242 WILD I-LOWERS OT WINTJ1IB. 



landscape, and peers even through the wintry snow. 

 This is a species of lower growth than " the Never- 

 bloomless Furze" (Ulex Europceus), which blooms in 

 April and May. In many a foreign greenhouse is 

 our Common Furze cherished as a precious plant : its 

 golden butterfly blossoms so excited the great Swedish 

 botanist when he first saw it, that he fell on his knees 

 and praised God for its beauty. Nor is it unprofit- 

 able. Horses and cattle will browse on its prickly 

 foliage when bruised. It forms a useful fence, and 

 when twisted in hurdles, on many a bleak hill-side, 

 it forms the most sheltered nook of the sheepfold. 



In the intervals of mild weather the minute flowers 

 of the Chickweed will peep forth. "We may also find 

 the bright yellow blossoms of JSranthis hyemalis 



"The aconite that decks with gold 

 Its little merry face." 



The Dandelion will peep forth in the meadows, and 

 the sweet-scented Coltsfoot occasionally wakens u^ 

 during the winter. In the gardens the Spurge Laurel 

 (Daphne laureold) expands its blossoms, and the 

 Mezereon (Daphne mezerum) shows its fragrant pink 

 blossoms down its bushy stems, and the Snowdrop- 

 the "snow piercer" of the French appears. The 



