262 



-HOURS IN THE GREEN LANES. 



,is a dense carpet of minute, bright green threads, 

 each tipped with an orange -coloured knob, so that 

 when they are wet the surface glistens as if be- 

 geuimed with topazes. These seedlings at this time 



Fig. 197. 



The Toad Rush. 



bear little resemblance to the adult plant, as may be 

 seen in Fig. 198. A species of plant that is very 

 common, like shellfish and butterflies, is always 

 characterised by varietal differences, some of which 

 are frequently so marked and distinct as to be per- 



