1902 Some Autunifi Wild Flozve^'s 271 



keen frost cuts it asunder ; the white deadnettle flowers 

 often throughout the winter if the season is an open one, 

 a remark which also applies to the chickweed and the 

 groundsel. 



I write of common flowers, — I prefer it : common things 

 are too often overlooked in these days ; the cry seems to be 

 for rarities and oddities. Richard Jefferies clamoured not 

 for rarities, but for the old-loved birds, flowers, insects, fish, 

 and other of the commoner forms of wild life, and I am a 

 devout follower of that nature-soul. 



Other white flowers which bloom at the season of which I 

 write are the yarrow, cow-parsnip (mostly seeded, the large 

 umbelliferous seed-heads being quite a feature of the country- 

 side now), white campion (neither the pink nor the bladder 

 species rarely seem to bloom late), wild carrot, and lesser 

 stitchwort, which has a much longer flowering period than 

 its greater relative. 



Betony is frequently found in bloom during the autumn, 

 knot-grass is at its flowering height at this season of the 

 year, and perchance a scarlet poppy or the mauve of the 

 field scabious lend additional colour, to the scene. 



Enchanter's nightshade still raises its delicate flowerets ; 

 the sweet sky-blue of the germander speedwell may often be 

 seen, as well as red bartsia, burdock, and pink persicaria ; 

 whilst small willow herb, hedge stachys, and heart's-ease also 

 flower on to the autumn, the last named in abundance. 



On a recent autumn ramble, too, I found the exceedingly 

 pretty gentian {Genfiana amarclla) in flower, and also noticed 

 the delicious pale blue of the succor}^, from the roots of 

 which the chicory of commerce is obtained. A very large 

 bed, too, of the eyebright was also observed, and was really 

 one of the most delightful floral sights of autumn I have 

 ever seen. 



The star-shaped blossoms of the lowly blue sherardia may 

 be seen as a result of a careful search, and the blue of the 

 field scorpion -grass, the purple of the wild thyme, the 

 pink of the crane's-bill, the greenish -yellow of the wood 

 sage, and last, but not least, the welcome clematis -like 

 blossoms of the traveller's joy. 



Other species may perchance be found in flower during 



