146 GARDEN FLOWERS. 



yoviiig shoots. This flower is occasionally found 

 wild in Great Britain, and is a native of most 

 parts of Europe, from Lapland to Italy. In no 

 country, however, is it so luxuriant as in Lap- 

 land. Dr. Clarke says, that it there attains a 

 magnificence, compared with which it seems in 

 other lands but a stunted plant ; and adds, 

 that among the many gay flowers which decked 

 the river sides of that land, its gaudy blossoms 

 shone pre-eminently. Its high clusters ofj)urple 

 lilac flowers acquire a prodigious size among 

 the rocks and stones. This traveller observes, 

 that it may be considered as the garland of 

 Lapland ; often attaining the greatest magni- 

 tude, when every other sign of vegetation di- 

 minishes. The Lapps call it almoke, and 

 among the inhabitants of Dalecarlia, the flower 

 is familiarly termed heaven's grass. 



The French name this flower laurier de St. 

 Antoine. Its young shoots may be eaten, and 

 the pith, bitter as it is in its fresh state, becomes, 

 when dried, very sweet, and, by a certain pro- 

 cess, is made into ale ; while, by a farther pro- 

 cess, the Kamschatctales derive vinegar from 

 it. It is also used as fodder for cattle, and the 

 goat is glad to come to the clifi's by the river, 

 to eat its foliage. The great quantity of down 

 which exists in the pods, has been mixed Avith 

 fur or cotton, and made into stockings and other 

 articles of wearing apparel. The little red 

 Alpine willow herb is a pretty ornament for 

 rock- work, and several species are among oui- 

 wild flo-svers. 



