290 
PLANT-LORE OF SHAKESPEARE 
born of the year’s delight” as the Snowdrop. No one can tell 
its native country, but it has been the brightest ornament of 
our gardens, not only in spring, but even in winter, for many 
years. It was probably first introduced during Shakespeare’s 
life. “It hath floures,” says Gerard, “of a most perfect shining 
yellow colour, seeming afar off to be a hot glowing coal of fire. 
That pleasant plant was sent unto me from Robinus, of Paris, 
that painful and most curious searcher of simples.” From 
that beginning perhaps it has found its way into every garden, 
for it increases rapidly, is very hardy, and its brightness com¬ 
mends it to all. It is the “ most gladsome of the early flowers. 
None gives more glowing welcome to the season, or strikes on 
our first glance with a ray of keener pleasure, when, with some 
bright morning’s warmth, the solitary golden fringes have 
kindled into knots of thick-clustered yellow bloom on the 
borders of the cottage-garden. At a distance the eye is caught 
by that glowing patch, its warm heart open to the sun, and 
dear to the honey-gathering bees which hum around the 
chalices.”— Forbes Watson. 
With this pretty picture I may well close the account of 
the Crocus, but not because the subject is exhausted, for it 
is very tempting to go much further, and to speak of the 
beauties of the many species, and of the endless forms and 
colours of the grand Dutch varieties; and whatever admiration 
may be expressed for the common yellow Dutch Crocus, the 
same I would also give to almost every member of this lovely 
and cheerful family. 
Samphire. 
Half-way down 
Hangs one that gathers Samphire, dreadful trade ! 
Methinks he seems no bigger than his head .—King Lear , iv* 6, 14. 
Being found only on rocks, the Samphire was naturally 
associated with St. Peter, and so it was called in Italian Herba 
