WHITE 



of the greenhouses, a native of the Cape of Good Hope ; and 

 the likeness is still more apparent in the white, petal-like (al- 

 though flat and open) spathe which tops the scape ; so that even 

 one knowing nothing of botanical families would naturally chris- 

 ten the plant "wild calla." The first sight of these white 

 spathes gleaming across a wet meadow in June, and the closer 

 inspection of the upright, vigorous little plants, make an event 

 in the summer. None of our aquatics is more curious and inter- 

 esting, more sturdy, yet dainty and pure, than the wild calla. 



LIZARD'S TAIL. 



Saururus cernuus. Pepper Family. 



Stem. Jointed; often tall. Leaves. Alternate; heart-shaped. Flowers, 

 White ; without calyx or corolla ; crowded into a slender, wand-like ter- 

 minal spike which nods at the end. Stamens. Usually six or seven. Pis- 

 tils. Three or four, united at their base. 



The nodding, fragrant spikes of the lizard's tail abound in 

 certain swamps from June till August. While the plant is not 

 a common one, it is found occasionally in great profusion, and 

 is sure to arrest attention by its odd appearance. 



MOONSEED. 



Menispermum Canadense. Moonseed Family. 



Stem. Woody; climbing. Leaves. Three to seven-angled orlobed; 

 their stalks fastened near the edge of the lower surface. Flowers. White 

 or yellowish ; in small loose clusters ; unisexual. Calyx. Of four to eight 

 sepals. Corolla. Of six to eight short petals. Stamens and Pistils. Oc- 

 curring on different plants. Fruit. Berry-like; black, with a bloom. 



Clambering over the thickets which line the streams, we no- 

 tice in September the lobed or angled leaves and black berries of 

 the moonseed, the small white or yellowish flowers of which 

 were, perhaps, overlooked in June. 



40 



