
THE FLOWERS OF EARLY SPRING. 129 
also been used as a medicinal agent, but with no better nor 
worse results than many others. It is a true wild flower, 
resisting all attempts at domestication. Closely associated 
with this is found the Hepatica, in its two forms of triloba 
and acutiloba, one with rounded, the other with pointed 
leaves, probably merely varieties. The little clump of 
flowers pushes its way through the ground, often in advance 
of the leaves, and with the varying shades of pink, blue 
and white, seen in different plants, is a welcome addition 
to our spring bouquet, though lacking the fragrance of the 
Mayfiower. 
About this same time the southern aspect of rocky hill- 
sides begins to whiten, with the cheerful, though not spe- 
cially graceful or showy flowers of the Early Saxifrage 
(Saxifraga Virginiensis), and in forest marshes the incon- 
spicuous little Golden Saxifrage, with a name longer than 
itself ( Chrysosplenium Americanum). Soon in the meadows 
the carpet of living green is embroidered with the golden 
flowers of Caltha palustris or the English Marsh Marigold, 
improperly called Cowslip, and whether correctly or not, 
associated with creamy milk and yellow butter, while a lit- 
tle later are seen in the morning sun, the white stars of the 
Bloodroot ( Sanguinaria Canadensis), as fragile as they are 
beautiful, generally lasting but for a day. Its orange-colored 
juice is much used in medicine as an emetic, an expecto- 
rant, and a liniment. This plant readily bears transplant- 
ing, increases in size under cultivation, and becomes one of 
the most attractive ornaments of the early flower border. 
In some parts of the country is found a somewhat similar 
flower, the Twin-leaf, or Rheumatism Root (Jefersonia di- 
phylla), also well repaying cultivation. 
Meanwhile the pastures are beginning to whiten (last year 
remarkably) with the modest little Houstonia, or Innocence 
( Oldenlandia cerulea), while a host of violets are making 
their appearance. Viola blanda, a wee, white, sweet-scented 
Species, in the woods ; cucullata, with its large blue flowers 
at 
AMER. NATURALIST, VOL. III. 
