CROWFOOT TRIBE 21 



the flowers, boiled with ahim, stains paper of a beautiful, though not a per- 

 manent, yellow tint. This flower was formerly much used for May garlands, 

 and for forming wreaths to hang about cottage doors. A double variety, 

 often cultivated in gardens, has been found in a wild state on Coldham 

 Common, and in Grandchester Meadow, Cambridgeshire. 



2. Rooting Marsh Marigold (C. radicans) is a rare species or perhaps 



only a variety of C. pal nsfris— restricted to Forfarshire. It is chiefly dis- 

 tinguished by its triangular leaves. 



9. Hellebore {Hdlebonts). 



1. Green Hellebore {H. viridis). — Stem few-flowered, leafy ; leaves 

 digitate ; sepals spreading. Plant perennial. This plant is remarkable for 

 the pale green tint of its flowers, which contrast with the rich dark oreen of 

 its lower leaves. It prefers a chalky soil, and is not uncommon in woods 

 thickets, and hedges, in some places appearing to be truly wild, but more 

 often the outcast of the garden. No wild flower, save the daisy and the 

 chiekweed, blooms so early in the year. Thus a little poem, called the " Song 

 of February," says : 



" The o.rociis, the suow-drop, the starwort appear ; 

 The hellebore waited to see me and die, 

 And sweet polyanthus peeps up at the sky." 



The petals of this flower are modified into nectaries ; they are tubular, 

 and shorter than the calyx. Bees seem to be fond of the honey contained in 

 them, and flies are often caught by it, and held as in a trap. This honey is 

 said to be poisonous, and the nature of the plant renders it highly pi^obable. 

 The honey of some plants is well ascertained to be so. Such is the case with 

 the dew-like drops which hang in the Crown Imperial, or which glisten on the 

 flower of the Rhododendron. 



2. Stinking Hellebore (H. fcetidus).— Stem many-flowered, leafy; leaves 

 pedate ; sepals converging. Plant perennial. This plant is often cultivated 

 in shrubberies for its early flowers, which appear in February or March. It 

 is also found in woods and thickets, though rarely, if ever, truly wild. It is 

 about two feet high, with very bushy evergreen leaves, which are not divided 

 to the centre, and sepals of pale green, edged with purple. Bishop Mant well 

 describes it : 



'■ Within the moist and shady glade Whose petals green, o'er-lapp'd, and close, 



What jilant, in suit of green array'd, Present each arch'd converging lip, 



All heedless of the winter cold, Erabroider'd with a purple tip ; 



Inhabits ! Foremost to unfold, And green its floral leaves expand, 



Though half-conceal'd, its bloom globose, AVith fingers like a mermaid's hand " 



This Hellebore is very foetid and poisonous. Its dried leaves are sometimes 

 given as medicine by country people, but great risk attends their use. The 

 powdered roots mixed with meal are said to destroy mice. 



This flower has the old names of Setter-wort, Ox-heal, and Bear's-foot. 

 The Christmas Rose of the garden, whose clear white flowers open in 

 the coldest season, is the lielleborus nvjer, the word niyer alluding to its 

 black roots. 



