THE CHECKERBERRY. 179 



size, after the spring opens, until they become as large as 

 strawberries. 



This plant is very abundant in all woods in New Eng- 

 land, and seems to be confined to no particular soil or 

 situation. Indeed, I doubt whether another woody plant 

 can be found so generally distributed throughout the New 

 England forest. If it has any preferences, they seem to 

 be the lower slopes of wooded hills and mountains. But 

 I have seen it in all locations where it can enjoy the pro- 

 tection of trees, in evergreen as well as deciduous woods ; 

 for though the leaves of the pine prevent the growth of 

 any considerable underwood, the Checkerberry is always 

 abundant in the openings of a pine forest. 



