42 JSotans 



they think the dark, bent hood looks like the head- 

 gear of a Capuchin monk. Around the stems of 

 these dull purple spathes we see thick, Avithered 

 leaves, almost leather-like in toughness. These are 

 last year's growth, and no doubt it is due to their 

 l^rotection and warmth that the sturdy, new buds 

 pusli their way up at the beginning of winter, sur- 

 vive the cold and the storms, and are ready at the 

 first hint of February mildness to lift their heads in 

 the sunshine. After a while, inside this unhand- 

 some sturdy cap will rise a club, like that well- 

 known Jack-in-the-pulpit, upon which will grow^ 

 tiny blossoms ; then, too, will come the true 

 leaves of the plant, almost two feet long and brightly 

 colored. What is this curious thing ? Unluckily its 

 terrible odor has given it its name. It is the skunk 

 cal)bage, a sharji, acrid-juiced, slightly poisonous 

 thing, which bears are said to relish as " early 

 greens." 



