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March is given as the first month of this plant's appearance. The 

 ' British Flora ' says " from early spring." Query, Did the author 

 comprehend January in the spring months ? Particularly remarked 

 the reniform leaves of Cochlearia danica ; also the leaves of Gera- 

 nium molle, columbinum and Robertianum. Cotyledon Umbilicus 

 was exhibiting its thick, peltate leaves on old walls, at the base of the 

 withered, brown raceme of the parent plant. 



January 12. — The leaves of various Geraniums presenting a fresh 

 and healthful appearance in Saltram woods. Plucked a piece of 

 Rubia peregrina, with large, black fruit on it. The authorities al- 

 ready mentioned give the flowering-season of this plant as extending 

 from June to August. The example which in this month I found in 

 fruit must, it may be presumed, have flowered much later. In vari- 

 ous spots in my walk the dandelion was displaying its golden rays. 

 Babington confines this plant within the 3rd and 10th months, limits 

 which Hooker wisely avoids. He says nothing regarding its flower- 

 ing-season. Searched in the usual place in the wood for Galanthus 

 nivalis, but found none. At this circumstance I was surprised. All 

 other plants seemed earlier than usual, but the snowdrop, the prover- 

 bial "herald of the infant year," eschewed haste. Found Oxalis Ace- 

 tosella in leaf. It flowers, according to the lists, in May. It must 

 have been precocious this year. Saw several fine tufts of daisies. 



March 14. — Gathered Helleborus fcetidus. Sir W. J. Hooker says 

 April. Also, Pulmonaria officinalis. The last-mentioned author, as 

 well as Mr. Babington, insert this plant among the " May flowers." 

 Saw colt's-foot in abundance. No flowers, however, so that they (ac- 

 cording to authors, who place them in March and April, before the 

 leaves) must have come and gone out of due course. It may be 

 stated, too, that this plant is not confined to "moist chalky and clay 

 soils " (Bab.), or " moist and clayey soils " (Hook.) : it grows freely 

 on our dry limestone, particularly on the rejectamenta of quarries. 

 Ranunculus Ficaria frequent, not plentiful. Vegetation in general 

 not so forward (having regard to its condition in January) as I ex- 

 pected to see it. The last-named plant flowers in April and May, 

 agreeably to the authorities already quoted. It has always bright- 

 ened my spring walks at an earlier period. Of primroses I saw a few. 

 " April and May " again, say the book-makers. They must be more 

 timely astir. Mercurialis perennis was unfolding its blossoms. Once 

 more " April and May " are assigned as the flowering months. 



June 25. — Saw Chenopodium olidum about to expand. Babington 

 sets down the 8th and 9th months for it, and Hooker the 8th only. 



