64 THE WOODLANDS. 



waste places. The name is derived from the long 

 beak in the centre of the fruits. 



The Wood Sorrel 1 is a delicate little plant with 

 three-lobed leaves, resembling those of the white 

 clover. The flowers are pinkish-white, on slender 

 peduncles, often concealed amongst the leaves, and 

 are called in Wales " fairy-bells." It has been con- 

 tended that this is the true " shamrock/ 7 whilst others 



WOOD SORREL. 



hold that magical plant to be the white clover. The 

 evidence is greatly in favour of the wood sorrel, 

 whilst the Irish practice is in favour of clover. The 

 ancient Druids held the wood sorrel in veneration, 



Oxalis acetosella. 



