New-York tribune., 1902-05-12
NAY WILD FLOW ERS,
WOODLAND TRIP WITH A NATURALIST
INTERESTING GOSSIP ABOUT
FAMILIAR WEEDS.

Within half hour of this city there is a stretch
Of Unspoiled woods rich in thick carpetngs Of
nosses and spring flowers and vibrant with the
song of birds It TO this fragrant spot that
the Normal College AIumns Science Class. led by
Mrs John L NorthrOp. took its regular outing
last week The party. which comprised a score
Of mothers, kndergartners and students all armed
with botanical boxes and tools. at the Fort
Lee ferry. One-hundred-and-thrtieth From the
landing on the Jersey shore a trolley ride Of ten
or fifteen minutes taken the PaAsade Park
Road. where the company aghted and followed
its leader in quest Of mat teriaL" The roadside at
this point and for distance bordered
with swamp and low blueberry and huckleberry
bushes, which were in full bloom. Mrs. Northrop
pointed out the distinctive features Of each, and
blueberries and huckleberries. leaf and flower
will never be mista ken for each other again by
members of the class
The foliage Of the blueberry has a blush cast
and a bloom similar that of the fruit. while the
leaves of the huckleberry a yellowish green
The flowers OF the blueberry. ike those Of the
huckleberry. grow in short clusters, but the tiny
shells of the blueberry are larger than those of
the huckleberry and family tinted white. while
the flowers Of the hUckleberry are a brilliant red
Along one side of the road aziy flows A quiet
brook of clear spring water mile below II
makes a mighty leap and rushes 70 the river
From its sparkling depths a variety OF snalls were
brought shore by the small boy Of the party
for his aquarium The clay bottom Of the stream
was hailed with delight by Of the teachers
whose youngsters are making certain mineral col
lections A dainty island Of white volets cleaned
amid the ri7pIes of the water. and marsh butter
cups gIittered on the banks From the bottom nf
the pretty brook quantity OF forget-me-not plants
are preparing for their long season or azure
bloom.
on a wild cherry tree just inside the woods an
energetic family Of tent caterpillars had made long
strides in its architectural task and the youthful
members Of the community were fast neNourihE
the foliage OF the tree. The ground was covered
with pansies and spring beauties. but the latter.
rnstaking the cloudy sky for evening were falilhs
asleep.
After goodly collections had been accumulated
by the party halt made at a heap of nature
piled stones and upon it the members seated them
selves while Mrs Northrop examined their treas
ures and described interesting traits and chaTac-
teristics.
An unexpected and delightful incident Of this
period of the trip the appearance and apparent
Indifference to humans Of rose breasted gross
beak. which alighted on an elm branch over the
heads of the group and devoted itself tn its meal or
Young fruit The rose breasted grossbeaK is a
migrant in this vicinity. only remaining two or
three weeks at a time. Its beak is TOO large tor
Leauty. but its gorgeous wing Innings and DID
atone for the defect Its back is black and white
Another bird the oven bird. or golden
crowned thrush, which IS. in reality no thrush At
al btt "aFo-eI. II was rl5s % .Iu ma ma, itG
Teacher teacher. teacher" This call IS delivered
walkers It's me nelodlous strains it reserves for
flight wood thrush. senteei me manner pro
L
minutes. regarding the party 49,,
Several Of PickerlnE's tree frogs dainty little
fellows. not over a half inch in length. capt
ured, and will spend the rest Of their lives in ter
raria- The path through the woods was thick
with them. The little creatures also known
hylas They make the high. shrtll sound that
emauates from ponds IN March and April There
wers wood frogs, too. They are little larger, and
always be- told by the dark marks over their
| eyes and back Of their ears They live In damp
woods ErasshOpper was overtakeu. but was
allowed 20 live 7 is rule OF the class. strictly
enforced hy Mrs Northrop. that needless loss OF
life. either animal or vegetable shall result from
| the outings
! When a brilliant columbine was discovered grow
| ing from the cleft rock where the party
| rested. OF the members quoted from Emerson
"A woodland walk.
4 quest Of river grapes a mocktUE thrush
A wild rose or rock loving coiumbue.
Salve my wounds
In the boxes In addition 20 the flowers men
toned We're SoiomOn's seals. wood be,ony. ginseng
| Jack-in-the-pulpits beNworts wild geraniurns.
| pussy foots auenon~ and doEwood and host
Of Interesting facts regarding them were brought
! 10 light
| The Solomon's seal derived its name from the
| seal.ke appearance OF the root stock. which
| cumulates "A for every year OF It's life Its
| generic title. poyEOuatum, signifies many knees"
| and suggested by the same Chara cteristic.
| The wood betony. which bears a beautiful spring
! flower but has ragged seed pod familiar fan
| roadsides IS OF the weeds 10 which great