114 WILD FLO WEBS. 



themselves backwards, and now conceal the root 

 by their revolution." 



The creeping cinquefoil {Potentilla reptans) 

 weaves its tapestry of pretty leaves and yellow- 

 velvet blossoms over the mead, or on the hedge- 

 bank ; and now, too, we may find the smaller 

 blossoms of the i(i\-m&a.t\\s,{tormentilla,) which 

 are very nearly allied to the potentilla, and the 

 roots of which are used by the natives of the Ork- 

 neys and the Hebrides in tanning, and are con- 

 sidered to yield a better tanning material than 

 even the bark of tbe oak. Loudon states, that 

 in the isles of Tirey and Col, so much land has 

 been desti-oyed by digghig for these roots, that 

 the inhabitants have been prohibited the use of 

 them. In many countries, they are used for 

 dyeing red. 



And now, too, some of the flowers of the corn- 

 field spring up, and tower above the daily length- 

 ening corn. The viper's bugloss {Echium 

 vulgare) is seen from a distance on the chalky 

 hill, the barren wall, or the heap of rubbish ; 

 and too often on the corn-lands. Crabbe, when 

 naming the wild flowers, which are so unwelcome 

 in the sterile corn-fields near the sea, gives to 

 the bugloss a prominent place : — 



" Rank weeds which every art and care defy 

 Reiffn o'er the land, and rob the blighted rye ; 

 Here thistles stretch their priclily arms afar, 

 And to the ragged infant thi-eaten war; — 

 Here poppies, nodding, mock the hopes of toU— 

 Here the blue bugloss paints the sterile soil ; — 

 Hardy and high above the slender sheaf 

 The shining mallow waves her silky leaf: 

 O'er the young shoot, tlie charlock throws a shade, 

 Aud clasping tares cling round the sickly blade." 



