NATURE NEAR LONDON 



WOODLANDS 



THE tiny white petals of the barren strawberry open 

 under the April sunshine which, as yet unchecked by 

 crowded foliage above, can reach the moist banks 

 under the trees. It is then that the first stroll of the 

 year should be taken in Claygate Lane. The slender 

 runners of the strawberries trail over the mounds 

 among the moss, some of the flowers but just above 

 the black and brown leaves of last year which fill the 

 shallow ditch. These will presently be hidden under 

 the grass which is pushing up long blades, and bend- 

 ing over like a plume. 



Crimson stalks and leaves of herb Robert stretch 

 across the little cavities of the mound ; lower, and 

 rising almost from the water of the ditch, the wild 

 parsnip spreads its broad fan. Slanting among the 

 underwood, against which it leans, the dry white 

 "gix" (cow-parsnip) of last year has rotted from its 

 root, and is only upheld by branches. 



Yellowish green cup-like leaves are forming upon 

 the brown and drooping heads of the spurge, which, 

 sheltered by the bushes, has endured the winter's 

 frosts. The lads pull them off, and break the stems, 



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