322 Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 



able distance down the outlet of Lost Lake, at the edge of a high 

 bank on the west side (1904). The sundew patches were found 

 growing in patches of various species of mosses, principally 

 sphagnum, or in wet sand, and the occurrence of little patches of 

 sphagnum here and there at the edge of Lost Lake is especially 

 interesting, as it shows the first stage of the conversion of a lake 

 into a peat bog. The sundew plants grew close to the water's edge, 

 just at such places as the clouds of midges perform their aerial 

 dances. The central leaves of the sundews stayed green all win- 

 ter, rolled up like fern fronds, forming a tiny rosette. By May 27, 

 1901, the leaves had unfolded and were covered with the remains 

 of tiny midges they had captured; the place where they grew 

 seemed especially favorable for the capture of prey. 



The plants, especially when in bloom, with the drops of secre- 

 tion sparkling and glistening in the sunlight, are remarkably at- 

 tractive. 



384. SPATULATE-LEAVED SUNDEW 



DROSERA INTERMEDIA Hayne 



Much more abundant than the other species and more confined 

 to sphagnous bogs. There were small patches in Walley's peat- 

 marsh and others of considerable extent in Hawk's marsh. Not 

 so attractive as the other sundew, as the leaves are too narrow to 

 give much foliage effect. The leaves turn bright red in autumn 

 and are killed quickly by frost, though the central bud of the plant 

 persists. 



Family 67. Crassulace^. Orpine Family 

 385. live-forever 



SEDUM TRIPHYLLUM (Haw.) S. F. Gray 



A clump found on the lake shore by Murray's and one on 

 the road to Belong. This species is usually found in the vicinity 

 of old homesteads, as if at one time planted for ornament. The 

 rose-colored cymes of flowers are rather pretty, but the plant seldom 

 blooms, usually propagating by joints. The plants near Lake Max- 

 inkuckee, growing in the wilds, bloomed profusely. This plant, like 

 others of the stonecrops, is noteworthy for its abundance of soft 

 mesophyll. If the leaf -stem is broken off, the leaf may be gently 

 macerated and the mesophyll squeezed out, leaving the leaf as an 

 empty bag. 



