54 



tent by the persimmon, of which several improved kinds are 

 grown here. The first of these have been ripe for some time, and 

 notwithstanding the fact that there has been no frost, are as mild 

 and agreeable to the taste as one could wish. 



Leaving the city for the country, one finds many blossoms to 

 interest him. Chief in my estimation is the passion flower (Pas- 

 siiiora incarnata) which clambers over the low bushes and con- 

 tinues to hang out its large purple and white flowers. The fruit is 

 a small melon-like affair and is known as a maypop to the few 

 who are interested in such matters. I have not yet had an op- 

 portunity of tasting it, but if the flavor should approach that of its 

 relative further South, the grenadilla, I should consider it worth 

 going some distance to get. 



This part of the world is so low, and the soil is so little above 

 the point of saturation, that in many places one must keep pretty 

 close to the road or railway while botanizing. As a result of this 

 moisture the plant covering consists principally of swamp-loving 

 species. The cypress is most abundant and shares with the live 

 oak the honor of being the host of the gray moss. In open places 

 the ubiquitous cat-tail rears its well-known spikes, while here and 

 there a gigantic species of arrow-head ( Sagittaria) with spoon- 

 shaped leaves appears. Another familiar species, the button- 

 bush (Cephalanthus Occident alls) is plentiful, and, what im- 

 presses me as curious, is just coming into bloom. Certainly the 

 same species does not bloom with the late goldenrods at the 

 North ; then why should it do so here ? The question remains un- 

 answered. 



Where the button-bushes abound, one usually finds the 

 climbing boneset (Mikania scandens) festooning the branches. 

 This is by right a Southern plant, but having first seen it in the 

 Long Island and New Jersey swamps, I can hardly fit it into this 

 ' scene as being a native. In drier places, as along roadsides, the 

 purple clusters of the iron weed (Vcrnonia) light up the green. 



