SPRING IN THE ALPS 23 



visit, and a third and fourth ; and at each successive 

 visit the scene will be found modified in some 

 respect. Spring is a rapid season in the Alps. 

 Each day makes for some important change. If 

 in a week's time we revisit the scene we have just 

 quitted, we shall be amazed at the quick trans- 

 formation of many of its details. The foliage of 

 the plants will have developed, the grass will have 

 grown most markedly, and the erstwhile dense 

 carpets of rosy Primula and blue Gentian will have 

 lost in consequence much of their vivid pristine 

 purity. The flowers of the Anemone will be 

 turning rusty brown, and will be falling, giving 

 place (in the case of .alpina) to the beautiful 

 feathery seed-heads, and the Crocus and Soldanella 

 will have altogether disappeared. But this does 

 not mean that the ravishing and prolific reign of 

 colour will be on the verge of ending ; it merely 

 means that other beauties, equally profuse, equally 

 colourfull, will be replacing those that are passing. 

 Orchids will be springing up everywhere in varieties 

 according to the ground and situation. On the 

 more level, marshy stretch, where was the Primula 

 farinosa, will be Orchis sambudna, the Elder- 

 smelling Orchis, varying from pale yellow to deep 

 blood-red ; on the slopes, where was Anemone 



