THE MEADOW 

 CEANE'S-BILL. 



Geranium pratense. Nat. Ord., Geraniaeece. 



HOUGH the subject of our present 

 illustration is much more confined 

 to special localities than many of 

 the other flowers we have selected, it 

 is, when encountered at all, usually 

 found in great profusion. We had 

 ourselves been interested in our in- 

 digenous flora for years before the 

 plant came under our notice, though 

 these present pages are written in a 

 district where it is one of the com- 

 monest plants. "Where it occurs it 

 can scarcely fail to command atten- 

 tion, not merely from the profusion 

 of it being itself sufficient to enforce 

 notice, but from the large size and 

 beautiful colours of its blossoms, and 

 the large clumps of richly-cut leaves 

 a deep green in the summer 

 months, and in those of autumn crimson, orange, and 

 purple in countless varying tints. The plant appears to 

 thrive best where there is a considerable amount of 

 moisture, hence it will be found in lowly-lying pasturage, 

 and in rocky and mountainous districts near the numerous 



