166 WILD FLOWEKS OF 



path in the most deserted part of Sicily, cheerful with 

 its [the broom's] blossoms, whose rich yet delicate 

 odour embalmed the air ; hence the significance of 

 SHAKSPEAEE'S allusion to this flower 'which the dis- 

 missed batchelor loves, being lass-lorn.' " We must 

 suppose the " dismissed batchelor" in this case, to fly 

 from the perfidious fair one into Nature's solitudes, 

 and there soothed by floral charms, put the broom in 

 his button-hole, and rejoicing that his hat covers his 

 responsibilities, consider on calm reflexion that his 

 case is not so very unendurable after all ! Or retiring 

 within himself, amidst the solitude of broom wastes, 

 and far from the busy stir of life, he may attempt to 

 recall the happy visions that once haunted his imagi- 

 nation. THOMSON in his " Castle of Indolence" 

 paints a broomy spot as a fit place for the listless 

 enjoyment of a mere loiterer intent on the enjoyment 

 of the dolcefar niente. 



" Amidst the broom he basked him on the ground, 

 Where the wild thyme and camomile are found." 



But leaving the gay but barren broomy slopes to those 

 who may like them, let the botanical looker-out be up 



and awake 



" The morning shines, and the fresh field 



Calls us : mark how spring 



Our tender plants."* 



In the upland wood thousands of Bilberry blossoms 

 (Vacciniuin myrtillus), droop their rosy bells, and a 

 booming host of " red-hip t humble-bees" are attendant 

 upon them; the graceful Mountain Ash (Pyrus aucu- 

 parid), displays its white clusters on the hill; the 

 Way-faring tree (Viburnum lantana,) in the limestone 

 copse ; and the Gruelder-rose (V. opulus), fringes the 



* MILTON. 



