18 ALPINE FLOWERS AND GARDENS 



profusion of Bell-Gentian, consists mainly of Viola 

 calcarata, varying in endless shades of violet, mauve, 

 and purple-blue, and even, at rare intervals, going 

 to pale lilac and to pure white. Here, too, on 

 every hand, is the exquisite Alpine Forget-me-not 

 (Myosotis -alpestris), of such heavenly blue as, 

 surely, is never elsewhere seen than in the Alps ; 

 it is meeting in happiest communion with the paler 

 blue of the graceful Flax (Linum alpinum), and in 

 happiest contrast with the golden blossoms of the 

 Hock Rose (Helianthemum vulgar e). 



Now this, really, is but a rough sketch a broad 

 and casual impression of the scene. Many 

 another floral gem is here, lending its subtle beaut} 

 to the general effect. But we must be returning ; 

 time runs fleet in such a fairyland ! We need not, 

 however, retrace our steps. Let us bear to the 

 left, along the base of these Viola-cropped slopes, 

 and so gain yonder gully, which, if we follow it 

 downwards, will bring us to our forest path. It 

 will be somewhat of a scramble over the rocks and 

 loose boulders, but we shall find plenty of fresh 

 interest for our pains plenty of lovely flowers 

 with which we have not yet made acquaintance 

 to-day. 



How truly wonderful, how exquisite, it all is 1 



