APRIL. 201 



liverwort, (Hepatica triloba) appearing on the sunny slope of 

 a hill that is protected by woods, and continuing to put forth 

 its delicate blossoms during a period of six weeks. These 

 are the flowers which have generally rewarded my earliest 

 botanical rambles, and every year I behold them with increased 

 delight. They are often seen in crowded clusters, half con- 

 cealed by some dry oak leaves, that were elevated by the 

 flowers as they sprang up from the bosom of the earth. 

 They vary in color, from a dark purple and lilac, to lighter 

 shades of the same tints. Appearing in clusters that often 

 contain more than twenty flowers, they form a pleasing 

 contrast with the little wood anemone that spangles the mossy 

 knolls with its solitary drooping blossoms, scattered somewhat 

 evenly over the green surface. While we admire the splen- 

 dor and elegance of the liverwort in clusters of various, 

 shades, some purple or lilac, some of a pale blue, and others: 

 white, the wood anemones are still more charming, on 

 account of their expression of meekness and delicacy. The 

 rue-leaved anemone differs from each of these. More live!y 

 in its appearance than either, it bears several upright flowers 

 upon one stalk, with such a look of cheerfulness that they 

 seem almost to smile upon us from their green shady nooks. 

 Not the least charming of our vernal flowers is one, which 

 having no standard English name, is known by a different 

 appellation in almost every place. This flower is the Hoiis- 

 tonia cceridea. It sometimes appears in the latter part of 

 April; but, in this vicinity, its blossoms are closely identified 

 with the month of May, when they are so thickly strown 

 over the fields, as, at a distance, to resemble a flight of snow 

 spread lightly over the green pastures. The whole plant is 

 almost as delicate as the finer mosses ; and the flowers, though 

 minute, are rendered conspicuous by the brilliant golden hue 

 of their centre, that melts imperceptibly into the azure white- 

 ness of the corolla. The houstonia has sometimes been called! 

 stamvort, a name that corresponds very justly with its general! 

 habits and appearance. In April one or two solitary flowers 

 of this species may be seen peeping out from the green herb- 

 age, as in early evening a few stars are seen twinkling through 



VOL. XXI. NO. IV. 26 



