74 WILD FLOWER FAMILIES 
foam. Such a sight is one of the most beautiful 
and characteristic of those to be seen in the May 
woods. The flowers are borne:in masses on the 
end of a stalk about eight inches high, while the 
round or heart-shaped leaves, with many points, 
are borne on stems of about the same length. The 
species is found from Nova Scotia to Georgia, 
west to the Mississippi Valley. 
Mirrewort. The tiny flowers of the Mitre- 
wort, or Bishop’s-cap, have well been likened to 
minute white erystals. They are strung singly 
on short stems, along the main flower-stalk, mak- 
ing much less show than do the Foam-flowers. 
The two plants are found in the same sort of situa- 
tion, however, being especially common in wet 
places in rich woods, from Canada to Kentucky. 
When the petals drop off the tiny fruit pods form 
miniature mitres or bishop’s-caps, from which 
the plant gets its names. The time of blossoming 
of these flowers is indicated by Longfellow in this 
verse: F é 
At Pentecost, which brings 
The Spring, clothed like a bride, 
When nestling buds unfold their wings, 
And bishop’s caps have golden rings, 
Musing upon many things, 
I sought the woodlands wide. 
There are two species of Mitreworts: the Two- 
leaved Mitrewort has two opposite leaves upon 
the flower stalk; the Smaller Mitrewort lacks 
these. 
