24 WILD FLOWEKS. 



the young roots are roasted for coffee. The 

 Scotch call the dandelion, tlie hawkweed govvan. 

 Every one must have noticed its dowiiy ball of 

 seeds, which are so well adapted for flying in 

 the air, though they need the breeze to scatter 

 them; for if the plant be gathered, and brought 

 into the house, the little shuttlecock-shaped 

 seeds remain firmly fixed in their place. The 

 French term this flower, Couronne de ipritre. 



The dandelion seeds are eaten by birds : and 

 another plant still more valuable to them, is now 

 blooming. It is the common groundsel, {Se- 

 necio vulgaris ;) this not only affords food to 

 birds, by its feathered seeds, but they eat also 

 the young foliage : and as few berries, except 

 those of the ivy, are now in perfection, it is of 

 much service. And who that delights in the 

 woodland walk, and listens to the full-hearted 

 song which is poured forth in varied notes, and 

 considers their innocent enjoyment, but must 

 feel glad that a provision is made for the ne- 

 cessities of the birds? What would our spring 

 and summer woods be, if the birds were wanting, 

 and we lacked the spirit-stirring influences of 

 their music and motion ? As Hurdis says of 

 the songsters — 



" I love to see tlie little goldfinch pluck 

 The groundsel's feather'd seeds, and twit and twit, 

 And soon, in bower of apple blossom perch'd, 

 Trim his gay suit, and pay us with a song • 

 I would not hold hmi prisoner for the world." 



The groundsel is one of those plants which 

 seem to follow man wherever he sets up his 

 habitation. It was originally a native of some 



