384 



Water Lobelia — Lobelia Dortmanna, from the upper 

 end of the pond. 



Veiny-Leaved Hawkweek — Hieracium Vetwsum. 



Wild Sarsaparilla — Aralia nudicaulis. 



Spotted Wintergreen — Chimaphila maculata. 



E,ock Rose — Helianthemum Canadense. 



Indian Cucumber — Medeola Virginica. 

 All from the woods on the southern side of the pond. Some 

 of these plants are quite noticeable. The Tory Weed is so 

 called from the tradition that it appeared in Vermont about 

 the time of Burgoyne's invasion, and as its bur-like seeds are 

 a thorough pest to the wool-growers, they have always held 

 that the tories sowed them to curse the country ever after- 

 ward. The plant belongs to the same family as the Borrage 

 and Comfrey. Many might suspect it of poisonous proper- 

 ties, from its dull, dark colors and heavy odor ; but is be- 

 lieved to be wholly innocent. In fact, a large share of the 

 popular fear of poisonous plants is altogether groundless, 

 such being comparatively very rare within our flora. 



The Spotted Wintergreen, which is a close relation of the 

 well known Prince's Pine, is quite rare in these parts. A few 

 sprigs of it are occasionally met with, but no great quantity 

 anywhere. Both species have very pretty and curious flowers, 

 but close watching is necessary to observe them, since their 

 duration is very limited. As to the others, the Indian Cucum- 

 ber has this name from the flavor of its fleshy root, and not 

 from any affinity with ordinary cucumber ; and the wild 

 Sarsaparilla belongs in the neighborhood of the Parsnip 

 and other Umbelliferse, and is therefore entirely distinct from 

 the Sarsaparilla of the shops, which is a species of Smilax 

 or Greenbrier. 



No feature of our meetings, (said Mr. T.) is more pleas- 

 ant than their tendency to encourage the young and obscure 

 student in the prosecution of scientific research. He him- 

 self would hardly have kept up his determination for such 



