86 
ANNALS OF THE 
SUGGESTIONS TO THE MEMBERS OF THE BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF 
CANADA, WITH REFERENCE TO A COLONIAL FLORA. 
By Sir William J. Hooker, K. H. 
Royal Gardens, Kew, 
February 16th, 1861. 
It gives me great pleasure to hear of the formation of a Botanical Society in 
Canada. It is now 20 years since the publication of my Flora of British North 
America ; — and I had therein occasion to remark, " It is to be wished that the 
southern boundaries of Canada, adjoining the State of Maine and the great Lakes 
Huron and Superior were accurately searched, as it can hardly be doubted that 
this line of country would yield many plants not hitherto discovered in British 
North America, though known to exist in the United States under similar situa- 
tions and of latitude and of elevation above the level of the sea." Indeed it is a sing- 
ular fact, that we have a more complete knowledge of the extreme arctic vegetation 
of America, and of the remote shores of British Columbia than of the southern 
boundary of Canada. Not, indeed, that I expect new species of plants to be dis- 
covered there, but I believe many might be detected at present only recorded as 
natives of the United States. 
Now, here would be an interesting field for the active working members of the 
Botanical Society to explore, and I would take leave most respectfully to recom- 
mend it to their attention, and, if possible, during the forthcoming summer. 
The Flora Boreali-Americana has been long out of print, and it had the mis- 
fortune to be published on too expensive a scale. I am, at this time, in communi- 
cation with His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, on the subject of the publication of 
a cheap series of Colonial Floras of all our Colonies ; and I was required to give in 
to His Grace an enumeration of all the Colonies, the vegetation of which was suffi 
ciently known to justify the Flora being published, and among those recommended 
for early notice is, doubtless, British North America. Already the Flora of Hong- 
Kong is completed and published ; that of the British West Indian Islands is now 
complete, and the cost upon our Government for the assistance they kindly pro- 
pose to give is all estimated for, and laid before the Treasury. Thus a first-rate 
publisher is enabled to sell them at a cost not exceeding 16.s. a vol, of 500 pages. 
Now it is for the purpose of rendering such a Flora. of British North America 
more complete that I would ask the aid of the active botanists of Canada. Any in- 
formation connected with the discovery of plants new to their Colony will be faith- 
fully recorded, as well as the names of the discoverers ; and well prepared specimens 
confirmatory of their accuracy, with the exact locality, 1 shall thankfully receive. 
