Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 263 



each lobe containing a seed much resembling a shot in appearance 

 and hardness. The bulb has a faint delicate flavor, more like the 

 thought of an onion than an actual onion. The odor clings to the 

 breath with remarkable persistency. Its very faintness perhaps, 

 makes it more tantalizing and unendurable, and few morsels of 

 which one can partake are followed by such lasting regret. 



April 6, 1901, remains of this plant found in woods northeast 

 of the lake. April 19, well out in leaf. 



196. NODDING WILD ONION 



ALLIUM CERNUUM Roth 



This onion prefers open sunny places. It is not abundant in the 

 region of the lake. The only plants seen were a few on the bank 

 at the southeast corner not far from Norris's. The large umbel 

 of gracefully drooping rosy pink blossoms makes this a very at- 

 tractive plant when in bloom. Its bulb has an honest well pro- 

 nounced onion flavor, and a marked pungence of taste, which, while 

 inferior to that of the cultivated onion, the 



"Rose among roots, the maiden-fair 



Wine-scented and poetic soul 



Of the capacious salad bowl," 



is much more satisfactory in after effects than the flavor of the 

 wild leek. 



197. WESTERN RED LILY 



LILIUM UMBELLATUM Pursh 



This lily, which deserves the name of Tulip lily, from its habit 

 of looking upward like a tulip, is one of the most attractive of our 

 native plants. The long-clawed erect vivid perianth-segments re- 

 semble flames. The individual flowers are more showy than those 

 of either of the 2 other species with nodding flowers, L. canadense 

 or L. superbum, but the blossoms are not borne in so great abund- 

 ance. 



A few plants were found south along the railroad, in sand, in 

 blossom about July 4. It is rare in the neighborhood of the lake, 

 but is fairly commion about Plymouth and along the Pennsylvania 

 railroad near Bourbon, Indiana. 



198. WILD YELLOW LILY 



LILIUM CANADENSE L. 



The common yellow lily of the state, generally known as the wild 

 tiger lily, usually growing in moist meadows. It is becoming much 



