24 FAMILIAR WILD FLOWERS. 



Middle Ages, or, in other words, the belief that every 

 plant bore stamped upon it some indication of its medicinal 

 use, must have been brought to bear upon this plant either 

 with a peculiarly strong penetration, or possibly an especial 

 obtuseness, for there is nothing scorpion-like to the out- 

 ward eye either in form, colour, or anything else. All 

 one's feelings towards the pink campion are necessarily 

 kindly, for it is one of the pleasant indications in the 

 hedgerow that stern winter's reign is over, and it finds 

 a place in every rustic nosegay with the cold steely blue of 

 the blossoms of the bugle, the rich purple bells of the 

 hyacinths, and the snowy stars of the anemone. 



