46 POPULAR GEOGRAPHY OF PLANTS. 



its uncultivated state, we will not spend our time in that 

 part of Canada which within the last fifty years has been 

 thickly settled and cultivated ; it is as yet a mere border of 

 the great primeval forests ; for, though seven hundred and 

 fifty miles in length, the average depth of the tract of land 

 hitherto redeemed is no more than forty miles. It will be 

 better to begin our explorations on the western coast, where, 

 as usual, we find a much warmer climate than on the eastern 

 side of the continent. 



With a large proportion of the genera we meet with we 

 are familiar in some of their species, and many are even 

 identical with our own. As we travel inland, we find the 

 bright yellow Meadow Crowfoot (Ranunculus acris), and 

 two different kinds of Veronica (V. serpyllifolia and V. 

 Anagallis] ; a little white-flowered Bedstraw too (Galium 

 boreale) ; and a species of Plantain (Plantago) ; Lousewort 

 (Pedicularis) ; Bartsia, Frttillaria, Potentitta, etc. ; and 

 amongst these we are struck with some beautiful strangers. 

 One, a kind of Iris, called SisyrmcJiium ; and another be- 

 longing to the Primrose tribe, not unlike a Cyclamen, 

 called Dodecatkeon. 



The forests are composed of colossal Fir-trees, amongst 

 which are to be seen species of Alder, the Mountain Ash, 



