CANADIAN SPRUCES. • 169 



REMARKS ON THE DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS 



OF THE 



CANADIAN SPRUCES- 



SPECIES OF PICE A. 



BY GEORGE LAWSOX, PH.D., LL.D., F.R.S.C, PROFESSOR OF CHEMISTRY, 

 DALHOUSIE COLLEGE, HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA. 



Our native spruces (belonging to the genus Plcea) have received 

 attention at different times from many botanists, bit their conclusions 

 in regard to the number of species, and the exact relations of these to 

 each other, have not been concordant. It seemed desii'able to invite 

 attention again to the subject, and this was done in a preliminaiy 

 paper read in Section TV of the Royal Society of Canada, at the 

 Meeting held at Ottawa in May last (1887), The discussion on that 

 occasion, and subsequent correspondence, have shown that the matter 

 is not without interest, and have suggested the desirability of publish- 

 ing some of the facts then stated, as well as results subsequently 

 reached, together with some historical details, — so as to indicate our pre- 

 sent knowledge on the subject, the information still needed, and the 

 directions in which profitable enquiry may be made. Local observers 

 aad collectors throughout the Dominion, and travellers visiting 

 northern jDoints, may do much to aid in determining the geographical 

 range of the several species, varieties, and forms, and the continuity or 

 intermittence of their distribution in diflPerent regions. 



