JANUARY. 11 



shaped blossoms. Most of the species Avere 

 brought hither from Spain, and their Latin 

 name, from its old appellation of Iberia, re- 

 minds us of their origin. All the species are 

 common on the northern shores of the Mediter- 

 ranean. Some of the later blooming kinds are 

 abundant on the rocks of Gibraltar, and afford 

 a relief to the eye, wearied with gazing on their 

 barren surfaces. The early flowering cress 

 (Arahis albida) is not unUke these plants, and 

 blooms from this period till autumn. It is a 

 native of Caucasus. 



Winter is not the season for odours, and few 

 breathe their sweetness in the frosty air; 

 but there is one plant in flower, which is so 

 powerfully fragrant as to fill a small garden 

 with its perfume. This is the scented colt'sfoot, 

 {Tussilarjo fragrans.) Its stem rises but a little 

 height from the ground, and it has many and 

 large leaves. If the growth be not restrained, 

 it sends out so many young suckers from its 

 root, that it will cover the garden and overrun 

 the more delicate flowers. The blossoms are 

 white, and their scent is like that of almonds. 

 It is very abundant on some lands of Italy, 

 and flowers in that lovely climate during the 

 Avinter months. 



The brightest flower of the winter garden, 

 the very gem of January, till the crocus comes 

 to rival it, is the winter aconite, {Eranthis hy- 

 emalis.) Its glossy yellow cups, growing near 

 the earth, gave it its name, which, taken from 

 the Greek, imports earth-flower. Its leaves 



