JUNE. 85 



The flowers of innumerable forest-trees are in a state of 

 maturity, and the yellow dust from their flower-cups, 

 scattered widely over the earth, may be seen after 

 showers, covering the edges of the beds of dried water- 

 pools, in yellow circular streaks. 



The pines and other coniferous trees are in flower dur- 

 ing this month ; and the golden hues of their blossoms 

 contrast beautifully with the deep verdure of their foliage. 

 These trees, like others, shed their leaves in autumn ; but 

 it is the foliage of the preceding year that falls, leaving 

 that of the last summer still upon the trees. This foliage 

 is very slowly perishable, and covers the earth where it 

 falls, during all the year, with that brown, smooth, and 

 fragrant carpet, which is characteristic of a pine wood. 

 Among the flowers which are conspicuous on this brown 

 matted foliage is the purple lady's-slipper, whose inflated 

 blossoms often burst upon the sight of the rambler, as if 

 they had risen up by enchantment. In simUar haunts 

 the trientalis, unrivalled in the peculiar delicacy of its 

 flowers, that issue from a single whorl of pointed leaves, 

 supported upon a tall and slender footstalk, never fails 

 to attract the attention of the botanist and the lover of 

 nature. 



Our gardens, during the first of this month, exhibit few 

 exotics more beautiful than the Canadian rhodora, an in- 

 digenous shrub, which is at this time in full flower in the 

 wild pastures. It is from two to five feet in height, and 

 its brilliant purple flowers, unrivalled in delicacy, appear 

 on the extremities of the branches, when the leaves are 

 just beginning to unfold. It is rendered singularly attrac- 

 tive by the contrast between its purple hues, of peculiar 

 resplendency, and the whiteness of the flowers of almost 

 all other shrubs, at this season. This plant, by its flower- 

 ing, marks the commencement of summer, and may be 

 considered an apt symbol of the brilliant month of June. 



