CANADIAN SPRUCES. 169 



REMARKS ON THE DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS 



OF THE 



CANADIAN SPRUCES- 



SPECIES OF PICE A. 



BY GEORGE LAWSON, PH.D., LL.D., F.R.S.C, PROFESSOR OF CHEMISTRY, 

 DALHOUSIE COLLEGE, HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA. 



Qui- native spruces (belonging to the genus Picea) have received 

 attention at different times from many botanists, but their conclusions 

 in regard to the number of species, and the exact relations of these to 

 each other, have not been concordant It seemed desirable to invite 

 attention again to the subject, and this was done in a preliminary- 

 paper read in Section IV of the Royal Society of Canada, at the 

 Meeting held at Ottawa in May last (1887). The discussion on that 

 occasion, and subsequent correspondence, have shown that the matter 

 is not without interest, and have suggested the desirability of publish- 

 ing some of the faces then stated, as well as results subsequently 

 reached, together with some historical details, — so as to indicate our pre- 

 sent knowledge on the subject, the information still needed, and the 

 directions in which profitable enquiry may be made. Local observers 

 and collectoi'S throughout the Dominion, and travellers visiting 

 northern points, may do much to aid in determining the geographical 

 r-ange of the several species, varieties, and forms, and the continuity or 

 intermittence of their distribution in diffei'ent regions. 



