APRIL. 119 



juices, which are not only rejected by the bees, but 

 refused by all kinds of insects." 



The chequered Fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris) 

 now shows its pendulous flowers in some old gardens, 

 or spots that once were gardens ; and occasionally the 

 American Cowslip (JDodecatlieon Meadia,) adorns the 

 border with its gracefully drooping brilliant lilac 

 umbels. The Double Daisy (JBellis perennis, var. 

 plena-flora), " O commendable flowre," as Father 

 CHAUCER hath it, is not to be despised in its aspect at 

 this season as a border plant, nor its favourite curious 

 rustic variety the Proliferous or Hen-and- Chicken 

 Daisy. There is something extremely pleasing in 

 entering within the trim enclosure of some old rustic 

 cottage garden entrusted to the keeping of a prattling 

 hobbling old dame, whose flower roots and stock of 

 bright red Polyanthuses have been kept up from old 

 time even beyond her memory, till the thick grown- 

 up box border of a century's growth encloses the 

 auriculas and crocusses within their enclosure like 

 so many Egyptian Sarcophagi. Here the old Crown- 

 Imperial is sure to be seen, and many a tuft of 

 old-man, marjoram, sage, hyssop, and lavender, while 

 a rough rugged time-battered old Elder shadows over 

 the ricketty gate at which he stands sentry, or makes 

 a homely arbour at the entrance of the timbered 

 or cracked thatched dwelling. 



" On piled bench, beside the cottage door, 

 Made up of mud and stones, and sodded o'er ; 

 Where rustic taste at leisure trimly weaves 

 The rose and straggling woodbine to the eaves, 

 And on the crowded spot that pales enclose, 

 The white and scarlet daisy rears in rows, 



