Nat. Ord. Raxcntulace.e. 



LIYER-LEAF. 



(SHARP LOBED IIEPATICA.) 



Ilejmtica acufiloba. 



'^ 



"Lodged m sunny clefts, 

 Where tlie cold breeze comes not, blooms alone 

 The little AVind-flower, whose just opened eye 

 Is blue., as the si)ring heaven it gazes at." 



Bryant. 



.f^% HE American poet, Bryant, has many happy aUusions to the 

 Hepatica under the name of '•Wixd-Floweii;" th • more 

 common na ue among our Canadian settlers is " Sxo\v- 

 J|^ Flower," it being the tirst 1)lossom tliat appears directly 



after the melting otf of the winter snows. 



In the forest— in open grassy old woods, on banks and upturned 

 roots of trees, this sweet flower gladdens the eye with its cli. _Tful 

 starry blossoms: every child knows it and fdls its hands and bosom 

 with its flowers, pink, blue, deep azure and pure white. What tlie 

 daisy is to England, the Snow-flower or Liver-leaf i^ to Canada. 

 It hngers long within the forest shade, coyly retreating within its 

 sheltering glades from the open glare of the sun : though for a time 

 it will not refuse to ))loom within the garden borders, when trans- 



c 



