158 COUNTRY RAMBLES. 



the yellowish seed pods quite a feature of the country-side), Herb 

 Robert, Bird's-foot Trefoil, Wild Strawberry, Lesser Stitchwort 

 (coming along nicely, and although not throwing such a large flower- 

 head as the greater species, it takes its place very appropriately at this 

 season), Water Figwort, Cinquefoil (the number of petals of this 

 flower vary a good deal; I counted several to-day with four, five, and 

 six petals , Bugle Flower (this seems to grow in woods for the most 

 part), Ragged Robin, Foxglove (how pleasing to see these flowers 

 out again), Woodruff (gone off a deal), Soft-knotted Trefoil (this 

 flower has very rapidly died down; only a few flower-heads found 

 to day), Red Dead Nettle, Hawthorn (probably the last time it will 

 be included as in flower), Bramble, Honeysuckle (the aroma from 

 this beautiful flower excels all others, I think), White Bryony, Black 

 Bryony (how different the long strings of flowers of this Bryony to 

 those of the White species), Holly, Yarrow (the first I have seen in 

 flower), Furze, Meadow Vetchling (this must not be confounded with 

 the Bird's-foot Trefoil), Small Willow Herb, Sow Thistle (these and 

 others of this orders close their flower-heads quite early in the after- 

 noon), Field Thistle, Field Convolvulus, Woody Nightshade (how 

 the yellow centre shows up against the dark petals), Common Mallow 

 (there are six or seven species in Britain), Hedge Stachys, Scentless 

 Mayweed, Dog Rose (the delicate Nature-pained petals, so fragile, 

 and yet so beautiful, are now a feature of our inland flora). Even 

 the various tints of green in the garden are worth noticing. For 

 instance, to take a few at random; the pea-green of the Peas, the 

 dark olive-green of the Plum leaves, the greyish-green of the Pinks 

 and Cabbages, the yellowish-green of the Nutmeg, the dark leaves of 

 the Sycamores and Potatoes, and the light green swords of the Iris. 



The leaves of the Thyme-leaved Veronica are quite dead, as if 

 bleached by the sun. They are khaki- coloured now; one or two 

 flower-heads to be seen, but it has run its course for this season. 



The rains of the past week have brought the wheat ears along 

 wonderfully. So much so, that where a week ago a single ear could 

 not be seen, to-day ears were to be observed everywhere. The Elder 

 is in blossom now ; also the Wild Guelder Rose. The smell of the 

 latter is beautiful. 



The green cones of the Scotch Fir are out now, and the new 

 cones of the Spruce Fir are quite a study. Rhododendrons still in 

 flower. The Burdock and Mullein are heading up rapidly. The 

 Scarlet Poppies amongst the Oats are well-knowns features of the 



