138 FAMILIAR GARDEN FLOWERS. 



have schneehlnme, whits winter flower, and schneeflocke, 

 snowflake. To liken a flower to a drop of snow is not 

 reasonable, because there is no such thing as a drop of 

 snow, and there never will be. The decorative notion of 

 the name has not escaped the poets, as, for example 



' While still the cold north-east ungenial lowers, 



And scarce the hazel in the leafless copse, 

 Or sallows show their downy pendent flowers, 

 The grass is sprinkled with its silver drops." 



The snowdrop was known to the old or British botanists 

 as a bulbous violet, and also as the Fair Maid of February, 

 and by them it was properly recognised as an introduction 

 from the Continent. Gerarde speaks of it as growing- wild 

 in Italy, and as having been thence introduced to " our 

 London gardens ." It is a native of Switzerland, Austria, 

 and of Southern Europe generally. When met with as a 

 British wilding it appears to be as happy as its near rela- 

 tion, the daffodil, for it spreads into considerable masses, 

 and though a local flower, is plentiful enough in the places 

 where it occurs. There are many stations in Worcestershire, 

 Herefordshire, and Gloucestershire where wild snowdrops 

 may be found ; and the county of Sussex can boast of a few, 

 as it can of daffodils also. When met with in places of 

 its own choosing, it is usually in some degree shaded, as 

 though full exposure to the glare of the sun and the fury 

 of the wind were not to its liking. As regards soil, how- 

 ever, it is not at all particular ; but we may say that in 

 cultivation a deep sandy loam is best for it, as it is for 

 about nine-tenths of all the border and rockery flowers that 

 are most valued in gardens. Snowdrops increase quickly, 

 and flower freely if allowed fair play ; but unfair play 

 obliterates the plant, for it resents insult by terminating an 



