84 WILD FLOWEES OF SPRING. 



nestles in many a crevice of the ruined abbey, and 

 makes fragrant the breath of early spring, it is said 

 to have its medicinal uses, and when spring green 

 crops were unknown it was frequently given to cattle. 



The common Groundsel (Senecio vulgaris) blooms 

 early from every piece of waste ground. Its yellow 

 flowers, succeeded by tufts of feathery seeds, are well 

 known. Its soft leaves have been used for poultices, 

 and its root was once thought to cure the toothache 

 and all manner of sores. We have now lost the 

 trusting faith of our forefathers in " groundeswyle," 

 except as a treat to our feathered songsters. 



At the foot of the wall, and in many a waste nook 

 of city and country, thick clusters of Knotgrass 

 (Polygonum aviculare) may be found, with its reddish- 

 white blossoms, growing out of chaffy bracts along its 

 reddish stems and by the side of its small dark green 

 leaves. Under the names of cumberfield, " hindering 

 knotgrass," hogweed, swine's cress, it was known to 

 our forefathers, who believed that it not only hindered 

 the growth of plants, but of animals. Swine, how- 

 ever, are fond of the plant. 



"We may look for several varieties of the Mouse- 

 ear Chickweed on the old walls, and sometimes on 



