53 



SAMOLTJS, L. Water Pimpernel. 



1454. S. vALERANDi, L. var. Americanus, Gray. 



River side. Rideau River, at the rifle range. Yery rare. July — 3. 

 A smooth branched herb four to eight inches in height, with 

 alternate entire leaves and small white flowers in racemes. 

 Corolla bell-shaped, 5-cleft, with small processes (sterile fila- 

 ments) in the sinuses. True stamens on the tube of the corolla, 

 included, 



OLEAOE^.— Olive Family. 

 FRAXINUS, L. Ash. 



1455. F. Americana, L. White Ash. 



Rich woods. A fine and valuable tree. Frequently three or four 

 stems from the same root. There is a common variety of this 

 species with the fruit and young shoots purple. The seeds 

 germinate the first spring after sowing. 



1456. F. PUBESCENS, Lam. (Red Ash, Rim Ash, River Ash.) 

 Banks of rivers and lakes. A fine tree with branchlets and 



petioles velvety downy ; seed germinating the first year. 

 May — 3. (B.) This species is sometimes difficult to distinguish 

 from the last, the distinguishing characters not always being 

 well marked. It is generally a smaller tree, the pubescence on 

 the petioles and on the branchlets, although it often disappears 

 late in the season on some trees, is always present on the young 

 shoots. The seed is less swollen, and smaller in proportion to 

 the wing of the samara, than in F. Americana. In growing 

 several thousands from the seed I notice that F. Americana 

 takes a few days longer to germinate, and leafs out a few days 

 later in the spring. With seedlings sown in rows side by 

 side F. puhescens has made in two years twice the growth of 

 F. Americana. 

 1460. F. SAMBUCIFOLIA, Lam. (Black Ash, Water Ash.) 



Swamps and low ground. May — 3. (B.) A smaller tree than 

 1455 and 1456. Easily distinguished by its fruit, which is 

 winged all round the seed. The seed does not germinate until 

 the second spring after it is sown. The tough stringy wood is 

 largely used for making baskets and fruit boxes. 



