224 A DEVONSHIRE COPSE RAMBLE. 



refreshed by the heavy showers of late; and we scarcely know which way to 

 turn first, for there is beauty on every side, and everywhere we are "Brushing 

 ancle-deep in flowers;" so let us along these overgrown pathways and explore 

 for ourselves. On all sides we are saluted by the sweet-smelling Wild Honey- 

 suckle {Lonicera periclymenum,,) — 



"Thnt sweet Honeysuckle, -whieh 

 Is fair as fragi'ant." 



Carringtox. 



And the delicious Sweet-Brier, (Eosa ruhiginosa;) "Rain-scented Eglantine" 

 and "Dew-sweet Eglantine/' as that pure soul Keats sweetly called it. Here 

 too, is another flower which casts its fragrance around — the Bastard Balm, 

 (Meliftis melissophyllum.) It can scarcely be overlooked, as it grows nearly 

 two feet in height; the flowers white, and the lower lip marked with a dull 

 violet; leaves large and much serrated: the flowers, as well as the leaves, 

 retain their delightful smell when dried. Now we come to one of the handsomest 

 of our wild flowers, the Foxglove, {Digitalis purpurea,) with its beautiful drooping, 

 crimson bell-flowers, spotted and hairy within. It appears to flourish here in 

 dry as well as in wet soils; for it grows luxuriantly on the banks of the 

 Dart, to a height of three or four feet. It is said to be almost unknown 

 in Norfolk and Suffolk, preferring rocky and hilly counties. In Scotland it 

 has various names — "Bloody Fingers," and "Dead Man's Fingers," alluding to 

 to the shape and colour of its flowers. This is a valuable medicinal plant, an 

 infusion of the leaves being frequently used in dropsical and inflammatory 

 cases. The bright yellow flowers of the St. John's Wort may now be found, 

 (^Hypericum perforatum and pulchrum.) To the St. John's Wort is attributed 

 the power of keeping away evil spirits. There is an old legend of a fiend 

 paying his addresses to a lovely girl; but finding that she had St. John's 

 Wort in her bosom, he says, 



"Gin ye wish to be leman mine, 

 Lay aside St. John's "Wort, and the Vervain." 



On the continent it is usual on St. John's Day, to gather a species of St. 

 John's Wort, and hang it ovei* the cottage doors, and place it in the windows, 

 under the idea that it will prevent evil spirits from entering, and propitiate 

 the saint himself. 



The Yellow Meadow Vetchling, (Lathyrus pratensis,) is peeping forth from 

 the hedge-rows; and the Nettles, {Urtica urens and dioica,) smaller and greater, 

 are both in flower : — 



"O'er the throng, Urtica flings 

 Her barbed shafts, and darts her poisoned stings." 



DARWIN. 



The leaves of the Great Nettle, (U. dioica,) are boiled, and eaten as a 

 vegetable by the peasantry in some parts of Ireland. 



What a pretty sight it is to see the Dragon-flies, (Libellulidce,) of every 

 hue^ darting about in all directions over the brook — red, blue, green, white — ■ 



