18 



abound, we came on a subalpine pasture covered with the 

 Globe-Flower as thickly as we constantly see the Buttercup 

 spreading its golden blooms. Knives and pocket-handkerchiefs 

 were quickly produced, and we had soon procured a bundle of 

 roots to plant in our shrubberies. How proud we have felt 

 ever since in the knowledge that our neighbourhood boasted 

 such a profusion of the treasured plant ! In this manner 

 it is frequently found in the hilly districts of the north of 

 England. 



The Marsh Marigold (Caltha pahistris, Plate I., fig. 8), is a 

 still more showy plant, its large golden blossoms and bright 

 green, glossy, heart-shaped leaves forming a familiar and much- 

 valued ornament of marshy land. Like the Globe-Flower, the 

 Marsh Marigold is without calyx. Last year Edward was much 

 delighted with the many garlands carried about for show by 

 the poor children in a village in Kent, and the one to which he 

 gave the preference was formed entirely of Marsh Marigolds 

 and purple Orchises. 



The Hellebores also belong to this order ; and although 

 their green flowers suggest no relationship to their golden 

 companions, yet the form of the blossom and its many car- 

 pels, and the dark glossy hand-shaped leaves carry out a fair 

 amount of resemblance as soon as the attention is directed to 

 them. 



The Green Hellebore (Helleborus viridis), grows in woods 

 about Bedale in Yorkshire, where I have found it frequently. 

 Like its brethren, the Stinking Hellebore and Christmas Rose, 

 it has no petals, and the petal-like calyx becomes leafy, and 

 remains till the seed is ripe. The plant grows to a foot in 

 height. Fanny has specimens gathered at Hill Deverill, in 

 Wiltshire. 



The Stinking Hellebore she has found near Shaftesbury, in 

 Wiltshire. It has a disagreeable smell, and the pale green 

 flowers are tinged with purple (H. fcetidus). Both of these 

 plants flower early in the spring. 



