44 THE FLORIST. 



WILD FAVOURITES WHICH FLOWERED LAST 

 DECEMBER. 



Among plants which afforded delight in the depth of the gloomy 

 season, I observed, while perambulating the roads and drives of this 

 locality, numerous flowering species, which are here enumerated and 

 briefly described under their appropriate natural orders. 



Geraniacece. In the first week of December I remarked Gera- 

 nium Robcrtianum, which was sheltering itself beneath a wall, and 

 imparting an ornament to the place scarcely less than we are accus- 

 tomed to witness in the height of summer. G. molle was also 

 flowering profusely, as was likewise G. dissectum. 



Composite. Crepis virens was not an unfrequent plant, display- 

 ing its colour on old walls, cultivated soils, &c. Filago germanica, 

 Lapsana communis, &c. were also in flower. The common Daisy 

 (Bellis perennis) afforded an almost unlimited supply of its lively 

 blossoms during the month about which we are speaking. The 

 Pyrethrum parthenium was observed about the 14th, producing great 

 gaiety in its accustomed region, viz. a dry sequestered hedge-bank 

 near the village of Thorpe. The day above mentioned was bright 

 and clear, and probably there never was experienced during Decem- 

 ber a warmer sun, which broke forth at quite an early hour, render- 

 ing the temperature almost oppressively hot. 



Scrophulariacece. Of this order too, owing to the geniality of 

 the atmosphere, may be mentioned Veronicas agrestis, Beccabunga, 

 and Serpyllifolia. Antirrhinum orontium and majus also favoured us 

 with flowers. The former of these is occasionally met with in this 

 neighbourhood. 



Ranunculacea. The Ranunculus fiearia, a well-known intruder 

 in shrubberies, in the same month yielded numerous bright yellow 

 flowers. 



Rosacece. Belonging to this order is a familiar denizen of our 

 woods, viz. Potentilla fragariastra, which at the same dreary sea- 

 son was peculiarly conspicuous. 



Labiates. The Ballota nigra was seen in several cherished and 

 retired spots, like those to which it is generally restricted ; while the 

 Lamium album, with its pure white blossoms, was equally showy. 

 In the same condition w r ere found L. purpureum and incisum; as also 

 the blue Prunella vulgaris. 



Malvacea. Malva rotundifolia, a plant remarkable as being found 

 in general contiguous to towns and villages, was in good blossom. 



Dipsacacece. A few straggling flowers of that general favourite, 

 the autumnal Scabiosa succisa, were exhibiting themselves in our 

 neighbourhood, lending a charm, which shall not soon be forgot, at 

 an unusual season. 



Thymelacea. On Daphne Laureola being provided with a snug 

 abode, it produced a paucity of those inconspicuous flowers for which 

 it is rather remarkable. This is cne of our earliest flowering under- 

 shrubs. 



Engle field Green. W. Whale. 



