Part I. A LITTLE TOUR IN THE ALPS. 109 



more. The pretty Coronilla varia is often seen low down ; and 

 what can form prettier tufts, or fall more gracefully over the 

 brow of rocks ? As we ascend, the fine flowers of Geranium 

 sanguineuin are everywhere .seen, and Horminum pyrenaiciim 

 begins to show itself here and there, becoming more abundant 

 as the mountains get higher, and growing to the top. It is barely 

 worthy of cultivation ; a pinkish variety was noticed in several 

 places. The Privet, in a' very dwarf and floriferous condition, 

 adorns the rocks in abundance, while Aconites, Lilies, &c. are ' 

 occasionally seen. The orange Lily is a great ornament here- 

 abouts. I saw on one of the topmost and most inaccessible 

 cliffs of the mountain one of its bold flowers like a ball of fire in 

 the starved wiry grass, and small plants of it growing on a nar- 

 row ledge. The Martagon Lily is also abundant, though not so 

 effective. Dwarf Cytisuses are great ornaments to the rocks, 

 and here and there the leaves of Hepatica are mingled with 

 those of Cyclamen, suggesting bright pictures Of spring in these 

 localities. The Cyclamens are deliciously sweet, and the great 

 spread of Erica carnea, seen in all parts, must afford a lovely 

 show of colour in spring. 



And, speaking of this brilliant little Heath, I may allude to 

 what we may do with boggy heathy ground, as I have before 

 hinted how we may improve our woodlands. That even the com- 

 monest and most universally distributed of our Heaths are of no 

 small attraction, when seen in a tolerably good wild state, need 

 scarcely be said ; but there are many varieties which are seldom 

 seen that are more beautiful still, and would be worth adding to 

 that portion of the wild ground which approached nearest to the 

 house. In many parts of the British Isles houses are placed right 

 in the midst of peat land that will grow all hardy Heaths to per- 

 fection ; and on such places a charming display of wild beauty 

 may be made by planting the hardy Heaths alone. Of the 

 common kind— the Ling— there are twelve or more different 

 varieties ; of the Scotch Heather, half a dozen ; oi E. Tetralix, 

 about the same ; and it is to be observed that some of these 

 being much richer in colour and prettier than the common 

 ones, have been selected for cultivation. Therefore anybody 

 with a bit of peaty land, or rough rocky surface cropping out- 

 such as one meets with in going from Sheffield to Chatsworth — 

 may make it most attractive with those British Heaths which 

 are easily obtained. The best of all hardy Heaths, and indeed 



