CHAPTEE II 



TYPICAL FLOWERS OF THE ALPINE PASTURES — THE 

 ANEMONES AND GENTIANS 



" What is the best time of year to visit the Alps in 

 order to see the Alpine flora at its best?" is a 

 question frequently asked. The answer is : The period 

 of late spring and early summer, i.e., from the middle 

 of June to the middle of July, preferably the last two 

 weeks of June. The early spring flowers begin to 

 appear at the end of April and during May, the 

 precise date varying somewhat with the particular 

 season, and depending on the depth of winter snow 

 and the period at which the spring thaw begins in 

 earnest. These are among the most beautiful of 

 Alpine plants, and well repay an early visit. But in 

 June many of them may still be found in flower in 

 the higher pastures at a height of from 6,000 to 8,000 

 feet and upwards. At this time of year also the fruits 

 of the early spring species are often mature, and in 

 many cases are interesting objects of study, too 

 frequently neglected. 



Again, at the end of June, the Alpine meadows, 



