24 THROUGH GLADE AND MEAD. 
time has come to develop themselves. A few twigs 
of the alder and the hazel will reward us for any trouble 
by smiling for us before the general blossoming. 
Last autumn we bade the blossoms of the witch 
hazel (Hamamelis Virginiana, L.) a hearty welcome 
after its leaves had fallen; this spring we shall bid as 
hearty a welcome to the flowers of the common hazel 
(Corylus Americana, Walt.) before the leaves have 
appeared. Although they have some resemblance in 
name, they are far removed botanically from each other. 
They occupy almost as remote positions in the seasons ; 
the one among the foremost to appear, the other bring- 
ing up the rear. The common hazel is lured forth by 
the balmy winds .of early April; the witch hazel comes 
when the sun has returned to the south, and cold winter 
is threatening to fold us in his icy embrace. 
The scouts of the advance guard of the annual 
flower procession are in sight. The main body is not 
far behind. We shall need to be alert, or some parts of 
the gay pageant will escape our eyes. 
