PINK 



gleam vividly through the grasses, and from their form and color 

 might almost be mistaken for pink clover. Occasionally they 

 are comparatively pale and inconspicuous. 



MOSS POLYGALA. 



Polygala cruciata. Milkwort Family. 



Stems.- — Three to ten inches high ; almost winged at the angles, with 

 spreading, opposite leaves and branches. Leaves. — Linear ; nearly all 

 whorled in fours. Flowers. — Greenish or purplish-pink ; growing in short, 

 thick spikes which terminate the branches. 



There is something very moss-like in the appearance of this 

 little plant which blossoms in late summer. It is found near 

 moist places and salt marshes along the coast, being very com- 

 mon in parts of New England. 



MOUNTAIN FRINGE. CLIMBING FUMITORY. 



[PI. cm 



Adlumia cirrhosa. Fumitory Family. 



Leaves. — Thrice-pinnate, with cut-lobed leaflets. Flowers, — Pinkish, 

 drooping in full clusters. Calyx. — Of two small sepals. Corolla. — Flat- 

 tened, closed. Stamens. — In two sets of three each. Pistil. — One. 



The root-leaves of this plant remind one of the meadow-rue, 

 or remotely of maiden-hair fern. From among these root-leaves 

 rises the vine which climbs by means of slender leaf-stalks over 

 the bushes and tall golden rod or aster stalks. The foliage is ex- 

 tremely delicate, and the clustered pinkish flowers recall the blos- 

 soms of their kinsfolk the pale corydalis and the Dutchman's 

 breeches. This dainty little plant festooning the undergrowth 

 is always a delight when found growing in the woods, and it is 

 so charming that one is not surprised to learn from Gray that it 

 is *' often cultivated." 



223 



