108 WILD FLOWEHS OF SUMMiltt. 



smallness of the flowers, which are also of a deeper 

 tint than the more frequent hedgerow and wayside 

 roses. There are altogether eighteen species of roses, 

 but their peculiarities, with the exception of the com- 

 mon Burnet Hose (common on sea-shores and where 

 the soil is sandy or chalky), they can hardly be de- 

 scribed in a popular manual. 



The Bladder Campion (Sileneinflata),viliose sturdy 

 buds we noticed in the spring, is now in full bloom 

 on the hedge-banks. Deeper in the shade and by the 

 side ditches the yellow flowers of the Common Avens 

 (Geum urbanum) start up from its long straggling 

 stems. At first sight the flower is often taken for 

 a buttercup, but a glance at its big root-leaves and 

 branching stem will show that it is the Herb Bennett 

 the blessed herb, goldyflower, or star of the earth. 

 Throughout the Southern and Midland counties it is 

 one of the most common of wild flowers. Tt blooms 

 all through the summer ; the flowers are succeeded by 

 spiny burs of a dark reddish tint. Its leaves are 

 thought to be valuable as a febrifuge, and was once 

 used as such ; but the root is the treasure it holds for 

 the country folk on account of its sweet clove-like 

 odour. It was infused into wine and ale, or distilled 



