Trees on McGill University Grounds. 411 



4. The English Oak. Quercus robur L. 



Specimens of this ppecies were presented by Mr. Young, 

 and were planted in different soils and exposures; but they 

 proved incapable of enduring the winter and all perished ; 

 those in the lighter and more sandy ground surviving 

 longest. In any case this tree is not comparable as an 

 ornamental tree with our native species, and its leaves 

 hanging withered on the branches in autumn give it an un- 

 sightly appearance. 



5. The Beech. Fagus ferruginea. 



A bed of young plants of this fine tree was raised from 

 the nuts, and one specimen still remains. It grows well but 

 not in the sandy soil, and as only very young trees have 

 been on the grounds, little can be said respecting it. It is 

 known, however, to love a rich calcareous soil, and, where 

 this exists, to thrive even on rocky ground. Our beech is 

 scarcely so fine a tree as the European beech, the hardiness 

 of which, in Canada, I have had no opportunity of experi- 

 menting on. 



6. The Hazel. Gorylus amerieana. 



A plant of this species obtained on the mountain about 

 1858, has grown luxuriantly and bore fruit every year. It 

 was destroyed last year. The hazel is a long lived and 

 beautiful shrub. As one usually sees it on poor ground and 

 cropped by cattle it has a shabby appearance, but under 

 more favourable circumstances it forms a tine element in 

 shrubbery. Its catkins are pretty in the spring, and in 

 autumn its fruit is curious and is edible. 



*J. The Hornbeam. Carpinus amerieana. 



A fine and somewhat aged specimen of this little tree, 

 native to the place, existed till last year in the lower part 

 of the grounds. It is of slow growth and straggling form. 

 One young tree still remains near the head of the avenue, 



