106 NINTH REPORT. 



growing in most intimate association with B. Virginicum, and behaving in 

 all particulars like a mere form of the latter, Allium tricoccum fairly whitens 

 the ground during August Avhen it is in full bloom; Habenaria psycodes is 

 very conmion. In marshy spots Sanrurus grows abundantly. Alnus 

 incana is limited to a few localities. Boehmeria is, with Urticastrum, a 

 complete forest carpet. The latter, in partnership with the innumerable 

 mosquitoes, and aggravated by the constant fear of Massasaugas that here 

 abound, makes botanizing in these dark shades by no means pleasant. Poly- 

 gonum Virginianum abounds. Isopyrum and actsea rubra are fond on 

 rich knolls, the latter nowhere else in the whole area explored. Caulophyl- 

 lum is very abundant, growing in large patches. Benzoin is conspicuous, 

 especially in early spring, when its yellow bloom fairly covers the twigs and 

 again when the bright scarlet fruit is ripe in September. Polygala pauci- 

 folia is found in one isolated area in a Thuja s\vamp. Rhus radicans with 

 Parthenocissus grow to a size I have never before seen, and practically every 

 trunk is a living column of green by reason of tlieir growth. Impatiens 

 aurea grows 6 feet high in perfect jungles, occasionally giving place to I. biflora 

 which vies with the former in size. Aralia racemosa grows to a great size, 

 and contrasts strongly with its tiny relative, Panax trifolium, that whitens 

 small portions of the ground with its tiny flower clusters. Conioselinum 

 is a very rare pant, and has not j^et been seen in bloom. In the aforesaid 

 Thuja swamp cornus Canadensis flourishes, always on prostrate logs, with 

 the two Mitellas. Lobelia cardinalis is abundant locallv and brightens 

 wonderfully the dismal shades. 



Leaving these somber regions we come to one almost opposite in every 

 particular. The open bogs are found here and there, mostly bordering 

 the wooded swamp, and almost invariably with a cold spring rivulet en- 

 circling or cutting them. Some examples of very local plant distribution 

 are found. A number of gramineae are to be found, the rarest being Zizania. 

 Among the sedges Eleocharis rostellata or "trip-grass" is a very aberrant 

 form of that genus, and covers densely large portions of the bog, but so in- 

 conspicuous is it that it is often unnoticed. Tofieldia and Zygadenus elegans 

 are frequent. An interesting bit of ecological botany is suggested here by 

 the fact that in northwestern Illinois the latter plant grows habitually on 

 the wet limestone cliffs. Allium cernuum, "on banks and hillsides" the 

 books say, fairly tints the grass in places. And this leads me to say that 

 much remains unsaid about the habitats of many of our plants. For ex- 

 ample C3q3ripedium reginae grows only in these cold bogs, along with Limo- 

 dorum, but in Jo Daviess Co., 111., both species are only found on damp 

 shaded cliff brows that face the north. It is very certain the soils are unlike, 

 the topography could not be more different, and the only element of simi- 

 larity is the constant unfailing moisture, which leads me to suspect that these 

 orchids are also very largely "air plants." Pogonia ophioglossoides is com- 

 mon, and so, also, is Blephariglottis lacera. Here Salix Candida and Smyo- 

 tilloides thrive, and Caltha, of course, makes golden the spot in early spring. 

 The Droseras, rotundifolia and intermedia are noted, the latter actually 

 tinting the surface with its red coloration, so abundant is it. Sarracenia is 

 locally common, but many seemingly suitable spots are vacant. Parnassia 

 in August, Saxifraga Pennsylvanica in June, are much in evidence and 

 Geum strictum and rivale are among the noteworthy plants of summer. 

 The latter is very rare and local. The genuine Viola cucullata is common 

 and entirely distinct from the forms that formerly paraded under that name, 

 but now bear others, as V. papilionacea. Among the umbellifera are two 



