98 THE STORY OF MY ROCK GARDEN 



sway in the soft air ; this last plant delights in a chalky 

 soil mixed with leafy humus, while the viola appreciates 

 a sandy compost. 



Just beneath the eye, in the semi-boggy bays 

 abutting on the path, Soldanella alpina is shaking its 

 lavender bells to the wind, and close to it is Primula 

 farinosa, from whose greyish green rosettes of leaves 

 has emerged the farina-covered stalks supporting heads 

 of rosy pink star-like flowers. The illustration on page 

 32 gives some idea how pretty groups of this lovely 

 little native of Yorkshire look it also shows, partially 

 buried between the plants, the pieces of stone to which 

 I have earlier referred. 



In the rocky clefts, the shell-like foliage of the 

 Auriculas is now adorned with their flowers, and 

 irregular plantations of A. Celtic King are glowing 

 patches of rich yellow. 



Primula marginata too, in somewhat similar positions, 

 is in flower in this case pink is the prevailing colour, 

 the stalks being very powdery, while the extreme edge 

 of the serrated leaf is farina-covered ; a very striking 

 little plant, if near enough to be closely examined. 



On the moraine, Draba aizoides has had its tufts of 

 green foliage transformed into hummocks of bright 

 yellow, while Draba dedeana is one mass of white 

 flowers, and looking the picture of happiness among 

 the stone chips. 



