THE PLANT WOKLD 153 



ted by large fleshy tuberous rootstocks. Musk-rats are fond of these 

 tubers, aud will destroy them and those of the lotus. 



Magnolia Family. — The fragrant and showy blossoms of our wild 

 species are offered for sale wherever they grow, but the growth of sea- 

 side resorts along the Jersey Coast, and the consequent draining and 

 building have done more to exterminate them than all else. 



Croiofooi Family. — Marsh marigolds are protected by growing in 

 very muddy places, and reproducing abundantly from seed. They are 

 still common on Staten Island, in a few places, and in Westchester 

 County, but the street vender gathers them in large quantities, and sta- 

 tistics should be gathered to show whether they are being exterminated 

 or not. They should be planted in private places in wet places with the 

 iris. The wild columbine is a perennial, and if left undisturbed will 

 multiply on rock}- hillsides; but it seldom escapes the depredations of 

 nsitors to our parks and suburbs. It is protected by thick roots, grow- 

 ing in rocky crevices, but is fast growing scarce. Anemones persist in 

 spite of picking and early spring fires; the latter are the most destructive 

 They are protected by fleshy rootstocks and tubers. The hepatica* 

 appeals in so many ways to lovers of wild flowers, that it requires special 

 protection, and owners of woodlands where it grows should forbid tres- 

 passing or picking. It is no longer common. Buttercups are not eaten 

 by cattle on account of their bitterness, and reproduce abundantly from 

 seed, besides being protected by thick roots. They are frequently 

 common and abundant. One of the few stations for a rare species of 

 clematis is threatened on Staten Island, by the golf links of the Country 

 Club at Dongan Hills. It could be easily preserved. 



Poppy Family. — Poppies are not common in grain fields in America, 

 and we miss a great pleasure in consequence. The blood-root is not 

 rare on rocky hillsides in Westchester County, and is readily trans- 

 planted, even surviving the miseries of a city yard ; it still may be found 

 in a few of the parks and parkways of the Bronx and Richmond, but 

 needs protection, in spite of its fleshy rootstocks. Dutchman's breeches 

 may still be found in a few places in Manhattan and the Bronx; it is 

 protected by its granular bulbous roots ; fires and building will soon ex- 

 terminate it. It has grown more abundant in the Bronx Park since it 

 has been protected, but only public sentiment, and teaching the children 

 not to pick it, will allow the blossoms to go to seed. 



Mustard Family. — Few of the members of this family are attractive 

 enough to be popular ; many are weeds, and all reproduce by an abun- 

 dance of seed. Water-cresses deserve to be planted in ditches and 

 streams. 



Pitcher-ijlani Family, — In places suited to its growth, the pitcher- 



