CHAPTER I. 



What Alpine Plants Are. 



Alpine plants exercise a fascination on flower-lovers 

 which frequently develops into complete conquest. 

 The dainty denizens of the mountains wield an 

 irresistible sway. 



What is the secret of their charm ? It is not mere 

 beauty of blossom, because other plants have flowers 

 equally as attractive. It is not entirely the fact 

 that most of the Alpines bloom in spring, for many 

 lowland plants of great beauty are then at their 

 best. Perhaps it is due to what might be called 

 " lovabiHty." 



An Alpine Phlox or Androsace nestling in a rocky 

 crevice has only a tithe of the glowing splendour of a 

 clump of Pride of Haarlem Darwin Tulips growing in 

 a neighbouring border, but it draws the flower-lover 

 with a closer bond. The great radiant cups of the 

 Tulip arouse unbounded admiration, but they do not 

 stimulate the more intimate emotions. Terms of 

 endearment bubble to our lips as we gaze on the little 

 sparkling tufts in their stone creches. Their lowliness 

 adds to their influence. They make the appeal which 

 is the precious possession of every pretty living thing 

 weaker than ourselves. All of gentleness, all of pity, 



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