that many vegetable forms are so pro- 

 tected when exposed to intense heat or 

 cold. This is true of most alpine and 

 desert forms and the value of such a pro- 

 tection to the Mullen will be seen when 

 it is remembered that the plants are al- 

 ways found in open, dry, stony fields ex- 

 posed to the fierce heat of the sun, and 

 afforded no protection for the rosettes 

 of year-old plants which must survive the 

 winter in order to send up the flower 

 stalk the second spring. 



The Moth Mullen (Verbascum blat- 

 taria) is a far more attractive and grace- 

 ful plant than the form previously de- 

 scribed. The specific name was derived 



from the idea that the plant would kill the 

 cockroach (Blatta). It was supposed 

 that moths would not go near the plant, 

 and it was quite a general custom in New 

 England to pack these plants or flowers 

 with clothing or furs in order to keep out 

 moths. The stamens are similar to those 

 of the Great Mullen, except the filaments 

 are tufted with violet hairs. The flowers 

 are yellow or white on long, loose ra- 

 cemes. The erect, slender stem is usually 

 about two feet in height, and as a rule 

 there are no leaves present at the flower- 



ing time. 



Charles S. Raddin. 



THE CALL OF THE PARTRIDGE. 



The fields are wet, the fields are green, 

 All things are glad and growing, 

 And fresh and cool across the pool 

 The gentle wind is blowing. 

 Tho' humid clouds yet fill the sky, 

 The rain has ceased its falling, 

 And from his rail across the swale, 

 I hear the partridge calling, 

 The spotted partridge calling. 



Through the silence not a note 



His listening ear is greeting. 



But hear! O hear — how loud and clear 



His call he is repeating, 



What pleading lingers in his tone, 



What tenderness revealing. 



O, soft and sweet across the wheat, 



A timid answer's stealing, 



The timid answer's stealing. 



-Belle Hitchcock. 



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