20 IVJLD, OR XATIVE FLOWERS. 



have wakened up a wealth of brighter blossoms to gladden the eye ; yet 

 the first, and the last, are apt to be most prized by us, with flowers as 

 well as other treasures. 



How infinitely wise and merciful are the arrangements of the Great 

 Creator. Let us instance the connection between Bees and Flowers. 

 In cold climates the former lie torpid, or nearly so during the long 

 months of winter, until the genial rays of the sun and light have 

 quickened vegetation into activit)', and buds and blossoms open, 

 containing the nutriment necessary for this busy insect tribe. 



The Bees seem made for the Blossoms ; the Blossoms for the 

 Bees. 



On a bright March morning what sound can be more in harmony 

 with the sunshine and blue skies, than the murmuring of the honey- 

 bees, in a border of cloth of gold Crocuses ? What sight more cheerful 

 to the eye ? But I forget. Canada has few of these sunny flowers, 

 and no March days like those that woo the hive bees from their winter 

 dormitories. And even April is with us only a name. We have no April, 

 month of rainbows, suns, and showers. We miss the deep blue skies, 

 and silver throne-like clouds that cast their fleeting shadows over the 

 tender springing grass and corn ; we have no mossy lanes odorous with 

 blue Molets. 



But our April flowers are comparatively speaking, few, and so we 

 prize our early Violets, Hepaticas and Spring Beauties. 



We miss the turfy banks, studded with starry Daisies, pale Primroses 

 and azure Blue-bells. 



In the warmth and shelter of the forest, vegetation appears. The 

 black leaf-mould, so light and rich, quickens the seedlings into rapid 

 growth, and green leaves and opening buds follow soon after the melting 

 of the snows of winter. The starry blossoms of the Spring plants come 

 forth and are followed by many a lovely flower, increasing with the 

 more genial seasons of May and June. 



Our May is bright and sunny, more like to the English March ; it 

 is indeed a month of promise — a month of many flowers. But too 

 often its fair buds and blossams are nipped b)- frost, " and winter, 

 lingering, chills the lap of May." 



Indian Turnip. — Arisa'ina tripliyUiiin. (Torr.) 



"Or peers the Arum from its spotted \eil." — JhyaiiL 



There are two species of Arum found in Canada, the larger of 

 which is known as (Ireen-Dragon [A. Dracoiitimn) ; the other is 

 known by the familiar name of Indian Tiirni|i {A. friphyllnin or A 

 purpurciiin). 



