30 INTRODUCTION. 



entirely lost ; and, like a, single candle in a 

 cathedral, it seems but to cast an additional 

 gloom over the scene. The banks should, 

 therefore, be made to glow with the flaming 

 petals of the yellow crocus, whilst other 

 spots should shine with the silvery tints of the 

 purple variety. Clumps of the winter helle- 

 bore, or aconite, should also be formed on a 

 large scale, as their yellow cups, set, as it 

 were, in green saucers, have a fine effect in 

 February. The anemone hepatica is also as 

 beautiful as hardy ; and as there are varieties 

 with red, blue, and white flowers, it is a plant 

 that should be cultivated to a greater extent 

 than is usual, as an embellishment to this 

 season. The wild wood anemone, whose 

 white and yellow flowers so enliven the earth 

 at the same time, may be planted under the 

 trees ; and the primrose, that so sweetly 

 " peeps beneath the thorn," when sprinkled 

 abundantly between the shrubs and trees, 

 gives an additional pleasure to the eye. The 

 story of Proserpine may be recalled to our 

 minds, by the view of gay plantations of early 

 daffodils, that shake their golden heads to the 

 winds of February. 



Whilst occupied in this gay assortment, let 

 us not forget that 



