SECOND SERIES. 
ALPINE PLANTS. 
Some Notes on the Plants 
OF WHICH 
PHOTOGRAPHS APPEAR IN 
THE PRECEDING PAGES # . 
BY 
SOMERVILLE HASTINGS- 
The Fetid Meadow-Rue (Frontispiece) is a fair-sized plant, 
pretty common in rocky places, and not exclusively Alpine. It is 
recognised by its relatively large flowets and finely divided leaves, 
which are covered with soft glandular hairs. The Alpine Meadow- 
Rue (Thalictrvm Alpinum) is a much smaller plant, with smaller 
flowers and much less finely divided leaves. 
The Hepatica (Page 6), with its pretty little sky-blue flowers, is 
frequently cultivated in gardens. It usually flowers in spring, but 
the plant here shown had been brought down by an avalanche and 
was photographed late jn June. Its leaves are smooth and leathery, 
and divided into three segments. 
The Glacier Crowfoot (Page 7) is a typical Alpine plant, most 
abundant on rocky debris close to the snow line. It is said to have 
been found at higher altitudes than any other flowering plant, and 
has been picked near the summits of some of the highest peaks in 
Switzerland. The flowers are tinged with pink externally, and the 
calyx, which is covered w-ith reddish brown hairs, persists after the 
flower itself has faded. These characters, wiih the finely divided 
leaves and leafless flower stalks, distinguish this plant from all the 
other crowfoots. The Alpine Crowfoot (page 10, First Scries) at 
first sight resembles it closely. 
The Alpine Columbine (Page 8) is one of the most graceful of 
Alpine plants. It is widely distributed, but nowhere common. Its 
flowers are blue, and larger than those of the Common Columbine, 
which is as abundant in the Alps as in the plains. 
The Common Monk’s-Hood (Page 9) is a tall, conspicuous 
plant, with dark blue flowers. It is fairly common in the Alps, 
especially in the vicinity of cow-houses and dairies. The flow ers are 
closely packed together on the stem, w hich is usually; unbranched, 
and the leaves are dark green, shiny, and finely divided. It is a 
poisonous plant, and depends entirely on humble bees for the 
conveyance of pollen and consequent formation of seeds. 
