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APPENDIX. 



Introduction to a Synopsis of the Flora or Nova Scotia, 

 By J. Sommers, M. D., Prof, of Physiology, &c, 

 Halifax Medical College. 



The catalogue of Nova Scotian species presented, is published 

 by the Institute for the purposes of affording information and 

 opportunity for comparison to Botanists in other localities. 



Without pretensions to more than a check list of native and natu- 

 ralized plants so far described, it may be accepted as the most 

 complete synopsis of the Nova Scotian Flora yet offered. 



It has been compiled with care from materials supplied by several 

 observers working independently in different sections of the Pro- 

 vince ; corrections and additions have been made previous to placing 

 it in the hands of the publisher, and a further guarantee of its 

 accuracy will be found in the correspondences existing between the 

 different observers. 



While claiming so much for it we are not unmindful of what the 

 scientific Botanist will learn from a glance, viz., its imperfectness ; 

 since he cannot fail to notice that while the Penerogamia exclusive 

 of Cyperacese, and Graminas are nearly complete, the Cryptogamia, 

 excepting Filices and Lycopodiace, are but sparingly represented, 

 the deficiency being owing to want of application, rather than the 

 want of material upon which to work. 



It is hoped, that the success which has attended the investigations, 

 " of the Rev. E. Ball, a member of the Institute" into the number 

 and variety of our native ferns, will serve to stimulate those who 

 have the requisite skill and leisure, to attempt the same for the 

 remaining orders of this division of our Flora, nor will the labor 

 so applied yield less gratifying results. 



The subarctic character of our flora will be observed from a 

 study of our list. Another feature deserving attention is the 

 preexistence of ancient forms, " also characteristic of our fauna," 

 and probably owing to our woodlands consisting largely of coni- 

 ferous trees, having served as an asylum, preserving them in situ 

 not unlikely since the recession of the glacial period which scattered 

 their congeners and descendants over the vast expanse of the 



