INTRODUCTION 



is not among the first in the Middle West nor in the 

 Mountains of Virginia, where it is exceedingly abun- 

 dant. 



One-third of the number are white or but slightly 

 tinted; one-fourth yellow of various degrees of pale- 

 ness; the others are divided mostly among the blues 

 and pinks; a few greens, one red; a few red purples 

 complete the list. The colors are as one would expect 

 them to be — pale. As there are few brilliant colors, 

 so is there very little fragrance; the characteristic of 

 our early wild flowers is delicacy. They are as wild 

 as the Indian and as shy as the deer. They must, of 

 course, die with our forests; but there is no reason 

 w^hy they might not be coaxed back into our parks. 

 If a bit of woodland were left absolutely untouched, 

 the leaves never raked from under the trees, since it 

 is that more than anything else which kills the little 

 beauties, there is no reason why they should not grow 

 and flourish even within city precincts. Certainly 

 every nature-lover would rejoice to know that our na- 

 tive flowers were protected and preserved from de- 

 struction. 



It is hoped this book will commend itself: 



To the many teachers w^ho are expected to name at 

 sight every spring blossom brought to them by child- 

 ish hands. 



To amateur botanists who wish to check their lists 

 of the flora of their home region. 



To all lovers of the springtime who also love the 

 native wild flowers of our woods and fields. 



The books of reference for the botanical descrip- 

 tions are Gray's ''Manual of Bctany," 7th edition, and 

 Britton's " Manual of the Flora of the Northern States 



xii 



