42 FLORA AND THALIA. 



BLUE, OR HAREBELL. 



{JSTon script!^.') 



This beautiful little flower is a native of Persia ; 

 but is found in most parts of Europe. Our woods 

 in the Spring present a lively appearance, from the 

 mixture of their azure blue bells among the pale 

 yellow primroses, and the many different tinted 

 heaths, so tastefully intermingled by the hand of 

 Nature. It is called Harebell from its generally 

 growing in those places frequented by hares: the 

 flower varies in colour and beauty ; some being 

 completely white, and others much resembling the 

 poorer kinds of hyacinths; but they have longer and 

 narrower flowers, not swelling at the bottom ; the 

 bunch of flowers is likewise longer and bends down- 

 wards. The fresh roots of this plant are said to be 

 poisonous; the juice is mucilaginous, and in the 

 time of Queen Elizabeth was used as starch. 



Class, Hexandbia. Order, Monogtnia. 



