76 WILD, OR XATIVE FLOWERS. 



In no instance did I find this curious parasite associated with any 

 other plant ; as if by some mysterious instinct the Golden-rod seemed 

 to be selected for its support. Nor could the union with the flower be 

 discovered by the most careful examination. The Dodder seems to be 

 leafless and rootless. The Golden-rod to which it had attached itself 

 did not appear to have suffered from the clinging embrace of its singular 

 companion, though its coils were so tightly wound around it that it was 

 not an easy matter to separate them from the supporting stem. 



The Dodder could not even be said to have the claims of a poor 

 relation to excuse its unwelcome intrusion. 



The white blossoms of this parasite were closely clustered in 

 intervals on the wiry stem. 



The Golden-stemmed species, with somewhat larger, greenish- 

 tinged white flowers, I found in the same locality attached to the culms 

 of stout wild grasses, which alone it seemed to have selected for its 

 support. The bright orange coils, and clusters of flowers, formed a 

 pretty contrast with the dark foliage of the climbing Indian Bean, Apios 

 tuberosa, many young plants of which handsome, fragrant climber grew 

 there in profusion, covering the low bushes. 



In the States it is known as Gold Thread, from the bright, orange, 

 thready twining stems, which it throws like a golden net over the neigh- 

 bouring herbage. It seems, indeed, more ornamental than useful ; but 

 as it does not intrude itself into our gardens, we will not quarrel with it. 

 There is room and space in this wide world for it and others to find 

 some little spot in which to grow. Something would miss it, were it 

 to be entirely destroyed from the face of the earth — for as the poet says — 



" Nolhine; lives, or grows, or moves in vain ; 



Thy praise is heard amid her pathless ways, 



And e'en her senseless things in Thp:e rejoice.'' — /. Roscoe. 



Everlasting Flowers. 



" Bring flowers for the brow of the early dead." 



It is on the open prairie-like tracts of rolling land, known in 

 Ontario by the names of Oak-openings and Plains, where the spil is 

 sandy or light-loam, that flowers of the Comi)osite order abound. All 

 through the hot months of July and August and late into September, 

 the starry rayed blossoms of the sun-loving Sunflowers, Rudbeckias, 

 Asters and Golden-rods, enliven the oi)en wastes and grassy thickets, 

 with their gay colours, the more welcome because the more delicate of 

 the early Spring and Summer flowers have long since faded and 

 gone, and we know that we shall see them no more. 



