1898] Resurrection Plants. 63 



surprised and surrounded in his lair, remained in view for a 

 minute or two before he scampered off. No plants of special 

 rarity were collected but the woods were full of beautiful flowers. 

 Orchis spectabilis was found in bud, Viola Canadensis, and 

 V. pabescens were in great profusion and beauty. The Sugar 

 Maples and Beeches still bore many flowers and other plants 

 were noted in bloom for the first time this season. — J. F. 



RESURRECTION PLANTS. 



Our attention has been called to the above subject by the 

 Hon. R. B. Dickey, who has very kindly furnished the editor 

 with notes on these plants, as well as with the interesting extract 

 given below from a letter written bv Mr. H. E. Milner, of 

 London, England. 



Certain members of the vegetable kingdom are possessed 

 of such remarkable tenacity of life that their vital spark seems 

 well nigh unquenchable. For such the most unfavourable and 

 adverse conditions, such as being submitted to long periods of 

 drought, or even being broken into small pieces, are not sufficient 

 to kill entirely, though they may arrest life and growth and even 

 cause an appearance of death. With the return of favourable 

 conditions, as the presence of moisture and warmth, these plants 

 spring forth again into renewed life and growth. Plants with 

 this great vitality are apt to become troublesome enemies of the 

 agriculturist. It is only necessary to mention such succulent 

 plants as the Live-for-Ever (5f'c///;// Telephiuni) and the common 

 Purslane {Portulaca oleracea), the latter of which will continue 

 to expand flowers and ripen seeds for weeks, when pulled up 

 and hung on a nail against a brick wall in the full blaze of an 

 August and September sun. Those plants which have an ex- 

 tensive system of underground stems, like the Field Convol- 

 vulus {Co7ivolviilus arvensis), the so-called Canada Thistle 

 {CnicHS arvensis'), and Couch grass {Agropyrujn repens), are 

 thereby enabled to withstand much aggression from the farmer 



