THE LADY'S-SMOCK. 



Cardamine pratensis. Nat. Ord., Cruciferee. 



HE Cardamine pratensis, or lady's- 

 smock, is, like the primrose and cow- 

 slip, one of the typical plants of the 

 opening- floral year. The primrose, 

 we have seen, delights rather in the 

 hedgerows and woods, the cowslip in 

 the meadows and open downs, while 

 the present plant shares with the 

 marsh marigold one of the subjects 

 of a preceding illustration the moist, low- 

 lying grounds. The two plants mutually 

 enhance each other's attractions, the 

 vigour of form and brilliant gold of the 

 large masses of marigold being intensified to 

 the eye and mind by the proximity of the 

 light and graceful growth, the delicate foliage 

 and flowers of the lady's-smock, a grace and delicacy that 

 is the more appreciated from the contrast with its sturdy 

 neighbour. The lady's-smock will ordinarily be found in 

 flower by about the first week in April, though it may 

 sometimes be met with at a considerably earlier date; it 

 continues in blossom until about the middle of June. 



The lady's-smock is also less commonly known as the 



