THE XILY FAMILY. 389 



HABITATS AND LOCALITIES. 

 1. Lancashire Asphodel — [NartMcium Ossifragum.) 

 Upon all the mosses near Mancliester. Very plentiful and easily 

 procurable upon CaiTington Moss. Fl. July. 



Curtis, iii. 477 ; E. B. viii. 535 ; Baxter, iii. 186. 

 One of the most beautiful plants the moorlands produce. 



2. Bltte-beli- — (Scilla nutans.) 

 Everywhere in woods and groves, and in the greatest profusion, 

 often rendering them quite blue for the fortnight that they endure. 

 Fl. April, May. 



Curtis, i. 90 (as Hyacinthus non-scriptus) ; E. B. vi. 377; Baxter, i. 74. 



The prettiest view of blue-beUs is early on a fine May morning, when the sun 

 shines under the young leaves of the trees that overshadow them, and thus in 

 between the blue and green, illuminating both. A white variety is not uncom- 

 mon, and occasionally a flesh-coloured one occurs. 



3. Wood Garlic — [Allium ursinum.) 

 Moist woods and groves, common. Abundant at the lower part of 

 Mere Clough, in Gatley Carrs, the Woods near Arden Hall, &c. 

 BriUiant and conspicuous from its snowy whiteness. Fl. May, June. 

 E. B. ii. 122 ; Baxter, ii. 97. 

 A plant that would be charming but for the unbearable odour. A flower placed 

 in the midst of a bunch of forget-me-not, makes one of the sweetest mixtures of 

 the season. 



4. Snake's-head Lilt — {Fritilldria Meledgris.) 

 In a field near the river Bollin, below Cotterill (J. P.), and in 

 meadows near Ratclifie, plentiful every spring. (J. P.) Fl. May. 



Curtis, i. 105 ; E. B. ix. 622 ; Baxter, i. 1. 



Frequent in gardens, where the flowers often grow two or three together on the 

 stem, and also vary to cream colour. 



5. Common Star of Bethlehem — {Ornithogalum umhelldium.) 

 In fields between Bollington and Hagden Hall, far from any house, 

 and in considerable quantity a few years since, but the ground has 

 since been ploughed, and the plant obliterated, though probably not 

 destroyed. (Mr. Leigh.) Meadows near Cheadle Bridge. (Baxter.) 

 Fl. May. 



Curtis, iii. 476; E. B. ii. 130; Baxter, ii. 124. 

 Common in gardens. 



