RAMBLE AjMONG WILD FLOWERS. 



You must follow me without particular invitation, as we visit, during the advance of the 

 season, the various haunts of flowers, for nature's garden is extensive, and so delicate are 

 many of her productions, that they can only thrive in the soil and aspect particularly 

 adapted to each; yet is no spot so barren, but that at the proper time it yields its jewels. 

 As we descend these broad rocks, wherever a niche occurs in which there is an inch of soil, 

 we may find the 



Saxifraga virginicnsis, (Rock Saxifrage,) not waiting to grow more than one inch in 

 height, lest the kindly showers of spring fail, it opens its little white flowers until the 

 whole rock is carpeted with them. Where the soil is deeper, it grows upwards of a foot 

 in height. 



In yonder sheltered vale, half shaded and half sunnj-, undisturbed by the hand of man, 

 we may find many flowers. 



Anemone ncmorosa and thalictroidcs, (Wood Anemone.) Fit tenants of this favored 

 spot; the first rude blast will strip them of their delicate white or pale lilac petals, and 

 crush their airy foliage; they are welcome to our boqucts. 



Claytonia virginica, (Spring Beautj''.) The frailness and delicate beauty of this plant, 

 render it worthy of its name. It is found under the protection of some large rock, or 

 decaying stump, opening its pretty pink petals, striped with red, to the gladdening sun. 



j^rum triphyllum, (Wild Turnep, or Indian Turnep, Jack in the Pulpit.) The curious 

 form, rather than the beauty of this plant, attracts us. Its spathe, striped with purple 

 and green, bending over like a friar's hood, to cover its cup, Mhich is succeeded by a bunch 

 of brilliant scarlet berries, always affords a theme for admiration. 



jlzurum canadense, (AVild Ginger.) Beneath that decayed log, thrusting aside the 

 fallen leaves, some large and broad kidney -shaped leaves, attached to a kind of subterra- 

 nean stem, appear, and close in at their base may be found a small purplish flower. The 

 pleasing fragrance of its stem and root, are the chief merits of this plant. 



Dentaria diphylla, (Pepper Root.) Along the dry banks of the stream, this may be 

 found producing a spike of white flowers. Its root is large, white, and pungent. 



Erythronium americanum, (Dog-tooth Violet.) Another of the welcome harbingers 

 of spring. Verj'- early, its long sjiotted leaf shoots up in some sheltered spot, succeeded 

 by its flower stalk, bearing a single yellow, lilly-like flower. 



Uvularia perfoliata find sessilifolia, (^Bell Wort.) These are graceful plants, about 

 one foot high, resembling the preceding in their flowers, and the same damp, rich soil pro- 

 duces them. 



Sanguinaria canadensis, (Blood Root.) This is one of the earliest flowers. We shall 

 find it in some sunny moist spot in the meadow, vmder the shelter of a rock, opening its 

 large, pure white petals to the sun, disclosing the j-ellow stamens within. The blood-red 

 juice which exudes from the stem, as well as the root, when bruised, gives rise to its name. 

 The leaf is like the foliage of the grape-vine. 



Caltha paliistris, (Water-Cowslips.) Marking the course of the stream as it winds 

 along through the meadow, this plant appears with its gay and yellow fllowers, too well 

 known to need description. 



jlctcza rubra and alha, (Necklace Weed.) Before leaving the deep rich soil of the vale, 

 we may find these plants, with clusters of small white flowers; but they are better known 

 when in fruit, the former producing bunches of deep scarlet berries the latter white oval 

 waxen ones, with black spots on their extremities, which, upon their large red peduncles, 

 present a very striking appearance. 



Mitclla diphylla, (Currant Leaf) The same fruitful soil has still other treasures 



