Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 371 



the south shore of Outlet Bay ; also along the outlet of Lost 

 Lake. The densest patch is a long stretch along the margin of 

 Norris Inlet, where the plants form a broad border on each side for 

 some distance, the plants curving down with their tips in the water, 

 and forming an almost impenetrable thicket. The plants are 

 rather showy when in blossom, the flowers reminding one some- 

 what of the crepe myrtle of which this plant is a relative ; the 

 leaves and fruiting calyces, w^hich turn red in autumn, are also 

 showy. The plant forms a mass of peculiarity spongy tissue 

 around the submerged parts. The bark of the plant is one of the 

 favorite foods of muskrats in winter. 



540. WING-ANGLED LOOSESTRIFE 



LYTHRUM ALATUM Piirsh 



Common in low grounds about the lake, such as Green's marsh. 

 In places it grows so thickly that the purple blossoms give their 

 color to extensive areas. It is a common plant in low grounds about 

 various lakes of the state. 



Family 105. Melastomace^. Meadow-beauty Family 

 541. meadow-beauty; deer-grass 



RHEXIA VIRGINICA L. 



Not common; one small patch on the bank of the thorough- 

 fare between the lakes and north of Lost Lake and another south 

 along the railroad near the birch swamp. In flower from early 

 August to the latter part of September. The flowers are quite 

 handsome and striking; it is indeed one of the most attractive 

 plants in the region. The charm of the plant does not vanish when 

 the blossom dies. The pods, surrounded by the globularly-swollen, 

 cylindrical-necked calyces, are attractive, vase-like objects. 



Family 106. Onagrace^. Evening-primrose Family 



542. marsh purslane 



ISNARDIA PALUSTRIS L. 



An inconspicuous little creeping plant, quite common in the 

 bottoms of ditches, and dried up or nearly dried up ponds. What 

 are usually the conspicuous parts of a flower — septals, petals, sta- 

 mens and pistils — are in this plant greatly reduced and inconspicu- 

 ous, while the pod or fruit is the most evident part. Found at 

 Winfield's and near Chadwick's, also at the bottom of dried up 

 puddles along the railroad near the birch swamp. 



