CHAPTER VIII 



JACK-IN-THE-PULPIT AND HIS FRIENDS 



Ever since Violets have bloomed, Jack-in-the- 

 pulpit has been in the woods. I have not men- 

 tioned this before because there were so many 

 other things to say; and also because most boys 

 and girls already know Jack quite well. 



It would be a hard matter, I think, for any one 

 to miss seeing the Preacher, as Jack-in-the-pulpit 

 is also called. First of all two tall, large leaves 

 come up from the ground and they are both di- 

 vided into three pointed leaflets. They stand up 

 straight above the flower's head, quite as though 

 it were their intention to make sure it should have 

 enough shade. For even in the thick woods where 

 the Preacher loves to grow there slips in some- 

 times warm, bright sunlight, which doesn't suit 

 Jack. But with the two leaves flaring overhead, 

 the flower is just as well shaded as though it had 

 a parasol. 



The flower part, that every one calls the pulpit, 

 grows on a little stalk of its own which is tucked in 

 between the leaves. It looks like a funny leaf, 

 closed together at the bottom, and ending in a 

 long point which hangs down. Grandmother says 

 it is something like the hood over an old-fashioned 



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