1^6 
VERNAL FLOWERS. 
at the same time; but usually the leaves appear before the 
flowere, probably having a greater force to draw up the sap 
than the flowers, into which it rises by slow degrees. We see 
little appearance of vegetable life (except among the Cryptoga- 
mous plants and evergreens) as early as March sometimes 
snow covers the ground nearly or quite through the month : 
but if we examine the trees and shrubs, even then we may 
perceive by the swelling of their buds that they have already 
felt the vivifying influence of heat, and that a little increase of 
temperature will cause the embryo flower or leaf to burst its 
prison and come forth. 
299. Ve7'nal Flowers. — In April, the leaves of trees and 
shrubs begin to expand ; a few flowers show themselves amid 
the damp, chilly atmosphere with which they are surrounded. 
Among the most interesting of these harbingers of spring is the 
IIepatica triloha^ or liver-leaf ; a lowly, modest flower of a 
pale-blue color, with beautifully formed three-lobed leaves. 
The low anemone (Anemone nemorosa\-\ with its pale blossoms, 
is found in shady woods and damp pastures. The bright yel- 
low flowers of tlie colt's-foot {Tusilago) brave the cold winds of 
early spring, while the reluctant leaves wait for warmer breezes. 
Most species of ihQ poplar are now in blossom ; also the Salix, 
or willow I this genus includes the weeping-willow^ or Salix 
tristis^X sometimes called Salix Babylonica ; it is alluded to 
in a beautiful passage in the Psalms which represents the chil 
dren of Israel, when in captivity, as sitting down by the waters 
of Babylon to weej), and hanging their harps on 
" "Willow-trees that withered there." 
Among the forest-trees now in blossom are the maple and 
elm. In the meadows and moist grounds is the American 
cowslip (Caltha palnstris\ a fine example of the class Polyan- 
dria ; and the adder^s-tongue (Erythronium) having a beautiful 
liliaceous flower. In woods and by the sides of brooks is to be 
seen the Sanguinaria, or hlood-root^ which bears a white bios 
eom more elegant and ornamental for a garden than many 
flowers which are brought from foreign countries, and affording 
from its root a highly valuable medicine. The Claytonia, or 
spri/ng heaupy is also to be found at this season ; the dandelion 
• Reference is made here to the region about Troy, New York, where the first edition of this work 
was prepared for publication in the year 1829. In the region near Baltimore, in Maryland, lat. 39°, the 
author finds vegetation about a month earlier ; thus the remarks made respecting vegetable life in 
March, may for tlie latitude of Baltimore be referred to February, and so on through the blossoming o» 
plants in the other months. 
t This little flower may be seen raising its head amid surrounding snows on the banks of the Poesten* 
kill, a Ktrearnlt't which flows iulo the Hudson, near Troy. 
X Tristis (Latin) signifies pensive, or sad. 
296. Why do the leaves usually appear before the flowers 1 — Vegetation in March.— S99. VafUaf 
Flowers. 
