42 THROUGH LEAFY PATHS. 



as with a rule. The arrangement of these ribs, 

 however, is inclined to vary. In some specimens 

 these nerves are opposite along the basal half of 

 the midrib, but become alternate toward the point. 

 Some are alternate at the base, but become oppo- 

 site half way up, while on other leaves the ribs 

 are alternate or opposite throughout the entire 

 length. 



The Dogwoods, or Cornels, too, are putting out. 

 There is a peculiar physiognomy about the leaves 

 of the species, though it can hardly be described, 

 which at once shows to the observing rambler 

 their Cornus blood. All of them have entire mar- 

 gins and are oval-shaped and pointed. 



Along the swampy shore of a pond, where on 

 one side rises abruptly a rocky slope studded with 

 tall, straight Chestnut-trunks, I have paused to 

 note a small tree among the boulders which is not 

 very common in the northern and middle New 

 England woods. It is the flowering Dogwood, 

 Corniis florida, a big brother to the dwarf Bunch- 

 berry. With the exception of its humble relative 

 it is the only species here that has its flowers in 

 close heads. These heads are surrounded by four 

 large snow-white, corolla-like, heart-shaped leaves 

 that appear sometime before the little greenish 

 yellow flowers open, and, when viewed amidst the 

 young foliage or against the gray background of 

 boles, ledges and the dead leaves of the forest- 



