WHITE 



a thicket which looks as though composed of such white-flowered 

 shrubs as belong to June. Hastening to the spot we discover 

 that the silky-tufted seeds of the female groundsel-tree are re- 

 sponsible for our surprise. The shrub is much more noticeable 

 and effective at this season than when — a few weeks previous — 

 it was covered with its small white or yellowish flower-heads. 



GRASS OF PARNASSUS. 



Paniassia Caroliniana. Saxifrage Family. 



Stem. — Scape-like ; nine inches to two feet high ; with usually one small 

 rounded leaf clasping it below ; bearing at its summit a single flower. 

 Leaves. — Thickish ; rounded; often heart-shaped ; from the root. Flmuer. 

 -White or cream-color; veiny. Calyx. — Of five slightly united sepals. 

 Corolla. — Of five veiny petals. Trite Stamens. — Five ; alternate with the 

 petals, and with clusters of sterile gland-tipped filaments. Pistil. — One, 

 with four stigmas. 



Gerarde indignantly declares that this plant has been de- 

 scribed by blind men, not '' such as are blinde in their eyes, but 

 in their understandings, for if this plant be a kind of grasse then 

 may the Butter-burre or Colte's-foote be reckoned for grasses — as 

 also all other plants whatsoever." But if it covered Parnassus 

 with its delicate veiny blossoms as abundantly as it does some 

 moist New England meadows each autumn, the ancients may 

 have reasoned that a plant almost as common as grass must some- 

 how partake of its nature. The slender-stemmed creamy flowers 

 are never seen to better advantage than when disputing with the 

 fringed gentian the possession of some luxurious swamp. 



PEARLY EVERLASTING. 



Anaphilis margaritacea. Composite Family. 



Stem. — V.rtcX. ; one or two feet high. Leaves. — Broadly linear to lance- 

 shaped. Flower- heads. — Composed entirely of tubular flowers with very 

 numerous white involucral scales. 



This species is common throughout our northern woods and 

 pastures, blossoming in August. Thoreau writes of it in Sep- 



IIO 



