1908.] 



TREES AND SHRUBS. 



529 



The Tvrrell brothers took it on Daly Lake — not far from the tree 

 limit. 



Pruniis virginiana Linn. Chokecherry. 



This black- fruited cherry is common on the banks of the Atha- 

 baska, and is said to occur abundantly, also, along the Peace. Its 

 fruit was nearly ripe at Fort McMurray on August 11, 1904, and 

 fully so at Boiler Eapid a few days later. The fruit is eaten to some 

 extent by the voyagers, but is not much relished. The shrub was not 

 detected by us north of the Athabaska. 



Empetmm nigrum Linn. Crowberry. 



The black crowberr}^ occurs nearly throughout the region, being, 

 to the southward of Great Slave Lake, mainly an inhabitant of the 

 peatj bogs, but becoming more generally distributed north of that 

 point. It reaches its greatest luxuriance on the northern border of 

 the forest, but extends north to the Arctic Sea. On the canoe route 

 north of Great Slave Lake it is common. Its berries were ripe on 

 Lake St. Croix on August 14, 1903. On the sandy shores of Great 

 Bear Lake it attains a high degree of development, covering con- 

 siderable areas with a thick mat, and being loaded with the large 

 juicy black berries. During the closing days of August and the first 

 week of September, 1903, near Leith Point, its fruit formed the prin- 

 cipal food of the geese and plovers, which were fattening previous 

 to taking their southward flight. The berries become very juicy 

 after the first frosts, and form an agreeable food for man. 



It is common along the Mackenzie, and ascends the Nahanni Moun- 

 tains to their summits. 



Along the canoe route followed between Athabaska Lake and 

 Chesterfield Inlet in 1893 the T3a'rell brothers found this shrub 

 abundant, but observed very little fruit north of the edge of the 

 Barren Grounds. 



Acer spicatum Lam. Mountain Maple. 



This maple, apparently the only one which enters the territory 

 now under consideration, was collected at Fort Chipewyan by the 

 Tyrrell brothers in 1893. This is its most northerly recorded station. 

 It was not observed by us." 



« Acer negundo. In an inclosed yard at Fort Simpson are several examples of 

 tlie ash-leaved maple. They were introduced a number of years ago, Imt I was 

 unable to ascertain even the approximate date. They appear to be healthy, 

 but have scarcely attained the dignity of trees. 



441.31— No. 27—08— — .34 



