PROGRESS OF THE SEASONS AT FORT VANCOUVER. 229 



The following Notices of the Progress of the Seasons at 

 Port Vancouver in 1838*, may be contrasted with the 

 state of vegetation at the same times of the year in the 

 valley of the St. Lawrence : — 



Jan. 2d. Short young grass, affording good pasturage for 

 sheep in places that were flooded in summer. 8th. 

 Berry-hearing bushes budding, such as the wild 

 cherry, black currant, &c. Swans abundant, ducks, 

 geese, and cranes scarce. 10th — 12th. Snow fell 

 to the depth of an inch and a half, and vegetation 

 was l-etarded by unfavourable weather till 



Feb. 17. when wild gooseberry bushes were observed budding. 

 Between the 26th of this month and 



Mar. 16. Thunder and hail showers occurred. Riles san- 

 guineumh\osson\mg. Trillium grandiflorum, having 

 the local name in Oregon of " Herb Paris," in full 

 flower. 21st. Apple and pear-trees budding. The 

 wild gooseberry in full leaf, and further advanced 

 than bushes from England cultivated in the garden. 

 24th. The swallow first noticed. 30th. Humming- 

 birds appearing ; strawberries flowering. 



April 3. Mahonia in blossom, and, on the 5th, peach-trees 

 flowering. 8th. Potatoes that have lain in the 

 ground all winter, beginning to show. 11th. Dog- 

 wood and elder in blossom. 17th. Several species 

 of violet in flower. 20th. Field iris in flower. 

 23d. Brambles flowering. On the 25th, clover in 

 bloom ; and, on the 26th, wild tares flowered. 

 Hail and thunder storms. 28th. Blossoms of the 

 fruit-trees falling. 



May 1. Lupins in flower. 7th. Wild rose and eglantine in 

 flower. 12th. Strawberries ripening. 28th. Field- 

 peas in blossom. 30th. Garden-peas brought to 

 table. Thunder. 



* By G. B. Roberts, Esq., of the Hudson's Bay Company. 

 Q 3 



