WILD FLOWERS OF FEBRUARY. 



CHAP. III. 



VARIOUS TINTS OF BUDS AND TWIGS IN THE SUNBEAMS 

 BRILLIANT EFFECTS OF A FROZEN SHOWER DANDELION, 

 VERONICA, DAISY MOSSES IN PERFECTION OF BEAUTY 

 HELLEBORE, PERIWINKLE SUDDEN SNOW STORM. 



" And now comes the calm mild day, as still such days will come, 

 To call the Squirrel and the Bee from out their winter home." 



BRYANT. 



"Post nulila Phoebus" sunshine after bluster- 

 is not unfrequently the case in February ; it will be 

 well however not to hallo before we are out of the 

 wood, but yet enjoy a fine bright day when it conies. 

 The budding of deciduous trees never appears to better 

 perfection than in this month, and the various divari- 

 cations their branches present, when in relief against 

 a clear blue sky, offers a pleasing and interesting 

 spectacle. The general idea of a leafless tree is that 

 of a cold denuded surface, on which no tint of beauty 

 reposes ; but how false the supposition. As the sun 

 in his retreat westward now breaks forth in effulgence 

 from an amber cloud, and his horizontal beams light 

 up the groves and trees, what vivid tints rise as by 

 enchantment at the heads and extremities of the 



