By the way, do you know
How the Insects Sing?
Or, rather, they do not sing, the noise they make is instrumental, not vocal, and their instruments are usually carried under their wings, a part of themselves to be played upon at will, when and where they choose.
The cicada’s instrument is a kind of drum, and, as if one would not be sufficiently noisy, he carries two, one behind each of his hind wings. He has no drum-sticks, but vibrates his drums until the natural buzzing sound rises almost to a shriek. Other insects play on other instruments, but, however the sound is made, each species has a note of its own, not to be mistaken for that of any other.
Deep in the forests where the dead leaves and pine-needles cover the ground you will be likely to find the well-known
Indian Pipe
the delight of all children and an object of interest to everyone. This wonderful little ghost flower, so purely white and so quickly blighted by exposure to sunlight appears to live for its beauty alone. As far as we know it is of absolutely no use, and does not even provide for itself, as do other plants. It is a root parasite and draws its nourishment from the roots of the pine upon which it has fastened itself. The stem as well as the blossom is silvery white, it has no foliage, and the flower at the end of the stalk bends its head as though ashamed of its idle life, but it continues to live on the vital juices of the roots and we call it the Indian Pipe because it somewhat resembles the long-stemmed Indian calumet, or pipe of peace. The botanists, however, know it as the Monotropa Uniflora.
Another beautiful inhabitant of the deep woods is the
Moccasin Flower
which arrays itself every summer in its spotted pink or yellow dress, and stands as proudly erect on its slender stalk as though troops of admirers were to pass its way, when, in fact, it is rarely seen save by those who seek it. As its name suggests, it resembles an Indian moccasin in shape, the hanging pouch forming the toe, while the heel is clasped by five pointed and twisted petals. Over the opening of the pouch there is a little flap, which has much to do with the fertilization of the flowers. The botanical name of this little orchid is the Cypripedium, and some call it lady-slipper, though it looks not at all like your slipper or mine.