82 PROCEEDINGS: BOSTON SOCIETY' NATURAL HISTORY. 



NOVA SCOTIA: edge of fresh-water pond, Sable Island, Aug. 21, 

 1913, Harold St. John, no. 1,271 (TYPE in Gray Herb.). 



This endemic variety differs from all the other known varieties 

 of Lathyrus palustris in having the leaves broadest near the tip, and 

 tapering gradually to a cuneate base. 



FL, Fr. August. 



EMPETRACEAE. 



Empetrum nigrum L. Very abundant on the low undulating 

 dunes and sheltered slopes in the more stable parts of the island. 

 The juicy, attractively colored, but unpleasantly flavored berries 

 form a part of the food of the birds that visit the island, especially 

 the Curlews. They are sometimes used by the residents of the is- 

 land in the manufacture of a slightly alcoholic drink. The berries 

 are crushed, then after the addition of sugar or molasses the juice is 

 put in a dark air-tight receptacle until the fermentation takes place. 

 J. Dwight, Jr. (D. pp. 9 & 12) noticed that a large part of the island 

 "is carpeted with the evergreen Crowberry (Empetrwnnigrumlj.)." 

 J. Macoun also comments upon its abundance (M. p. 2 15 A, 216 A 

 & 218A). It is listed by H. T. Giissow. H. St. John, nos. 1,269 and 

 1,270 (H). 



Fr. August and September. 



AQUIFOLIACEAE. 



Ilex verticillata (L.) Gray. Occasional on the dry slopes of 

 shifting dunes. H. St. John, no. 2,041 (H). 

 Not observed in flower or fruit. 



ACERACEAE. 



ACER PLATANOIDES L. One sapling surviving at Life Saving 

 Station, No. 3. In 1901 in the large planting there were 500 of these 

 trees set out. H. St. John, no. 1,272 (H). 



RHAMNACEAE. 



RHAMNUS FRANGULA L. A few ragged shrubs still surviving at 

 Gourdeau Park. None of them exceed 2 feet in height. In 1901 

 there were 100 bushes of this set out. H. St. John, no. 1,273 (H). 



MALVACEAE. 



[J. B. Gilpin (G. p. 18-9) in 1858 devotes a single paragraph to 

 the flora, beginning with, "A Botanist would give a scientific list of 



