54 BOTANY FUR YOUNG PEOPLE. 



Then we followed the tracks of the mountain deer, 

 And turned with untiring zeal to explore 

 The tangled wood and the Highland moor. 

 And there the hermit flower was seen, 

 The lone and lowly Wintergrcen, 

 Chief of tribes but few, to thee 

 We bring our prize on bended knee. 



FIFTH CONVERSATION. 



E. The chieftain of the Class Octahiiia, 

 should wear a forester's dress, as it is to the 

 woods that most of its tribes belong. The Syca- 

 more is among them, waving its tall branches 

 close to the sea-side, and but little affected it is 

 supposed, by the tall spray. There are great 

 numbers of this stately tree on the east end of 

 Long Island ; but at present for some unknown 

 cause, though they formerly flourished well, are 

 decaying, and present a blighted appearance. 

 The name, which means a wild fig, was impro- 

 perly given, as it resembles the fig but veiy lit- 

 tle, not even as much as its brother, the Maple, 

 which tree with us attains a height of fifty 

 feet; its wood is useful in making cups and 

 bowls, but its principal value consists in the 



