% ' TREES AND FLOWERS 127 



ground in order that the leaves and flowers may secure their 

 full share of sunlight and air, before other more robust growths 

 spring up and choke them. 



As a rule, the Celandine is fond of damp spots. It succeeds 

 as well in the shade as in the open, and the single terminal flowers 

 light up the surroundings in a truly delightful way. It was 

 one of Wordsworth's favourite flowers, and doubtless attracted 

 the poet's attention because of its resurrection from the cold 

 earth when Nature was still mostly " marking time." One 

 interesting feature concerning this familiar plant is that our 

 ancestors christened it Pilewort (" wort " being Anglo-Saxon 

 for plant) because of the small tubers found upon the root. 



If we step into the meadow where King Dandelion has held 

 undisputed sway for so long a time, a sight not easily forgotten 

 will meet our gaze. If ever there was a successful co-operator 

 in Nature, the Dandelion is one. Its deep-seated, milky roots, 

 strong leaves, silky parachutes, composite flowers, and rapid 

 growth, are all features of interest, to say nothing of the plant's 

 beauty, and its usefulness to man and beast. 



The leaves are jagged on the edges, and this accounts for the 

 popular English name of Dandelion, the same being derived 

 from the French dent de leon, meaning tooth of lion. The strap- 

 shaped florets, which make up the sunflower-like head of blossoms, 

 are each complete in themselves. All the essential organs of 

 reproduction are there, and those who pay constant heed to the 

 operations of Nature will need no reminder as to the wonderful 

 transformation scene which takes place in Dandelion meadow 

 when these vegetable aeroplanes are ready to go globe-trotting 

 in their coquettish search for a new home upon Mother Earth. 



If we wander by the streamside, or in the damp places adjoin- 

 ing, another great sight in the Spring pageant will meet our gaze. 

 I refer to the flaring cups of the Marsh Marigold. This beautiful 

 wild flower is a larger cousin of the Lesser Celandine already 

 described, as the general form of the whole plant at once displays. 

 The fine golden flowers are admirably thrown off by the large, 

 leathery leaves, and the leaves and stems contain an abundant 

 supply of water, so that they may be prepared to withstand 

 an attack of drought. 



The Nettles are making rapid headway now both Dead 

 and Stinging, and among a colony of these plant-warriors, I one 

 day chanced to see a very pretty scene. Two delicate, sweet- 

 scented Narcissi peeping from their woodland bed was an un- 



