340 WILD FLOWEES OF 



Gowrogg appeared glimmering on a wide extent of 

 flat heath, like a phantom in the twilight. In this 

 direction all appeared waste and denuded and deserted, 

 only grey stones and patches of water a perfect 

 Ossianic scene " a rock in the desert, on whose dark 

 side are trickling of waters, when the slow-sailing mist 

 has left it, and its trees are blasted with winds." And 

 yet, on penetrating to the borders of the lake, all was 

 not barren, but many a curious and beautiful flower 

 rewarded my research. Gowrogg Pool is a chrystal 

 gem in the waste around St. David's, where grey tem- 

 pest-battered stones alone mitigate the barren treeless 

 scene that extends far and wide. On its placid sur- 

 face the silver flowers of the Alisma are scattered, and 

 its margin is beautified by extensive spreads of the 

 Bog St. John's Wort, fresh and bright as the keen 

 winds and pure dews can make them. 



In these sketches I have generally treated the sub- 

 ject playfully, as calculated to attract in a path often 

 thought rugged and uninteresting. Yet within sight 

 of the majestic ocean it is scarcely possible for any 

 one to pluck a flower without feeling in some degree 

 the kindlings of devotion within him. But on this 

 subject a hint may suffice. A modern poet has well 



observed that 



" The raging sea has music for all ears , " 



and, certainly, were I called upon to inculcate a devo- 

 tional lesson to an ardent neophyte, I should lead him 

 to the margin of the mighty deep ; thence I should 

 direct his steps to the massive headlands where the 

 Sea Lavender loves to wave its azure spikes bright as 

 the blue upon the wing of the Kingfisher I should 

 lead him on over shingles and pebbles, to pyramidal 



