WILD FLOWERS OF WINTER. 239 



blooms late. Its leaves are hairy, and it grows to the 

 height of three feet. In former days the spikenard 

 was hung up in rooms to drive away gnats and other 

 insects. In many cottages, both here and in France, 

 it is hung up for this purpose. The " wee Daisy " 

 raises its glad face to heaven from many a sheltered 

 nook. 



The hedges are decked with many-coloured berries 

 with hips and haws, the rose-tinted fruit of the 

 Spindle tree (Eunonymus Europoeus), the transparent 

 red berries of the Honeysuckle, which contrasts with 

 the black berries of the Sloe, Privet, or Elder, and the 

 clear white pearls of the Mistletoe, which may be seen 

 on many a crab and apple tree. The red and white 

 berries of the Cowberries, the grateful acid berries 

 of the Barberry, and the scarlet ones of the White 

 Bryony hang in profusion like clustered gems. 



The Mistletoe the " silvery modest mistletoe " 

 (Viscim album), with its thick, succulent, yellow-hued 

 foliage, and white viscous berries situate in the axils 

 of the upper pair of leaves, is common in the south 

 of England. "We have seen it growing in profusion 

 in the neighbourhood of Ghiildford. It puts forth its 

 flowers in May. 



