^^^^^fi!U>- The Milkaveed : 



v-TR^ -.! A Bluebeard Blossom 



'^^^^^^J,-'-^ The milkweed as food for the 



I progeny of certain species of but- 



I terflies was considered in *' Sharp Eyes " ; 

 the present article, therefore, is devoted 

 to the sino^ular hospitaHty which its blossoms ex- 

 tend to the bee, a hospitality which is nowhere 

 matched among Flora's minions, and would seem 

 occasionally in need of supervision. 



Just outside the door here at my country studio, 

 almost in touch of its threshold, year after year 

 there blooms a large clump of the common milkweed, 

 Acclcpias corniita, and, what with the fragrance 

 of its purple pompons and the murmurous music of 

 its bees, its fortnight of bloom is not permitted to 

 be forgotten for an instant. Only a moment ago a 

 whiff of more than usual redolence from the open 

 window at which I am sitting reminded me that the 

 flowers were even now in the heyday of their prime, 

 and the loud droning music betokened that the bees 

 were making the most of their opportunities. 



97 



