THE AUTUMN CROCUS 145 



in tuneful bands from sombre Pine to yellowing 

 Larch ; the massed companies of piping choughs 

 surveying for food-stuff upon the open slopes ; 

 and the dark grey or russet viper basking boldly 

 on the sun-baked path ? Have you know^n the 

 mists and mystery that soften the great and 

 gorgeous carnival with which Nature celebrates 

 the closing of the round of her live seasons ? If 

 you have, then you will, I know, bear witness 

 with me to the fullness of this season's allure ; you 

 will agree that everything around you is in rich 

 accord to sing a glad, gay pagan ere taking a 

 meed of well-earned repose ; and you will admit 

 that, as an item in this splendid spectacle, nothing 

 is more important, more appropriate, than Colchicum 

 autumnale and alpinum. 



Among the most delightful of life's moments 

 are many of life's surprises, and in the floral world 

 few surprises can supply more delightful moments 

 than the unexpected advent of this *' Crocus " 



"... fashioned in the secret mint of things 

 And bidden to be here," 



Spring tries hard to repeat herself in the two 

 Meadow Saffrons. One day 



" The meadows are waving high 

 With plumy grasses of grey"; 

 10 



