58 FLOWERS AND FRUITS. 



climbing plant containing an acid watery juice. This is our common 

 coral colored flowering species, the scarlet flowers of an exceedingly 

 rich and brilliant hue, unapproachable by any flower of its kind, hang 

 pendulous, with the styles and stamens projecting out of the sheath, 

 the orange and scarlet showing each other in bright relief, forming, 

 more especially in rocky situations, one of the most elegant vernal 

 ornaments of the season. It has long been an inhabitant of the rus- 

 tic flower border, but is more commonly found in the open places of 

 forests or in extensive woods. 



There is something peculiar about this plant, that tells its rela- 

 tionship to North America, an expression of joyous beauty that 

 belongs no where else. Linnaeus observed that every country 

 exhibited a botanical character peculiar to itself, and that a practical 

 botanist, can usually at the first glance distinguish the plants of 

 Africa, Asia, America and the Alps ; but it is not easy to tell how 

 he is able to do this. There is a certain character of sulleness, and 

 gloom, and obscurity in the plants of Africa ; something lofty and 

 elevated in those of Asia ; sweet and smiling in those of America ; 

 while those of the Alps seem rigid and stunted. 



After flowering the fruit becomes erect, it has assumed the most 

 showy position, but its attention must now be turned to take care of 

 the fruit and insure its protection. The fashionable belle becomes a 

 mother, the nursery instead of the ball room employs her time. It 

 is perennial, flowering in April and May. 



Though this early flower is more delicate in its habits and colors 

 than the common garden species, it is yet often confounded under 

 the same emblem Folly. Why the common variety obtained the 

 name it is very hard to say, some affirming that it is on account of 

 its nectary, which turns over in a similar manner to the caps of the 

 ancient jesters, while others suppose it to be owing to the party 

 colors it always assumes. 



