234 HALF-HOURS IN THE GREEN LANES. 



In our rapid glance at the more prominent of the 

 early summer flowers, let us not forget to notice the 

 more unobtrusive species. They will well repay the 

 observation bestowed upon them. Among these is 

 the little Moschatel (Adoxa moschatettina), whose 

 four pale green flowers are arranged in a square 

 cluster at the summit of the stalk, which is sur- 

 mounted by a fifth. You will be certain to discover 

 this plant in the moist and shady parts of the lanes, 

 right at the base of the hawthorn hedges. Below it, 

 and where the numerous plants of the Dog's Mercury 

 (Mercurialis perennis) a peculiar plant, with large, 

 rough leaves, and a greenish panicle of flowers 

 hanging laxly down allow it space, you see in dry 

 places the Little Forget-me-not (Myosotis collina). Its 

 entire size could be covered by a halfpenny, but you 

 will observe that its clusters of diminutive flowers 

 are of the most delicate sapphire blue. Not far off 

 where the dog's mercury is growing, and covering 

 the bank to the base of the bushes, is the Jack-by- 

 the-Hedge, Sauce Alone, and Treacle-mustard, 

 as it is known by in different places (Sisymbrium 

 alliaria). If you are in doubt about it, you have 

 only to bruise the leaves, and the unmistakable smell 

 of garlic they give out will soon tell you whether 

 you have hit on the right species or not. This plant 

 is one of our earliest comers, brightening the hedge- 

 banks with its cheerful green leaves and white 

 cruciferous flowers, long before floral nature has 

 aroused herself from her winter's slumbers. In 



