WILD, OR NATIVE FLOWERS. 29 



great agents can hardly for a moment be doubted, but something also 

 may depend upon the peculiar quality of the juices that fill the tissues 

 of the flower, and on the cellular tissue itself. Flowers deprived of light 

 we know are pallid and often colourless, but how do we account for the 

 deep crimson of the Beet-root, the rose red of the Radish, the orange of 

 the Rhubarb and Carrot, which roots, being buried in the earth, are not 

 subject to the solar rays ? The natural supposition would be that all 

 roots hidden from the light would be white, but this is by no means the 

 case. The question is one of much interest and deserves the attention 

 of all naturalists, and especially of the botanical student. 



^^'hat shall we say to the rich colour of the Ruby, Carbuncle, 

 Amethyst, Topaz and Emerald, taken from the darkness of the mine ; 

 can it be that all are really colourless till the light is admitted to them, 

 and the different conditions of the crystallised forms catch, imprison and 

 forever hold fast the glorious rays of light. 



Painted Trillium — Trilliiiin erytJirocarpiiui, (Mx.) 



(PLATE IM.) 



This beautifully ornamental species is of rare occurrence in our 

 woods. The flower is elegantly tinged with soft pink veinings on the 

 white, waved, and pointed, petals; the base of each is richly coloured and 

 shaded from deep red to pale rose, which colour indeed is slightly diffused 

 through the flower. Leaves distinctly petioled, broad at the base, 

 waved at the margins and sharply pointed. The whole plant, from six 

 to nine inches in height. The specimen from which the drawing is 

 taken was found in May, near Ottawa, where it is not uncommon. The 

 under-surface of the leaves is slightly tinged with purple. 



Though scarce in our western woods. Gray says the Painted 

 Trillium may be found as far northward as Lake Superior and New 

 England, and also southward in the Alleghanies and Virginia. 



Rock Colu:mbine — Aquilegia Canadensis (Lin). 



"The graceful Columliine all blushing red, 

 Bends to the earth her crown 

 Of honey-laden bells." 



This graceful flower enlivens us all through the months of May and 

 June by its brilliant blossoms of deep red and golden yellow. 



In general outline the Wild Columbine resembles its cultivated 

 sisters of the garden, but is more light and airy in habit. The plant 

 throws up many tall slender stalks, furnished with leafy bracts, from 

 which spring other light stems terminated by little pedicels, each bearing 

 a large drooping flower and bud, which open in succession. 



