The Botany of Hingham. 89 



There are some species that, without any apparent reason, are 

 limited to certain localities, rarely being found elsewhere, not- 

 withstanding circumstances seem equally favorable for their devel- 

 opment. As among these are several of exceeding beauty and 

 their extermination in the town would certainly be a calamity, 

 the writer cannot forbear calling attention to the fact that some 

 are fast disappearing, and will soon be no longer found in the 

 town unless care is taken for their preservation. One of these 

 is that rare plant, bearing one of the most lovely of flowers, 

 the Fringed Gentian. Unlike the common Blue Gentian, this 

 delicate species is propagated only by seeds. What, then, must 

 be the result of a general plucking of the flowers when they 

 are in bloom, leaving none to mature? Only extermination. And 

 such plucking has been often done, and bouquets exhibited contain- 

 ing scores of these flowers, when far better taste would have been 

 sbown had but few been placed together instead of a multitude. 

 Animals are not alone in danger of extermination by thoughtless- 

 ness. The tendency to take plants from their natural habitats 

 and transplant them into gardens where circumstances have been 

 less favorable for their existence, has undoubtedly led to the entire 

 destruction of several species of perennials from our flora. One 

 of these, the Aselepias tuberosa, has doubtless met such fate. This 

 plant, one of the most beautiful of all the perennials that adorned 

 the woods, and always rare, there is reason to believe is now ex- 

 tinct except in cultivation, as no specimen has been discovered for 

 several years, after diligent search. It is however given in the 

 list of species, as it certainly grew in at least two localities, and 

 may possibly yet exist. Furthermore there is one plant still 

 living which was transplanted more than twenty years ago from 

 the woods of South Hingham to the grounds now of Mr. Henry C. 

 dishing, where it yet may be seen yearly displaying a rich pro- 

 fusion of its most charming orange-flowers. 



There are several other plants that are found in but one or two 

 localities, which it is hoped may be allowed to remain members 

 of the flora. One of these is the Sambucus racemosa, L., the Red- 

 Berried Elder. Another exceedingly rare plant with us is the 

 Hibiscus Moscheutos, L. (Swamp Rose Mallow.) This is a tall 

 perennial, with quite large, showy, rose-colored flowers, the corolla 

 being five inches in diameter. It is found near the salt water, and 

 but a single plant is known in Hingham. 



Yet another species may be mentioned as observed in only one 

 locality. This is the Lythrum Salicaria, L. The beautiful purple 

 flowers of this may be seen upon a clump of the plants just at the 

 edge of the water of Weir River, a short distance below the bridge 

 on Leavitt Street. 



It is not only for the preservation of the exceedingly rare plants 

 of the town that the writer would plead. Quite as earnestly 

 would he urge that the transcendent beauty which is often pre- 

 sented along the sides of our roads, especially of those bordered 



