18 ALPINE BLOWERS AND GARDENS 



profusion of Bell-Gentian, consists mainly of Jlola 

 calcarata, varying in endless shades of violet, mauve, 

 and purple-blue, and even, at rare intervals, going 

 to pale lilac and to pure white. Here, too, oj» 

 every hand, is the exquisite Alpine Forget-me-not 

 {Myosotis alpestris), of such heavenly blue as, 

 surely, is never elsewhere seen tlian in the Alps ; 

 it is meeting in happiest communion with the paler 

 blue of the graceful Flax {Li fin m alpinum), and in 

 happiest contrast M'ith the golden blossoms of the 

 Hock Rose (HeUanthemum vnJ^are). 



Now this, really, is but a rough sketch — a broad 

 and casual impression— of the scene. Many 

 another floral gem is here, lending its subtle beauty 

 to the general effect. But we must be returning ; 

 time runs fleet in such a fairyland ! We need not, 

 however, retrace our steps. Let us bear to the 

 left, along the base of these Viola-cropped slopes, 

 and so gain yonder gully, which, if we follow it 

 downwards, will bring us to our forest path. It 

 will be somewhat of a scramble over the rocks and 

 loose boulders, but we shall And plenty of fresh 

 interest for our pains — plenty of lovely flowers 

 with which we have not yet made acquaintance 

 to-day. 



How truly wonderful, how exquisite, it all is 1 



