EARLY WILD FLOWERS, CATKINS. 7 



som is borne on a short stem which issues from be- 

 tween a pair of leaves fully eight inches above the 

 ground. Both of these flowers bloom sparingly in 

 early May on the roadsides of the Northern States, 

 but neither is as common as the blue violet ( Viola 

 cucullata), which, on or about 

 Decoration Day, holds exclu- 

 sive possession of the cold wet 

 ground near the spring or the 

 horse trough. 



The daintiest spring flower of 

 all, I think, is the one which bears 

 the rather rude but suggestive 

 name, Dutchman's breeches 

 (Dicentra cucullaria). This 

 beautiful little plant is fre- 

 quently to be seen on the 

 rocky ledges in the valley of 

 the Hudson Kiver and in the Round . leaved Violflt 

 rich woods westward. It is also 

 common in some parts of Central Park, New York, 

 and Prospect Park, Brooklyn. The blossom is white 

 tipped with creamy yellow, and the extremely orna- 

 mental foliage is blue-green. Dr. Abbott says : " To 

 think that such a plant should be called * Dutchman's 

 breeches ' ! If this abomination were dropped from 

 Gray's Manual, perhaps in time a decent substitute 



