226 THE HEATH A.TTD MOORLAND. 



see the Blue Lobelia (Lobelia Dortmcmna). It some' 

 times grows in the water, which reflects its pretty 

 blue bells. It is common in the Cumberland lakes, 

 which sometimes appear filled with its foliage. 



Another autumnal plant is the Field Gentian (Gen- 

 tiana campestris) . Its branched and somewhat erect 

 stem bears a cluster of four cleft bell-shaped flowers 

 and flower-cups. The dull bluish-purplish hue of the 

 corolla is relieved by a little fringe in the centre of the 

 bell. Its strongly-veined leaves are very bitter, of a 

 bright green colour. This was the Baldinoyne of 

 Chaucer's time, and the plant was early used for medi- 

 cinal purposes, and for bittering ale instead of hops. 



The Tellowwort (Chloraperfoliata) has long, pointed 

 egg-shaped leaves, which are covered with a sea-green 

 bloom. The stem, which runs through the leaves, is 

 about a foot high. The large beautiful yellow flowers 

 only open during the time the sun is shining. In 

 the morning the centre flower opens, and when it 

 closes at noon, the side flowers open, and remain so 

 until the evening. This is also a bitter plant, with 

 some tonic properties, and it has also been used for 

 dyeing. Many a wanderer on the heath sees it as he 

 searches for the wild berries, or for the herbs, blooming 



