ALPINE FLOWERS. 



Part I. 



the grass, but simply showing itself in trickling patches here and 

 there. On the little hillocks of grassy earth that stood a few 

 inches above the water, I found the plant in very good condition, 

 the roots certainly in the water and the " collar " of each plant 

 very little above it. Somewhat lower down the waters gathered 

 together again, leaving the sides of that marshy spot and the 

 iiitermediate ground, perfectly green, but very wet, and here and 

 there dotted with clusters of blue stars, to which in brilliancy of 

 tone the choicest gems ever seen were but dull and earthy. In 

 walking on this green spot the water hissed and bubbled up 

 around. Here the specimens were very fine, the pretty little 

 close-growing tufts of light green leaves clearing spots for them- 

 selves in the longish grass. The slightest impression made 

 here immediately became a small pool, and in no place did 

 I find the plant but where the thumb, if pressed into the grass, 

 became immediately surrounded by water. A few steps away 

 and Gentiana verna was everywhere in fuU beauty on dry 

 banks ; but in no case did either species manifest a tendency to 

 invade the ground of the other. In fact, proof was there that 

 G. bavarica is a true bog plant. And what a beautiful com- 

 panion for the Wind Gentian, the Water Violet, the fine white 

 bog Arum, the moist-peat-loving Spigelia marilandica, and \he_ 

 early Myosotis {M. dissitiflord), which loves a bog, Rhexia vir- 

 ginica, the little creeping Bellflower and like plants ! Why, it is 

 worth our while to make a little bog, with a surface of Sphagnum 

 and dwarf plants that will not run riot through the bed and 

 spoil it, as the Eriophorums and Carices would,' for the mere 

 sake of growing this exquisite plant. 



