24 



GENERAL INTRODUCTION. 



bijioniiii, Erytlii-oiiiitDi A)iicricaiiHiu, All nun truoccitiii, Poutcdcria 

 cordata, and Eriocaiiloii scptaugularc. 



Among the Mosses the genera SpJtagniDii, Dicraiiniii, Oiihotri- 

 cliuiii, and Hypniiin are particularly well represented, both in species 

 and individuals; but such a vast number of mosses are found here 

 that an enumeration of even the more common or characteristic would 

 be out of place. 



The so-called " Iceland Moss" {Cdraria Islandica) and "Reindeer 

 Moss" [Cladoii/a rangifcriiia), together with the common i^ray 

 Usnca, are worthy ot special mention irom out the host of Lichens 

 that thrive upon the moist atmosphere of the Wilderness. 



7.-FAUNAL POSITION. 



There remains to be considered the Faunal Position of the Adi- 

 rondacks. 



Data are wanting for the determination of exact thermometric 

 means over any considerable portion of the region, but sufficient 

 exist to establish the fact that during the months of May, June, and 

 July (the breeding season of birds) the thermometer shows an aver- 

 age of 5/-' Fahr. (14'^ C), or lower, everywhere within the limits of 

 the Wilderness, and averages below 5o'-Fahr. (10- C.) throughout 

 much of the interior. The temperature alone, therefore, would indi - 

 cate that the district pertained to the Canadian Fauna, and a brief study 

 of its characteristic animal and plant life will suffice to confirm the 

 fact. 



Amongst the Mammals the following species are eminently north- 

 ern in habitat : the Lynx, Fisher, Marten, Hudsonian Flying Squirrel, 

 Jumping Mouse, Long-eared Wood Mouse, Porcupine, and Northern 

 Hare. 



Of the Birds that breed here many are characteristic of the Cana- 

 dian Fauna. Such are: the Hermit Thrush, Swainson's Thrush, Red- 

 bellied Nuthatch, Winter Wren ; Tennessee, Yellow-rumped, Black- 

 burnian, Black and Yellow, Mourning, and Canada Flycatching 



