The very small yellow petals of the flower are hidden within the calyx, two parts of which are larger than the others, and colored crimson. The flowers are so placed in a close cylindrical spike that these crimson calyx-parts are on the outside, overlapping each other in rows like tiles. These crimson spikes are on long stems that grow terminally, and from the angles of the leaves. The flowers bloom in a single row at a time at the bottom of the spike, which prolongs itself as the buds unfold; when the seeds ripen the lowest rows fall successively, leaving the brownish stem closely beset by the little withered foot-stems of the blossoms. [Illustration: MILKWORT: P. sanguinea.] PULSE FAMILY. LEGUMINOSÆ. *Wild Lupine.* _Lupinus perennis._ *Old-Maids’ Bonnets.* *Wild Pea.* Found in barren sandy fields, in June. The tough, woody-fibred, round stalk is about 1 or 2 feet high, erect and leafy, with a rough, hairy surface. The color is light green, with a considerable showing of red. The leaf is divided into 5 to 15 long narrow leaflets which radiate from a common center (“palmate”), each showing a strong midrib, with an entire margin; the texture is thin, and fine, and pleasing to the touch; the color is a soft green, paler underneath, showing a hint of red at the edge, the tip, and again at the stem. The leaves are set on stems, and arranged in little groups alternately. The flower has 5 petals: the upper is broad, erect, and much folded back; the side petals are closed about the lower petal, which is not observable until the blossom is ready to fall, when it pushes itself, and the stamens, forward. The upright petal is a deep beautiful red-purple or dark violet, the side petals are violet, lined with blue, the lower petal is tipped with purple; the calyx is 2-parted and green. The flowers, set on short red-purple stems, are arranged loosely in a long terminal spike. The blossom is odorous. In bud scarcely a trace of the purple tint shows, petals and calyx being pink and greenish-white,--even when the upright petal first turns back, only a few dainty flecks of dark color may be discerned; with maturity the purple and blue increase in depth. The blossoms at the base of the spike begin to open earliest. Not the least of the Lupine’s attractions is the graceful curve of the stalk,--rarely is the flower-spike stiffly erect. It is a communistic plant, spreading all over a sand plain and making it a field of blue in blossom time, the roots buried firmly and to a surprising depth in the loose soil. [Illustration: WILD LUPINE: Lupinus perennis.] *Vetch.* _Vicia Cracca._ *Tare.* Found along the borders of thickets, and in fields among grasses and grains, in June and July. The climbing, leafy stalk grows from 1 to 2 feet high; it is tough-fibred, and much grooved with fine lines. Color, green.