310 HAMPSHIRE DAYS 



the yellow smell. The yellow smell has an analogue in 

 the purple taste. It may be fancy, but it strikes me 

 that there is a certain family resemblance in the 

 flavours of most purple fruits, or their skins the 

 purple fruit-flavour which is so strong in damson, sloe, 

 black currant, blackberry, mulberry, whortleberry, and 

 elderberry. 



All the species I have named were common in the 

 valley, and there were others St. John's-wort, yellow 

 loosestrife, &c. which, although not ungraceful nor 

 evil-smelling, yet failed to attract. Nevertheless, as 

 the days and weeks went on, and brought yet an- 

 other conspicuous yellow waterside flower into bloom, 

 which became more and more abundant as the season 

 advanced, while the others, one by one, faded and 

 failed from the earth, until, during the last half of 

 September, it was in its fullest splendour, I was com- 

 pletely won by it, and said in my haste that it was 

 the brightest blossom in all the Hampshire garland, 

 if not the loveliest wild flower in England. Nor was 

 it strange, all things considered, that I was so taken 

 with its beauty, since, besides being beautiful, it was 

 new to me, and therefore had the additional charm 

 of novelty; and, finally, it was at its best when all 

 the conspicuous flowers that give touches of brilliant 

 colour here and there to the green of this greenest 

 valley, including most of the yellow flowers I have 

 mentioned, were faded and gone. 



No description of this flower, Mimulus luteus, known 



