Trees on McGill University Grounds. 415 



15. The Eed or Slippery Elm. Ulmus fulva. 



In 1$55 there was a moribund tree of this species at the 

 foot of the terrace in front of the college. Its roots had 

 been in great part buried under the excavators' rubbish 

 used in forming the terrace, and it was gradually dying. I 

 planted at its root the wild vine and the Ampelopsis or five- 

 fingered ivy, which in a few years completely clothed its 

 stem and dead branches, giving it a fine appearance, 

 especially in autumn, when the bright yellow of the vine 

 and the crimson of the Ampelopsis had a most brilliant 

 effect. It was one of the chief ornaments of the front of 

 the buildings for many years, when, decaying at the base, 

 it was finally overthrown in an autumnal storm. Other 

 trees of this speeies were planted, but their inferiority to 

 the ordinary American elm, both in form and stature was 

 too manifest to encourage their multiplication. 



16. The Corky Elm. Ulmus racemosa. 



This species is distinguished by the curious corky ex- 

 crescences on its trunk and branches, and by its stiffer and 

 more rigid branching as compared with the ordinary 

 species. A fine young specimen from St. Andrews was 

 presented some years ago by Dr. Harrington and was grow- 

 ing well, but it was one of the victims of the recent im- 

 provements. 



17. The English Elm. Ulmus campestris. 



Specimens of this tree were presented by Mr. Young, 

 and having been planted on good soil grew vigorously ; but 

 the twigs were liable to be winter killed and the tree then 

 sent off shoots from the root, giving it an unsightly appear- 

 ance. It is much stiffer in habit of growth than our elm, 

 with smaller foliage and a tendency to corky excrescences 

 on the bark. It is evidently scarcely hardy enough for our 

 climate, though it has succeeded well in New England. All 

 those in the College grounds have perished, except one 



