142 WILD FLOWERS. 



the large leaves of the common burdock (Arc- 

 tium lappa) are spreading themselves out, and 

 its dull purple flowers, something like those of 

 a thistle, seem small when compared with its 

 foliage. A few weeks later, and these flowers 

 will have changed to balls of seeds, covered 

 with spines, and these fruits well deserve the 

 name Lappa, taken from the Celtic Uap, a hand, 

 for they catch at every passer by. 



But it is pleasant, in these days of sunshine, 

 to turn from the open and dry lands to the 

 crystal stream, which wanders by the wood, 

 giving the sweet tones of its ripplings to all 

 who will listen. 



The glassy pool reflects on its bosom some 

 of our handsomest aquatics. The white water 

 lily, (NymphcBa alba,) its rose-like flower sitting 

 on the water, has for its companion the yellow 

 water lily, {Ntiphar lutea,) and both have large 

 oval leaves, so smooth and shiny that the water 

 runs over them as if their surfaces were oiled. 

 Then by the side, and almost down in the water, 

 the meadow sweet, {Spircea ulmaria,) which, as 

 a Kentish poet, Mr. IMerritt, has said, has a 

 Bf^^zr of "lace-like embroidery," is so beauti- 

 ful and so graceful that the wind which is too 

 soft to stir the stream, bids it nod and rise 

 up again, so prettily, that one might watch 

 its motions and dream that it was some crea- 

 ture of gentle heart and elegant manners. Its 

 odour is very fragrant, but it has too much ot 

 the nature of prussic acid to be wholesome in 

 a close apartment. An instance of the danger- 



