SUMMER IN THE ALPS 67 



For the scythemen have been here, and the hay 

 has been cut and gathered in from the pastures set 

 apart for that purpose. If we were not here 

 betimes, we have missed that wonderful point 

 where Spring joins Summer in a riot of many 

 colours ; we have missed the undulating acres of 

 mauve and rose, and white and gold, softened by 

 the warm, grey, filmy sheen of flowering grasses. 

 Two weeks or so ago these now * stale, unprofitable * 

 slopes and fields were a perfect marvel of varied 

 tints. Here were broad masses of blue Campanula 

 rhomboidalis blending with the rosy-mauve Crane's- 

 bill (Geranium silvaticum), and with the lively pink 

 Knottweed (Polygonum Bistort a) and the graceful 

 pink-flowered Umbellifer (Pimpinella magna), form- 

 ing a colour-scheme of most exquisite refinement. 

 In the adjoining enclosure the scheme was more 

 daring, for here masses of bright rose-pink Campion 

 were strewn with the rich blue Knapweed (Cen- 

 taurea montana), with the rosy-white Masterwort 

 (Astrantia major) and the gay yellow Globe-Flower; 

 while more daring still were the slopes farther on, 

 gorgeous with orange Arnica, red Knapweed (Cen- 

 taur ea uniflora), golden-brown Dandelion (Crepis 

 aurea), yellow St. John's- Wort, and a host of blue 

 Campanula, and pink, red, and mauve Orchids. 



