place of growth it is not as easily obtained in large quantities as 

 trees growing in drier soil, and without its sometimes almost im- 

 passible barricade of roots, arching and twisting above the surface 

 of the swamp, and amid these the massive trunks of fallen trees. 



Grand indeed are many of these old trees in their rugged bark 

 and the green and gray of moss and lichen, while some are not 

 only grand but very beautiful as they are overhung with delicate or 

 heavy arabesques of clinging vines that sometimes hide completely 

 the rudeness of their support, and sometimes but partly cover it, 

 while making that which is not concealed all the ruder as it con- 

 trasts with their own grace. There are many more species of 

 twining plants and vines growing wild in Illinois than in New 

 England, and, as with the trees, so with the vines, our familiar 

 friends are so large and luxuriant that we scarcely recognize them. 

 The poison ivy, Virginia creeper, or woodbine, and wild grape are 

 all found there and are largest of the vines. They 



pletely cover, not only 1 



as well, 



tightly embracing their support as to destroy it. 

 They reach the very top of the highest trees, and are found with 

 stems a foot or more in diameter near the ground. Not alw 

 do these climbers cover and destroy green and 

 their fullest beauty is reached as they drape the naked, seared 

 trunk from which life has long since gone, thus changing the mi- 

 sightly and uncouth into noble shafts of living green. 



Beside* 



these giant vines there are many smaller and more delicate. »o me 

 of these, as the wild yam, moonseed, hop, four or five species of 

 smilax, or greenbrier, and other allied forms which are beautiful 

 for the green of their foliage and attractive mode of growth, but 

 with inconspicuous flowers, fill many a thicket with masses of tan- 

 gled cords. Others have the double beauty of foliage and flowers, 

 the grace of pendant branch and twining stem being completed in 

 the more splendid charm of clusters of flowers. Chief of these, 

 as it is chief of all our native vines, is the Wistaria, found native 

 in Southern Illinois. Superb is this vine when of large size and 

 in the full glory of bloom, the large clusters of rich purple flowers 

 hanging thickly over the soft green of the leaves. Yet more 

 showy, though less elegant, is the Bignonia, or trumpet creeper, as 

 its clusters of orange buds and flowers gleam like some bright 



