66 "WILD FLOWERS OF SPRING. 



singular flower known as Herb Paris (Paris quadri- 

 folia). It is about a foot in height, and consists of a 

 simple stem, on the summit of which are four broad, 

 ovate, acute leaves, which form a cross, and a single 

 terminal large green flower. It has but little beauty 

 and little virtue ; for though it has been used medi- 

 cinally, its use is to be avoided rather than sought. 



The Lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis) shows its 

 purple bells with their young pink buds as early as 

 May. The rough foliage is spotted like the animal 

 lungs, and hence was thought useful in pulmonary 

 complaints. Its old name was Jerusalem cowslip. It 

 is a somewhat rare plant. Not so the Eed Campion 

 (Lychnis diurnd), which is a plentiful summer flower 

 both in woodlands and hedgerows. 



In the woodlands and on some waste places we may 

 find in dark spots the Enchanter's Nightshade (Circcea 

 lutetiand). It has a creeping root, and its stem grows 

 about a foot high. It has pointed ovate leaves, and its 

 pink blossoms are set on red flower-cups. 



Amongst the woodland plants of spring we must not 

 forget the Buckthorn (Rhamnus catharticus) , a large 

 shrub, whose yellowish-green flowers produce the black 

 fruits, about the size of peas, which when dry resemble 



