Queen of Moccasin-Flo^wers 71 



perfection about this date. They seem a fitting dec- 

 oration for the church during the Commencement ser- 

 vices of this college, situated in the heart of these 

 Hoosac Highlands. 



Plentiful as are the colonies of this Showy Moccasin- 

 Flower in its pet localities, it has always been an in- 

 teresting question to me where the great numbers of 

 perfect blossoms grouped about the chancel are secured. 

 They are known to the children in each school district, 

 and usually they are collected as soon as discovered. 



It is surprising to me that extinction of this rare 

 plant is not taking place more rapidly hereabout. 

 This orchid produces very few seedlings in its native 

 haunts, and at the rate of collecting both its blossoms 

 and roots in this valley, we must surely look for total 

 extinction in less than half a century more, unless this 

 ruthless plucking is modified. 



