WILD FLOWERS OF FEBBUABY, 



(CONTINUED.) 



CHAP. IV. 



THE AWAKENING OF SPRING IN THE COUNTRY AND THE 

 CITY. APPEARANCE OF GELATINOUS FUNGI. MISERIES 

 OF A THAW. SNOWDROPS. 



" Already now the snowdrop dares appear, 

 The first pale blossom of the unripened year." 



MRS. BARBAULD. 



METHINKS I hear a rustling among the withered 

 brown leaves that have lain so long matted together 

 in frozen silence within the deep glades of the sombre 

 wood. Is it the hare starting from her form to revel 

 in the mild radiance of a February sun ? Is it the 

 speckled snake slowly uncurling from its long repose 

 to glide to the nearest warm slope, couched beneath 

 the shelter of the prickly but golden gorse ? No ! 

 Softly ! Spring herself is awakening ! 



Look to the sunny side of that still leafless grove 

 green oases begin to appear in the withered expanse ; 

 -the shining leaves of the pilewort are springing up, 

 chickweed reviving as quickly as hope resumes a living 

 aspect, and horehound and other herbs show the green 

 leaf that proclaims peace from wintry storms. The 

 Spurge Laurel (Daphne JLaureola), with its shining 

 deep green leaves, is now about to expand its pale 



