OUR NATIVE TREES AND SHRUBS. 57 



proposed to introduce it in the denuded Laurentian districts by plant- 

 ing the nuts, and the experiment, if attempted, will be watched with 

 interest. The leaflets are commonly more numerous and less downy 

 than in the last species. 



66a. Cdrya alba (Nutt.). Shell-bark Hickory. Shag-bark. White Hickory. 

 A valuable tree, with timber much esteemed for strength and tough- 

 ness ; found commonly in the western peninsula and eastward along 

 Lake Ontario. I had quite decided from search and inquiry that the 

 Hickories were unknown in Muskoka, when I was handed recently for 

 identification a number of nuts taken from the hollow in a stick of fire- 

 wood which had been cut within a few miles of Gravenhurst. They 

 evidently belonged to this species, having been discovered and 

 appropriated by that very industrious botanist, the Red Squirrel. I 

 have not yet had an opportunity to determine whether the latter ac- 

 quired them by honest means. The leaflets in this species are usually 

 five in number and the bark is very rough. 



66b. Cdrya tomentosa (Nutt.). White-heart Hickory. 



A rather scarce tree along Lake Erie, with twigs, petioles and leaves 

 very downy and fragrant when crushed. The fruit is edible and sweet. 



66c. Cdrya porcina (Nutt.). Pig-nut Hickory. 



Found in the same localities as the last, but rather more plentiful. The 

 leaflets are usually seven in number or fewer, nearly smooth, and the 

 fruit very bitter. 



66d. Car ya amdra (Nutt.). Bitternut. Swamp Hickory. 



The commonest species in Ontario, though far from being the most 

 valuable. The leaflets are usually seven or nine in number, slightly 

 downy and quite fragrant when crushed. The nuts are bitter. 



67a. Myrica Gale (L.). Sweet Gale. 



Abundant along wet shores and easily known by its fragrance, which 

 resembles that of the last species. The leaves are entire except near 

 the apex and the pale dots beneath contain the aromatic resin that 

 furnishes the characteristic fragrant odor. 



67b. Myrwa asplenifolia (Endl.). Sweet Fern. 



Common on sandy soil, especially in the northern districts. The fern- 

 like leaves with their peculiar fragrance cannot be mistaken for those 

 of any other woody plant. 



68a. Be'lula le'nta (L.). Black or Sweet Birch. 



This species somewhat resembles the Black Cherry in bark and appear- 

 ance, while the twigs and leaves, as in the next species, have a strong 

 flavor of Wintergreen. The leaves are described as shining above, but 

 this is most noticeable in sunlight while they remain on the tree. 



