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Traveller's Joy. Virgin's Bower

Clematis Virginiana. Crowfoot Family.

Stem.--Climbing; somewhat woody. Leaves.--Opposite; three-divided. Flowers.--Whitish; in clusters; unisexual. Calyx.--Of four petal-like sepals. Corolla.--None. Stamens and Pistils.--Indefinite in number; occurring on different plants.

In July and August this beautiful plant, covered with its white blossoms and clambering over the shrubs which border the country lanes, makes indeed a fitting bower for any maid or traveller who may chance to be seeking shelter. Later in the year the seeds with their silvery plumes give a feathery effect which is very striking.

This graceful climber works its way by means of its bending or clasping leaf-stalks. Darwin has made interesting experiments regarding the movements of the young shoots of the Clematis. He discovered that, "one revolved, describing a broad oval, in five hours, thirty minutes; and another in six hours, twelve minutes; they follow the course of the sun."