Our wild flowers

*s

Our

Wild
Flower©

BY

I. ALLEN JACK.

Reprinted from a Series of Papers published
in the "Daily Sun."

r-

ST. JOHN, N. B.

Sun Printing Company, Ltd.

1896.

The EDITH and LORNE PIERCE
COLLECTION of CANADI ANA

Queen's University at Kingston

Our Wild J^lowers.

INTRODUCTION.

The following papers are not writ- enable those who know less than him-

ten for botanists, nor are they in- self to share the pleasure which he

tended for those disposed to enter has derived from the consideration of

upon a systematic study of plants, an extremely captivating subject, he

With a strong suspicion that his ventures to place before the public the

ignorance may readily be detected by partial result of his investigations,

the learned, and with the sincere de- Almost all the flowers described and

sire not to be mistaken for a pre- mentioned may be found in the vicin-

tender, the writer readily admits at ity of Saint John, for whose inhabit-

the outset that his knowledge of the ants the papers are primarily though

subject selected for treatment is not exclusively written, but many of

limited. He is however led to believe them, with others not mentioned,

that this need not necessarily inter- flourish in other places in the prov-

fere with the comparatively success- ince.

ful accomplishment of his present in the treatment of the subject, al-
purpose. Having always entertained though the Latin names are used
and nourished an affection for the they are almost invariably accom-
beauties of nature, and having be- panied by the common English ap-
come convinced that they oouid not be pellations, except in cases where none
appreciated without methodical con- such exist. Subject to this excep-
sideration, he has sought to acquire tion scientific language has been care-
and utilize some knowledge of that fully avoided from the conviction
branch of science which relates to that, although more accurate and bet-
vegetable life. A few years largely ter adapted for the scientific reader,
devoted to searching for and identi- it would not be so well suited for those
fying wild flowers, and a lifetime pass- who have made no effort to master
ed during which they never failed to proper technical terms. With the soli-
interest him, have enabled him to tary exception of the orchids, no one
learn something of the aspect, names of the families into which plants are
and places of many of them. divided has been selected for special

In the earnest hope that, through consideration. The exception has been

the use of his little knowledge, he may made, partly because of the extreme

singularity of almost all and the great Before concluding this introduction

beauty of many of the orchids; partly it may not be inopportune to make a

because the writer has made a special few remarks, even though they be in

search with fairly successful results a measure trite, upon the benefits to

for these attractive flowers. In the be derived from the consideration of

arrangement of the papers, the gen- the subject of these papers,

eral intention, from which there Bacon, in the Advancement of Learn-

is an occasional departure," has been ing, observes: "Let no man, out of a

to group plants in accordance with weak conceit of sobriety, or an ill-

the seasons when they bloom and the applied moderation, think or maintain

kinds of place in which they grow. In that a man can search too far, or be

selecting flowers for description or no- too well studied in the book of God's

tice the writer has been influenced by Word ©r in the book of God's

the following amongst other consider- Works." Now plants or their remains

ations: occur in almost the earliest pages of

1. To compel the admission of doubt- the book of God's works, after unseen
ers in our midst that *hey are sur- forces and inorganic matter, but be-
rounded by floral beauty. fore living, breathing, moving things.

2. To dispel some errors with refer- Jt is to Plant life> therefore, as one of
ence to the qualities of our flowers. His early revelations, that he who

3. To make the general public better seeks to know whether there is a
acquainted with flowers which they Creator, naturally Drimarily directs his

have seen but never known.

attention. There is something more

4. To indicate the seasons when and comprised in the words, "Consider the

the places where rare or compara- lilies'" than a mere «u^estion that

,. , ~ . * they should receive a momentary

tively rare flowers may be found. y

T. . , . - .. J. , .. glance. It is perhaps a mixing of

It is not claimed that the selection 6

is even approximately complete, nor
could it be so unless these papers were
so extended in number and volume
as to repel or perhaps appal those for
whom they are intended.

It is indeed more than probable that
there are important omissions from the
number of flowers mentioned, partly
from the lack of knowledge and part-

tropes, but it may be truly said that
plants should present themselves to
him who yearns for truth as a portion
of God's primer, and as one of the
first rungs in a ladder whereby faith
may climb from earth to Heaven. And
it is not merely the existence of a
Creato' which can be learned from
plants, but very much of His nature,
capacity and attributes. What pro-
ly from defect in judgment of the fQund ^^ what lncomprehensible

writer. Fortunately, however, such mgenuity are manlfe,9ted in the infin-

Lonfl cannot impair the value of Ue]y yaried Btriwtural arrangements

tin- information furnished, and can for the performance of their functions,

only suggest the regret that such in- what an inter2st in their welfare and

formation is not more extensive. perpetuation, what astounding fore-

thought appear in the preparation of ne has specifically indicated. It is not
soils for their production and growth so much as aids to intellectual devel-
and in the sequence of the seasons of opment, but as ministers to the emo-
each year. And lastly, what a sublime tions and handmaids tc happiness, that
appreciation of beauty on the part of flowers are considered in these papers,
their Creator is demonstrated from the Unable to perceive the necessity fcr
simple fact that they are so beautiful, submitting reasons, he fearlessly dog-
Truly indeed may it be said of the matises. He who loves not flowers is
man who neglects to consider the lil- nke "the man that hath no music in
ies that he is depriving himself of himself." and with the latter must
great assistance in intellectual and share the condemnation of the great
spiritual growth It is generally con- bard.

ceded that some knowledge of the con- If men and women would only ex-
crete must precede a perception of the ercise their ordinary faculties they
abstract, and that the recognized pow- would discover countless sources of
ers of sense must be exercised before pleasure, at the same time innocent,
the mysterious inner consciousness can and also, a matter of no small import-
become an active agent. And so it a rice to do many, inexpensive,
may be fairly claimed that the man How few there are who avail them-
upon whom a visibly beautiful flower selves of delicious summer days to
makes no impression is but poorly ramble through the woods. How
qualified to form a conception of an many there are who dread long jour-
angel, or to grasp even the shadow of neyS by rail or stage, because they
a spiritual idea. have never learned to regard with in-

Again, man can learn from plants terest many objects of which the love-
something of the benefit of obedience liness, if perceived, would help to
to law, and although, unlike them, free shorten time and space,
to think and act for himself, may And what may not be said of the
be led to find and voluntarily subject possible mii.istrations of our sweet
himself to regulations best adapted for wild flowers? The mere memory of
his well-being. And yet again, the them is a valuable possession. When
valuable lesson may be learned from the eyes fail, or the limbs, through
their contemplation, that beauty and age or perhaps disease, are no longer
utility may and should be combined. equal to the tramp through moss and

A score of treatises might be writ- fen, the remembrance of hardly sought
ten under the foregoing heads, but and much prized blcssoms of days
here they are merely suggested for gone Dy is a precious source of conso-
thought and to indicate the variety iation. Even when the shadow of
and magnitude of topics presented for death was falling on him, the beauty-
consideration to the lover of flowers. iovirg Greek found seme satisf*ction

In :his and in the following papers in hoping to gather the asphodel in

the writer mak-is no attempt to do the hereafter,

more than follow in the paths which I. AL.L.EN JACK.

Day-stars! that ope your eyes witlh man, to

twinkle
From rainbow galaxies of earth's creation,
And dew-drops on her holy altars sprinkle
As a libation.

Ye matin worshippers! who bending lowly
Before the uprisen sun, God's lidless eye,
Throw from your chalices a sweet and holy
Incense on high.

These stanzas from Horace Smith's
Hymns to the Flowers form a fitting
prelude to the subject chosen and
the whole poem should be familiar to
every gardener, every botanist, and
every lover of nature.

How much there is in connection
with the flower born to blush unseen,
for theologian, philosopher, artist and
man of science to consider. Only read
the description of the myriad of won-
derful and beautiful plants in the jun-
gles of Africa, by the accomplished
Schweinfurth, or what is told by other
travellers of the blossoms blooming
amid the Brazilian forests, and you
begin to question: Why are they
there? What are their uses? What
was and is the reason for placing so
much loveliness and grandeur in the
wildness, to be seen, if seen at all, only
by insensate brutes? Is it to be won-
dered that man, at a very early period
in the world's history, found but one
answer to these queries — that God,
their creator, was pleased with the
beauty of His creations. The learned
of later tim2s have answered in other
ways. But notwithstanding all that
they teach us, wo feel that the ancient
solution still holds true; that there is
yet force in the saving that "God saw
titling that He had made, and, be-
hold, it was very good."

And, being satisfied that the deity
found pleasure in the flowers, it is easy
to comprehend how men of a remote
past came to use them as a means of
worship. And, though we may con-
demn the extent to which the principle
and practice of sacrifice have been
carried, the offering of blossoms in the
temple or at the altar deserves no cen-
sure. It is, alas! true that these inno-
cent and lovely creations have been
too often connected with false wor-
ship and wild orgies unworthy to be
associated with any religion deserving
of regard. But it is equally true that
through such ordeals they have passed
scathless. Indeed, it may be asserted
that, notwithstanding the dread enter-
tained by many that the spiritual as-
pect of worship may be lost in that
which they deem sensuous, there is a
purity and simplicity about flowers
which lead religious persons generally
to permit their use in any sanctuary.

Among primitive peoples there has
often been a tendency to connect the
instrument with the object of adora-
tion. Flower worship cannot, how-
ever, be said to have been actually
practiced by any nation of antiquity,
although many plants were considered
sacred. The lotus, the laurel, the myr-
tle and the mistletoe were so regarded.
The rose, although always and every-
where recognized as the queen of flow-
ers, does not appear to have ranked
with the sacred plants, among which,
however, a less pretentious plant — the
onion — seems to have been enumerated.

In modern times flowers are treated
with sufficient respect to induce the
adoption of their names for human
beings— Rose, Violet, Marguerite, Lily,

5
Althea and Camelia are familiar des- latter. In Asia, Africa and Southern
ignations for those of the gentle sex Europe, at least in those parts where
among us, and other titles might per- men abounded, the soil was generally
haps be more appropriately borrowed, prolific, the vegetation rich and varied,
Some years ago, upon the appli- and there was little or no necessity to
cation of a Milicete Indian, I named seek for exotics, or to use extraordin-
his adopted white baby daughter ary care with indigenous plants. The
"Moneses," after a charming star- hanging gardens of Babylon are, of
shaped wild flower, and the name was course, sufficient to testify that flori-
duly given in baptism. It is worthy culture was not neglected in Asia, and
of remark that "Moneses," although of the classical references are sufficiently
pure Greek origin from two words numerous to leave no room for doubt
which together signify the solitary de- that large spaces were devoted to the
sire, was regarded by the aboriginies cultivation of flowers in Athens and
as of an Indian source solely from its other Grecian cities, and at Rome,
sound. But Botany was not then known as

A reciprocal practice of giving the a science, nor, indeed, was it until
name of its discoverer or cultivator to centuries of rhe Christian era had
the flower has not always satisfied the elapsed that much curiosity was
canons of euphony. The " Linnaea," evinced for the secrets of vegetable
after Linnaeus, and the " Mitchella," life. Had the luxurious Roman of the
from the less promising name of Mit- Empire, who sent to Britain for his
chell, are somewhat notable excep- oysters, who spent a fortune and rose
tions. before the stars were extinguished to

The use of herbs by magicians, feed his mullets, but received the hint,
witches and physicians has always the utmost parts of the known world
caused some plants to be regarded from would have been sought for blossoms.
a peculiar and not always pleasant It was reserved for a later date and
point of view. Nathaniel Hawthorne, a more phlegmatic people, to wit, the
in his posthumous work, Septimius Dutch, to rise to the highest point of
Felton, makes thrilling use, in this enthusiasm over the possible discovery
connection of a flower, the " Sanguinia or production of a black tulip, and for
Sanguinissima," which, fortunately, is the descendants of an English savage
purely imaginary, but which is none to pay a thousand pounds for an or-
the less uncanny in all its terrible chid.

beauty. In a modern garden, to some extent,

In the old times and in the old lands but more especially in a modern green-
there can scarcely have been a very house, we are confronted by samples
marked distinction between the wild of vegetable life immediately or medi-
and cultivated florae and,whatever dif- ately from many and varied climes,
ference there may have been, was pro- Resemblance may sometimes be traced
bably the result of neglect in the case between denizens of the enclosure and
of the former and of care in that of the those of the outlying waste, but, al-

though there may be relationship,
identity rarely or never exists. In
other words, it is not the use of spe-
cially selected earth, chemicals, arti-
ficial heat, and cultivation which
makes the difference between the con-
fined plant and its uncultured cousin.

It is the intention o*' this series of
papers to treat, not of the pampered
exotics, but the less regarded plants
which, like Topsy, simply "growed,"
having obtained no help from man,
and having aroused little or no inter-
est in their welfare in human breasts.

2.

Te bright mosaics! that with storied beauty

The floor of nature's temple teasellate,
Wlhiat numerous emblems of instructive duty
Your forms create!

'Neatih cloistered boughs each floral bell that

swingetlh,

And tolls its perfume on the passdng air,
Makes Sabbath in the fields, and ever ringetJh
a call to prayer.

"The writer." says Henry Morley,
"who first taught Englishmen to look
for principles worth study in the com-
mon use of speech, expecting censure
for choice of a topic without dignity,
excused himself with this tale out of
Aristotle: When Heraclitus lived, a
famous Greek, there were some persons
led by curiosity to see him who found
him warming himself in his kitchen,
and paused at the threshold because
of the meanness of the place. But the
philosopher said to them: 'Enter bold-
ly, for here too there are Gods.' " * *
• "God, who gave to the moth his
daintv wings, and to the violet a scent
whose use is but the creation of plea-
sure, gave tr man, with the delights

of speech, faculties that weave them
by the subtlest of his arts into a
flower-world of intellect and feeling."
Pointing towards the wood, untrim-
med, unoccupied, if not unclaimed by
man, the rank marsh and the tangled
coppice, and quoting again from our
English author, "we may say to the
doubting, enter boldly, for here, too,
there are Gods."

It is indeed inccrrt ct to allege abso-
lutely that wild flowers have aroused
no interest in their welfare in human
breasts. Man by nature is fond of all
beautiful objects, and children have a
love almost amounting to a passion
for flowers of every kind. Who has
not been touched at the sight of little
ones, the offspring of both rich and
poor, supremely happy in the posses-
sion of a few half-withered dandelions.
The authoress of "The Near and Heav-
enly Horizon" tenderly refers to this
trait of infancy in the following pass-
age from that work: "Little shouts
were interchanged' Have you found
some?' 'Yes.' 'A good place?' Silence.
There is no pursuit where selfishness
shows itself more plainly than in this
pursuit of lilies of the valley. One is
silent. To say 'no' would be a false-
hood; to say 'yes' would be to lose
one's prize. So we make all the haste
we can. If scrupulous we murmur
something very vague indeed; and, the
treasure secured, we slip away to some
other hiding place all covered with
white bells.

In this manner Rose went through
the wood; and when she reached the
high ground, where the lilies do not
venture, she got uneasy, and called
her brother, who came with trousei^s

torn and three poor sprigs in his hand.
'All that,' she said, and then showed
her great bunch. 'Oh!' sighed the lit-
tle fellow; and his poor flowers drop-
ped from his fingers."

It 's with no intention to admit the
doctrine of the French philosophers as
to the primary condition of thought
in nature, or to controvert the teach-
ing of theologians in regard to origin-
al sin, that we may attempt to explain
changes which certainly do take place
in opinions.

There can be at least no doubt that,
if a view upon any subject commonly
prevails in society, that view is pretty
sure evsntually to influence if not de-
stroy antagonistic preconceived ideas.

If, for instance, gold is adopted as
the standard of value, it is difficult to
persuade the world that what will not
procure gold is worth the seeking.

It is therefore not hard to under-
stand that, as we grow older, we are
led to cast aside things which we once
prized, from learning to believe that
we never had a good reason for think-
ing highly of them, and yielding to the
popular estimate of their value.

If it is necessary that, in order to
participate in eternal happiness, we
should become as little children, it is
certainly advisable that, for the pur-
pose of receiving temporal pleasure, we
should not too readily abandon the
tastes which, when children, we pos-
sessed.

To those who are truly influenced by
the love of beauty flowers must always
be a means of gratification. But,
whilst all flowers claim admiration,
there are reasons which may well in-
duce one to specially esteem the blos-

soms of wild plants. The difficulty in
securing the most rare; the frequent
novelty of their aspect; the mystery as
well of their concealment as of their
appearance; the incidents connected
with their discovery, all tend to en-
hance their charms. Then, again, the
very efforts that must be made in
searching for them so enlarge the capa-
city of observation that, when they are
found, the mind is enabled to detect
details of beauty in them which would
not so readily be suggested in the case
of flowers of garden growth.

Diogenes with his lighted lantern
seeking for an honest man has his
counterpart in the botanist with his
vasculum and muddy boots, his keen
powers of vision and his devoted zeal,
searching for rare flowers.

And truly, if there is any bond of
sympathy between plant and human
being, the botanist may say with Ter-
ence, "homo sum et nihil humanum
alienum a me puto," I am a man and
I consider nothing which relates to
humanity as of no interest to me.

The knowledge possessed by the or-
dinary citizen of the wild flowers in
his environment is very meagre. The
taxpayer of Saint John, for instance,
is generally conscious of the existence
of 'tlhe " Epigaea Repens," the ground
laurel, trailing arbutus or May-flower,
but he has never learned that it has
received its scientific name from its
trailing growth, nor that it is but one
of a numerous family. He also knows
the butter-cup, but he does not know
that it is a " Ranunculus," nor that
it is so called because leading members
of its family grow in places where lit-
tle frogs abound. Of course the vio-

8

lets are among his acquaintance, and People from the British Isles often
he knows that some are white and make statements with reference to
others blue; but he does not know Canada utterly opposed to facts. They
that some have lance-shaped leaves, do not hear the song of the nightin-
and that generally their foliage is very gale or sky-lark here, and in conse-
varied; that some are yellow; some quenc<=> assert that we have no sing-
have downy and others smooth stems; ing birc.s. Because our blue violets
nor that, among the blossoms which are devoid of perfume, or because
he designates as blue, countless tints knowledge has not been forced upon
appear, from the hue akin to that of them, they assume that none of our
skim milk to the color of the sky at wild flowers are fragrant. Indeed
midday in June, and tyrean purple, some of them go so far as to allege
There are two shrubs with very showy that there are no wild flowers in Can-
blossoms, cousins of the May-flower, ada.

common in waste places near the city, I forego the pleasing and easy task
which deserve mention. One is the of upholding the vocal powers of our
" Rhodora Canadensis," the rose- many feathered songsters only because
purple blossoms of which appear before it is outside my present purpose. I
the leaves in May. The other is the must, however, mak^ a few remarks
"Kalmia Angus tifoilia," which de- upon the asserted absence or imper-
rives its name from that pupil of Lin- fection of our flowers,
naeus, Peter Kalm, who is one of the It would not be difficult to present
prominent characters in Kirby's Gold- a long list of flowers distinguished for
en Dog, the leading Canadian romance, the sweetness of their perfume, grow-
The Kalmia, also known as Lamb-Kill ing rank in the fields, marshes, waters
and Sheep Laurel, has a striking cor- cr woods of this province. Their per-
onal of rose-colored flowers, of which fume, moreover, is extremely variel
the stamens are caught in as many and, in many instances, peculiarly
nitches in the corolla from which they powerful. The most ordinary observ-
spring to shed the pollen in due sea- er who has lifted to his nose the ear-
son, liest spring blossom, the May-flower

or trailing arbutus, the wild rose, or

a the pond lily, needs no further evi-

__ , , dence to prove how groundless is the

Your voiceless lips, oh flowers! are laving
preachers charge that our wild flowers are scent-

Each cup a pulpit, and each leaf a book. less- The common white violet, which
Supplying bo my fancy numerous teachers grows by the roadside almost every-
From loneliest nook. where in the country districts, has a

very sweet and refined, although some-
what faint aroma. There is also an-
other plant, the " LLnnaea Borealis,"

Floral apostles! that in dewy splendor
"Weep wiiUhout wo, and blush witihout a
■crime

O, may I deeply learn, and ne'er surrender, of the honeysuckle family, of which
Your lore sublime! the beauty of its minute blosoms is

only equalled by the charming qual-
ity and the intensity of its odor. With
such attractions it demand® a descrip-
tion for those who do not know it by
name.

From a graceful vine with small,
rounded, dark green leaves, creeping
in the moss of a grove or forest, a
stalk rises upright two inches or there-
abouts which sustains two hanging
blossoms. These in shape are like
half-closed parasols of fairies, if there
were fairies and they carried para-
sols, while in color they are pink.
The great Swedish botanist, Lin-
naeus, loved this flower, and, as be-
fore observed, it is from him that it
derives its name. Any one who has
passed along a country highway in
places where the " Llnnaea " abounds,
shortly after a summer shower, unless
deprived of the sense of smell, will
never forget its delicious aroma. The
orchis family is represented in this
province by probably between twenty
and thirty species, and many of them
are most delectably fragrant. Of these
a variety of the " Spiranthes," or
Ladies' Tresses, is quite common, and
has been plucked by many picnicers
unacquainted with its name. It grows
in meadows or pastures, and to a
height of eight or nine inches, and its
white flowers are arranged spirally
around its light green /talk with
sheath like leaves.

The largely represented " Ericaceae''
or Heath Family, which includes the
May-flower, also produces a number
of plants with very fragrant blossoms.
One of these, the " Momeses Uni-
flora." previously mentioned, is but
little known, but is so attractive that

the number of those acquainted with
it should be largely increased. The
stalk, which rises from a height of
from two to four inches from a cluster
of rounded leaves at its base, supports
a pendant, five-petalled, star-shaped
flower half an inch broad, white or
slightly rose-colored. The perfume of
the "Moneses" is simply delicious, and
might safely be offered in competition
with that of almost any other flower,
excepting always some of the roses. It
is probably impossible to give a true
idea in words of the nature of a per-
fume, but in suggesting that the frag-
rance of the monesis is not wholly
unlike that of the cultivated lily of
the valley, though less oppressive, its
freshness, purity and delicacy may be
partially appreciated.

It would be productive of good re-
sults if Canadian, as well as English,
Scotch and Irish noses were on greater
terms of intimacy with our many
sweet-smelling wild flowers. Not only
would untrue statements cease to be
made, but execrable taste, or that
which claims tc be taste, would be
corrected. There are few practices in
modern society, not being sinful, which
are so objectionable as that of satur-
ating articles attached to the person
with some of the fluids sold by drug-
gists and called perfumes. It is one
of the marvels of the age that a na-
turally charming woman should take
so much pains to obscure or annihi-
late her charm.3. Nor should it be for-
gotten that the exercise of a perverted
taste may and does produce some per-
sonal and regretable result. It can
readily be conceived that the scent of
such a flower as the "Moneses" might

IC

help to raise a soul to heaven, but its
most arlent admirer would scarcely-
dare to claim as much for a drop of
patchouly. There are indeed some
wild ficwers which, although fragrant,
are not pleasantly so. The purple
trillium is probably the most notice-
able of these, and happily the entire
number of offenders of this class is
extremely small.

There is nothing to be gained by
warmth of temper in dealing with per-
sons who make untrue statements in
ignorance of facts. One who knows
the truth, however, should readily be
pardoned for being amazed when he
hears a remark upon the absence or
paucity of ficwers in Canada. It may
be broadly stated that plants visible
to the unaided eye may be found al-
most in every place where man has
done nothing to prevent their growth,
and that, where there is a plant, there
is usually a flower. But in Canada
generally it is net the mere presence
of plant life, but the exhibition of va-
riety and rare beauty in vegetation
which demand." attention. It must
not be supposed, he wever, that wild
flowers, even of a common order, can
be seen without seme effort. They
are not borne by the winds through
the streets of a tewn, nor are they al-
ways in sight from the country high-
way. For some you have to search to
some extent, while others can only be
discovered after a diligent tramp
through places but ill adapted for good
clothes and thin leather.

Again, Europeans, en coming to
America, forget to make allowances
for the conditions in a new country,
which differ so ess3iitially from those

to which they have been accustomed.
Land is never unclaimed and but rare-
ly uncultivated in Europe, and it is
there the exception rather than the
rule for plants to spring from the vir-
gin soil. In the greater part of Can-
ada the differences in these respects
are very marked, and while the
sportsman can, within a few miles of
a populous centre, find game which
has never been under the eye of the
keeper, the ranger of the woods may
pluck flowers which have drawn their
sustenance from earth that has never
known a plough or spade.

But is not the real reason for mis-
apprehension and misstatement rather
due to the fact that the Englishman
and Irishman pine for the dear prim-
rose and daisy of their childhood; that
the Scotchman misses the heather of
his native land, that he disnu. ' see uie
broom wi* its tassels on the lea?" And
if this is the reason, should not the
offence be pardoned?

As a matter of fact, a very pretty
primrose, not identical in size and
color with that of the British Isles,
but much the same in form, has been
gathered, though not in large quanti-
ties, in fields near St. John; daisies
of many kinds are sufficiently com-
mon ihroughout the province, and, al-
though the broom may not grow here,
the heather has many near relations
in our comprehensive flora.

It has been indicated that our wild
flowers generally cannot be discovered
without some effort, but it should not
be understood that a really serious ef-
fort is required to enable one to be-
hold such of them as are most abun-
dant.

II

Spring with us Is fairly liberal in ed picture. Only let my readers go

promises, but somewhat stingy in re- and see for themselves or, if that is

suits, and usually it is not till after difficult or impossible, let them add

the middle of May that blossoms ap- to my description tassels covered with

pear in profusion. Indeed it might al- golden pollen, ferns and sedges, and

most be claimed that the spirit of green and red and yellow buds each

loyalty which prevails in Canada seeking in friendly rivalry, to display

among her people, extends to her its swathed loveliness before the

herbs, shrubs and trees, and induces others.

them to reserve their energies till the

birthday of Britain's Queen. Then 4.

truly there is a rare feast for th« eyes "Thou wert mat, Solomon, in all thy glory,

which find delight in beauty. Array'd," the lilies cry, "in robes like

My remarks apply especially to this rr ours;

_ ., , . .x B H'ow vain y°ur grandeur! AJh, how transitory

province and the vicinity of our own Are human floweps!„

city, but need not necessarily be so

restricted, and what may be seen on Ia the sweet sce'n'ted Pioture» Heavenly Ar-
tist!

the outskirts of St. John, is typical of Wilflh whioh thou ^^ nature,s wide

what is visible in the same season spread hall;

elsewhere. What a delightful lesson t/hou impartest

,1T, .. . , .Of love to all!

Wherever there has been a non-in-
terference with nature flowers appear It is the unvaried practice of musi-
iu profusion. dans to commence a concert with

The robin pear, the ash, the elder, some composition which utilizes the
the choke and wild cherry, the dog- gifts and powers of every member of
wood, and many other trees; the the company, and afterwards to pro-
" Diervilla Trifida," or bush honey- duce the artists either singly or in
suckle, the blue berry and its many smaller groups. Art clearly has in this
cousins, the " Rhodora Canadensis," found a precedent in nature. When
the " Kalmia Angustifolia," the rasp- the birds first appear they gather to-
berry, the currant, the gooseberry and gether in great assemblies, filling the
countless other shrubs; violets in air with sound; soon, however, they
many shades of blue and white, the separate, at first in squads or divisions
" Coptis Trifolia," or gold thread, with fairly large numerically, and finally
its white stars, the " Clintonia Bore- in pairs. And so it is with vegetation,
alis," a yellow lily, the strawberry, the for, although, through the summer,
" Cornus Canadensis," or pigeon or there is a constant succession of varied
bunch berry and a host of other herbs blossoming, after the first grand out-
are all in bloom and generally blooming burst there is not seen again so gen-
in abundance. Special mention of cral and widespread a profusion of
many flowers is purposely omitted lest bloom. When autumn comes indeed
a profusion of citations should lead to there is wonderful activity in the order
a confused perception of the attempt- of " Compositae," with multitudinous

12

and brilliant species, now appearing There are other flowers extremely
in the form of asters, now like dande- unpopular among- farmers, and first
lions, except perhaps in color, and upon the list stands the Ox-eye Daisy
again as tufts or bunches of brilliant or white-weed, which, notwithstanding
hue. The effect of these in their great it has been used by Faust's Marguer-
abundance and contrasted beauty,com- ite, whose name it has assumed, and
bined with the startling changes in by countless other maidens as a test
tint of the leaves of trees and shrubs, for love, and although for some sea-
is very grand, but is utterly different sons it was fashion's favorite flower,
from the panorama of earlier sum- is never likely to be really loved.
mer Our friends from the other side of

In the one case it is the festival of the Atlantic will, however, please note

hope, but, when the summer is no more, that the botanists inform us that the

we see in the final effort of the plants ox-eye was originally naturalized from

the pageant of triumph indeed, but Europe.

also the cheery flaunting of their fare- The "Oldenlandia Caerulea" corn-
well, monly called Bluets, or sometimes

We have glanced at the first floral Fairies' eyes, is regarded as an un-

display of summer, but there is yet welcome weed by the owner of a field,

much to be seen, without leaving the but is very pretty. It is one of the

beaten road or overstraining the eyes, "Rubiaceae" or Madder family, and

as the days pass and the sun grows is a delicate little herb covered with

stronger. a profusion of light-blue flowers fad-

The dandelion and butter cup, with ing to white, each with a yellowish

their well known power to change a eye.

common field into something like a There is an exceedingly showy plant,

cloth of gold, though vulgar objects, of the " Onagraceae " or Evening

must not be forgotten. And perhaps, Primrose Family, which is common

when it is noticed that the former, by throughout this province, especially

reason of its leaves having teeth like in recent clearings. I refer to the

the royail lion, is called "Dens-lionis," "Ebilobium" or Willow Pliant, of

and that the latter is truly a "Ranon- which the stalk, from four to seven

cuius," the pair may escape contempt feet in height, is covered with long,

except of course that of agriculturists, narrow leaves, or above with the

Reverting to the derivation of the large pink purple blossoms. I always
name of the latter flower, i may here associate it in my memory with more
remark that it is not only some of the or less successful hunts after wild
"Ranuculi" who have their genesfis pigeons over buckwheat patches and
among little frogs. On one occasion stretches of rough pasture land.
I counted not less than sixty of theae I refer to but two other com para-
funny creatures, each squatting in the tively common roadside plants, each
centre of a white water lily or upon exhibiting attractive flowers. The
one of its flat floating leaves. " Spiraea Salicifolia " of the Rose

Family is a shrub which grows to a
height of three feet or less and bears
at the ends of its somewhat numerous
branches conical clusters of small
white or flesh-colored blossoms. It
is named "Spiraea" in consequence of
its aptitude for being wound into gar-
lands, the Greek derivative being used
for other words in :>ur language of
which spiral is a good example. The
"Solidago," or Golden-Rod, of the
Composite Family is too well known
to require description. It derives its
name from the Latin word "So lido,"
in consequence of its asserted useful-
ness in healing wounds. Some years
ago a fairly well supported attempt
was made to secure the adoption of
the Golden-Rod as the national flower
of the United States. Why the move-
mnt was abandoned I cannot say, al-
though it may have been in deference
to the ideas of the people of the west-
ern states, who probably would advo-
cate the claims of the "Potentilla
A ns eri n a" or Salve r-W e ed .

No one must imagine for a moment
that the plants enumerated comprise
all the flowering plants visible from
a country highway. The botanist
knows that there are scores of other
species deserving notice solely for the
beauty and conspicuousness of their
blossoms; and hundreds, which, in
consequence of the singularity or com-
plexity of their forms, or the unex-
pected or marvellous manner in which
they discharge ordinary or unusual
functions, would richly repay the stu-
dent willing to expend time and atten-
tion in their examination.

These papers, however, as previously
indicated, are not intended for the

botanist, and scarcely even for the
tyro in botany, and are written mainly
to awaken an interest in a peculiar^
interesting subject, and only incidental-
ly and very partially, to afford such in-
formation as may stimulate some
thought and possibly some research.

It is now my intention to consider
what may be not inaptly termed non-
gregarious flowers, and flowers which,
although appearing in numbers togeth-
er, select sequestered places for their
homes. But before proceeding it is ad-
visable to explain something which
should perhaps have been explained
before. Unscientific persons who are
made acquainted with a single plant
are greatly puzzled when they learn
that it is one of a family to the mem-
bers of which it bears little or no re-
semblance, while the other members
also differ greatly in appearance each
from the other. They further find it
hard to understand why the family
name is given to a few, perhaps to only
one member of the family. The rose
and the strawberry for instance pre-
sent many points of difference, yet
they are both members of the Rose
family. So too the woodbine of the
garden and the "Linnaea," although
apparently greatly dissimilar, are both
Honeysuckles, and the May-flower, the
"Kalmla," ' the "Rhodora and the
"Moneses," no two of which seem to
look alike, are all Heaths. It is suffi-
cient to state that plants are grouped
by botanists into families in conse-
quence of points of resemblance and
common qualities or properties, which,
although not always apparent to the
ordinary observer, really exist.

It is wonderful how nature in vege-

14

tation overcomes apparently unsur- ^

mountable obstacles. Ruskin gives a Not useless are ye, flowers! though made

most happy proof of this in an exquis- for pleasure,

_ . .. . _ Blooming o'er field and wave, by day and

ite description of a pretty flower niighf

struggling through the snow on Alpine From evry source your sanation bids me

heights, but we can see an exhibition treasure

_- . , Harmless delight,
of the same brave energy almost any

day and any place The " Potentil- Ephemeral sages! what instructors hoary
la Tridentata," with a little flow- ^«^ ^orld of thought could furnish
er not unlike that of the strawberry Each fading calyx a memento mori,
plant, was always respected by that Yelt fount of hope-

most worthy and useful scientist, Dr. The Orchis Family occupies a very
Robb, for its pluck, perhaps because it prominent and peculiarly interesting
is a quality so eminently Scotch. I position among the various groups of
have found this "Potentilla" in the plants and as, of the somewhat lim-
suburbs of St. John maintaining its ited number of its species in North
existence in a little gravel on the ut- America, several may be found in
most height of a cliff composed of the this province, some of them deserve
very hardest rock. The "Potentilla," particular notice. The orchis is al-
which is of the Rose Family, is repre- most always excentric in some portion
sented by several species, all cour- of its form, but in many species it
ageous and satisfied with hard fare, exhibits flowers of remarkable beauty
The common Cinque Foil or Five Fin- and, in some instances, exceedingly
ger, with yellow blossoms, creeping on fragrant. As most persons know the
the face of an arid field is familiar to Lady's Slipper, it may perhaps be
many. The ' " Potentilla Fruti- cited as fairly representing in a very

cosa " or shrubby Clinque— Foil, which general way, characteristics of sev-
grows to a height of from two to four eral orchids. I proceed to mention
feet and is covered with showy, golden briefly a number of species which
flowers, is not uncommonly found on have been found by myself or have
the shores of lakes and rivers in the been brought to my notice. The
province. " Glaux Maribima" of the " Gymnadenia " (Naked-Gland Or-
Primrose Family, a fleshy leaved per- chis), " Tridentata " has a slender
ennial with white and purplish flowers, stalk from six to twelve inches in
might perhaps be cited as another in- height, with a single oblong or ob-
stance of fortitude, and one cannot fail lanceolate obtuse leaf below and two
to observe that this plant has selected or three smaller leaves above, and
a dwelling place very different from from six to twelve small light yellow-
the comparatively luxurious homes of hh-green flowers.

others of its kind, by the shores of the The "Plantanthera" (Wide Anthered)
Bay of Fundy, exposed to all its "Obtusata" (Dwarf Orchis) is some-
storms, what similar to the last, but has

*5
a broader leaf of a different shape I have frequently found this flower,
and does not grow higher than which somewhat resembles the hya-
eight inches. I have found both of cinth, in July and August in meadows
them frequently, in several places, and elsewhere, including the little
once, toward the close of July, behind brook which runs into Lily lake. The
Lily lake. I think it was on the same " Goodyera Repens," or Creeping Rat'
occasion that I found, near the same tlesnake-Plantain, I have found in
lake, but on the city side, a some- the woods near Saint Andrews and -n
what rare species. I refer to the other localities in August. In height
"Platanthera Orbiculata " (Large it does not exceed eight inches and its
Round-Leaved Orchis), which is dis- greenish white flowers are small. The
tinguished for two large glossy green leaves, however, which cluster round
leaves from four to eight inches in the stalk are conspicuous and a rnc-
width, orbicular in form and spread- tive from the fact that their prevail-
ing flat on the ground; its single ing tint of dark green is reticulated
stalk rises to a height of from one with white. I have d^.-seribei the
to two feet and supports several green- " Spiranthes Cernua " in the third
ish white flowers not unlike long- paper of this series and here only re-
winged insects or dragon flies, and fer to a kindred species .f cmewhat
very striking in appearance. I found similar appearance, but scentless, the
the same plant in the middle of June " Spiranthes Latifolia," which I have
on the bank of the Nashwauksis and frequently found in July near Saint
also the " Platanthera Dilatata," or John.

Northern White Orchis. The white I have now to noti ?e four species
or whitish flowers of this latter which ir> some respects resemble e;i- h
species cluster round the stem other and which equal In Leaucy al-
which, with erect lanceolate leaves, most any plant produced in a hct
grows to a height of from six inches house. The " Arethusa Bulbosa " is
to two feet. The specimens seen by me described as "a beautiful low herb
were grouped round a spring of rare consisting of a sheathed scape from
cold water, which bubbled out of the a globular solid bulb, terminated by
muddy bank of the river, and the a single rose purple and sweet- scented
combination made a very pretty pic- flower," which is two in-bes 1 ng and
ture, the blossoms somewhat re- very handsome. It olrssvis in Miy
minding me of white lupins, while still and has occasionally L- mi found in
suggesting the presence of strange hogs in the provin(;. anj f believe near
insects. The " Platanthera Psy- gajnt John.

codes," or Small Purple Fringed Or- _ .. _ , „ ._ _ ,. ., _ ..

The " Pogonia " (bearded) " ODbio-
chis grows as high as two feet, has . ., „ . . . .

glossoides," which is more common,

many leaves varying in shape and lg to be found ,n Jun., and Julv> ,n

bears round its stalk a profusion of bogs and has> z oeliev0t Deen picked

very handsome blossoms of a color in the Mispec barrens, has a single

indicated by its name and fragrant, oval leaf near the middle of its stem

i6

which does not exceed rine inches in near the Kennebeccasis river, in the
height and bears a single flower, or precincts of St. John, towards the close
sometimes two or three flowers, cne of May; its stalk or scape from three
inch in length, light purple in color to five inches high, with a single some-
and handsome. I have nnt myself had what heart-shaped leaf, supports a
the good fortune to gather either of large and showy variegated purple
the two last named, but have seen and yellow flower, less than an inch
specimens of both in the hands cf long, and resembling that of the Lady's
other collectors. The " CaloDogon " slipper. The " Microstylis " (Adder's
(beautiful bearded) " Pulchellus " 'is mouth) " Monophyllos " is another
somewhat similar to the " Pogonia " orchis which I have found, but, as it
mentioned above; it, however, reaches possesses no special attraction,
one foot in height, has a single grass- it need not here be described,
like leaf and bears from two to six The " Corallorhiza" Coral-root) " In-
fiowers, each of which is an inch nata," however, which I have
broad, pink-purple in color and bearded found repeatedly in the- Ool-
towards the summit with white, yellow lege grove, Fredericton, in June, is so
and purple club-shaped hairs. I have odd that it demands notice. The stalk
found it in June or July in the New is light brown or yellowish and leaf-
Maryland marsh near Fredericton, and less, and does not exceed nine inches
also in the marsh encircling the first in height; the flowers, which are from
lake behind Lily Lake near St. John, five to twelve in number, are of no
where its delicate and rare loveliness distinctive color, and, like those of
was in particularly marked contrast other orchids, are excentric in shape,
with the aspect of the somewhat coarse The roots, as its name imports, re-
surrounding plants. I once found sev- semble coral and are much branched,
eral specimens of this orchid and also I conclude my remarks upon this
of the beautiful yellow violet, " Viola family by reference to three species of
Pubescens," in the little islands and the " Cypripedium " (Venus' Buskin,
peninsulas left by the receding waters Lady's Slipper or Moccasin-Flower)
of the brook which serves to empty all showy flowers. The " Cypripe-
Half-moon Lake, and have seldom seen dium Acaule" (Stemless Lady's Slip-
such a pretty picture of its kind. Each per) is to be found in May or June
botanically was out of its proper place, in the woods or adjacent barren lands
but both were abundantly satisfying and is so well known that it scarcely
artistic cravings in thus flirting toge- requires description. I may, how-
ther among the runlets and ripples, ever, state for the sake of certain iden-
brlgfrt with sunshine, the one with its tification that its single pouch-like
pink purple blossom, the other with flower is nearly two inches long and
rolla of canary hue. The last of varies in color from rose purple to
the group of four, the "Calypso Bo- occasional white and depends from a
n nlis," is a very rare and beautiful stalk or scape not more than one foot
plant, which I have found once only in height, two-leaved at the base.

17

The " Cypripedium Pubescens "
(Larger Yellow Lady's Slipper) has
from one to three flowers, the same in
form as that last described, but pale
yellow in color, while the stem is two
feet high and leafy. It blossoms in
May and June.

The " Cypripedium Soectabile "
(Showy Lady's Slipper), which is the
most beautiful of the genus, has a
very leafy stem two feet high, which
supports from one to three flowers,
white tinged with purple, and differ-
ing but little in form or size from that
of its two sisters. Its blossoms ap-
pear in July. The two last named
Lady's Slippers have been found in
the woods near Peters' lake, a few
miles from Saint John, and, although
rare in this locality, are, I believe, to
be found in other parts of the province.
The last mentioned orchis was cul-
tivated with remarkable success by
my father and for some years sup-
plied a number of its beautiful flow-
ers. An attempt on my own part to
induce the Rattle- snake plantain or-
chis to grow in an enclosure near
Saint John, although not absolutely
Without result, was not so encourag-
ing as I desired.

Posthumous glorias! Angel-like collection!
Upraised from seed or buLb initerr'd in earth,
Ye are to me a type of resurrection.
A second birth!

Were I, O God! in churdhless lands remain-
ing,
Far from all voice of teachers or divines,
My souJ would find in flowers of thy ordain-
iing,
Priests, sermons, sforiees!

There are several plants Which blos-
som in May besides those enumerated,

and of these I must refer to a few of
the most attractive. The " Erythro-
nium Americanum," or Dog's Tooth
Violet, of the Lily Family, is not un-
common in pasture land or among
alders. Its stalk rises from six to nine
inches, supports a single yellow pen-
dent bell-shaped flower about one inch
long, and is flanked by two eliptioal
lanceolate leaves, sheathing its base,
in color pale green with purplish spots.
The " Trientalis Americana," or
Star-Flower, of the Primrose Family,
is four inches in height, the slight stem
bearing a whorl of delicate pointed
leaves and a single white ^tar-shaped
flower, and is common in damp woods
near Saint John. The " Geum Rivale"
(Water or Purple Avens), of the Rose
Family, is a singular plant, and reaches
a height of two feet and grows in
damp meadows, its nodding blossoms,
which almost appear as if they were
made of a kind of tissue paper, being
orange and purple. The " Iris Ver-
sicolor," or Larger Blue Flag, with
sword-like leaves and showy

flowers, mainly blue, but partly
green, yellow and white, with
purple veinings, may be found in
damp places everywhere, and is gen-
erally well known. The " Arisaema
Triphyllum." or Indian Turnip, of
the Arum Family, is usually found in
rich woods near St. John and else-
where. It is large and striking in ap-
pearance, the flover being shaped like
that of the relative, the " Calla," the
lip, however, curling over; in general
color it is greenish, but well defined
dark purple and white stripes serve
to render it peculiarly attractive. The
juice of the root is very acrid, so much

so indeed that I once induced a dentist to th-e pocket flaps. I may mention
to admit that it was a better tongue that I have seen a wild Geranium in
biter than any drug which he was many spots on the road from Hampton
accustomed to use. There are two to Clifton, and have also found a small
charming spring flowers of the " Ran- wild Calla in marshes near the Milk-
culaceae" or Crowfoot Family. Th' ish. I cannot part from the spring or
" Anemone Nemorosa " or Wood early summer flowers withont re-
Anemone bears a slight resemblance ference to the "Oxalis Acetosella
to the butter-cup, but is much smaller at Common Wood Sorrel, the pretty
in stalk and more delicate, while its blossoms of which are too well known
blossom, one inch broad, is white, oc- to require description. Gilbert Ham-
casionally tinged with purple outside, merton tells us that in Normandy the
I have plucked this Anemone in the local name for "this is " Le Pain de
woods near St. John and elsewhere. Dieu," an obvious reference to its
The " Hepatica Triloba," or Round- Kkeness to the manna, the srrwJl round
lobed Hepatica, except as to its Reaves, thing on the ground. The two " Tril-
which are heart-shaped, and its bios- liums," the one purple, the other
som, which is blue or purplish, resem- white with purple stripes at the base,
bles its fair sister. I have no record the parts of each being arranged in
and cannot entirely trust to memory, threes, are well known flowers in our
but believe that the Hepatica is also provincial woods in May or early
to be found, though rarely, near the June, as is also a species of the " Smi-
city. lacina," or False Solomon's Seal.

Sometimes you may find in a single At the risk of these papers being
locality several rare and attractive liable to the charge of incompleteness
species. Once on the twenty-fourth of in this particular, and mainly with a
May a field on the northerly side of view to avoid prolixity, my reference
the Kennebeccasis River, about half to the later summer flowers must be
a mile below Hampton village, afford- very brief. The ordinary time for
ed myself and a little party of pedes- blossoming of the " Campanula Ro-
trians a pleasant treat. There were tundifolia " or Harebell is July, but
numerous specimens in full bloom of it may frequently be found with
the Dog's Tooth Violet, the Yellow flower mach later, sometimes even in
and the Blue Violet, all before October or November. Its first leaves,
mentioned; the " Claytonia Virginica," which afford the reason for its Latin
or Spring-Beauty, with veined rose- name, are round, but they soon wither
tinted blosoms ; the " Dentaria and their place is taken by grass-like
Diphylla" or Pepper- Root, with purple foliage. I have, however, several times
(lowers; and the "Dicentra Culculla- seen the round leaves during a mild
)i'i," <>r- Dutchman's Breecfo s, autumn, which the plant had appor-
with white and cream-colored entiy supposed was a return of spring.
each shaped like the The "Anemone Virginiana " or Tall
nether garments of a Hollander, even Anemone, which reaches two feet

19

in height and has a blossom like that seen in other like localities the
of the butter-cup, only larger, and of « utricularia Cornuta," or Horn-
an opaque white, may be found in the ed Bladderwort, its flowers, reminding
fields near St. John. The same may mo. of queer old fa.shi0ned bonnets,
be said of the " Sisyrinchium Ber- srrall in size and light yellow in color,
mudiana " or Blue-Eyed Grass, a very depending from slim reed or grass-
diminutive Iris, not unlike its sister, 1.ke leafless stems. The wild roses
the flag and the " Lilium Canadense'1 and water lilies are too well known
or Wild Yellow Lily. to require description and are men-

In the intervals of the St. John and tioned &olely beCause of the position
Kennebeccasis there are lilies five, six which they hold amorig- attractive
and even seven feet in height, which I flowers. The " Lobelia Dortmana,"
have not classified, but which I pre or Water Lobelia, with its pale blue
sume are the same as the " Lilium c&roll(a> not uniike its cultivated sis*
Supurbum," or Turk's Can Lily. ter> a favorite in window gardens and
There are certain plants which seem hang,ing. baske.ts, is found occasional-
to attempt a kind of police duty in ly on me raar&in ,of p0Rds> x reraem.
clinging to your garments or winding ber nnd])ng it in some profusion at
round your limbs. The "Galium Beaver Lake.

Bedstraw or Cleavers, of the Madder The .. Mitchella Repens," or
family and represented by several Partridge-Berry, is of the Madder
Sliecies with inconspicuous flowers, but Family> and sister of the Bluets and
in some instances with pretty whorled Cleavers previously mentioned, and
leaves, has at least one species which, ranks high among woodland beauties.
with its small hooked prickles, clutch- its flowers, white sometimes tinted
es rough or even smooth cloth most with delicate purple, are in pairs and,
aggressively. The " Clematis Vir- although much smaller, remind one of
giwiana " and some of different spe- those of the May-flower. They barely
cies of " Convonvulus," with hand- rise above the moss from a trailing
some trumpet shaped blossoms, de- stem with shining rounded leaves and
light in massing with the Bedstraw scarlet berries, which matured the
and other plants, and presenting their previous season. I have found this
long twisted stems as an obstacle to plant in blossom near Saint John on
man or other encroaching animal, several occasions, but never in such
Among the plants of the swamps abundance as on a sunny back close
the " Sarracenia Purpurea," Side to the water fall behind Rothesay.
Saddle Flower or Pitcher Plant Among the plants of the fields in
with large leathery flower and pitcher- summer the " Vicia," or Vetch, is re-
shaped leaves half filled with water presented by more than one species
and small drowned flies, is common with handsome blossoms not unlike
and very conspicuous. I once dis- those of the sweet pea; and at least
covered in the marsh on the margin two species of the " Hypericaceae,"
of Half-Moon Lake and have rarely or St. John's Wort Family, with yel-

20

low flowers and peculiar transparent
spots on the leaves, are not uncom-
mon near the city and are worthy of
notice.

The " Erioaceeae," or Health Family,
Is well represented in the neighbor-
hood of Saint John, and comprises the
blue berry, the cranberry and a num-
ber of small shrubby herbs, of which
the blossoms, although exceedingly
pretty, are generally less regarded
than the fruit. The " Monotropa
Uniflona," Indian Pipe, Corpse-
Plant or Angel-Flower, of this family,
with waxy white stem, leaves and
blossom, is not unfamiliar to even the
ordinary observer; its sweet scenteJ.
sister, the " Monotropa Hypo-
pitys," of like appearance, although
occasionally found in the province, is
rare, perhaps unknown in this local-
ity. There are also at least three spe-
cies of " Pyrola," or False Winter-
green, which grow in the woods about
Saint John, and of these the " Pyrola
Rotundifolia," or Round-leaved

Pyrola, is the most conspicuous and
beautiful. It consists of an upright
stem, rarely one foot high, bearing
at intervals a number of light pink
or flesh colored nodding flowers, each
less than an inch in breadth; and with
shining thick orbicular leaves at its
base. This " Pyrola" reminds me of
a pleasant experience, with the nar-
ration of which I conclude these pap-
ers.

I was following the course of a

rail fence, separating two farms which

lay between the Kennebeccasis River

and the road leading from the city

lialf-Moon Lake to Sand Point.

Leaving behind me the cleared portion
of the holding, 1 had entered the
woods and, having crossed the brow
of the hill, was pushing my way
through the branches down a some-
what steep incline towards the shore.
At last I found myself in what a
Stotchman might call a how, or a
howm, with Tannahill when he sings:

The pairtricks down the rushy howm
Set up their e'en-in ca',

and yet, perhaps the most properly
descriptive name for the little space
is a dingle defined as a hollow on a
hillside. The sunshine was at its best
in this how, howm or dingle. It glinted
among the leaves of the maple and
birches; flashed on the silvery
bark of the latter; brighten-
ed the sombre green of the
firs, and cast a powerful glow upon
the ground. And there, among the
moss and ferns and a scant growth of
sedges and wild grass, nourished by
the decay of long dead and prostrate
trunks, were my little friends the
" Linmaea," the Round-Leaved Pyrola,
and its sister, with waxy, star-Wke
blossoms, the " Moneses Uniflona."
There they were, and each in such
profusion that the most greedy gath-
eier of blossoms could scarcely have
asked for more. And, as if to attempt
to improve upon a seemingly perfect
picture, a pairtrick, or rather the bird
wnich we in Canada call the part-
ridge, with her brood of downy little
chicks, came out of the thick wood
and moved and rustled among the
ferns, the grass, the sedges and the
flowers.

N