The turquoise, like the forget-me-nots, is prized 

 also for the same color, and the stone is supposed 

 to fade, like the flower. The turquoise that fades, 

 however, is the Egyptian variety, which is said to 

 be composed of petrified bone. The true tur- 

 quoise from Persia and Tibet, which is a differ- 

 ent mineral, does not lose its color or become 

 paler. 



Another attractive little flower which consoles 

 me for the loss of the bed of forget-me-nots is the 

 speedwell, or bird's-eye, as it is called in these 

 parts. In the paddock and along a bank at the 

 roadside not far from my gate there are large 

 patches and masses densely packed with its vivid 

 azure flowers, each one certainly looking very 

 much like a pure blue eye. 



The white hawthorn has only just saved its 

 reputation and its flowering before May is out, 

 and the lilacs and Dutch honeysuckles are cov- 

 ered with sweet-scented bloom-masses. Another 

 shrub which fills the air with its perfume is the 

 pale yellow azalea, of which there are a number 

 of fine large old bushes in the garden. Those in 

 the more exposed positions, however, are in poor- 

 136 



