[WILD HOLLYHOCK—Sidalcea malvæflora.]

The Indians find the slender twigs of this shrub very useful in their basket-making. By means of the thumb-nail or flints, they split them into threads, which they use as woof.

A closely allied species of Cercis, growing in Palestine, had, according to tradition, white flowers, until the arch-traitor Judas hanged himself from its limbs, when it blushed pink for very shame.

In medieval Europe the Judas-tree was believed to be a favorite rendezvous for witches, and it was considered dangerous to approach one at nightfall.

HUCKLEBERRY.

Vaccinium ovatum, Pursh. Heath Family.

Evergreen shrubs, three to eight feet high. Leaves.—Ovate to oblong-lanceolate; leathery; smooth and shining. Flowers.—In axillary clusters: small; pinkish. Calyx.—Minutely fine-toothed. Corolla.—Campanulate; two or three lines long. Stamens.—Ten; anthers opening terminally. Ovary.—Globose; five-celled. Style filiform. Berries.—Small; reddish, turning black. Hab.—The Coast Ranges from Monterey to Vancouver Island.

When in bloom our Californian huckleberry is a delightful shrub. Its leaves, which are of a particularly rich, shining green, are set at a characteristic angle to the red stems, contrasting finely with their warm tones; and the effect is heightened by the clusters of small pink and white waxen bells scattered here and there amid the foliage.

The huckleberry is at its best upon the high ridges of the Coast Ranges, where it becomes especially luxuriant in the fog-nurtured region of the northern portion of the redwood belt. There its abundant berries become juicy and delicious, and are much sought for preserving and pie-making. Its branches, when cut, keep admirably in water and are favorite greens for household decoration.