THE HAUNTS OF FLOWERS. 61 



beautiful white orchis, the nun of the woods, with flow- 

 ers resembling the pale face of a lady wearing a white 

 cap. This plant is found only in certain cloistered re- 

 treats, under the shade of trees. It is a true vestal, and 

 will not tarnish its purity by any connection with the 

 soil. It is cradled like an infant in the soft, green bog- 

 moss, and derives its sustenance from the pure air and 

 dews of heaven. Like the orchids of warm climates, it 

 is half parasitic, and requires certain conditions for its 

 growth which are rarely combined. 



Flowers are usually abundant in pleasant situations. 

 They avoid cold and bleak exposures, the dark shade of 

 very dense woods, and wet places seldom visited by sun- 

 shine. Like birds, they love protection, and we are sure 

 to meet with many species wherever the songsters of 

 the forest are numerous. Birds and flowers require the 

 same fostering warmth, the same sunshine, and the same 

 fertility of soil to supply them with their food. When 

 we are traversing a deep forest, the silence of the situa- 

 tion is one of the most notable circumstances of our jour- 

 ney; but if we suddenly encounter a great variety of 

 flowers, our ears will at the same time be greeted by the 

 notes of some little thrush or sylvia. If I hear the veery, 

 a bird that loves to mingle his liquid notes 'with the sound 

 of some tuneful runlet, I know that I am approaching the 

 shady haunts of the trillium and the wood thalictrum. 

 If I hear the snipe feebly imitating the lark, as he soars 

 at twilight, and warbles his chirruping song far above my 

 head, I know that when he descends in his spiral course 

 he will alight upon grounds occupied by the Canadian 

 rhodora, the andromeda, and the wild strawberry plant. 

 But if the song of the robin is heard in the forest, I feel 

 sure that a cottage is near, with its orchard and cornfields, 

 or else that I am close to the end of the wood and am 

 about to emerge into the open plain. 



