42 ALPINE FLOWERS AND ROCK GARDENS. 



and now as we surmount the crest before us, we pass 

 into a new world. 



Hitherto man^s influence, his power of subduing the 

 earth, and of causing it to minister to his wants, have 

 been generally manifest ; now his powers are stayed, 

 Nature reigns sole and undisputed sovereign : all around 

 are the signs of the sway of her vassal — the ice-king. 

 Beginning on the left there sweeps round to the right a 

 semi-circle of mountains with snow-clad sides, in parts 

 densely snow-clad, with more masses of snow and a 

 small glacier in their hollows. In the bright sunlight 

 the snow glistens most dazzlingly, and the curves of 

 the snow-drifts are perfect. 



A new world, truly, and it is fitting that as we enter 

 it we should hear the distant whistle of the marmot, 

 and should startle two or three ptarmigan, who have 

 not yet exchanged their winter for their summer 

 plumage. We have entered the portals of the alpine 

 garden, we are in the home of the Gentians, the Primulas, 

 and the Soldanellas. We have, too, as it were, in a short 

 hour retraced our steps some months in the year, for the 

 stunted Larch which has managed to find footing in 

 these high regions is just showing its rosy plumelets ; 

 the Alder is coming into leaf, and the Mezereon, which 

 gladdened us with pink blossom in February, as we 

 looked in our gardens for Snowdrops, is here in full 

 bloom. 



From a distance the approach to the glacier looks 

 like a wilderness of grey stones ; but see what bright 

 jewels there are making the \vildemess blossom Hke 

 the rose. There is purple Linaria, richer in colour 



