Chimaphila maculata. 41 



About a span high. Root perennial, horizontal, somewhat thicker 

 than a crow-quill, contorted near the stem, of a yellow colour ; 

 same roots sometimes, though rarely, sending up two or more red- 

 dish-purple stems. Leaves collected together to the number of four 

 or six, generally in two clusters, appearing somewhat like two 

 whorls ; ovate-lanceolate, those of the lower cluster occasionally 

 quite ovate, acute, deeply incised with irregular and distant serra- 

 tures; dark olive-green above, marked by a longitudinal whitish line, 

 intersected by a similar discolouration in the direction of the veins, 

 light dull-green, tinged with reddish-purple underneath. Flowers 

 greenish-white, drooping, very fragrant, generally three, but some- 

 times only two on each stem, supported by greenish peduncles, 

 which arise from the apex of the stem. Petals generally five, but 

 sometimes six, ovate, cupped, slightly tinged with lake-red at base. 

 Stigma large, urceolate, depressed, furrowed, green, surmounted 

 with a flattened, viscous crown. Stamens ten ; sometimes, though 

 rarely, twelve, in which case there are six petals. Filaments stipi- 

 tate, stipe woolly or villous, anthers greenish-blue. 



Grows in dry sandy or gravelly woods, covered with loose, rich 

 mould or decayed leaves, from Canada to Georgia ; and as the C. 

 umbellata grows in Florida, the present species may be supposed 

 to accompany it there. Flowers in July. 



The genus Chimaphila was established by Pursh,and named from 

 xntf* hyemS) and <P'*«, amicus, the combination of which is indicative 



VOL.1. 12 



