MARSHLANDS AND BOGS. 193 



comparatively large rose-coloured blossoms to the 

 observer; for it is frequently trodden underfoot by 

 those who fail to look for modest beauty. 



The pretty yellow spike of flowers, dotted with 

 scarlet anthers on a stein about a foot high, is the Bog 

 or Lancashre Asphodel (Nartliecium ossifragum). It 

 was once in repute as a hair dye when yellow hair was 

 the fashion of the day ; but its fame has disappeared, 

 and its name remains to show the fallacy of many 

 early notions. Its bone-breaking repute is gone. 

 Sheep seldom eat it certainly, because a prudent shep- 

 herd would do his utmost to prevent his flock wander- 

 ing on the boggy soil, for other reasons than because 

 he was afraid of their bones becoming brittle through 

 eating the asphodel. 



The Marsh Cinquefoil (Comarum palustre) blooms in 

 July. Its dingy purple flowers grow on a reddish 

 stem. Its leaf-stalks have seven dark green leaflets, 

 deeply cut at the edges. Though somewhat local, it is 

 not an uncommon flower. It is closely allied to the 

 tormentil. The fruit is spongy, but somewhat like a 

 strawberry. 



Of all the interesting plants which grow on marsh- 

 lands, the most singular is the Sundew (Drosera 



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