rocky hillside on which the Traih'ng 

 Arbutus is frequently found, swarms 

 with ants which are debarred from the 

 blossoms by hairs which project upward 

 from the inner surfaces of the corolla 

 and the outer surfaces of the ovary and 

 style and effectually prevent the ants 

 from entering but are not sufficiently 

 rigid to keep out the larger insects. 



As a rule, the pollen bearing flowers 

 are larger and whiter than the others. 

 The stigma bearing blossoms, while 

 small, more than offset their defect by 

 a rosy color which makes the flowers 

 far more attractive than their larger but 

 paler rivals. 



Very little success has been achieved 

 in domesticating the Trailing Arbutus. 

 It is essentially a wild creature and 

 prefers to waste its fragrance on \he 

 desert air. Success may be had, how- 

 ever, if the conditions under which the 

 plants are found growing are preserved 

 as nearly as possible. Yearling plants 

 should be selected and plenty of roots 

 taken or results can be obtained from 

 planting seeds, but as these are diffi- 

 cult to obtain, the other method is the 

 more satisfactory. 



Charles S. Raddin. 



TRAILING ARBUTUS. 



Ah, quite alone these April days 

 It blossoms to evoke my praise; 

 And hyacinthine scents are shed 

 To bless^and cheer me, hither led. 



Upon this sheltered, upland knoll, 

 At early dawn I often stroll; 

 White clusters edged with crimson hue 

 Lie here, impearled with crystal dew. 



The leaves, like memories, evergreen, 

 The blooms, like truth, of purest sheen; 

 The cup within, like some fair breast 

 Where holy thoughts can surely rest. 



How worthy of its meek renown! 

 Delightful gem for beauty's crown. 

 O'er it with joy can poet brood; 

 It breathes of God in solitude. 



— George Bancroft Griffith, 



231 



