98 WILD FLOWERS OF 



forms a lank of violets, giving forth the most exquisite 

 perfume to the passing zephyrs. The spur or nectary 

 of the violet, forming a bag by the junction of the 

 lower petals for the reception of the secreted honey, 

 merits particular attention. The common dog-violet 

 is now known in our most recent floras as Viola sylva- 

 tica, and the term canina given to a kindred form that 

 affects open places rather than woods. 



There are two curious little plants to be met with 

 in flower at this time in secluded spots by rocks and 

 waterfalls, or even by some neglected brook side, 

 known perhaps only to the wild duck or water-hen, 

 who fly splashing away from the intruding foot of the 

 botanist, who stands a fair chance of a fierce dash of 

 hail upon his hapless head from the capricious hand 

 of surly March no great respecter of persons when 

 in pettish mood, These plants are the tuberous 

 Moschatel (Adoxa moscliatellina) , and the alternate- 

 leaved Grolden Saxifrage (Chrysvplenivm alternifolivm), 

 the botanical names of both, when written in a toler- 

 able sized hand, being about as long as the plants are 

 high ! The former is very pale, with very pale flowers, 

 agglomerated together in a capitate form, and the 

 meaning of the Latin trivial name is that they possess 

 no glory! This epithet tempted me to perpetrate 

 " an address" to little Miss Adoxa, snugly seated in 

 her secluded but inglorious obscurity, and which I 

 here transcribe from an old scrap of paper : 



TO THE TUBEROUS MOSCHATEL 



(ADOXA MOSCHATELLINA). 

 Ah ! little Adoxa, they say 



Thy flower possesses no glory ; 

 But I'll at thy habitat stay, 



And prove 'tis a palpable story. 



