racemes of coral-red flov/ers, turning orange with age, al- 

 ways excite admiration and wonder. The plant comes from 

 the Cape of Good Hope, where it is pollinated by sun-birds. 

 The long scape, or flower-stalk, rises from a clump of grass- 

 like leaves, three or four feet in length, and there is a long 

 succession of flowers during the summer. 



In New Zealand a native beekeeper says that the nectar 

 can be plentifully shaken out of the tubular flowers, and that 

 it is then eagerly gathered by bees. Sometimes they creep 

 into the narrow tubes and become wedged between their 

 walls, and die miserably of starvation in full view of the 

 sweet spoil. 



"I received the copy of 'The Maine Naturalist' you so 

 kindly sent me. I can assure you I have read it with the 

 greatest of interest and must say what a glorious journal for 

 the people of Maine. If they get one half the pleasure out 

 of it that I have they should feel exceedingly proud at hav- 

 ing such people in their midst that can hand, out such val- 

 uable and interesting information. I cannot comment on 

 any particular article as they are all so very interesting. I 

 almost felt sorry when I arrived at the end and shall cer- 

 tainly read it again. I have lent it to my dear old friend Mr. 

 Matthews whom I am sure will read it with the greatest of 

 pleasure." — C. Walton, Peterhead, South Australia. 



By viewing Nature, Nature's handmaid art, makes migh- 

 ty things from small beginnings grow: Thus fishes first to 

 shipping did impart, their tail the rudder, and their head 

 the prow. — Dryden. 



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