MOUNTAIN FLOWERS 



151 



in lavish profusion and " gently to the passing breeze diffusing 

 fragrance." The slender stalks of this vine stand up erect, 

 and, forking near the summit, bear on either side twin-born 

 pendent blossoms of rare loveliness. 



Seeking the shade and moisture, this plant avoids exposed 

 or sunny places, for 



" Beneath dim aisles, in odorous beds. 

 The slight Linneea hangs its twin-born heads," 



and reminds us as we gather its graceful perfumed bells that 

 " sweetest of all things is wild-flower air." 



It is widely distributed throughout most northern countries, 

 and is found even within the limits of the Arctic Circle. 



SMOOTH-LEAVED HONEYSUCKLE 



Loniccra glaiicesccns. Honeysuckle Family 



Twining, the branches glabrous. Leaves: chartaceous-margined, not 

 ciliate, only the upper pair connate-perfoliate. Flowers: verticillate in a 

 short, terminal, interrupted spike ; corolla yellow changing to red, the 

 tube strongly gibbous at the base, the two-lipped limb shorter than the 

 tube ; stamens and style exserted. 



A climbing vine, with pairs of smooth leaves covered with 

 a delicate bloom growing along its branches, only the upper 

 ones joined together round the stem, which bears at its apex 

 a cluster of red and gold flowers. These blossoms are trum- 

 pet-shaped, and the five stamens and style project beyond the 

 corolla, which is vermilion outside and yellow within. The berry 

 is soft and juicy. Sometimes this vine is called Woodbine, and 

 Shakespeare in his exquisite romance of A jMidsninnicr-N'igJif s 

 Dream refers to this fact when he makes Queen Titania say 

 to Bottom the Weaver, with whom the Fairy King Oberon 

 has caused her by means of a love philter to fall in love : 



" Sleep thou, and I will wind thee in my arms. 

 So doth the woodbine the sweet honeysuckle 

 Gently entwist." 



