THE MARSHLANDS AND THE BOGS. 



TT)ASSING- from the river-sides to the spongy 

 marshlands, or treading lightly over the dark tog, 



where 



" The golden-belted bees hiimnied in the air, 

 The tall silk-grasses bent and waved along" 



the pathway, we shall find amongst the thick matted 

 mosses the Sweet Gale, or Bog Myrtle (Myrica gale), 

 with its yellowish catkins and refreshing fragrance, 

 early in the year. It is easily known by its small and 

 myrtle-like appearance. It is hung up in houses for 

 its perfume, and where abundant it is frequently 

 burnt for the sake of the sweet odour. AVhen the 

 sweet gale is boiled, a species of wax rises to the sur- 

 face of the water. This, when gathered in quantities' 

 is used for tapers, and when burnt give out an agree- 

 able fragrance. The plant is strongly astringent, and 

 the berries are frequently used for spices in flavour- 

 ing ale in "Wales. 



Perhaps the earliest of the marsh flowers is the 

 Viola palustris, whose pale lilac blossoms have, in a 



