IV 



EARLY SPRING 



The work of the botanist is light during the early spring, especially 

 if his attention is directed only to plants and trees in their flowering 

 stages ; but, to one whose ambition is to study Nature in all her 

 varied phases, this season of the bursting of the bud, when all 

 things are awakening into new hfe, is full of interest, and demands 

 no small amount of time. 



The first flowers observed in the spring are mainly those hardy 

 weeds which may be seen in bloom almost through the year, such 

 as the Shepherd's Purse, Chickweed, Groundsel, White Dead Nettle, 

 Red Dead Nettle, and Henbit Dead Nettle. These are soon followed 

 by the Furze, Strawberry-leaved Cinquefoil, Snowdrop, Hazel, 

 Common Whitlow-grass, and other flowers that are truly blossoms 

 of the spring. All these will be described in turn, according to their 

 various habitats ; the object of the present short chapter being to 

 note those signs of early spring which demand the attention of the 

 lover of Nature while flowers are as yet few and inconspicuous. 



A ramble over bleak downs and moors during the cold days 

 of early spring will probably reveal but little of interest in the way 

 of vegetable life, but in sheltered vales and woods, copses, and 

 protected waysides, there is much to be observed. Here it is that 

 we find the hardy weeds which have continued to bloom throughout 

 the winter months ; the earhest of the spring flowers ; the fresh 

 green fohage of herbs and shrubs that, in more exposed situations, 

 have been completely denuded ; the first tender seedlings appearing 

 above the ground long before the frosts are over ; and the expanding 

 * leaf-buds ' showing their green while elsewhere all life seems 

 dormant. 



This is the season when the young botanist requires his note- 

 book more than the collecting-book or vasculum ; for his records 



