
          573.

been plenty of rain,  I felt as dry as when I started out. Having
on my rubber boots I felt that I could wade into the pond with
impunity. One of the first plant I determined to examine was
the Brasenia.  The first patch was not in bloom, neither was the second
but looking at the third I was greatly pleased and surprised to
find several pretty although small purple blooms, held well up
out of the water.  I secured one of the flowers and noticed that its
stalk was covered with the gelatinous substance similar to that
which covers the other submerged parts of the plant.  The flower had
3 sepals and 3 petals all colored alike and on acc't of their spreading
reflexed habit made the flower look very lily-like. It seems
strange that although knowing the plant for four years, I now
first find it in flower.  The flowers  are conspicuous enough, so
could not have been overlooked, had they been there on former occasions.
No doubt the plant must become a certain age before it is
capable of blooming.  Close at hand was the Marsilia[Marsilea].[note at top of page: Near this spot I planted some seed of Viola stricta.]   It has
spread wonderfully and has formed several distinct patches.  I took
several patches with soil & put them into my vasculum; later
when opened I noticed that the plants had <s>closed</s> folded their
leaves as they are said to do at night.  Following the edge
        