282 
THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
latter^ higher, in neither case reaching you ; the angle of 
reflection being always the same as that of incidence. The 
number of syllables returned depends on the time occupied 
in pronouncing them, and the distance ; varying, however, 
to some extent, from the state of the atmosphere. 
C. — What flowers are these, growing in this marshy 
place beside the road ? 
— • The first is called the Snake-head C Chelone Glabra J, 
from a fancied resemblance which the flower bears to the head 
of a snake or a tortoise. It is a large and handsome labiate 
flower, and the number of white blossoms, growing in a tall 
spike, something resembling the Foxglove, gives it a striking 
appearance. Here is another plant peculiar to wet 
soils, being found chiefly in marshes, and at the edges of brooks 
and ponds. It is called Wild Chocolate (GeumRivaleJ^ 
from a supposed resemblance of the roots to that substance 
in taste. The root is long, horizontal, and somewhat thick 
and solid ; it is of a purplish red colour externally ; has an 
aromatic flavour ; and, being astringent, is often dug up, 
washed, and boiled, for the relief of diarrhoea, a complaint 
to which strangers coming hither are subject for some time. 
The decoction I have proved to be efficacious, and it is not 
an unpleasant drink. The flowers are not conspicuous for 
beauty, of a dull reddish brown ; but the seeds are very 
curious, being terminated by a bent hooked tail or awn, 
which, as well as the receptacle and most of the plant, is 
hairy. — The Choke Cherry ( Prunus Serotina J is 
ripe : here is a bush on which the fruit is abundant ; taste 
it. 
C. — It is sweet and pleasant ; but so very astringent 
that it well deserves its name of choke cherry ; it dries the 
mouth and throat like the cones of the spruce or oak galls. 
The glossy scarlet fruit is very beautiful. 
jP. — In yonder patches of Indian ¥/ickup f Epilohium 
