FLOWERS OF THE ROADSIDES AND HEDGES 127 



hedge bottom, its fragrant foliage scenting the whole roadway from 

 side to side. Spindle-tree serves the gipsy many a good turn, as he cuts 

 from the hedge skewers he can hawk for sale. Side by side with the 

 latter grows the Sloe, which adorns the whole countryside in white festal 

 array, its flowers being in bloom in the hedgerows before the leaves. 



Rambling over the hawthorn hedges Tufted Vetch makes handsome 

 bright-hued tufts along every country lane, and in wet hollows or in 

 the shallow ditch bottom. The Yellow Vetchling lends another (yellow 

 tint) to the assemblage of wayside flowers. The Bramble forms a fine 

 nesting-place for White-throat and Blackcap, lining many a hedgerow 

 with pink or white blossoms arranged in handsome panicles. 



Along the gritty border of the macadam the silvery foliage of the 

 Silverweed forms a fine fringe enriched by pale golden blooms. Close 

 by the Barren Strawberry opens its numerous white blossoms which 

 mature no ruddy fruit. In the hedge and in arching clumps by the 

 way the Dog Rose gladdens the heart of many a weary traveller on a 

 hot June or July day with its rose-tinted or waxen- white petals, while 

 earlier, too, the Crab Apple in flower is a delightful picture in the 

 hedgerow or copse. Everywhere the road is tinted with budding May 

 in early summer, making the air heavy with its almost narcotic scent. 

 The Bryony curls in graceful disorder over the layered hedge. With 

 spotted stem and fetid stench Hemlock warns the wayside beast not to 

 touch it. Under the hedgerow the Hedge-parsley with rigid stem lines 

 the roadway as some sentinel. Cornel red -stemmed, and gay with 

 white bloom, and Elder vary the monotony of the Whitethorn hedge. 

 Underneath in the shade a faint smell of musk betrays the little 

 Moschatel. Teasel with its pitcher-like leaf-bases is fond of this 

 habitat by the hedge side. 



The diminutive blooms of Nipplewort peep out from the hedge 

 where the Ash affords ample shelter for the passer-by. Great Hedge 

 Bindweed with its handsome, white, trumpet-like blooms encompasses 

 the hedgerow far and wide. The sward is scattered up and down with 

 Red Bartsia sponging on the grass roots. 



Ground Ivy carpets the hedgebanks, and White or Blue Bugle is 

 rampant in the moist hollows. Spurge Laurel grows in the hedge. 

 The Nettles endeavour to drive all else out of the ditches. The tall 

 Elm throws a wide shade across the road where Black Bryony clambers 

 up the hedge, and in autumn the scarlet berries lend rich colour to the 

 hedge side, as do those of the Cuckoo Pint in earlier months. 



