176 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 



seasoned, it becomes of a light brown hue : it does not warp 

 like the resinous woods, and is often sawed into boards for 

 many purposes. The young trees are sometimes cut into 

 poles, which are set up as rails for a temporary fence, but 

 they are not at all durable. It is almost useless as firewood 

 when green, being too full of sap. The basswood grows abun- 

 dantly in this country, and is found in all situations, but 

 most affects a low, and often a marshy soil. 



C. — I observe the red currant bushes in the garden are 

 putting out their leaves ; and many other garden plants are 

 beginning to shoot into active life (if vegetation can be called 

 active) ; the bulbs of the Orange Lily (Lilium Canadense) 



are above the surface of the ground. What very 



large bird is that sitting on yonder hemlock. Is it an owl ? 



F. — Yes ; and one that is much oftener heard than 

 seen ; it is the Great Homed Owl (Strix Virginiana,) a 



HORNRn OWL. 



Strix Virginiana. 



