The Work Of Nature In The Months.

last p lant Avhen grated into water yields a Avhite sediment AA'hich is a substitute for AITOAVroot ; indeed , some years back , there Avas quite a manufactory of it carried on in Portland Island . In dry woods AVEI now be found the Wood CroAvfoot or Goldilocks , a species of Buttercup . In the same locality , too , will most likely be seen the yelloAv-floAvered Weaselsnout , orYeUoAv Archangel , of Avhich the mode of growth is similar to that of the White Dead Nettle . The scientific name , " Weasel-scent" is evidently derived from its disagreeable

odour Avhen manipulated . The Dutch call it " Dog's Nettle , " the French L ' OH-ie des Bois . At the foot of yonder Elm is growing an extremely curious plant , one of the class so rare in this country , the Parasitic . It is the Toothwort , and possesses no leaves , but has in their p lace a kind of fleshy-looking scales ; its leaves are of a purple tint . Further in that shaded thicket is another most extraordinary looking member of the vegetable kingdom ; a strange objectcertainlAvith its slender stalk topped by a greensquare

, y , , , head . It is the little Moschatell , and its square head is formed of four green floAvers p laced back to back , Avith a fifth , as the cover to the other four . Most likely this green little plant is , together Avith another strange green flower , the Mercury , nestling under some Wild Currant or Wild Gooseberry bush , either of Avhich Ave should HOAV be sure to find in flower . So too , should we the Crowberrv , amongst the mountain pastures .

If v ? e turn next to the hedgerows we shall find that pretty shrub , the Bird Cherry , in blossom ; although very ornamental it is of little use to man , save that its Avood is esteemed by turners , being hard and richly veined ; its fruit is quite uneatable , and probably dangerous in large quantities . The Wild Cherry , proper , too , is now in bloom , as is the Wild Pear Tree . The fruit of this latter is hardly one that a connoisseur would choose , but the Avood of the tree is valuable , as , being very compact and fine grained , it

is useful for fine carvings . Formerly it was used for engravings , and it is said that the curious old outs in Gerarde ' s Herball , from Avhich Ave so often quote such quaint and interesting matter , Avere executed on blocks of this wood . Amongst other trees in blossom Ave may notice the Oak , Asb , Birch , and Chesnut , all of Avhich , except the Ash , bear their fertile and barren flowers separately , like the Hazel . The Willows still SEOAV their catkins abundantly ; Avhile the Box must be added to the list

of trees with flowers of separate sex . Amongst the Butterflies Ave shall find but little change in our list , but a goodly number of Moths are beginning to present themselves ; most of them being night-flyers , however , we see but little of them . We may , however , observe the Emperor Moth , the Water Carpet Moth , and the Cockscomb .

The Birds are now busy with their nests , the Jackdaws and Starlings laying in abundance . In the meadovss is heard the rough , harsh note of the Corncrake , and the curious cry of the Wryneck , whilst , during the month , we may expect to hear the friend of our childhood , the Cuckoo . Pre-eminent , however , above aE other birds is now heard the glorious song of the Nightingale . LoAver in the scale of creation we notice the appearance of innumerable Beetles , such as the Death Watch , and the various Lad ybirds . Red Ants now come forth , and the

Mole Cricket may be heard , whilst Bluebottles become more numerous than agreeable . For the '' First of April" good old Gilbert White chronicles that Spiders' Webs are to be seen spread on the surface of the ground . Are those the only traps duly set and as duly tumbled into on that' notable " Feast of all Pools , " we wonder ? Many and varied are Nature ' s treasures now , but none in the SAveet balmy days of Spring seem to compensate us for the dull , dark days of Winter like the flowers of which the Countess of Blessington wrote : —

" Flowers are the bright remembrancers of youth , They waft us back with their bland odorous breath , The joyous hours that only young life knows , 'Ere we have learnt that this fair earth hides graves , They bring the cheek that ' s mouldering in the dust Again before us , tinged with health ' s own rose ; They bring the voices we shall hear no more , Whose tones Avere sweetest music to our ears ;

They bring the hopes that faded one by one , Till nought Avas left to light our path , but faith , That we , too , like the flowers , should spring to life , But not , like them , again e'er fade or die . "