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plant first found in flower this year.  Passing [crossing] the little run
I noticed, that the air seemed laden with the perfume of
Smplocarpus [Symplocarpus] foetidus.  This, however, was not the place
where I knew it to grow in profusion, so kept on out the
road.  While examining a plant (Taraxacum) to see if it had
buds, I noticed a little grasshopper in the larva stage, the poor 
little thing must have been very cold, for it allowed itself to
be picked up and showed but very little activity.  I soon
reached the swampy ground where Symplocarpus grows so
plentifully.  Entering the place, following the little run, which
soon divided into a number of branches and spreads over
a wooded swamp.  I was somewhat surprised to see a
little snake (<s>about</s> between 2 ft [illegible] 30 in l [length]) sunning itself.  He too seemed
quite torpid.  I came very close to him, but he seemed to be
in no humour to move.  I took a little stick, and rubbed
his head, he did not seem to mind this and, I thought, liked
it.  I then rubbed the side of his neck and then the side
of his body, all the time talking to him.  When I began 
rubbing his neck, he began stretching forth his long bifid tongue
and suddenly, without further warning struck towards the stick
        