APBIL. Ill 



Another curious plant, only seen at this season, and 

 that but rarely, is the Toothwort (Latlircea squamaria) . 

 It is entirely confined to sheltered woody spots, almost 

 always entangled among the roots of trees, from which 

 circumstance many botanists have considered it to be 

 parasitical, and it is really so, though difficult to be 

 observed in its parasitical attachment. But the thick- 

 branched roots of the Lathrsea in general closely 

 surround some portion of the roots of the tree they 

 are connected with, and these roots throw off small 

 tuberous suckers that penetrate into the system of 

 the tree thus curiously preyed upon. Its yellow 

 sickly-looking stalk, clothed only with white tooth- 

 like scales, and its very pale purple flowers, impart 

 to it a singular aspect, and it might easily be passed 

 over at a little distance as a- dead or dying flower. 

 I once noticed it in rather a curious locality the 

 lawn in front of EAEL MOTTNTNORRIS'S mansion at 

 Arely, Staffordshire, on the roots of lime-trees. This 

 shows that the plant might easily be introduced into 

 grounds or gardens, where it would flourish beneath 

 the shelter of most deciduous trees. 



One of the characteristics of April are its golden 

 Celandines (Ranunculus ficaria) . A beam of light 

 flashes from the orb of day as he looks forth from 

 a tempestuous passing cloud, and at once in the moist 

 verdant meadow a thousand golden stars spread out 

 their rays as if at the lifting of an enchanter's wand. 

 Sweetly are they contrasted with the argent stars of 

 "the crimson-tipped daisy; " and here and there, with 

 maculated leaf, uprises the bright purple spike of the 

 Early Purple Orchis (0. masculd). In the marsh 

 the splendid Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris,) 



