NATIVE WILD FLOWERS 



The flowers are succeeded by small round berries, which 

 become brilliantly scarlet by the end of the summer, appear- 

 ing like a bright red coral ring surrounded by the whorl of 

 dark green somewhat pointed veiny leaves. 



From its love of shady damp soil this little plant would 

 grow under cultivation if suitable localities were selected 

 in shrubberies, among evergreens, and in rock-work not 

 much exposed to the sun. This low Cornel is very orna- 

 mental both in flower and fruit. The berries are sweet but 

 insipid. The Indian women and children eat them and 

 say, " Good to eat for Indian." The taste of the Indian is 

 so simple and uncultivated that he will eat any fruit or 

 vegetable that is innocuous, apparently indifferent to its 

 flavor. 



The poor squaw gathers her handful of berries and goes 

 her way contented with her forest fare, from which the 

 more luxurious children of civilization would turn away 

 with contempt, or admire their beauty, possibly, and then 

 cast them away as worthless. Few indeed think of the 

 lessons that may be learned even from the humblest forest 

 flower, speaking to their hearts of the loving care of the 

 great Creator, who provideth alike for all His creatures. 

 He openeth His hand and filleth all things living with 

 plenteousness. 



There are, among other species of the Dogwood family 

 that might be enumerated as indigenous to this western 

 part of Canada, some with blue berries, some with white,, 

 some with red, and others with dark steel-colored fruit. The- 

 dwarf Cornel (C. Canadensis) is the smallest species; the 

 rough, bushy round-leaved C. circinata the second; C. florida 

 the largest: all are tonics, and bitter; some are used in 

 medicine, others in dyeing, by the natives. The berries of 

 several species are largely sought for as food by the wild 



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