390 WILD FLOWEKS OF 



(Apargia autumnalis) widely spreads, or are in many 

 places overgrown with the yellow umbels of the Pep- 

 per Saxifrage (Silaus pratensis), or silvery with the 

 common Burnet Saxifrage (Pimpinella saotifragd). 

 Indicative of the Autumnal Floralia, the Hawkweed 

 Picris (P. liieracioides) , Ploughman's Spikenard (Co- 

 ny za squarrosa), Golden-rod (Solidago Virgaurea), 

 common Saw-wort (Serratula tinctorid), the Ragworts, 

 and other syngenesious flowers appear to bloom in 

 the tempered radiance, ere their feathered pappi are 

 dispersed before the equinoctial gales. Flat meadows 

 by rivers are in some places at this period made re- 

 markable with the deep purple heads of flowers of the 

 Great Burnet (jScwguisorba officinalis)* 



About pools, moist spots on heaths, and little rills 

 of clear water, several plants now appear of humble 

 stature, which in the more gorgeous days of Summer 

 might almost pass unnoticed but the botanist detects 

 them as indicating the movements of Flora's dial, 

 whose hands are now resting on almost the last fresh 

 flowers of the year. Among these the Bur Marigolds, 

 (Bidens tripartite^ et cernua), claim attention ; the 

 purple Marsh "Wound-wort (Stacliys palustris), the 

 white flowered Gipsy-wort (Lycopus Europceus), and 

 the blue Skull-caps (Scutellaria), so called from the 

 singular aspect of the calyx after the corolla has fallen 

 The small Skull-cap is a common denizen of mountain 

 bogs, where in company with the yellow kingspear, 

 the ivy -leaved bell-flower, the rose-pimpernel, and the 

 flossy cotton-grass, it is seen with constant delight by 

 the wandering botanist. 



The pleasures of local association combine in the 

 mind perhaps more fully with flowers than with any 



