45 
that it tastes something like the cucumber. It is possi- 
ble, that, as its name suggests, it was used as food by 
the Indians. To hunt up the beginnings of plant names 
is often amusing. So many of these are Indian, that in 
our rambles through the woods we are constantly re- 
minded of the days when the red man was finding his 
chief support in their plants and animals. 
In June we find the flower of the Indian cucumber 
root. This is a little yellowish blossom, one of the Lily 
family. Small though it is, for one who knows some- 
thing of botany it is easy to recognize it as a lily. 
Indeed, the look of the plant suggests the wood and 
meadow lilies. This is partly because of the way in 
which the leaves grow about its stem, much as they do 
in these other lilies. 
Now look at the beautiful carpet which is spread 
beneath your feet. Here you will wish to step very 
lightly ; for otherwise you might crush some of those 
bright red berries which are set thickly among the little 
white-veined leaves. 
These are called “ partridge berries,’ — a name given 
them because they are eaten by partridges. But the 
bare winter woods offer few tempting morsels for bird 
meals; and it seems likely that the nuthatch and snow- 
bird, the chickadee and winter wren, hail with delight 
these bright berries, and share with the partridges the 
welcome feast. 
Please look closely at one of the berries in Fig. 35, 
and tell me whether you see anything unusual. 
“There are two little holes on top.” 
Yes, that is just what I hoped you would notice. | 
