WEEDS AND WILD PLANTS. 



335 



beautiful weed, which appears abundantly in 'spring, is the Ranunculus 

 ficaria (fig. 759). It has brilliant yellow blossoms and a shining leaf. 

 There is scarcely even a cultivated flower which is finer. After this the 

 Marsh Marigold {Caltha palustris, fig. 760) comes up, and we preserve 

 it. The flower is most noble, and at a particular period of the year 



Fig. 759. — Ranunculus ficaria. 



Fig. 760.— Caltha palustris. 



Fig. 761. — Yellow Water Iris. 



it is the special glory of the garden. There is a double variety of it 

 very beautiful, but not so beautiful as the natural blossom. Although 

 a wild plant, it should always be grown. 



By the side of our lake the Yellow Water Iris {Iris pseicd-acorus, 

 fig. 761) grows in great perfection. It was not at first an inhabitant 

 of my garden, though it grew abun- 

 dantly in the next field, but we have 

 it now in large quantities. A flower- 

 spike when gathered has the rare merit 

 of preserving its blossom for a con- 

 siderable period. 



The Bulrush (fig. 762) also is a 

 plant imported from the next field. 

 Together with the Iris, it forms a 

 capital shelter for moor-fowl, which 

 now abound in the lake. 



Another wild flower, the Purple 

 Loosestrife {Lythrum Salicaria, fig. 

 763), contributes much to the beauty of all river-sides in midsummer. 

 It comes up naturally all over my grounds, and is perennial. It 

 forms heads of a purplish red, which are magnificent. We also 



Fig. ;(;2. — Bulrush. 



Fig. 763. — Purple 

 Loosestrife. 



