AMARYLLIDE^— AMARYLLIS TRIBE 233 



3. Snowflake (Leucdjum). — Perianth bell-shaped, of six equal pieces, 

 somewhat thickened at the point ; flowers from a sjoathe. Name from leitJcos, 

 white, and ion, a violet. 



1. Narcissus (JVarclssus). 



1. Common Daffodil (N. pseudo-narcissus). — Spathe single-flowered ; 

 crown bell-shaped, erect, curled and notched at the margin, as long as the egg- 

 shaped spreading outer segments ; leaves linear and blunt ; stalk two-edged ; 

 bulb one inch, with membranous coat. It is in moist woods and thickets, 

 chiefly, that we must look for the Daflfodil ; and though it is local, it is not 

 uncommon in many parts of England. In Ireland and Scotland it occurs 

 only as a naturalized plant. Sometimes it nods above the grass of the 

 meadow or orchard, or in the hedge ; but it is not often in its wild state 

 that we see it in such numbers as Wordsworth describes : 



" I vvander'd, lonely as a cloud 

 That floats on high o'er vales and hills, 

 When, all at once, I saw a croAvd, 

 A host of golden Daffodils, 

 Beside the lake beneath the trees, 

 Fluttering and dancing in the breeze. 

 Continuous as the stars that shine 

 And twinkle in the milky way, 

 They stretch'd in never-ending line 

 Along the margin of a bay ; 

 Ten thousand saw I at a glance, 

 Tossing their heads in sprightly dance." 



The wild Daffodil is like that which is found in every garden during spring, 

 except that its yellow hue is somewhat paler, and its blossom single. Like 

 that flower, however, it deserves the name of Lent-lily ; for it, too, 



' ' Oomes, 

 Before the swallow dares, 

 And takes the winds of March with beauty." 



The Anglo-Saxons called the plant "affadylle," or " afrodille ;" and 

 several kinds were early cultivated in gardens. Gerarde tells of various 

 varieties, known as the Nonpareil Daffodil, the Primrose-peerlesse, King's- 

 chalice, Camel's-neck, and Longshanks. The double-yellow, from his friend 

 Robinus of Paris, he says, he introduced into his garden ; and speaking of 

 the "Spanish Daffodil," he adds, "it doth likewise decke up our London 

 gardens, where they encrease infinitely." Our common flower was called by 

 various poets DafFy-down-dilly — a name yet retained in country places. In 

 many parts of the country an old custom still exists of gathering these 

 flowers and placing them on sticks ; and these bouquets are carried by 

 children into town, who sing the old Norfolk ditty — 



" Daffy-down-dilly is coming to town," etc., 



and term this custom " going a-daffying." 



All the species of Narcissus have an odour more or less noxious, 

 which, in its mildest effect, produces drowsiness. The ancients were well 

 aware of their narcotic properties ; and, as old Gerarde says, " Sophocles 

 nameth the Narcissi the garland of the infernal gods, because they that are 



III.— 30 



