WOODLAND GLADES. 207 



seen. The leaves are wrinkled like the garden sage, 

 and are very bitter ; when bruised, they have the smell 

 of garlic, hence one of its old names was garlicke-sage. 

 It is frequently used as a bitter drink, and is some- 

 times used instead of hops for brewing purposes. 

 Sometimes we may find the tall Teazle (Dipsacus 

 ftdlonum) spreading its tall stem and thistle-like heads 

 on the woodland borders. Here, too, in Southern 

 counties may be found the Caper Spurge (Euphorbia 

 lathyris) in those thickets which fringe the chalk downs. 

 It is a tall, bushy plant, much like in appearance the 

 common Sun Spurge, so commoa in our gardens. 

 The flowers are greenish, and in autumn the lobed 

 seeds appear, which are supposed to be a substitute for 

 the ordinary caper. They are, however, exceedingly 

 noxious. The Wood Spurge (JEjUphorbia amygdaloides) 

 is a much more pretty inhabitant of our woodlands. 

 It is readily distinguished by its numerous ovate- 

 lanceolate leaves of a sunny hue ; but how or why its 

 old name of " welcome-to-our-house " was obtained 

 it is difficult to say. 



The rare purple Helleborine (Epipactis latifolia) 

 may be sought for in woods in hilly districts, and it is 

 sometimes found in the Midland shires. Its broad egg- 



