WILD FLOWERS BLUE AND PURPLE 
for half its length. This species ranges from Maine 
to Manitoba, south to the Gulf States. 
MONKEY FLOWER 
Mimulus ringens. Figwort Family. 
With erected ears and extended jowls, this gaping, 
grinning ape of the damp, grassy jungle greets us cutely 
with its impudent, animated poise, from June to Sep- 
tember. Ifits lower lip is pulled downward and allowed 
to close again, the operation causes one to experience 
a strong inclination to yawn. And right here, this same 
operation fancifully suggests an exaggerated grin that 
has given rise to its Latin name, which is derived from 
the Greek, mimus, a small, mimicking ape or buffoon. 
The square-stemmed Monkey Flower is usually found 
in moist meadows or swamp land, particularly along 
cool streams and in company with rank growths of 
grass and other vegetation peculiar thereto. Here their 
pertinent, inquisitive flowers seem to strain their tethers 
in an effort to satisfy their apparent curiosity at one’s 
presence. The attractive blossoms open one or two 
at a time toward the top of the slender, leafy stalk. 
Their pale violet or occasionally white corolla appears 
delightfully cool and cheerful on a hot, midsummer’s 
day, and it is a pleasant relief to come unexpectantly 
upon them, as is often the case when the path follows 
along the near bank of a stream. The smooth, hollow 
stalk is erect and rises from one to three feet in height. 
Two of its sides are flattened, and the other two are 
deeply grooved. These flattened surfaces alternate 
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