The minute flowers, and projecting pistils, are white; and grouped in small heads, enclosed in vase-shaped cups of green, on short stems. The heads are arranged in close, rather flat-topped clusters on the top of the stalk, and springing from the angles of the upper leaves. This plant comes into bloom in company with its next of kin, Joe Pye and Boneset; it thrives well under cultivation, and certainly is worthy of a better name than “Snake-root,”--which is, perhaps, the reason it is so generally known by “Eupatorium,” the generic name it shares with so many others. It is much frequented by some small creature who leaves a pale labyrinthine trail etched on the broad surface of its leaves. [Illustration: EUPATORIUM: E. ageratoides.] *Joe Pye Weed.* _Eupatorium purpureum._ *Trumpet Weed.* Found in moist grounds, ditches, and meadows, during August and September. The erect, single, and leafy stalk varies from 4 to 8, or even sometimes 9, feet in height; it is large, and stout, and roughish to the touch. The color is a dull pinkish-purple. The leaf is large, and oblong, tapering at both ends, the tip becoming a long slender point; the margin is notched, the ribs form a stout netted framework, the texture is coarse, and the surface is roughened. The leaves are set on very short stems, and arranged in whorls, of 3 to 6, about the stalk, at regular intervals. In color they are a strong vigorous green, the ribs often tinged with purplish-pink. The small tubular flowers, and projecting thread-like pistils, are, in color, a light pinky purple; they are grouped in small heads, whose cups, and short foot-stems, are of the same color. The heads are arranged in thickly branching, large, more or less flat-topped, terminal clusters. Joe Pye is a striking plant, of vigorous growth, whose large whorls of leaves are full of sweeping curves. Out of the sunlight and close at hand the flowers seem a little dingy in color, but by the wayside it is pleasing in tone. Why “Joe Pye”? [Illustration: JOE PYE WEED: E. purpureum.] *Common Thistle.* _Cnicus lanceolatus._ Found in pastures during July and August. The branching, leafy stalk is 1 or 2 feet high; large, round, and tough-fibred; covered with white wool. In color, green. The leaf is long, and narrow, tapering to a long point, with a large, stout, and curling midrib; the margin is deeply, and often cut, and armed at every point by strong, stiff, thorn-like spines. The texture is tough, and the upper surface is prickly, while the under is woolly with web-like hairs. The leaf clasps the stalk, and hugs it for a full inch or more before it springs away with a free curve; the lobes are ruffled, and flaring, as they lie along the stalk. The arrangement is alternate, and rather near together. The color is green, lighter at the midrib.