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Merritt Lyndon Fernald: 1910 Trip


Harvard University botanist Merritt Lyndon Fernald first travelled to Newfoundland and Labrador in 1910. He was accompanied by botanist Karl M. Wiegand, student Joseph Kittredge, Jr., and archaeologist/ethnologist Alfred V. Kidder. The party's first destination, and main summer base, was Petries in the Bay of Islands.

Fernald and Kidder almost immediately left by rail for points east, reaching the region of Birchy Lake before turning back. Meanwhile, Wiegand and Kittredge made exciting collections of "limestone plants" near Marble Mountain, on the lower Humber River.

The group soon split up again, with Fernald and Kittredge exploring the serpentine barrens on the Blow-Me-Down hills, and Wiegand and Kidder sailing north to investigate the "limestone" outcrops at Cow Head [example specimen: Cochlearia cyclocarpa - CLICK photo to enlarge].

Once more reunited, the whole party sailed for the "Labrador Straits" (the Labrador side of the Strait of Belle Isle). Fernald and Kidder spent 5 days collecting in the Blanc Sablon area, where they found many "limestone plants". Wiegand and Kittredge travelled briefly to Forteau, but then sailed back to Newfoundland, ahead of Fernald and Kittredge, to seek better luck on the "limestone barrens" of Ingornachoix Bay and Point Riche.

The group re-united at Port Saunders and sailed back to the Bay of Islands, where Kidder soon left for home to get married! The other three moved south to Stephenville Crossing. From here they journeyed to Table Mountain, north of Port au Port, where they collected furiously for one day on its "limestone" summit.

Back in the Bay of Islands, Fernald and Wiegand took another stab at the Blow-me-Down Hills, where, unfortunately, Fernald seriously injured a toe, which took two weeks to mend itself.

While Fernald was recovering, Wiegand and Kittredge sailed to Bonne Bay, where they paid special attention to the serpentine tablelands towards Trout River. However, Kittredge soon returned with a serious case of jaundice, and had to leave for home. Wiegand eventually rejoined Fernald after a quick solo trip back to the Blanc Sablon area.

All in all, despite some difficulties, a tremendous first trip!



REFERENCE: Fernald (1911)







[Page last updated: November 11. 2021]





















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