270 The Field Naturalises Quarterly Nov. 



blossom is not nearly so gorgeous as in the prime of summer, 

 but those that are in bloom are most welcome at this quiet 

 season. Richard Jefferies loved the thistles. Partly because 

 they flower right on to the autumn, and partly because of 

 my admiration of the dear old Nature -lover, I love them 

 too. 



The smaller knapweed is another plant which flowers 

 rather profusely during the season of which I write, and 

 on a recent ramble it was interesting to notice that 

 the humble-bees were to be seen on almost every other 

 flower-head. The bees seem to be very partial to this 

 flower at the autumn season. It is to be regretted that so 

 fine a flower as the larger knapweed is not more abundant, 

 but in some districts it may perchance be commoner than 

 with us in Hertfordshire. 



I know of no other wild flower of the colour of the hare- 

 bell which still blooms in the autumn, and its delicate 

 symmetry and chaste colouring lends an additional charm 

 to the hedge - banks and commons where it flourishes ; 

 whilst the very dark purple of the peculiarly named devil's- 

 bit scabious throws off very prominently a fine array of 

 dark colouring to the ramble by the country-side. 



St John's wort may still be found in bloom, though mostly 

 seeded now, and other yellow or golden colours are supplied 

 by the nipplewort, hedge-mustard, sow-thistle, hop trefoil, 

 common avens, rock rose (a most frail plant, but sweetly 

 coloured with lemon-yellow), charlock, agrimony, toadflax, 

 long-rooted cat's-ear, and the dandelion. James Cundall 

 calls the dandelion the sunflower of the spring : that it is 

 an early and late blooming wild flower is known to most 

 dwellers in the country. Its golden disc cannot possibly 

 be overlooked, and really, when carefully examined, is a 

 wonderful flower, but too little appreciated. The poet was 

 no mean observer when he wrote — 



"Richly embossed in silken grass 

 The golden dandelion shines; 

 A sunflower in the early spring, 

 And bright when summer eve declines." 



Scentless May- weed still makes a brave show during the 

 autumn ; the little herb - robert struggles on until the first 



