AMONG COLORADO'S WILD FLOWERS. 17 r 



one another in rapid succession, arrayed in their finest raiment, mak- 

 ing the foothills and the prairie masses of color and of fragrance, until 

 during June and July fields and pastures that have been kept free of 

 cattle, are turned into veritable garden spots, rivaling many a labor- 

 planted garden in the East. It is said that there are some two thou- 

 sand varieties of wild flowers scattered among and adjacent to the 

 mountains of the Rockies. It may well be possible, for within the 

 small radius of a mile there have been found nearly two hundred 

 kinds. 



First of all to make its appearance upon the scene in the very 

 early spring — on the sunny hillsides, beneath the pine trees — is the 

 charming little Anemone or Windflower {^Pulsatilla hirsiLtissiina), 

 coming even while the snow is yet on the ground ; often it is seen 

 surrounded by snow, pushing, as it were, its furry head up through 

 the earth's white coverlet. 



The beauty of the plant has not perished with the passing of the 

 blossom, for where it has flourished there now appears the seed 

 ball, waving its innumerable little fluffy hairs in every passing 

 breeze. " H. H." speaks of these flowers most lovingly as "crocuses 

 out in chinchilla fur," and that indeed is a most apt description; little 

 tender things, protected in their furry garments, they are ready to 

 face the snows of spring, and, unless covered up entirely, come forth 

 rejoicing. 



Then follows quickly the Yellow Pea, growing in patches of the 

 brightest, freshest green and yellow; the little Moss Daisy, tiny 

 blossoms of white bedded in masses of moss-like leaves; and soon at 

 Eastertide the prairie is studded with countless blossoms of the Sand 

 Lily — a name more fitting, considering the festival it honors. Star of 

 Bethlehem {Leiicocrinuui iiiontaniiiii), is given it by the natives — an ex- 

 quisite little lily-like flower with pure wax-like petals, and a delicious 

 fragrance all its own. Even up among the hills it is found, but not so 

 plentiful as in the valley below. 



By the end of May, the fields are full of Lupine in varying 

 shades of red; Pentstemons in blue and white, resembling the 

 Hyacinths, so delicate and delightfully refreshing to the eye and 

 nose; the Skullcap, with its purples. A charming little Bluebell 

 now joins the rest, in color a deep, deep blue, as pretty and as quietly 

 perfumed as one can wish, but this little beauty must be sought for, 

 as it is chary of its charms and hides itself among the taller blossoms 

 and shrubs; the Yellow Violet is met with at every step, the little nest 

 of leaves filled with yellow blossoms, keeping company with the small, 

 though spreading leaves and pretty blossoms of the Wild Mustard in 

 delicate shades of yellow, white and pink. 



