THE FLORA. 31 



feathers to their toe nails. The rock ptarmigan is 

 found in the highest and most barren portions of the 

 island, though not in such great numbers as the wil- 

 low grouse or ptarmigan, which is found in all parts. 



FLORA. 



The pine, spruce, birch, juniper and larch of the 

 forests in the interior furnish ample material for a 

 large lumber trade, as well as for shipbuilding pur- 

 poses. The white pine groAvs from a height of from 

 seventy to eighty feet in some sections, and attains a 

 diameter of from three to four feet. The mountain 

 ash, balsam poplar and aspen thrive well, and ever- 

 greens are in endless variety. 



The Geological Report of the Gander River district 

 estimates the available pine limits here at 850 square 

 miles, including the valley of the Gambo and Triton 

 River and the country along the south side of the 

 lake and across to Freshwater Bay. Most, if not all, 

 the pine here referred to is of the white variety 

 Pinus strobus probably the most valuable species for 

 the manufacture of lumber. The same authority says 

 that between the Grand Falls and Badger Brook on 

 both sides of the Exploits River pine nourishes lux- 

 uriantly ; these reaches also display a fine growth of 

 other varieties of timber, and at some points, and es- 



