Flowers of Mystery 455 



that if they had lived and crowded out these exquis- 

 ite wild flowers I should have been sorry enough. 

 The hardy Colchicum or Autumnal Crocus is sel- 

 dom seen in our gardens ; nor do I care for its in- 

 crease, even when planted in the grass. It bears to 

 me none of the delight which accompanies the spring 

 Crocus, but seems to be out of keeping with the 



Fountain at Yaddo. 



autumnal season. Rising bare of leaves, it has 

 but a seminatural aspect, as if it had been stuck 

 rootless in the ground like the leafless, stemless 

 blooms of a child's posy bed. Its English name — 

 Naked Boys — seems suited to it. The Colchicum 

 is associated in my mind with the Indian Pipe and 

 similar growths ; it is curious, but it isn't pleasing. 

 As the Indian Pipe could not be lured within gar- 



