36 WILD FLOWERS. 



in the clamp air of that conntiy, than it would be 

 in our land ; a fact of which we may form a good 

 idea, by observing lunv strong are the odours 

 from the field, or wood, just refreshed by a heavy 

 shower, and which float upoii the damp air then 

 evaporating from the surface of the earth. 



But the daffodil is a rare wild flower, com- 

 pared with one which we now find in bloom 

 imder hedges and in woods. The common 

 arum, {A?'iim maculatum) — better known by its 

 famihar names of lords and ladies, wake robin, 

 or cuckoo pint — has large broad glossy leaves, 

 often marked with black spots. From the 

 centre of these leaves, rises a kind of column, 

 sometimes of a s-reen, or often of a rich violet 

 colour. On this is the blossom, and on this 

 cluster, the bright orange berries which in 

 winter make so conspicuous an appearance, and 

 which, though highly poisonous, are relished 

 by birds. The root of this plant is about the 

 size of a nutmeg, and contains a farinaceous 

 powder, which has been applied to a variety of 

 purposes. In former times, when not oidy ladies 

 but gentlemen also, were attired in rufTs, so 

 starched and stiff, that on looking at their por- 

 traits we wonder how they contrived to bow 

 their heads, a thick starch was much valued; 

 and clear-starching was regarded as an elegant 

 feminine accomplishment, in which gentlewomen 

 liked to excel, and for the teaching of which 

 they often paid a great price. The starch found 

 in the arum root, was, in those days, highly 

 prized as an excellent stiffener of linen, but the 



