412 Canadian Record of Science. 



and is noteworthy for the brilliant crimson and yellow 

 colours which, its leaves assume in autumn ; and as the 

 leaves are somewhat persistent, their beauty remains till 

 late in the season. 



8. Birch. Betula papyracea and B. populifolia. 



These white birches, so common throughout Eastern 

 Canada, were native to the soil. One very old and spread- 

 ing tree was probably the finest in Montreal. Its main 

 trunk was short and the young people used to ascend and 

 use the spreading branches as a study in the warm weather 

 of summer. The white birches are trees of rapid growth 

 and extremely hardy. I have specimens growing on some- 

 what poor soil, which, in twelve years, have attained the 

 height of 30 feet and are beautiful trees. 



9. European White Birch. Betula alba. 



The cut-leaved variety of this tree has grown very suc- 

 cessfully, and its pendulous branches and pure white bark- 

 produce a fine effect. Several, other species or varieties of 

 foreign birches were presented by Mr. Gibb, but had to be 

 removed to the new botanical garden on the Trafalgar 

 property. The bronze-leaved variety did well and had a 

 fine appearance. The remaining specimens are of the 

 green and cut-leaved variety. Being more graceful and 

 pendulous than our native species, and apparently quite 

 hardy, they deserve cultivation. 



10. The Yellow Birch (B. luted) was not originally on 

 the grounds, but a good specimen was planted on the 

 Graduates' walk and has thriven, though perhaps the soil 

 is rather light for this species.. I had hopes that it might 

 have gone on to rival our oaks and elms, as when mature, 

 it is a majestic tree, one of our finest native species, but 

 unfortunately it is too near the line of the approach to the 

 Physics building and probably is doomed to disappear. 



