SIF.4A/FS, BOGS, AND MARSHES 67 



Calyx and corolla, 4-cIeft. Stamens, 8. Berry, 4-ceUed. 

 Flowers, nodding. 



Fruit, a small acid berry, not so desirable for the table as the 

 larger species. Stems, wiry, trailing, from 6 to 9 inches long. 



K 0-^^ 65 



V. macrocdrpon, the large American Cranberry, is the one 

 cultivated in large sections of bog-land, and prized as the 

 accompaniment to the Thanksgiving turkey. The stems grow 

 prostrate, often 4 to 5 feet in length. Flowers are large, with 

 corolla turned back. 



The name cranberry is said to be a shortening of crane-berry, 

 referring to the curve of the branches, which are conceived to be 

 like the crooked neck of a crane. A cranberry bog is flooded 

 with water in the fall and early spring. In May the water is 

 drained off. The picking commences in September, before heavy 

 frost, and men, women, and children are employed, and paid by 

 the crate or bushel. Buildings are erected near the bogs, in 

 which the fruit is separated from leaves and twigs. 



The geographical range of the cranberry is very wide, from 

 north latitude 38° to 60°, and covering all North America east of 

 the Mississippi. 



66. Swamp-milkweed 



Asclepias incarnata. — Family, Milkweed. Color, crimson. 

 Leaves, sometimes heart-shaped at base, oblong, pointed at 

 apex. Time, July. 



The construction of the flower of milkweed is so singular it 

 should be described. Without the magnifying -glass one sees 

 5 short, pointed sepals hidden under 5 larger petals turned 

 backward and downward. The next row of bodies standing up 

 over the flower-centre may be taken for stamens. But through 

 the glass we see that these are tubular bodies, colored like petals, 

 containing a curved, needle-like hook. The latter is called a horn ; 

 the tube enclosing it, a hood. All 5 of the horns lie protecting- 

 ly over the stamens and pistil. Pull off the hoods, with their 



