11 
THE CROCUS. 
CROCUS VERNUS-AUREUS. 
“ Ere a leaf is on a bush, 
In the time before the thrush 
Has a thought about its nest, 
Thou wilt come with half a call, 
Spreading out thy glossy breast 
Like a careless prodigal; 
Telling tales about the sun 
When we ’ve little warmth or none.” 
The spring crocus is common in many parts of 
Europe. In mild seasons it blossoms in February; and 
its cheerful tints, when contrasted with the yet dreary 
aspect of nature, make it a welcome visiter. 
We find it noticed by Homer: — 
ft Thick new*born violets a soft carpet spread. 
And clustering lotus swell’d the rising bed. 
And sudden hyacinths the turf bestrew, 
And flowery crocus made the mountain glow.” 
Virgil speaks of it as a flower on which the bees de¬ 
light to feed, and Milton so far honours it as to give it 
a place in Paradise : — 
