EVERGREENS. 199 



recovered energy slie soon begins to spread forth new beauties, 

 and to deck herself in her most gorgeous attire. 

 • 303. The cmtumnal flowers dilfer in appearance from those 

 which we find in the earliest part of the season. Few exam- 

 ples of the ComjyositcB occur until the latter part of July and 

 beginning of August. There is little difficulty in learning to 

 distinguish the dttferent genera of this vast natural order, as an 

 Aster, a SoUclago, or a Heliantlius. These genera contain 

 numerous species not always clearly defined. The student 

 will learn that there is some confusion among botanical writ- 

 ers, and must acquire independence of opinion by close research 

 into the book of nature, which contains no errors. Among the 

 fine flowers which autumn presents are the scarlet Lobelia, or 

 cardinal flower ; the yellow Gerardia (/«/5^/(?a?-^Z(?y<2), and the 

 sunflower {Helianthus). The Linn^ea lorealis is found in 

 September ; at this time the white pond-lily (Nymphjea), one 

 of the most splendid of American flowers is seen whitening 

 the surface of the lakes and ponds, sometimes alternating with 

 the yelloio loater-lily (Nuphar), a flower of less striking elegance 

 than the former, but not less curious in its form. Another • 

 aquatic plant, which, although it blossoms in summer contin- 

 ues in flower until late in the autumn, is the Sagittaria, or 

 arrow-head, with a calyx of three sepals, and three white pet- 

 als. The Eujpatorium, or thorough-wort, which blossoms in 

 autunm has no external beauty to recommend it, but as a 

 remedy in diseases, perhaps no plant is more useful. Among 

 the exotics which grace the decline of the year, are the splendid 

 daMias. The gay chrysanthemums blossom only on the verge 

 of winter, but they require protection from frosts. We see 

 among the last blossoms of the season, the aster, and some 

 other kindred flowers ; these seem for a time to endure the 

 autumnal blasts, but they gradually give way to the reign of 

 winter ; while the desolate fields and meadows present but a 

 gloomy contrast to their once verdant and glowing appearance.^ 

 30i. Evergreens. — During the season of winter in our cli- 

 mate, few flowers appear, except on such plants as are shielded 

 from the inclemency of the weather ; even ' the green-house 

 plants can scarcely be made to blossom. The leaves of decidu- 

 ous trees, and the stems of all annual plants are dead ; some 

 hardy evergreens retain their cheerful verdure. At Christmas, 

 the foliage of the laurel, pine, S2yruce,di\\(\. the beautiful running 

 or ground-pine (Lycopodium), belonging to the family of Ferns, 



* At an elevation of several hundred feet above the water level, in latitude 39°, at the Patapsco 

 Institute, near Baltimore, Chinese roses have continued to blossom in the open air as late as the first of 

 December 



303. Autumnal flowers— Which is most difficult to ascertain, the genus or species ?— Lobelia, Ge- 

 raidia &.c. — 304. Vegetation in winter.' 



