British Wild Flowers and Trees 255 



other places. The Vernal Crocus is in nearly every 

 garden, but the Autumnal Crocus is uncommon in 

 gardens, and should be introduced to all, because it 

 opens its handsome flowers when most others have 

 perished. It is as easy of culture as the Spring Crocus, 

 but, being so much scarcer, deserves good soil, and 

 some watchfulness, to prevent its being dug up. 



Those who have seen the Flowering Rush (Butomus 

 umbellatus) in flower, are not likely to omit it from 

 a collection of water-plants, as it is handsome and 

 distinct. It is a native of the greater part of Europe 

 and Asia, and the central and southern parts of England 

 and Ireland. Plant it near the margin, it likes 

 rich muddy soil. The common Sagittaria, frequent in 

 England and Ireland, but not in Scotland, might be 

 associated with this; and there is a very much finer 

 double kind which is to be had here and there, and 

 is probably a variety of the common kind. 



Among picturesque plants for the water-side, nothing 

 equals the great Water-dock (Rumex Hydrolapathum), 

 which is rather generally dispersed over the British 

 Isles, and has leaves quite sub-tropical in aspect and 

 size, becoming of a lurid red in the autumn. It forms 

 a fine mass of foHage on rich muddy banks. The Reed 

 Maces (Typha) must not be forgotten, but they should 

 not be allowed to run everywhere. The narrow-leaved 

 one is more graceful than the common kind. Carex 

 pendula is good for the margins of water, its drooping 

 spikes being so distinct. It is rather common in 



