Ibeatb Jfamil^. 



Cassandra. Cassandra calyculata. 



Leather-leaf. 



Found in April and May, in marshes and swamps, sometimes 

 standing in water to the depth of two feet. 



This shrub, about 3 or 4 feet high, branches often, and is tough- 

 fibred ; the bark when new is smooth, but is inclined to become frayed 

 and to split when it is old. The color is brown, of a golden hue. 



The leaf is oval, widest near the tip, the midrib is prominent be- 

 neath, the margin is entire and slightly thickened on the edge, the 

 texture is coarse grained and tough, but not thick ; while the upper 

 surface is smooth and shining, the underside is dull. It is evergreen ; 

 in color green, rusty underneath. The arrangement is alternate, and 

 close together, and the leaves are so set as to point upwards ; their 

 short stems are often reddish. 



The corolla is a small 5-poiuted bell, curved inwards at the throat 

 and spreading its points to show the thread-like, green pistil ; of a fine 

 smooth texture and pure white ; the 5-parted calyx is curved closely to 

 the bell, — white, or yellow, or tawny-tinted ; at its base are found 2 

 little rusty, or white bracts. The flowers are set on short rusty stems 

 which grow from the angles of the leaves, and turn downward. 



It is worth the effort to discover the shy Cassandra's haunts, in 

 order to see the bush, its slender branches set close with pretty hanging 

 bells beneath the alert leaves, that stand upiight above them, in 

 watchful military I'ows. 



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