1905 | Nature Stupy—No. 26. 113 
Speaking in favour of having a garden, Mr. Whyte said that it 
gives occasion for the most healthful exercise ; that it provides a 
constant source of pleasure in experimenting with new varieties, 
and that the exhilaration experienced in originating a valuable 
new variety was in itself an adequate reward for many years ot 
labour. In this connection Mr. Whyte’s two greatest triumphs 
are the Bresaya gladiolus and the Herbert raspberry. 
July 14. The swamp and spring in Beechwood were the 
chief centres of interest. Specimens of Sphagnum or peat moss 
Were examined. It was characterized as the vegetable equivalent 
of the coral animal, both forming enormous deposits by living and 
growing at the top, while dying and consolidating below, rising 
‘on stepping-stones of their dead selves to higher things.” A 
frog was made the subject of examination. [n contrast with the 
the human being, several interesting points were observed ; the 
absence of an external ear, the tympanic membrane being con- 
tinuous with the skin ; the manner of breathing by working the 
throat muscles, which function as a diaphragm ; and the winking 
of the eye by movement of the lower lid. The death of the frog 
due to the drying of its skin by heing held in the hand, showed 
that the skin acts as a subsidiary organ of respiration only when 
it is kept moist. 
July 17. The forest belts of the Experimental Farm were 
visited. Dr. Saunders explained that in one part the different 
species of trees are mixed, while at another part there are groups 
of trees of the same species. Insects and fungus attacks are 
naturally more severe in the latter arrangement. He characterized 
the white pine as a tree which bears the same relation to the 
lumberman as the apple-tree does to the horticulturist 
July 18. At Blueberry Point the Jack Pine ( Pinus Banksiana ) 
was undoubtedly the tree that attracted most attention. It was 
remarked that the teachers were more interested in becoming ac- 
quainted with a native tree than with the foreigners represented 
at the Experimental Farm. At the daily conference at the close 
of the rambie, as a sequel to the lecture of the morning on ‘‘A 
Flower Garden,” a discussion was held as to the characteristics 
of an ideal flowering plant. The following were contributed : 
abundance of bloom, suitability for cutting, length of blooming 
Season, beauty and variety of bloom, intensity and purity of 
colour, delicacy of perfume, beauty of foliage, symmetry of con- 
tour, and ease of cultivation. 
July 19. As a logical sequence to the talk on Minerals in the 
forenoon, it was decided to visit the Geological Survey Museum, 
where an opportunity was given to become better acquainted with 
the twenty minerals introduced in the morning. The cabinet of 
precious stones was a great attraction, and the specimens were 
