84 WOOD SORREL. 



with unwearied delight. Two only oi" the 

 tribe are known to botanists. One, our 

 own wild sorrel, expanding its large white 

 petals, beautifully veined with purple, along 

 the borders of ancient woods, by streams, 

 and on heaths. The other, with small yel- 

 low blossoms, preferring waste and stony 

 places, and the sides of mountains. 



Unwilling to speak again concerning the 

 beautiful conformation of roots and leaves, 

 flowers and their calices, which are con- 

 spicuous in different plants ; of their air- 

 vessels, and sap-vessels, and the colours and 

 the fragrance by which they are distin- 

 guished ; I shall revert solely to the curious 

 fact, that as white is peculiarly calculated 

 for reflecting heat, such flowers as open 

 early in the spring, or are assigned to damp 

 and shady places, are uniformly invested in 

 this pure and simple colour. The com- 

 mon snow-drop, white archangel, wood ane- 



