VERNAL FLOWERS. 
20^ 
Most species of the poplar are now in blossom ; also the Salix, or 
willow, which is of the same class ; this genus includes the weeping 
willow, or Salix tristis,'^ sometimes called Salix Babylonica, alluded 
to in a beautiful passage in the Psalms, which represents the children 
of Israel, when carried into captivity, as sitting down by the waters 
of Babylon to weep, and hanging their harps on 
" Willow trees that wither'd there." 
Among the forest trees now in blossom, are the maple and the elm. 
In the meadows and moist grounds is the American cow^slip, (Cal- 
THA palustris,) a fine example of the class Polyandria ; and the ad- 
der's tongue, (Erythronium,) having a beautiful liliaceous flower ; 
this affords a good example of the class Hexandria. 
In woods, and by the sides of brooks, is to be seen the Sanguina- 
ria, or blood-root, which bears a white blossom, more elegant and or- 
namental for a garden than many flowers which are brought from 
foreign countries, and affording from its root a highly valuable med- 
icine. 
The Claytonia, or spring beauty, is also to be found at this sea- 
son; the dandelion, too, is found among the earliest flowers of spring. 
The garden violet, which is an exotic, appears also at this time; 
the Viola rotundifolia^ or yellow violet, with roundish leaves lyin^ 
close to the ground, is found in the fields. Besides these, are found 
several species of Carex, a coarse kind of grass; the trailing ar- 
butus, Epigea repens, and the Trillium, Avhich we remarked under 
the class Hexandria, as a flower exhibiting great uniformity in its 
divisions. 
In May, many species of the Viola appear ; there is sometimes a 
difficulty in determining between these species ; the distinctive 
marks seem often to be blended; we are in such cases obhged to 
place our plant under that species to which it seems to have most 
resemblance. 
One of the most interesting lowers of this season, found in woods 
and meadows, is the Anemone Virginiana, the Wind-flower, a 
name given, as some say, because the flower expands only in windy 
weather ; its petals are large and usually white, the stem grows tx3 
the height of two or three feet, and contains one terminal flower. 
Several other species of the Anemone are in blossom about this time. 
T.he Xylosteum, or fly-honeysuckle, may be found, by the side of 
brooks; this is a shrub with blossoms growing in pairs; the Uvula- 
RiA, a plant of the hly family, having a yellow blossom, grows in the 
woods ; the strawberry is now found, with its mmierous stamens 
growing on the calyx ; it has also many styles, each one bearing a 
seed. 
The Aronia is an early flower ; a species of this, the shad-blos- 
som, is not unfrequently found in April ; this is a large shrub, often 
growing upon the banks of brooks, with white petals, clustering to- 
gether in the form of a raceme. 
Many of the mosses are now in blossom; these, we trust, you 
have learned to consider as presenting much that is interesting to 
those who understand their structure ; but you will not be called on 
to examine the mosses in the commencement of your botanical stud- 
ies, neither will they be likely to force themselves upon your notice. 
You no doubt were surprised to learn that they have flowers, and 
are considered as deserving attention ; but you must recollect that 
* Tristis (Latin) signifies pensive, or sad. 
Flowers of May— Viola— Anemone, &c.— Mosses now in bloom. 
