56 WILD FLOWERS OP SPRING. 



leaves. It is acrid and poisonous, though its young 

 snoots may be gathered and eaten as a vegetable with 

 impunity. This is not to be mistaken for the Black 

 Bryony (Tamus communis), which has glossy heart, 

 shaped leaves, and blooms later. 



The Geranium family the Crane's-bills of which 

 we have seventeen varieties, and no less than thirteen 

 with pink or purplish flowers begin to blossom by the 

 hedgerow and by the wayside, as well as in the wood- 

 lands. One of the earliest is the rose-coloured bell- 

 shaped flower of the Dove's-foot Crane's-bill ( Geranium 

 molle) and the Herb Eobert (G. Rolertiamm), which 

 remains in bloom all the year and in almost every 

 locality. 



The Bladder Campion (Silene inflatd) nas burst 

 into bloom ere this, and its starry white flowers seated 

 on their bladder-like cup, form an object in the early- 

 May landscape. It precedes a little the Germander 

 Speedwell (Veronica cJiamcedrys), 



"Bright as the brightening eye of smiling child, 

 And bathed in blue transparency of heaven," 



which studs the bank beneath it. The Corn-Law 

 Ehymer knew this plant by its Midland name of " Eye- 

 bright," and he called it the 



