32 WILD FLOWERS OF SCOTLAND 



bole of the fallen tree. Scattered here and there, 

 according to their wont, they charm the eye that 

 wanders over the woodland floor, with their 

 picturesque setting and frequent surprises. No 

 two are placed exactly alike. 



The habit of the hyacinth is different. With 

 less genius for setting, it becomes picturesque only 

 when seen at a distance. More prodigal of its 

 favours, it spreads out in sheets, broken only by 

 the tree boles under the lights and shadows. 



O 



Within its areas, nor blade nor leaf of aught 

 else is suffered to appear. I am crushing scores 

 of them where I lie ; and I am lying here simply 

 because I could find no other place where they 

 were not. 



All round about me, within easy reach of my 

 hand, the pendent blossoms hang down the stalks, 

 so that I can see all I want without pulling or 

 breaking. When I lay my head back, a flower 

 ripples over either cheek in hyacinthine locks of 

 blue. 



That it belongs to the lilies is made plain even 

 by the grass-like leaves. And, like the rest of that 

 lovely family, it is able, by a certain natural 

 providence, to make an early start. I cut a little 

 square in the turf round the stem, and dig the 



