IK THE WOODLANDS. 66 



rowel). It is conspicuous by its white enamelled 

 flowers, and its whorl of fine green leaves rising at 

 regular intervals along its stalk. There is but little 

 odour from its fresh leaves, but when dried it has the 

 odour of new-mown hay, and no native plant retains 

 its fragrance so long when dried. In many country 

 districts it is made into tea, and careful housewives 

 keep it in their drawers to preserve their clothes from 

 moths. 



The sweet and pretty Lily of the Valley (Con- 

 vallaria majalis) is not unknown to our woodlands in 



May. 



"The Naiad-like lily of the vale, 

 Whom youth makes so fair and passion so pale, 

 That the light of its tremulous bells is seen 

 Through their pavilions of tender green." 



Its graceful snow-white bells, half hiding themselves 

 between the rich green leaves, are not an unfit emblem 

 of modest beauty, purity, and humility. Occasionally 

 we may find the taller and somewhat similar plant of 

 Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum multiflorum) , which was 

 at one time classified with the Convallaria. Though 

 not a common plant, it is by no means rare, and where 

 it has once taken root it is difficult to extirpate. 

 In the moister recesses of the wood we may find the 



