STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 85 



At the summit of the blujffs the little evergreen Polypodys stand 

 erect among the moss. 



With the mixed undergrowth at the top of the bluffs are Ostrich 

 Ferns Common Brake and Flowering Ferns. Contrasting with 

 their dark green fronds are the bright flowers of Wild Phlox, 

 Greek Valerian, Red Lily and Painted Cup, with brilliant bracts, 

 which make it the most showy of our wild flowers. 



All down the sunny southern slopes are mats of Rock Cress, 

 Long-flowered Puccoon, Spider wort, in many shades of purple and 

 blue, Zygedene, with wax-like flowers, and sprays of dainty little 

 Harebell. Many of the prairie flowers grow also on these southern 

 slopes. 



Down in some cool, shaded ravines between the bluff's, wild vines 

 grow unchecked. Bittersweet, Woodbine and glossy-leaved Green- 

 brier climb the trees and hang festoons from their branches, Poi- 

 son Ivy clings by its rootlets to the rocks. Pipe Vine covers shrubs 

 with its broad leaves and bright flowers, and slender Wild Yam 

 twines about the bushes. Here, also, are Cornell, Arrow-wood, 

 Mountain Maple, Strawberry Bush, Honeysuckle and many other 

 beautiful shrubs. 



Out in the oak barrens the Rose Family is well represented by 

 its Strawberries, Cinquefoils, Spireas, Avens, Brambles and Wild 

 Roses. With them are four species of blue Violets, Wild Geranium, 

 Wood Sorrel, Cleavers, Polygalas, Starry Campion, etc. A common 

 shrub is Jersey Tea, with clusters of small white flowers, the petals 

 of which are shaped like tiny soup-ladles. The Mustard, Parsley 

 Figwort and Mint Families add many species to the flowers of the 

 oak wood. Where they border the shores of the lake, the trees are 

 in many places covered with the thick foliage of Wild Grape and 

 Moonseed. On the banks are Milk Vetch, Wild Licorice, False 

 Indigo and other species common to river banks. 



The Pulse and Composite Families are especially characteristic 

 ol the prairie. To the former belong Wild Beans, Lupines, Vetches, 

 Clovers, etc. Two especially pretty plants of this family are 

 (Araorpha canescens) which has rich dark purple petals and golden 

 excerted stamens, and (Petalostemon villosus) with rose-colored 

 flowers. Of the Composite Family the number is legion. Through 

 the late summer and autumn, our prairies are brilliant with a be- 

 wildering array of Sunflowers, Cone-flowers, Blazing-Sfcars, Flea- 

 banes, Golden-rods, Asters, etc. To this family belongs the odd 

 Compass Plant, which might be very convenient as its leaves point 

 north and south. Tall Azure Larkspur, Puccoon, Butterfly Weed, 



