195 



Cowslips rapidly going oft". Meadows refulgent with golden Ranun- 

 culi, but becoming now somewhat chastened with the bronze spikes of 

 Rumex acetosa. The tall mayweed (Anthriscus sylvestris) now fringes 

 the evening robe of contemplation with a border of silver, seen even 

 at midnight. 



May 20. — Iris pseud-acorus in flower in some quantity. I have 

 found the flowering of the yellow Iris a capital test for an early or late 

 season. In general it may be met with in flower on June 1, and this is 

 Forster's date in his Encyclopaedia, and the season is behind if it be 

 not then apparent in the marshes. On the other hand, I should reckon 

 the season so many days earlier than an average one as the Iris flower- 

 ed before June 1. Of course the Floras indicate no month earlier 

 than June. 



In this paper I have only taken the plants that actually fell under 

 my own observation, and have omitted those that did not seem at least 

 in some degree illustrative. Without "full flower" is mentioned, it 

 must be understood that a few plants only were observed with unfold- 

 ed petals. 



Senecio aquaticus in flower. Early in June according to Forster ; 

 Hooker, Babington, and Steele, say July and August. 



Yellow rattle (Rhinanthus Crista-galli) rather numerously in flower 

 in a meadow by the Severn. June according te the Floras. Forster 

 says that this plant belongs to the Solstitial Flora. " Haytime," he 

 observes, " begins in the neighbourhood of London about the 20th of 

 June, when the Rhinanthus Crista-galli flowers ; it is later by ten days 

 in most other parts of England." But it is usually said in Worcester- 

 shire that the grass is ready to cut when the seeds of the yellow rattle 

 are so ripe as to be rattled in their capsules. 



Orchis latifolia most luxuriantly in flower. 



May 23. — Rubus dumetorum, var. ferox, in flower. July and 

 August are set down by Mr. Babington for this form, yet it was plen- 

 tifully in flower in May this season. The yellow Iris generally in full 

 flower. 



May 24. — Hawthorn flowers rapidly going off, succeeded by the 

 elder, now displaying its silver umbels in all directions with luxuriant 

 profuseness. The trees have all the leafiness of June in their aspect. 



May 25. — Rosa Doniana beautifully in flower in hedges near 

 Cruckbarrow Hill. Highest temp, of day 78 j°. 



May 26. — Rubus suberectus in flower. June, Hooker and Steele ; 

 July, Babington. 



Great snapdragon {Antirrhinum ma jus) in flower on several old 



