39 



which in the fall hung vertically from the whole tree, are now 

 curled fantastically upward over the whole tree, giving it a rather 

 bushy appearance. They have so changed their relative position 

 with the parent branches as to be now, with few exceptions, 

 wholly above the point of origin instead of hanging wholly below 

 as in summer. The writer first noticed this in January, 1909, 

 but supposing it well known, gave it no further thought except 

 to look for it this year. In November the branches were still pen- 

 dant ; the next observation, January i, 19 10, showed again the 

 winter condition described above. Has ony one observed the 

 phenomenon elsewhere ? When does it begin ? What changes 

 take place in the spring ? How can it be explained ? Is there 

 any literature on the subject ? Jean Broadhurst 



A Wisconsin Riddle. — The accounts which the earliest ex- 

 plorers of our country have left of the plants which, for one reason 

 or another, attracted their attention are always interesting, and 

 not infrequently puzzling. Such is the Report of Father Dablon, 

 given in the Jesuit Relations for 1671-72. He describes his 

 new mission of St. Frangois Xavier, at De Pere rapids, on Fox 

 River, Wisconsin. While telling of his missionary labors among 

 the savages, he comments also on the animals and the plants of 

 the vicinage. " Besides the grapes, plums and apples," he writes, 

 " which would be fairly good if the savages had patience to let 

 them ripen, there also grows on the prairies a kind of lime, re- 

 sembling that of France, but having no bitter taste, not even in 

 its rind. The plant bearing it slightly resembles the fern." 



Again he tells how an Indian pointed out to him a medicinal 

 plant, whose root was " employed to counteract snake-bite, God 

 having been pleased to give this antedote against a poison which 

 is very common in these countries. It is very pungent, and tastes 

 like powder when crushed with the teeth. It must be masticated, 

 and placed upon the bite inflicted by the snake." He gathered 

 some of this plant, "for future examination," but records no tests 

 of its efficacy. 



What were the plants which the good Father thus describes? 

 Probably botanists familiar with the region may be able to rec- 

 ognize them. S. B. Parish 



