206 Mr R. Edmonds on Earthquakes. 
of its electricity or magnetism from what it was immediately 
before; and a considerable maximum one day might be fol- 
lowed by a considerable minimum the next. Some have con- 
cluded that the moon has no sensible influence on the weather, 
because the means of the observations of the barometer or 
other instruments on the days of new and full moon, and of the 
quarters respectively, show no difference between any one of 
these four days and any other. But this proves nothing, as 
the change expected rarely occurs at the precise day owing 
to other influences retarding or accelerating it. 
Others deny any such influence of the moon, because it is 
not apparent in the averages of the readings of each respective 
day of the new and full moon and quarter days conjoined with 
the two days before and the two days after it. But should 
any remarkable change occur, it could not be detected by such 
averages, as the maximum or minimum in the former part of 
these five days would be often neutralized by an opposite state 
of the instrument in the latter part. 
The only way, therefore, of ascertaining whether the moon’s 
first quarter is or is not most remarkable for excessive meteoro- 
logical changes, is to refer each excessive or remarkable state 
of the atmosphere to such of the moon’s four quarter-days as 
may be nearest, and then to compare the results. 
On the Geographical Distribution of the Coniferce in Canada. 
By the Hon. Wittiam SuHeEepparD, D.C.L., F.B.S.C., of 
Fairymead, Drummondville, Lower Canada. * 
Pinus Banksiana (Gray Pine).t—This is essentially a 
northern pine, not having been observed south of the St Law- 
rence. It grows abundantly in Labrador, and up the north 
shore of the St Lawrence, among the rocks of the Laurentian 
formation. At St Paul’s Bay it has taken possession of the 
* Read to the Botanical Society of Canada, 14th June 1861, and communi- 
cated to this Journal by Professor Lawson, Secretary. 
t Omitting the diagnoses, I give the botanical name from Dr A. Gray’s 
“* Manual of the Botany of the Northern States,” a sufficient identification of the 
plants; the common names are for the most part local. 
