The erect stalk, from 2 to 4 feet high, branches near the summit, and is leafy all the way; it is large, round, and smooth. Color, green, or frequently a dark, rich, purplish-red, with a bloom upon it. The leaves are variable in shape and size; the root-leaves are large, often and deeply cleft, and set on a 3- to 5-inch stem; the lower leaves of the stalk are broad, faintly notched or 3-cleft; while the upper leaves are long and narrow, with entire margins. Their texture is thin (when dried, like paper in quality), and their surface smooth. In color, a dark cool green. The flower-head is composed of 8 or 12 small “strap-shaped” blossoms hanging from a cup; they are cream colored, tinged with lilac; the cup is composed of 8 narrow, pinkish-gray parts; the stamens are noticeable because their tips split and curl spirally,--they are cream colored also. A few small bracts occur at the base of the flower-head, which droops on a small stem. The heads are arranged in little clusters springing from the angles of the branches and leaves. As the flower-head matures, there may be found within its nodding cup a bunch of fine reddish hairs, like a sable paint brush,--later this opens into a downy seed tassel. The fine stalk gives the plant a distinguished appearance. [Illustration: WHITE LETTUCE: Prenanthes alba.] *Rattlesnake-root.* _Prenanthes altissima._ Found during August and September on the edge of dark woods, and in damp places, that are shaded. The stalk, often about 3 feet high, sometimes attains to more than man’s stature; it is very erect, branches only for flowers, is leafy, round, firm-fibred, and smooth. Green in color. The root-leaves are large (2 or 3 inches in length), wedge-shaped, or 3- to 5-divided; the upper leaves are smaller, varying from a wedge or heart-shape to a long-pointed oval. They all have entire, or faintly notched margins, and the midribs, shining above, are rough beneath. They are set on stems, which are sometimes provided with narrow spreading margins; the arrangement is alternate, with a certain interval between. The flower is small, “strap-shaped,” with a square notched tip; cream-white in color. 5 or 6 are included in a tubular cup, composed of a close-folded row of narrow, green or purplish, pale, leafy parts; these cups are set nodding on slight foot-stems, and arranged in small irregular groups, on short branches, which form a long, irregularly arranged terminal spike. The blossoms are so small they are quite out of proportion to the height and strength of the stalk; their habit is scattering, and only a few heads open at the same time. The plant is most effective when all its stiff little downy seeds are spreading themselves for flight. [Illustration: RATTLESNAKE-ROOT: P. altissima.] *Bur Marigold.* _Bidens cernua._ Found through August and September in swampy grounds. It is very common, and grows from 1 to 5 feet in height.