WATER-LILIES or 
emerge the yellow catkins of the swamp willow, 
first; then the long tassels of the graceful 
alders expand and droop, till they weep their 
yellow dust upon the water; then come the 
birch blossoms, more tardily; then the downy 
leaves and white clusters of the medlar or shad- 
bush (Amelanchier Canadensis); these drop- 
ping, the roseate chalices of the mountain laurel 
open; as they fade into melancholy brown, the 
sweet Azalea uncloses; and before its last 
honeyed blossom has trailed down, dying, from 
the stem, the more fragrant Clethra starts out 
above, the button-bush thrusts forth its merry 
face amid wild roses, and the Clematis waves 
its sprays of beauty. Muingled with these grow, 
lower, the spirzas, white and pink, yellow 
touch-me-not, fresh white arrowhead, bright 
blue vervain and skullcap, dull snakehead, gay 
monkey flower, coarse eupatoriums, milkweeds, 
goldenrods, asters, thistles, and a host beside. 
Beneath, the brilliant scarlet cardinal flower 
begins to palisade the moist shores ; and after 
its superb reflection has passed away from the 
waters, the grotesque witch-hazel flares out its 
narrow yellow petals amidst the October leaves, 
and so ends the floral year. There is not a 
week during all these months when one cannot 
stand in the boat and wreathe garlands of blos- 
soms from the shores. 
