142 WILD FLOWERS OF 



The Primaveral Eloralia or Floral Beign, may be 

 said to commence with the first breaking up of the 

 frost before or in the early part of February. It com- 

 prehends the " first pale blossom of the year," the 

 Snowdrop, the Crocus, the argent though humble and 

 minute Draba Verna, the Grolden Saxifrages and some 

 other cruciferous flowers, the specious though after- 

 wards rank and dissightly Coltsfoot, the Anemonies 



" From the soft wing of vernal breezes shed;" 

 the ever-exciting Violets and Primroses on their well- 

 remembered banks, and all the tribe of Daffodils, 

 Narcissi, Hyacinths, and many others. In the woods 

 the golden catkins of the Sallow, as well as those of 

 the Hazel, are predominant and characteristic. 



The Vernal Moralia may be considered as intro- 

 duced by the Lady-smock, (Cardamine pratensis), 

 which in warm spots is in flower by Lady-day, March 

 25th, though its culmination does not take place before 

 a month afterwards. Now it is that 

 " Cuckoo-buds of yellow hue 



Do paint the meadows with delight," 



these "cuckoo-buds," so called when unopened, be- 

 coming when the sun breaks forth at noon the 

 resplendent golden stars of the Pilewort (Ficaria 

 verna] ; in damp oozy spots the Marsh Marigold 

 (Galtlia palustris), is seen from afar; and Dandelions 

 become very numerous, marking the latter period of 

 this floralia with their conspicuous white clocks. Now 

 "the love-sick Cowslip that the head inclines," appears 

 beautifying the pastures, and on the margin of woods 

 the early Purple Orchis (0. masculd), becomes a bril- 

 liant object of attraction. Towards the close of April, 

 or about St. George's Day, April 23rd, the carpet of 



