leaves, growing in couplets. It belongs to a numerous family; but, as few bloom before the end of May, we will not gather any until next month. During this month the common bugle (Ajuga reptans) blooms in moist parts of the wood, so serviceable in healing a cut finger. It is a hardy plant. Its purple blossoms, varying to a lilac or white, mix with its short, broad leaves, growing up an erect stem. There are four species of this plant. One we may perhaps find-the ground pine, or yellow bugle (Ajuga chamæpitys)—as it is common, and blooms in this month. Its flowers are yellow, spotted with red, its leaves long and narrow. There, on this grassy bank, 'The strawberry weaves Its cornets of threefold leaves In mazes through the sloping wood.' This is the common wood-strawberry (Fragaria vesca),— a sweet, rose-like blossom, its delicate white petals timidly peeping from amongst its pretty green leaves. Unlike the strawberry (Potentilla fragariastrum) which we gathered in March, its blossom is followed by a sweet and wholesome fruit, which grows plentifully in the woods of France, where it is by many esteemed superior to the cultivated strawberry. There, also, we find the herb Paris (Paris quadrifolia), more singular than beautiful, one of our largest green flowering plants. It is called also the love-knot, from the curious way in which four large leaves gather in the form of a cross around the stem, from the summit of which rises its four-leaved flower, in a cup formed also of four leaflets. Like nearly all green flowers, it is of a poisonous nature. And now, what is mantling this old wall, springing from each crevice, throwing its thread-like branches, its small, ivy-shaped, rich green leaves, and many lilac blossoms over the stonework, as though to cover or deck its decay? is the ivy-leaved toadflax It (Linaria cymbalaria), familiarly called mother-of-thousands, from the profusion of its blossoms. The tiny flower is shaped like a snapdragon, and of a pale lilac colour, marked with yellow. The leaves are tinged with reddish purple on their under surface. There are six species. Beside it we shall likely find the common pellitory of the wall (Parietaria officinalis), its IVY-LEAVED TOADFLAX-Linaria cymbalaria. little reddish-purple blossoms crowded closely between the stem and leaves. It is often to be found near the sea. EUROPEAN CHICKWEED-Trientalis Europæa. About this time the pretty European chickweed, winter green (Trientalis Europaa), begins to show its elegant little blossoms, which are of a brilliant white, and droop on their slender stems at the approach of night or rainy weather. Its leaves are a delicate green, the whole plant fragile-looking, as it bends and quivers with every toying breeze. There is but one British species. Away on the moors we might find, now opening into beauty, the elegant little Linnæa borealis, that droops its fragrant bells with such grace and beauty, and is named after Linnæus, the great botanist. The sweet gale, or Dutch myrtle (myrica gale), blooms during this month, on heath ground. It is a small shrubby plant, with a powerful aromatic odour not unlike the myrtle, which it also resembles in appearance, though a more crowded shrub, with lighter green leaves. During May many vetches come into flower. They have delicate leaves, are nearly all twining plants; creeping amongst the branches of shrubs, and holding fast with their winding stems and clasping tendrils. The pea-shaped blossoms of the tuberous bitter vetch (Orobus tuberosus) are of a blue or pink purple, marked with darker veins. The flowers have long stalks, the leaves growing in pairs on the stem. In Holland the roots are roasted as chestnuts, which they greatly resemble in flavour. The grass vetch (Lathyrus nissolia) is a crimson flower, with slender grass-like leaves, destitute of tendrils. The common or spring vetch (Vicia sativa) is found in pastures, and grows in the borders of fields. The handsome yellow clusters of the common kidney vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria) are common on hills or seaside cliffs. Its blossoms crowd together, two on each stem, and lie in a nest, as it were, of white silky wool. The sweet-milk vetch (Astragalus glyciphyllus), sometimes called the false acacia, which is found in thickets, has a dull yellow, butterfly-shaped flower, with leaves larger than the other vetches. There are many other varieties; but we have not time to linger. All are pretty, graceful plants. Their pods, so full of seeds, yield in abundance food for birds, and often for man also. It was from a species of vetch— the lentil (Ervum lens)—still prized and esteemed in Eastern lands, that the mess of red pottage was formed, for which Esau, weary with hunting, sinned, and sold his birthright. Several of the vetches are cultivated in our fields for herbage for cattle. But what is that pure white cluster of blossoms which rises yonder amongst the grass? It is the beautiful ox-eye (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum), one of our commonest ornaments of the meadow. This tall, graceful flower, with its golden eye, is sometimes called the moon-daisy: 'Lo, the staring ox-eyes, plentiful are they, Gleaming in the pasture, where the children play ; We may also now gather the pretty wood loosestrife or yellow pimpernel (Lysimachia nemorum), the |