98 WILD FLOWERS. 



which consistsof a number of small knobs, strung 

 together, and of so bright a red as to resemble a 

 string of coral beads. Butthe best known species 

 is the flower called Loudon pride, or none so 

 pretty, which is so often the ornament of the 

 cottage garden border, and which, perhaps, 

 received the former name because it will grow 

 on the little soil which borders the paved yards 

 of the city, and is uninjured by smoke or 

 fog. In Ireland, it is called St. Patrick's cab- 

 bage, and its old name of " queen Anne's needle- 

 work" is expressive of its flower, which resembles 

 a most beautiful embroidery, and well repays 

 examination with a microscope. 



The flowers of May may be concluded with 

 some account of a plant, so fragrant and useful, 

 that although it has not ornamental blossoms, 

 its flower being on a catkin, or cone, yet it well 

 deserves the notice of all who value our wild 

 plants. The sweet gale, or Dutch myrtle, 

 (Myrica gale,) grows on boggy, or moory 

 grounds ; its fragrance resembles that of a myr- 

 tle, but is much more powerful, and not only 

 scents the air while growing, but, when gathered, 

 perfumes the room. The Highlanders lay its 

 branches in their linen chests, to scent their 

 clothes, and to drive away the moth. The 

 Welsh place it under their beds ; and, in some 

 parts of Scotland, it is strewed with the heather 

 for the nightly couch. In Sweden it is used 

 for a variety of purposes ; a dye is made from 

 it, and a common medicine, and it serves in- 

 stead of hops to give the preserving principle 

 to beer; but it is less wholesome than the hop. 



