
          From "The Young Voyageurs or the Boy
hunters in the North, by Capn Magna
Reid" ~ 1863

"There is a rich vegetation upon thebanks of
the Red River, but the flora is far different
from that which appears upon the low alluvion
of Louisiana. It is Northern, but not Artic [Arctic]. Oaks,
elms, & poplars are seen mingling with birches,
willows & aspens. Several species of indigenous
fruit trees are observed by Lucien, among
which were crab-apple, raspberry, strawberry &
currant. There was also seen the fruit called
by the voyageurs "le poise", but which in English
phraseology is known as the "service-berry"
(Amelanchier ovalis). It grows upon a small
bush or shrub of six or eight feet high, with
smooth finnate leaves. These pretty red berries
are much esteemed & eaten by Indians
& whites, who preserve them by drying, & cook
them in various ways. There was still another
bush that fixed the attention of our young botanist,
as it appeared all along the banks, & was a 
characteristic of the vegetation of the country. It
was not over eight feet in height, with spreading
branches of gray color. Its leaves [added: were] [crossed out: with] three inches
wide, & somewhat lobed liked those of an oak. Of course,
at this early season, the fruit was not ripe upon it;
but Lucien knew the fruit well. When ripe it
resembles very much a red cherry, or still

        