380 Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 



ant, but forming little patches about the roots of trees in the rich 

 earth-mold. In many places it has disappeared, owing- to the 

 pasturage of woodlands, to which the vanishing of many members 

 of our native flora is due. 



This plant is popularly known and loved as the "first flower of 

 the spring." The skunk cabbage in the swamps and the silver 

 maple blossoms in the trees may precede it by a few days, but they 

 escape common observation ; and, anyway, no one thinks of making 

 bouquets of them; but this little flower, or rather flower cluster, 

 with its modest prettiness — the dainty little petals besprinkled with 

 the red stamens — and with its fresh delightful odor, appeals to 

 everyone. The flower clusters precede the leaves and are rapidly 

 followed by fruit, the plant having a very short growing season. 



In blossom from April G to April 19 ; by April 30 the fruit was 

 pretty well grown. The round tuber-like roots of this plant are 

 eaten by children ; it is from these that the name "turkey pea" is 

 due. 



571. HEMLOCK WATER-PARSNIP 



SIUM CICUTAEFOLIUM Schrank 



Not abundant about the lake; occasionally found in shallow 

 swamps ; some was found in the Norris Inlet marsh, back of the ice- 

 beach, some in the swamps adjacent to the lake between Farrar's 

 and Overmyer's, and some in a permanent pond east of the lake. 



Among the most interesting of our plants are those that grow 

 in temporary ponds or at the edge of lakes where they are at times 

 submerged and at other times left high and dry. It is such vicissi- 

 tudes of alternating drouth and flood that have produced in Riccia 

 lutescens a floating and a creeping form, and the whole legion of 

 plants with two or more sorts of leaves, one floating, firm in texture, 

 another kind submerged, thin or dissected, etc. Such forms im- 

 press upon us most forcefully the influence of environment in 

 developing new forms, and the mutability, not of species merely, 

 but of individuals. 



Among these amphibious plants with variously-shaped leaves 

 to suit different conditions, none is more striking than the water- 

 parsnip. 



The lower, radicle leaves, which are usually covered by water, 

 form a large circular rosette of the most lacy, fairy-like texture 

 imaginable. These leaves usually turn purplish during the winter, 

 and there are few prettier sights than one of these fluffy, dainty 

 masses at the bottom of a clear pool. It shows to especially fine 

 advantage when one, standing on clear ice, can look down on these 



