WHITE AND GREENISH WILD FLOWERS 
but their efficacy is questionable. Somewhere, it is 
said, the flowers are used for flavouring snuff and 
tobacco. Many persons have been mistaken in their 
belief that this plant supplied the material used by the 
northern Indians who weave the scented sweet-grass 
novelties that are offered to us conditionally, every- 
where we turn during our summer outings. The 
White Melilot is an annual or bi-annual herb, coming 
to us from Europe and it is also a native of Asia. It 
flourishes in the greatest profusion along our country 
roadsides everywhere, and blossoms from June to 
November, when Jack Frost cuts it down. The 
widely branching stalk rises from three to ten feet in 
height and is generally smooth The comparatively 
small leaves are short-stemmed and three-parted. The 
leaflets are long-oblong in shape and their margins are 
toothed. They are narrow at the base and round at the 
tip, which is either blunt or nicked. Many small, white 
florets form the long, slender, flowing spike which, on 
account of its abundance of nectar, attracts myriads of 
insects and bees. The flowers are pleasantly scented. 
POISON IVY. POISON OAK. MERCURY 
Rhiis Toxicodéndron. Sumac Family. 
Nearly everyone is familiar with the unpleasant effects 
produced by contact with this treacherous and exceed- 
ingly poisonous vine, which has undoubtedly caused 
more harm to mankind than all other plants together. 
The actual poison has been traced to a powerful, non- 
volatile oil contained in all parts of the plant, and which 
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