THE BELL-FLOWERS 
^95 
Many who have gathered the harebell, and marked it as 
it grew, may wonder that it should be termed specifically 
the round-leaved bell (rotundifolia), since the leaves are 
long and slender like those of the grasses. If, however, 
we observe the plant during the earlv stage of its progress, 
we may see, around the base of its stem, several leaves of 
a roundish shape. But these wither at an early period of 
its growth. It is not uncommon for the leaves of plants 
to vary considerably in shape, according as their position 
on the plant is around the stem or near the root. Indeed, 
when plants have leaves arising immediatelv from the root, 
it is more usual to find them different from those on the 
stem than to find them formed alike. In some plants the 
leaves on different branches are dissimilar in shape, as 
may be seen in the ivy, some of whose leaves are quite 
uncut, while others are very deeply lobed. 
The harebell is in flower from July until September, and 
not only lends its grace to the heathy tract of land, but 
grows upon the hedge-bank of the meadow, or by the side 
of the full-embowered wood or the green lane. 
Several other species of bell-flower are found in hedges 
and fields. The common nettle-leaved bell-flower — “ Can- 
terbury bell,'’ as it is often called — is most frequent in 
hedges and thickets. It formerly bore the name of “ fayre 
in sight." It is a large and handsome plant, and is easily 
distinguished by the form of its leaves, which resemble 
those of the common nettle. Its bells are generally of a 
deep purple, and very large. It was called Canterbury 
bell because it was once more common in the neighbour- 
hood of that city than elsewhere. 
But the most showy native flower of this kind is the 
giant bell-flower. It is, however, very rare. It has larger 
flowers than the last-named species, and grows in moist 
and shady places. 
There is one kind which somewhat resembles the hare- 
bell, except that its tint is much deeper. This is the 
spreading bell - flower. Its blossoms are also generally 
larger than that of the favourite flower. There are ten 
species of wild bell-flower; but it would not be easy to 
give a description of them all which could be understood 
by any but a botanist. One kind, however, may be easily 
known, as it is much smaller than any other. This is the 
