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 
sufficient in itself* 
Wild life lingers by the river, finding protection 
D 
