432 Canadian Record of Science. 



Notes on the Flora of Cacouna, P. Q. 1 



August 9th— 18th, 1891. 

 By D. P. Penhallow. 



In the flora of Cacouna and the adjacent districts of the 

 Lower St. Lawrence, the botanist finds many features of 

 interest, both in its extent and special character. One of 

 the most prominent facts which first commands attention, is 

 the brilliancy of the flowers, and the great profusion of 

 many species which are nearly or quite at their northern 

 limits of distribution. The presence of distinctly boreal 

 species like Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Vaccinium vitis-idcea, 

 Empetrum nigrum and Pinus banksiana, and the predomin- 

 ance of such plants as alder, birches, Linnoea borealis, 

 Chiogenes serpylUfolia and Ledum latifolium, together with a 

 profusion of lichens and mosses, indicates a distinct approach 

 to sub-arctic and arctic flora. 



On the other hand, southern types are also met with, but 

 many of them obviously near or at the extreme northern 

 limits of their distribution. Such a combination of types 

 lends a peculiar interest to the flora, which is also 

 strengthened by the special physical characteristics of the 

 region. 



The geological formation of Cacouna and vicinity, is 

 Lower Silurian. The various strata of sandstone, granitoid 

 rock and shale are tilted up at an abrupt angle, and form a 

 series of parallel ridges of variable height running north- 

 east and south-west parallel with the general course of 

 the river. These ridges rise to a height of 150-300 feet, 

 and in one or two cases form isolated hills rising abruptly 

 from the surrounding plain. Between them are large areas 

 of alluvium which embrace both swamps and arable lands 

 of fine quality. 



The ridge following the shore line, and on which rests 

 the Village of Cacouna, presents a very bold face towards 



1 Contribution from the Botanical Club of Canada. 



