little known genus Potamogeton, Mr. Fletcher has 

 done much valuable work, which we hope the Club will benefit by on some 

 future occasion. Referring to this work he writes : " I have found the rare 

 " emersed form of Potamogeton Vaseyi in the Rideau Canal, with well developed 

 " floating leaves. I was not successful in securing the fruit, all the floating 

 " leaves having been destroyed by insects before it matured, which made it 

 " impossible to discover the plants.'' In reference to another species he writes : 

 " Potom-ogeton Robbinsii I found in Mench's Lake ; but without flowers or fruit. 

 '' The Rev. T. Morong, the leading American specialist in this family, writes me 

 " as follows with reterence to this plant : ' Jt had been hunted for in truit for 20 

 " j'ears or more, in vain until two ytars ago, when it was found near Ashland, 

 *' in Mass. It had alwavs been considered a submerged form previous to this, 

 " but that year tbe water was very low and some of the stems reached the surface 

 " and bore fruit ; as a rule all the submerged species or forms are reproduced 

 " by genima\" 



hoetes lacustris. — This curious plant, which has been classed Club Mosses, 

 was found by Mr. Fletclier in Malloch's Bay, near the railway, at the lowest point 

 attainable t'y the water falling. 



