280 UNDER THE OPEN SKY 



intensely sharp needle-like crystals of oxa- 

 late of lime. These get into the tongue 

 and lining of the mouth, and irritate it so 

 intensely that I imagine few animals ever 

 need more than one taste. 



POISONOUS ROOTS 



Some plants, like the wild parsnip, are 

 vindictive enough to kill the burglar who 

 steals their stores. They mingle poison with 

 the starch. But the religious training of Jack- 

 in-the-pulpit has at least gone far enough to 

 keep him from such extremes, and he simply 

 preaches the robber a most pungent homily 

 and one not likely to be soon forgotten. 



The bareness of the woods in January 

 puts many of Nature's small creatures under 

 the necessity of keeping as thoroughly out 

 of sight as is possible. 



NATURE'S LESSON TO HELPLESS 

 ANIMALS 



If you look like the ground, sit still and 

 you are safe. This is Nature's first lesson 

 to a helpless animal. It is the hopping 



