Taucupiral Opercula of Gasteropoda. 40*7 



spiral ones of Euomphalus Manitobensis, one of which was 

 obtained in place. These were collected by Mr. J. B. 

 Tyrrell, of the Geological Survey, in 1889, from limestones 

 of Devonian age at Dawson Bay, Lake Winnipegosis, and 

 are described and illustrated in the eighth volume of 

 " Transactions of the Eoyal Society of Canada." 



Ottawa, October 24th, 1§91. 



Notes on Trees on the Grounds of McGill 

 University. 



By Sir William Dawson, F. R. S., &c. 



In the year 1855, the grounds of McGill College were un- 

 fenced and practically a common, used for pasturage and 

 open to all intruders. A few large trees existed on the 

 banks of the little brook which then ran through the 

 grounds, and to which, I suppose, the McGill Estate owed 

 its name of Burnside; and along the brook there was a 

 certain amount of coppice of thorn, young birch and alder, 

 but so cropped by cattle and cut and broken by juvenile 

 ramblers that it presented a very unsightly appearance. So 

 soon as a fence could be erected, steps were taken to lay out 

 the grounds and plant trees. I was induced to give attention 

 to this by the wish to have the surroundings more in 

 harmony with an academical building, and by the hope that 

 attractive grounds might tend to induce efforts to improve 

 and complete the buildings, might give more public interest 

 in the institution, and might lead to a wish to retain the 

 grounds for academical uses rather than to dispose of them 

 for building purposes. To me and my wife the improve- 

 ment of the grounds was a congenial task; and the late Mr. 

 Baynes, then Secretary of the University, cordially se- 

 conded the effort, while the Board of Governors granted a 

 little pecuniary aid. The old McGill house and garden 

 at that time existed immediately below Sherbrooke Street, 

 though rented to a market gardener. The garden con- 

 tained many good shrubs and herbaceous plants, and was 



