MAY NOTES 



strings in much the same way as do the early 

 notes of the robin, their blessed familiarity im- 

 pressing us like a happy surprise. 



The slender strands of the little cinquefoil carpet 

 the meadows and road-sides, its divided leaves de- 

 luding the average passer-by into the belief that it 

 is a yellow-flowered wild-strawberry. In moist 

 ditches we notice the flat-tipped clusters of the 

 early meadow-parsnip, suggesting its kinship to 

 the wild-carrot of summer. Certain meadows, 

 especially southw'ard, are flooded with deep or- 

 ange. If we explore them we discover the deep- 

 hued flower-heads, somewhat suggesting dande- 

 lions, of the cynthia. More generally abundant, 

 perhaps, is the golden ragwort, with much the 

 aspect of a yellow daisy. The various yellow The mus- 

 members of the mustard family begin also to be ar s 

 abundant. Most of these are coarse, rank-grow- 

 ing plants, but with flowers that in their prime 

 wear a pure and lovely yellow. 



Of the native trees which flower in May, one 

 of the smallest, but perhaps the most beautiful, is 

 the dogwood. Its flat, spreading branches look 

 as though laden with drifts of snow. The in- 

 florescence of this tree is similar to that of its 

 little relation, the bunch-berry, each apparent 

 flower consisting of a close cluster of small green- 

 ish blossoms, which are surrounded by pure 



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