4G8 WILD FLOWEKS OF 



old rustic favourite, stands pretty among deep green 

 tufts of the goldilocks moss. Ragworts are become 

 flossy with their pappi, which every zephyr loosens to 

 fly off" with, but the latest Hawkweed (Hieracium 

 umbellatum) has yet a few golden florets in store, and 

 the tall purple-spiked Melic-grass (Molinia ccerulea), 

 and the handsome Wood-reed (Galamagrostis Epigejos), 

 now in full perfection, continue to give a feature of 

 botanical life to sylvan sequestered spots. Within 

 the wood enormous tall culms of the tufted Hair- 

 grass (Aira ccespitosa) are seen in a pallid dead state, 

 and the rambler turns from the overgrown weediness 

 that has obscured all path like hankering wretched 

 burthens on the mind and turns away once again to 

 the gay coloured heath, while the trill of the robin 

 sounds a plaintive requiem, to the floral season. 



As the year slowly dies away, every object on which 

 a sunbeam rests is viewed with pleasure, and an old 

 stump robed in ivy, a drooping thyrsus of flowering 

 bramble, the wild Clematis clasping the tall bushes, 

 and with its feathery seeds seeming like a snow-drift, 

 a fragrant "queen of the meadows" flowering later 

 than usual, or even a humble Geranium, with shining 

 red petals, blooming to the last all seem like scat- 

 meaning good for the head, and if so this herb must have had long stand- 

 ing as a crowning remedy. In the old English medical MS. of the four- 

 teenth century, now in the Royal Library of Stockholm, printed in vol. 

 xxx. of the Archeeologia, and which I have before quoted, higher powers 

 are ascribed to it than mere head work as it is said 



" Who so Betonye on him bere, 



From wykked speryts it wyll hym were." (or keep.) 



A very good thing could its powers but be still kept in action. Indeed it 

 was was once good for every thing 



" For all sekness in every stonde, (hour,) 



Betonye is good while it may be fonde." (met with.) 

 Doubtless such simple and easily obtained remedies were not without 

 efficacy when believed in. 



