48 WILD FLOWERS OF SPUING. 



but are generally distinguished by growing in clusters, 

 out of which the flowers rise in the early spring. Thia 

 variety of the Eanunculus tribe for it is not a true 

 member of the family was a favourite of "Words- 

 worth's. He sung the praises of its " varnished golden 

 flowers, 



" Telling tales about the sun 

 When we 've little warmth or none." 



In country districts it is better known under the 

 common name of pile wort a name given to it from 

 the peculiar tuberous root, which was thought to be 

 useful in a painful disease. It is no longer considered 

 a " herb of grace," and its absence is sometimes wished 

 for by the farmer. Old Gerarde thus describes the 

 plant : " It cometh forth about the calends of March, 

 and floureth a little after ; it beginneth to fade away 

 in Aprill ; it is quite gone in May, and afterwards it 

 is hard to be found, yea, scarcely the root." This 

 plant is totally distinct from the True Celandine 

 (Chel dunium'), which belongs to the Poppy family and 

 delights in old ruins. 



The white-flowered Dead Nettle (Lamiim album) 

 may be seen lifting its sturdy head and presenting its 

 whorl of labiate flowers to the early bee and the truant 



