60 THE WOODLANDS. 



CHAPTER IV. 



FLOWERS AND GRASSES. 



As different plants blossom at different periods of the 

 year, no one can expect to find all woodland flowers 

 at the same time ; but in order to become acquainted 

 with them must make separate excursions during, 

 spring and summer. Similarly the odours which 

 perfume a wood will vary, as one flower with strong 

 odour will reign supreme over all the rest. When 

 the little woodruff expands its little insignificant white 

 blossoms, the wood will have that peculiar scent 

 which resembles new-mown hay. Others not equally 

 pleasant will predominate at times. Whether in 

 flower or fruit there will ever be sufficient material at 

 hand for study, if the inclinations tend in that direc- 

 tion. 



One of the earliest of flowers is 



" The coy anemone, that ne'er uncloses 

 Her leaves until they're blown on by the wind." 



The wind flower, or wood anemone, as it is called, 

 is a very delicate little harbinger of spring. The 

 true leaves do not make their appearance until after 

 the flowering is past. The three leaf-like bodies 



