THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 



changes ; it is abundant in our grass fields, and is of course 

 stored with the hay, but when ' ' fed out " to the stock in 

 winter, the blossoms of this Gnaphalium have precisely the 

 same appearance as when they are growing in the field. 

 Cattle reject this as well as many other weeds, occurring in 

 our rubbishy hay. 



C. The Mallow (Malva Sylvestris) is now in flower, 

 with its pretty blue blossoms ; there is a plant growing 

 vigorously near our house, the only one I have seen. The 

 round flat seeds we used to call, when children, cheese-cakes. 



F. These are not the seeds, but a compound fruit, 

 called a carcerule, containing the seeds. The fruit of the Wild 

 Black Cherry fPrunus Virginiana) is now ripe, as well as 

 that of the Red (Prunus Borealis). They are about the 

 size of currants ; the latter are pleasantly sour, of a bright 

 crimson ; this variety is indigenous to Newfoundland : the 

 former are rather larger, less acid, but have a bitterness of 

 flavour that is not pleasing ; no doubt both might be greatly 

 improved by cultivation. Wild fruits, which are naturally 

 sour, are more susceptible of amelioration than others ; as the 

 tendency of culture, light, heat, manure, &c. is to increase 

 their sweetness ; but fruits naturally sweet, become insipid. 



C. What is this tall plant, with deeply notched 

 leaves ? 



F. It is a species of Groundsel, called Fireweed, or 

 Crenate Milkweed (Senecio Hieracifolius ) : the leaves are 

 runcinate, the segments pointing backwards ; the flowers, 

 which are just blossoming, are small and plain, resembling 

 those of common groundsel. A thick milky juice exudes 

 from the leaves and stem when broken, which speedily ac- 

 quires consistence, and becomes a highly elastic substance, 

 resembling Indian rubber. It springs up abundantly in 

 rank luxuriance on newly cleared land, after it has been run 

 over by fire, whence it has obtained the name of Fireweed. 



