MOORLAND IDYLLS. 



and bell-shaped. The entire blossom looks 

 like a dandelion at first sight to a careless 

 observer ; but when you come to examine 

 it closely, it is a far more dignified and 

 beautiful flower. The tone of its yellow is 

 richer, yet mellower, and its fluffy little ray- 

 florets have a Japanesque charm in their 

 flowing looseness. 



So long as the flowers continue to bloom, 

 you see no leaves ; whence it comes about 

 that many people know well the blossoms 

 of coltsfoot in spring, and the foliage in 

 summer, without having the faintest idea 

 that they belong to one another. But if you 

 keep your eye on the place where the yellow 

 stars arose, after the flowers have withered 

 and the white heads have blown away in 

 copious flights, their wee feathery fruitlets, 

 you will see by-and-by some big broad 

 angular leaves, very thick and noticeable, 

 rising high into the air from the same buried 

 rootstock in the self-same position. Few 

 leaves are more remarkable, with their heart- 

 no 



