THE HEMLOCK GROVE ON THE BANKS OF THE 
BRONX RIVER AND WHAT IT SIGNIFIES. 
The forest.of Canadian hemlock spruce along the Bronx River, 
within the portion of Bronx Park set apart for the New York 
Botanical Garden, is one of the most noteworthy natural features 
of the Borough of the Bronx, and has been characterized by a 
distinguished citizen as “ the most precious natural possession of 
the city of New York.” I shall attempt to describe it in some 
detail and to indicate the relationship of this hemlock spruce, com- 
monly known in America as hemlock, to other evergreen trees; 
to indicate its natural geographical distribution, trace its history, 
and discuss its uses. 
This forest exists in the northern part of Bronx Park on the 
nks of the river and their contiguous hills; its greater area is 
On the western side of the stream, but it occupies a considerable 
Space on the eastern side above the Lorillard Mansion and below 
the “ Blue” bridge. The area west of the river extends from 
Just above the “ Blue” bridge down stream to a point nearly 
°pposite the old Lorillard Snuff Mill, and is the part commonly 
designated “ Hemlock Grove.” Its total length along the river is 
*Pproximately 3,000 feet; its greatest width, goo feet, is at a 
Point on the river about 700 feet above the water fall at the 
