JUNE. 107 



nolet, or feather-foil, {Ilottonia palustris,) is 

 a great ornament to streams, but it is, in some 

 counties, very rare. Its white thread-hke roots 

 sink deep into the soil, at the bottom of the 

 pond, and its leaves are all under water. The 

 flowers rise above the stream, and seem to rest 

 on itb surface ; and their handsome clusters are 

 either of a ])ale lilac or white colour. It affords a 

 covert to several small shell-fish; among others, 

 to the fresh-water periwinkle. It is to be re- 

 gretted that it is not more general, as it is easily 

 cultivated ; for if the seeds be thrown one 

 summer into the stream, the flow^ers will appear 

 in the ensuing season. 



On the marshy sides of the river, grows that 

 very pretty flower, the buck-bean, or bog-bean, 

 {Menyanthes trifoUafa.) It may easily be 

 known by its triple-leaf, resembling in colour 

 and shape that of the field bean. Its flowers 

 gro^v in bunches, and are white, tipped with 

 red, and most beautifully bordered with a deli- 

 cate fringe. Its roots are so numerous, and so 

 matted, that on bogs on which this plant grows 

 in plenty, the grovuid is rendered firm by their 

 interstices. It contains a bitter principle, and 

 is used by the Swedes instead of hops. The 

 roots, when ground to flour, are eaten by the 

 Laplanders, but form a poor food. 



But quitting the river side for the green 

 lanes and fields, we find nature equally ])ro- 

 fuse. The bird's-foot trefoil, (Lotus cornicu- 

 latus,) with its pretty yellow papilionaceous 

 blossoms, is scattered all over the mead. 



