MIDSUMMER 



ment of their beauty, and is responsible, I sup- 

 pose, for their unpleasing title of bugbane. 



Under the pine-trees are the glossy leaves and 

 nodding bells of the wintergreen ; while here and 

 there spring graceful, wax-like clusters of para- 

 sitic Indian pipe, the fresh blossoms nodding 

 from leafless, fleshy stalks, the older ones erect- Winter- 

 ing themselves preparatory to fruiting. When j^anpipe 

 we pick these odd-looking flowers they turn black 

 from our touch, adding their protest to the cry 

 against the despoiler, and invalidating their claim 

 to the title which they sometimes bear of " corpse- 

 plant." 



From some deep shadow gleam the coral-like 

 berries of the early elder or the bright, rigid 

 clusters of the baneberry. On the low bush- 

 honeysuckle the deep-colored yellow blossoms 

 announce to the insect world that they have no Bush- 

 attractions to offer in the way of pollen or honey, meysuc 

 their fertilization being achieved already. 



But at present the woods are not altogether 

 satisfactory hunting-grounds. The more inter- 

 esting flowers have sought the combined light 

 and moisture of the open bogs or the sunshine of 

 the fields and road sides. Along the latter are Fields and 

 quantities of bladder-campion, a European mem- roa ~ st s 

 ber of the pink family which has established it- 

 self in Eastern New England. It can be recog- 



135 



