MARCH AND APRIL. 9 



blue flower, but I must object to this on the ground 

 that its bhie is onlj a quahfying condition of its pur- 

 ple. Often the blossoms are nearly white, but as a 

 rule they are blue-purple of extraordinarily delicate 

 quality. The leaves come out later than the flowers, 

 and by the end of summer they are strong and thick, 

 dark green in color, and leathery in texture. They 

 remain green all winter. The flower grows on the 

 edge of the wood, and often in sunny pastures ; at 

 least this is so in the Eastern States. A distinguish- 

 ing point in the Hejxttica is its hairy flower stem. 

 It is not too early to look for it immediately after 

 the snow has disappeared ; in fact, it is contempora- 

 neous with the arbutus, whose blossoms one may often 

 gather within a few feet of a lingering snow-drift ! 



There is no reason wh}^ the adder's- 

 Dog's-Tooth , , , , n , . , 



Violet or tongue should be called a violet ; it 



Adder's-Tongue. is really a lily ; and so far as the re- 



Erythronium semblance in shape between the white 



Americauum. ^ 



root of the plant and a dog's tooth is 

 concerned, that is too trifling for serious considera- 

 tion. There is a snaky look to the prettily mottled 

 leaf, but nothing to remind one of the snake's tongue. 

 I have found this flower growing beside a little brook 

 as it issued from the border of the wood as late as 

 the 10th of May. The blossom is usually russet yel- 

 low, and the upright leaves, spotted with a darker 



