XIX. 



SPRING BLOSSOMS. 



It is a curious circumstance, wliich must have 

 struck even the most casual and uninquiring 

 observer of nature that ahnost all the flowers 

 of early spring are developed from underground 

 bulbs or large tubers. First of all in the 

 floral calendar of the year the snowdrop unfolds 

 its pure white buds to the winds of winter. 

 Almost simultaneously the twin crocuses, golden 

 and purple, send up their exquisite goblet-shaped 

 cups from the little buried globular bulbs that lurk 

 unseen during the remainder of the season beneath 

 the deep mould of the garden border. Scarcely 

 have their delicate heads been beaten down by 

 March winds, or laid low in the draggled mire by 

 gusty showers, when the varied wealth of red and 

 blue and snow-white hyacinths begin to dis[)lay 

 their scented trusses in the eye of the daily 

 strengthening sun. Next, the daff"odils and jon- 

 quils gayly flaunt their beauty to the air, and the 

 poet's narcissus, daintiest of all its lovely kind, 

 perfumes the parterres with its luscious odor. 

 Tulips succeed in due order ; and with them come 



212 



