12 GARDEN FLOWERS. 



are much like those of the aconite or wolfsbane. 

 This flower belongs to the ranunculus tribe ; and, 

 like all plants of that order, it is very acrimo- 

 nious and also poisonous. A person known to the 

 writer, once thoughtlessly ate a small piece of 

 this pretty blossom, and experienced so violent 

 a burning sensation in his throat for some 

 hours afterwards, as to be seriously alarmed. 

 It is a frequent flower in the shady woods of 

 Italy, and is found in wooded spots very gene- 

 rally in the midland countries of Europe ; 

 while a species very similar, but which has 

 not yet found a place in our gardens, the Sibe- 

 rian eranthis, grows most plentifully in Siberia. 

 The old writers called it yellow wolfsbane, 

 and winter wolfsbane. Clare well describes 

 this flower — 



" The -winter aconite, 

 With buttercup-like flowers, that shut at night; 

 Its green leaf furling round its cup of gold, 

 Like tender maiden ifluflled from the cold." 



FEBRUARY. 



" A tale of spring around the distant haze 

 Seems muttering pleasures with the lengthened days ; 

 Morn wakens, mottled oft with May-day stains, 

 And shower-drops hang the grassy sprouting plains ; 

 Or on tlie naked thorn of brassy hue. 

 Drip glistening, like a summer stream of dew ; 

 The woodman in his pathway, down the wood, 

 Crushes with hasty step full many a bud 

 Of early primrose ; yet if timely spied. 

 Sheltered some old half-rotten stump beside, 

 The sight will cheer his solitary hour. 

 And urge his feet to strive and save the flower." — Ci.are. 



Notwithstanding the usually dreary aspect of 

 this month, yet still there are days on which 



