434 Canadian Record of Science. 



cliffs rising to a height of 150 feet. The summit of the 

 island is probably 300-350 feet high. 



Such a configuration of the surface presents conditions 

 which are in a high degree favorable to a diversified flora, 

 while the latitude — 4T° 1ST. — favors the presence of distinctly 

 sub-ai ctic and arctic plants. 



The river, which is here about twelve miles wide, offers a 

 great barrier to the northern extension of southern forms. 

 The temperature along the south-east shore, is manifestly 

 higher than along the north-west shore, a fact which is 

 indicated by the presence of persistent fogs in the vicinity 

 of the latter, when the former is wholly free from them. 

 It is, therefore, highly probable that on the northern shore 

 the vegetation is more distinctly arctic, and that many 

 species which occur on the south shore, may be wholly 

 wanting there. Comparative studies in this direction 

 would be of value. 



The prevailing arborescent vegetation consists of the 

 white {Picea alba) and black {Picea nigra) spruces, with 

 occasional specimens of pitch (Pinus resinosa) and white 

 {Pinus strobus) pines, larch {Larix americana) and white 

 cedar {Thuya occidentalis). The sugar maple {Acer sac- 

 charinum) is common as a shade tree, and occasionally 

 is sufficiently abundant to form sugar bush. Populus 

 tremuloides is common everywhere, while the Lombardy 

 poplar {Populus ddatata) is very common in all the villages 

 as a shade tree. The Banksian pine {Pinus banksiana) is 

 abundant on Cacouna Island, as also, is the Canadian yew 

 {Taxus canadensis). 



The very great variety of situations in which plants of 

 the same species occur, is a matter of constant surprise. 

 The bunch berry {Cornus canadensis) which, further south is 

 almost wholly confined to low lands, is here found extending 

 from low, moi>t woods and meadows up the slopes of the 

 hills and even on the dry, rocky slopes of the higher ridges. 

 liinncea borealis is also found both in low, mossy ground 

 with Ledum latifolium, and in moist woods, and also on 

 dry, rocky ridges among the shrubby growth. Crypripe- 



