This is one of the few true blue flowers of our flora; its color is pure and opaque, like that of a turquoise, or a fine enamel, and falls into harmony with the yellow of the center through an exquisite gradation of color. The plant remains in flower a long time, continually forming new buds, and leaving behind the little empty green calyx-cups on its ever-lengthening stem. The blossom of the wild plant is larger than that usually cultivated in the gardens; it is easily propagated by means of cuttings. [Illustration: FORGET-ME-NOT: Myosotis palustris.] *Blue Weed.* _Echium vulgare._ *Viper’s Bugloss.* *Blue Thistle (Vt.).* Found in July, in pastures chiefly, though occasionally straying along country roads. The stalk, from 3 to 4 or 5 feet in height, is large, and strong; it is branching with short stems which diminish as they near the top; the fibre is coarse, it is roughened with hairs, and its light green color is frequently dotted with rusty-purple freckles. The lower leaves are very long and narrow, occasionally cut or rudely notched on the edge, while the pointed upper leaves are entire; the texture is coarse, and rough to the touch; the color is green. The arrangement is alternate. The flower is an irregular vase-shape, spreading into 5 rounding divisions of unequal length, with a very small, green, 5-parted calyx; the corolla is a bright deep blue, the 4 stamens and the pistil are rose-colored. Several flowers are set in a single row along the upper side of a short stem, which is coiled tightly at first, but straightens itself as the rose-colored buds expand. Many of these stems form a large and conspicuous terminal spike; and singly grow from the upper branches. It is a pity this striking plant should have invaded the farmers’ pastures in such bold colonies as to be reckoned by him a pest, and so uprooted, for absolute blue flowers are rare. It deserves especial regard because of its unusual color combination of ultramarine and rose. The “spotted stem made men once think it efficacious for cure of viper’s bites, and its seeds, shaped like a viper’s head, confirmed the notion.” [Illustration: BLUE WEED: Echium vulgare.] CONVOLVULUS FAMILY. CONVOLVULACEÆ. *Upright Convolvulus.* _Convolvulus spithamæus._ Found in June, growing on dry and sandy places, in the open. The stalk is seldom over 10 inches in height, single, leafy, and erect; it is round, and downy with small hairs. Pale green in color, but red near the foot. The leaf is between 1 and 2 inches in length, oblong, with taper tip, and a narrow heart-shaped base; it is folded slightly on the midrib; all the ribs show plainly, the margin is entire, and the surface is roughened by hairs; in color a full green, somewhat lighter underneath, with a pinkish tint along the edge and the midrib. It is set on a short, downy, reddish stem. The arrangement is alternate.