XXV 



a co-species was described centuries ago by Pliny, and 

 long before Gerard wrote " That this floure doth neuer 

 open itself but when the wind doth blow." Darwin says — 

 the wind " gives its ivory petals to expand." It certainly 

 is shy of opening and only occasionally when warmed by 

 the sun, not forced by the wind, 



It " looks up with meek, confiding eye, 

 Upon the clouded smile of April face," — 



are words beautifully expressed by a poet much nearer 

 home. 



JSpigcea repens, called Mayflower, and Forefather's-flow- 

 er, is fast becoming well known and much used of late as 

 a souvenir present at this season of the year, and is asso- 

 ciated historically with the ship Mayflower of Pilgrim 

 fame, which however we believe to be of recent applica- 

 tion. This flower commends itself both for its delicious, 

 spicy fragrance, as well as its beauty, and is destined to 

 find a place in literature as well as science. 



Caltha palustris, Marsh Mary gold, grows on the border 

 of brooks, has a brilliant golden cup, and first flowers about 

 the22d of April. 



" In that soft season when descending showers 

 Call forth the greens and wake the rising flowers." 



It is called also May-blouts, or May-blobs, and all the 

 poetry of so fine a posy often subsides into a mess of 

 greens, as it is a favorite dish with many. 



Old Parkinson says " It joyeth in watery places and 

 flowereth somewhat early." All the old botanists describe 

 it, such as Clusius, Bauhin, Tournefort, Clayton and some 

 with figures. Cutler imputes the yellowness of butter to 

 the cows feeding upon it. 



Aquilegia canadensis, or Columbine, was noticed by the 

 early travelers to America, and is well described and 

 figured by Cornuti soon after the settlement of Canada, 

 4 



