208 PEARLS AND PEBBLES. 



for although the black snake and the copper-head have 

 rather a doubtful reputation, I have never yet heard of 

 any injury being suffered from these obnoxious reptiles. 



All sorts of flies are bred in these marshy places — 

 mosquitoes, deer-flies and big gad-flies (the terror of the 

 cattle in the North-West, under the name of "bull dogs"), 

 and most likely those little torments, the Canadian 

 black flies, may nestle there, too. Owing to this rather 

 undesirable company, the lovely wild garden is rather 

 shunned by the timid botanist during the months of May 

 and June, when it puts forth its greatest attractions in 

 flowers and shrubs. 



To enter into this paradise of wild flowers and flies, 

 moths and beetles, the naturalist must not be afraid of 

 mosquitoes or wet feet, nor must he mind tripping in a 

 hidden network of tangled roots. Such accidents will 

 not hurt him, and if he is an enthusiastic botanist or 

 entomologist, he will laugh at such trifling matters and 

 scramble on in spite of black snakes or bull-frogs, to be 

 rewarded by finding many a rare bog orchid, unobtain- 

 able upon the dusty highways and byways among the 

 common haunts of men. 



Just fancy a young field naturalist returning from an 

 exploring tour in the cranberry marsh. He is hot and 

 tired, a good deal fly-bitten, dilapidated in dress and 

 appearance, somewhat the worse for wear, but with 

 looks that tell of unexpected good fortune. 



Having hastily satisfied his hunger and thirst at 



