RED 



enough, at the Centennial much attention was attracted by 

 a bed of these beautiful plants which were brought from Hol- 

 land. Truly, flowers like prophets are not without honor save 

 in their own country. 



EUROPEAN HAWKWEED. DEVIL'S PAINTBRUSH. 



Hieracium aurantiacum. Composite Family (p. 13). 



Stem. Hairy, erect. Leaves. Hairy, oblong, close to the ground. 

 Flower-heads. Orange-red, composed entirely of strap - shaped flowers, 

 clustered. 



In parts of New York and of New England the midsummer 

 meadows are ablaze with the brilliant orange-red flowers of this 

 striking European weed. It is among the more recent emi- 

 grants to this country and bids fair to become an annoyance to 

 the farmer, hence its not altogether inappropriate title of devil's 

 paintbrush. In England it was called " Grimm the Collier," on 

 account of its black hairs and after a comedy of the same title 

 which was popular during the reign of Queen Elizabeth. Both 

 its common and generic names refer to an ancient superstition 

 to the effect that birds of prey used the juice of this genus to 

 strengthen their eyesight. 



OSWEGO TEA. BEE BALM. 



Monarda didyma. Mint Family (p. 16). 



Stem. Square, erect, about two feet high. Leaves. Opposite, ovate, 

 pointed, aromatic ; those near the flowers tinged with red. flowers. 

 Bright red, clustered in a close round head. Calyx. Reddish, five-toothed. 

 Corolla. Elongated, tubular, two-lipped. Stamens. Two, elongated, 

 protruding. PistiL One, with a two-lobed style, protruding. 



We have so few red flowers that when one flashes suddenly 

 upon us it gives us a pleasant thrill of wonder and surprise. 

 Then red flowers know so well how to enhance their beauty by 

 seeking an appropriate setting. They select the rich green back- 

 grounds only found in moist, shady places, and are peculiarly 

 charming when associated with a lonely marsh or a mountain 

 brook. The bee balm especially haunts these cool nooks, and 



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