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In this plant the bright yellow leaves composing the 

 flower are not petals, but sepals ; the pistils are five to ten. 

 Leaves round or kidney-shaped, crenate or entire ; sepals 

 six. The plant is used as " greens," or salad, in early 

 spring, and sold in the markets under the name of Cowslips. 

 Both this name, and the equally common one of Water- 

 cress, are obviously incorrect ; the cowslip is a species of 

 primrose, and the water-cress a species of nasturtium, a 

 cruciferous plant. A better name for those who abhor 

 Latin, is Marsh Marigold. 



There is a double variety which we have in our garden, 

 a very ornamental plant. The flowers, except in size, re- 

 semble the double buttercup, and like that plant often have 

 a green centre. It blooms in May, about the time the sin- 

 gle variety expands in the meadows, and continues some 

 weeks. It docs well with us in dry soil, and is perfectly 

 hardy. It may be obtained of florists, but is not common. 



Early in May the rocky hills are decked with the delicate 

 and graceful blossoms of the Wild Columbine (Aquilegia 

 Canadensis). The flower is to well known to need descrip- 

 tion. It is a hardy perennial, loving shady, rocky clefts, 

 and clinging, with its slender roots, in almost inaccessible 

 places. The flowers are very graceful and nodding; in 

 fruit the stalk becomes upright. 



