52 WILD 2LOWEES OF SPRING. 



flowers do not appear until the summer, and may gene- 

 rally be found in the neighbourhood of osiers and 

 willows. The Hare's-ear Treacle-Mustard (JE. Orien- 

 tate) is more rare, and frequents the cliffs and fields 

 near the sea, principally in the South-eastern counties. 



Along southern hedgerows the small Periwinkles 

 (Vinca minor), with their starry blue flowers, shining 

 myrtle-like leaves, garland the bushes. Its larger re- 

 lative (Vinca major) will appear later in the year. 



In a close shady nook or near a damp wood we may 

 find the Moschatel (Adoxa moschatellina) unfolding 

 its pale green flowers and leaves. It was once known 

 as Bulbous Fumitory, but now its unassuming appear- 

 ance has given it the name of Adoxa, or " without 

 glory." Early in the spring we may see the large 

 greenish-yellow blossoms of the two species of the 

 Wild Hellebore under the hedgerows. They stand 

 out boldly and defiantly, regardless, like their relative, 

 the Christmas rose, of the winter's storms. There ia 

 but little difficulty in distinguishing the Green 

 Hellebore (Hellelorus viridus) from the Stinking 

 Hellebore (H. fcetidus), for the latter has a purple 

 tinge at the edge of its green cup. The large leathery 

 leaves easily distinguish, it from other wayside plants 



