390 PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 



favorable to the growth of many species of herbaceous plants ; and to the 

 presence of this river our Canadian division probably owes some species 

 which would otherwise be wanting. A marked resemblance is seen also 

 between the herbaceous flora of the water-shed between the Merrimack 

 and Connecticut, and that at the base of the White Mountains. 



It is regretted that the space of this article will permit the mention of 

 but few of the great variety of herbs with which the hand of the Creator 

 has made glad our fields and forests ; but the book of Nature is ever open, 

 and all who will may read. The vernal species, which attract the atten- 

 tion of the lover of nature, are mostly modest and delicate. Peering 

 through the brown carpet of fallen leaves in our woodlands, we find in 

 early spring the yellow violet, the dwarf ginseng, the yellow bellwort, 

 trilliums, Solomon's seal, the frail blossoms of the bloodroot, and the 

 hepatica, with its downy young leaves and white or sky-blue flowers. 



A little later the shining leaves and yellow bells of the Clintonia show 

 themselves beneath the shade of the hemlocks ; and in the open glades 

 nods the little wood anemone or wind-flower. In the crevices of ledges 

 are found the early saxifrage and the wild columbine, popularly called 

 "honeysuckle," whose curiously formed flowers swing in every passing 

 breeze. The bright white flower of the false mitrewort appears in all 

 marshy places. Violets are found in almost every kind of soil; and 

 nearly every species of the Northern states finds its home in New Hamp- 

 shire. 



In upland woods we find, modestly trailing around the roots of moss- 

 grown trees, the fragrant twin flower (Linnaa borealis), whose botanical 

 name was given in honor of Linnaeus, who first discovered it in Lapland, 

 and with whom it was an especial favorite. Growing in evergreen woods 

 are four species of pyrola, or wintergreen, the prince's pine, Indian pipe, 

 and pine sap. On the sandy plains toward the coast the wild lupine, 

 blazing star, and butterfly-weed are not uncommon. In rich, moist places 

 we find the jewel-weed, or wild balsam. Water lilies occur in all muddy 

 streams and ponds, the yellow flowered species having a wide range and 

 reaching to the alpine ponds of the White Mountains. In the rich 

 meadows along the rivers grows the beautiful Canada lily, and the well 

 known red lily is common to all pastures. The cardinal flower rears its 

 flaming spikes along the brooksides in August. Springing up in great 



