1 6 WILD, OR .\ATIVlL FLOWERS. 



No wonder that we watch with pleasure for the re-appearing of our 

 little floral gem, as in old times we did for the bright golden varnished 

 flowers of the Smaller Celandine, that starred the green turfy banks in 

 our English lanes, openmg so gaily to the ruffling winds and sunshine on 

 bright March mornings. Some of the peasants and old writers call the 

 little Celandines — "Kingcups" — and I have often fancied that Shakes- 

 peare was thinking of this sweet spring flower when he wrote his charming 

 song, Hark the lark at Heaven's gate sings, 



"And winking Maiy-biids begin 



To ope their golden eyes ; 

 With all the things that pretty liin, 



My lady sweet arise. " 



Mary-golds, which some suppose the poet meant by Mary-buds, 

 have little poetical charm about them, not being associated with the 

 Lark, as a wild spring-flower. It is more than probable it was the gay 

 little Celandine that he thus immortalises with his sweet song. 



The larger form of our Flowering Wintergreen is found somewhat 

 later in May, in the woods, and is known by the settlers as "Satin-flower." 

 It would make a pretty border plant, and from its early flowering would 

 be a great acquisition to our gardens. 



American Snake-Root. — PoJygala Senega, (L. 



already referred to, is less ornamental, though a delicate and graceful 

 little plant. Like the rest of the genus its root is perennial, woody and 

 bitter in its qualities. The stem is simple, wand-like, clothed with 

 lanceolate leaves, and terminating in a spike of greenish white flowers. 

 The wings of this species are small, and embrace the flattened less 

 conspicuously crested keel. Its favourite haunt is dry upland plains, 

 among shrubs and wild grasses ; it blossoms later than the more showy 

 purple Polygala, being seen through May and June. 

 Another purple-flowered species is 



Slender Purple Milkwort. — Polygala polygai/ia, (Walt.) 



The flowers form slender racemes of violet coloured flowers springing 

 from a woody root-stock, which also bears numerous inconspicuous, but 

 more fertile flowers, beneath the ground. Its usual habitat is dry grassy 

 banks, in sandy or rocky ravines ; all these plants seem to prefer 

 sunshine to shade, and a light sandy, loamy soil. Several of the sjiecies 

 are used as tonics and alteratives by the American herbalists 



