AN INDOLENT RIVER 49 



ground and climbing up, a parasite, on the sturdy 

 herbage that will splash the shores with brilliant 

 colours in the fall. The Scented Water Lily, in all its 

 glory, appears on the floating carpet of leaves in 

 every pool banked off from the winding channel. 

 The Yellow Lily, more vigorous and less dainty, 

 challenges admiration by rising above the surface 

 where matted leaves give a deceptive aspect of 

 solidity. Smooth, worn portages at every curve show 

 how these ponds are invaded by flower-gatherers, 

 but Water Lilies defy extermination. Sometimes in 

 early morning baby-like footprints and long, trailing 

 grooves show where the Muskrats have passed over 

 the canoe portages during the night. Helplessly 

 diminutive footprints of the river mice are also seen 

 in the soft mud. The familiar Marsh Marigold, the 

 Water Arum, and the graceful leaves and fragile, 

 white-yellow flowers of the Arrowhead stand in the 

 shallow margins of the pools. On firmer ground the 

 rich blue loops of the Closed Gentian hide in the 

 marsh grass, and all the more confiding flowers 

 come eagerly forward for recognition. The stream 

 moves leisurely back and forth, touching the high 

 banks with regular alternations, and rounding off 

 marshy flats with quiet pools, where the flowers grow. 

 Its own margins have no floral adornments — it is 

 suflicient in itself. 

 Wild life lingers by the river, finding protection 



