130 PEARLS AND PEBBLES. 



among the first buds of the hardwood forest trees to 

 unfold, and are now " dancing in breezy mirth " on every 

 little spray. The least breath of wind sets them in 

 motion, tossing them to and fro as though the whole tree 

 were quivering with the joy of its new life. 



Near by, but with less lively aspect, the stately elm 

 shows its olive-tinted, furry flower-buds in soft contrast 

 to the pointed, shining red cases that enclose the foliage 

 and fruitage of its neighbor, the graceful beech. 



The first of all to give the tender color of spring to the 

 distant woods are the quivering aspen and the silvery 

 poplar. The trees on the outer edge of the forest, and 

 within readier reach of the sun's rays, drink in their 

 warmth and are the first to send out responsive life in 

 opening bud and leaf, an earnest of all that is to follow 

 when the fresh verdure shall clothe every bush and tree 

 with its robe of life and beauty. 



Then as the snow melts, the first forest flowers appear, 

 the earliest to greet us being the Liver-leaf, or " Snow 

 Flower," as the old settlers have appropriately named the 

 Hepatica triloba. The sweetest of our spring flowers, it 

 takes the place to us of the dear English primrose. The 

 starry blossoms are pure white, and blue, and pink of 

 several tints. They spring up all wrapped in silken 

 sheen from the sheltering beds of the old leaves that 

 have clung to them, as if to guard the hidden life from 

 the bitter frosts of the lingering winter. 



