JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGS. 21 
Many lessons of scientific and commercial value might be 
learned from the despised dwellers of the field and wood. For ex- 
ample, the common wasp is not a subject that commends itself to 
the close consideration of many, yet this creature has been engaged 
for incalcuable years in the manufacture of paper from wood pulp, 
an industry which has only recently commanded the attention of 
man. 
Health, pleasure and profit await the student of nature who 
roams afield. To the lover of wild flowers, or botanist, “ with what 
a glory comes and goes the year.” Let us glance at some of her 
attractions March, the first month of the Roman calendar, may also 
be said to be the first month of the floral calendar. We perceive 
signs of activity everywhere in nature. The buds of deciduous trees 
and shrubs are full and prominent ; the evergreens shake themselves 
in preparation for a general spring house-cleaning. 
The earliest plant to be found in flower is unquestionably the 
Symplocarpus foetidus or Skunk Cabbage. You will find it ere the 
snow and ice have disappeared. Peeping, with roguish eye, from 
underneath the winter’s mantle, you may see her if you chance to 
recognize her purple cowl. She does not wait to be fanned into 
consciousness by the soft spring breezes, nor revived by the warm 
rains of weeping skies. The first kiss of the sun upon her upturned 
lips is sufficient to set astir the blood within her veins. Indeed, to 
be concise, she is even now ready to begin her mysterious operations 
of growth. Already the Skunk Cabbage has woven her orate hoods 
of red and purple, and these noods, themselves wrapped securely in 
a layer or two of thick integument, protect within them the flowerets 
of the succeeding spring. Besides the fresh spathe are to be found 
also the black and decaying receptacles wherein is stored the prolific 
harvest of fruits matured during the past summer. If but ten per 
cent. of these fruits were to germinate and grow the humble bog city 
of the Araceae would soon require enlarged boundaries. ‘This plant 
blooms alone—the fairer and more pleasing gems of 
‘6 Merry April and sweet smiling May 
Come not till March has first prepared the way.” 
Soon the snow has gone and “ stooping showers have sandalled the 
feet of May with flowers,” and wider fields present themselves to the 
botanist. 
