VITACEÆ. *Virginia Creeper.* _Ampelopsis quinquefolia._ *American Ivy.* Found on rich ground, in woods and wayside thickets, blossoming in July. This is a high-climbing vine, with tough, woody-fibred stems, covered with a rough reddish-gray bark. The large leaf is compound, with the 5 leaflets starting from the same point; the leaflet is taper-pointed, notched on the edge, smooth, shining, of a thin texture, and dark green color. The leaves, alternate in growth, are set on foot-stems 2 or 3 inches long. The flowers are small, and inconspicuous, with their parts in fives and of a yellowish-green color; they grow in irregularly branching clusters from the angles of the leaves. The round blue-black berries, on thick red stems, ripen in October. The leaves turn a vivid scarlet, which flames out among the autumn colors. The vine climbs by the aid of tendrils which terminate in flat sucker-like discs. It is easily transplanted and often seen around dwellings. [Illustration: VIRGINIA CREEPER: Ampelopsis quinquefolia.] MILKWORT FAMILY. POLYGALACEÆ. *Flowering Wintergreen.* _Polygala paucifolia._ *Fringed Polygala.* Found in light woods during May. The single stalk is flattened beneath the leaf, from 3 to 5 inches in height, and slender. It is smooth, and strongly tinted with purple, even with crimson, at the foot. The lower leaves are small, clasping, and alternate; the upper are on stems, and form a terminal cluster of 4 or 5 around the flowers,--they are oval, with an entire margin, and a thick texture, smooth, and glossy green. The irregular-shaped flower, like a gayly colored fly, has a very delicate and fine texture, and is of an exquisite clear crimson tint, the one fringed petal being white, tinged with a light yellow-green. From 1 to 3 flowers, on their green stems, form a terminal cluster. These flowers are the idle beauties of the plant; the unnoted homely Cinderella flower, very small, misshapen, and dull, that sits down in the dust on a little side-stem close to the root, bears the seeds. The leaves last over winter, turning a rich crimson-bronze hue, almost as brilliant as the flowers; the fresh leaves are simultaneous in growth with the blossoms, unfolding as the buds swell. White varieties are occasionally found. [Illustration: FLOWERING WINTERGREEN: Polygala paucifolia.] *Milkwort.* _Polygala sanguinea._ Found in moist sandy soil, in September. The little wiry stalk, which branches near the top for the flowers, is 6 or 8 inches in height, grooved and twisted, and green in color. The line-like leaf, with its blunt tip, and entire margin, is somewhat thick, and its green color carries a hint of crimson. The leaves are alternate, near together, and clasping.