BOTANY. 
2 I 
predominating forms are not only coniferous evergreens, but consist 
mainly of Spruce, Hemlock, and Balsam — all representatives of the 
genus Abies. Tall Pines, at intervals, rear their lofty summits above 
the level of surrounding tree-tops, fragrant Cedars overhang the lake- 
shores and swamps, delicate Tamaracks wave over the soft grassy 
bottoms of Beaver meadows, dense thickets of tangled Alders border 
many of the streams and rivers, hardy Birches and light Poplars are 
scattered sparingly upon the mountain-sides and in the valleys, and 
areas of hard timber, indicating second growth, mark tracts that have 
been bared by fire, wind, or the woodman’s axe. These hardwood 
areas are readily distinguished, at a distance, by the marked contrast 
afforded by the light color and different aspect of the foliage, in sum- 
mer, and by their nakedness in winter. They are composed, chiefly, 
of Maple, Beech, and Birch. 
The common forest trees of the Adirondacks are : the American 
Linden or BassWood {Tilia Americana), Sugar Maple {Acer sac - 
charinum ), Black Sugar Maple (A. saccharinum nigrum ), Red or 
Swamp Maple ( A . rubruni), Black Cherry ( Primus serotina ), Beech, 
{Fag us ferruginca) , Iron Wood {Ostrya Virginica ), Cherry Birch 
{Betula lento), Yellow Birch {B. luted), Paper or Canoe Birch {B. pa- 
pyracea ), American Aspen {Populus tremuloidcs ), Large-toothed As- 
pen {P. grand identata), White Pine {Pinus strobus ), Red or “ Nor- 
way” Pine {P. resinosa — common only in certain localities, not gen- 
erally distributed), Black Spruce {Abies nigra). White Spruce {A. 
alba), Hemlock {A. Canadensis ), Balsam Fir {A. balsamea), Tamarack 
or Larch {Lari x Americana), White Cedar or Arbor Vitae {Thuja 
occidentals). Besides these occur the following, which are rare, or 
are common only along the borders of the region : Locust {Robinia 
pseudacacid), White Ash {Fraxinus Americana ), Black Ash {F. sam- 
bucifolia), Elm {Ulmus Americana), Slippery Elm {U.fulva), Butter- 
nut ( Jug Ians ciner ea), Swamp Hickory ( Cary a amara), three or more 
Oaks ( Quercus ), Balsam Poplar or Tacamahac {Popidus balsamifera ), 
Pitch Pine {Pinus rigida), and Juniper {Juniper us Virginiana). 
