WILD FLOWERS YELLOW AND ORANGE 
stalk, leaf and flower, surely indicates the perfection 
of a vigorous, healthy growth, which they enjoy, 
and were it less snappy and effective, it might be called 
coarse, rather than delicate. The large, showy, 
saucer-shaped flower measures an inch or an inch and 
a half across, and resembles a good-sized Buttercup 3 
much as anything. Like the Hepaticas, the Marsr 
Marigolds do not possess true petals; but the broad 
oval sepals, from five to ten in number, serve in their 
stead. The glossy, delicate-textured flowers emit a 
slight odour, and have numerous stamens and pistils. 
The stout, smooth, hollow stalk is often branched at 
the top where the flowers are borne during April, May, 
and June, and it grows a foot or two in height. The 
smooth, rich, bright green leaves are generally rounded 
and heart-shaped at the base, and are broader than 
long. The lower ones have long, thick stems, rising 
directly from the root. The upper ones are usually 
stemless, and are set directly on the stalk, particu- 
larly where it branches. The leaves are used as a 
spring vegetable, and, together with the stalks and 
buds, are boiléd and eaten like spinach, to which it 
is said to be superior. The Marsh Marigolds range 
from New Brunswick to the Rocky Mountains, and 
south to Iowa and South Carolina. 
COMMON BARBERRY. PEPPERIDGE BUSH 
Bérberis vulgaris. Barberry Family. 
The Barberry becomes conspicuous during Septem- 
ber and October, when its beautiful pendant clusters 
323 
