SPRING FLOWERS 31 



question, the snow on the pastures did not disappear 

 completely until the 3rd May. Yet on 22nd March, 

 forty-two days previously, the first Spring Gentians 

 (Gentiana verna, Linn.) were in flower, and with 

 them, or very slightly later, the Spring Potentil 

 {Potentilla verna, Linn.) and the Spring Anemone 

 {Anemone vernalis^ Linn.) also appeared. On 2nd 

 April, Crocus vernus, AIL, sprang into flower in 

 the meadows, while, on the day following, the 

 Coltsfoot {Tussilago farfara, Linn.) showed on the 

 dry, stony banks. On 18th April, the Bird's-eye 

 Primrose {Primula farinosa, Linn.) and the Hairy 

 Primrose (P. hirsuta, All.) also appeared. By 24th 

 April, such characteristic species in the pastures as 

 the Bell Gentian {Gentiana acaulis, Linn.), the Alpine 

 Anemone {Anemone alpina\8ii\ sulphur ea, Linn.), and 

 Polygala chamoebuxus, Linn., were in flower. By 

 18th May, the Long-spurred Violet {Viola calcarata, 

 Linn.) and the Oxlip {Primula elatior, Jacq.) had 

 flowered, and these were quickly follow^ed by a host 

 of other plants. The Alpenroses did not, however, 

 bloom until 20th June, and even this date was quite 

 early for these plants at an elevation of 6,000 feet. 



If we make a preliminary survey of the plants to 

 be found near some Swiss resort in an Alpine valley, 

 about 5,000 feet in altitude, we shall find that we can 

 classify them roughly according to the kind of locality 

 or habitat in which they flourish. Some are rock 

 plants, others are only found in the shade of the 

 Alpine forests. We shall also observe that the plants 



