Trees on McGill University Groan-Is. 421 



cies is the more luxuriant grower and ha^ larger and more 

 shining leaves. The English species is more delicate and 

 graceful. Both are perfectly hardy, of rapid growth and 

 easily propagated, and are not uncommon in gardens and 

 shrubberies in and near Montreal. We had young trees of 

 both species on the grounds as well as some varieties with 

 peculiar leaves presented by Mr. Gibb, but they had to be 

 removed to the botanical garden. 



29. Hawthorn. Crataegus. (Species.) 



In 1855 the most abundant shrubs on the grounds were 

 hawthorns, whose spines had enabled them to resist the 

 attacks of cattle and boys. They also sheltered wild vines 

 and other climbers. There were three species ; the most 

 abundant was C. crusgalli, the cockspur thorn, but C. cocci- 

 nea, the crimson-fruited thorn was also present though rare, 

 and one specimen of it still survives near the Medical build- 

 ing. The finest species, however, was C. tomentosa, the 

 apple or pear thorn, which becomes when full grown a 

 small tree, throwing out its branches horizontally with a 

 very fine effect, and presenting an object of rare beauty 

 when covered with blossom in spring. One of the finest 

 specimens I ever saw was on the east side of the grounds 

 toward University street. When it was proposed to sell 

 lots on this street, Mr. D. Davidson, 1 then a member of 

 the Board, declared that one of his chief objections to the 

 sale of these lots was the probable destruction of this tree. 

 It survived this ordeal, however, being a little beyond the 

 limits of the building lots, but now its place knows it no 

 more. A very fine, though younger, specimen still exists 

 in front of the Library at the foot of the terrace. 



Some years ago I suggested to the gatekeeper to plant a 

 row of seedlings of this species along the Sherbrooke street 

 front, iii hope that they might replace as a hedge the old 



1 While these pages were in the press the news arrived of the death of this 

 venerable and true friend of education, to whom both the University and the 

 High Sohool of Montreal are most deeply indebted. 



