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diff --git a/old/66278-0.txt b/old/66278-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 7e47f11..0000000 --- a/old/66278-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,3231 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Summer Flowers of the High Alps, by -Somerville Hastings - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Summer Flowers of the High Alps - -Author: Somerville Hastings - -Illustrator: Somerville Hastings - -Release Date: September 12, 2021 [eBook #66278] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: Karl Eichwalder and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team - at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images - generously made available by The Internet Archive/Canadian - Libraries) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SUMMER FLOWERS OF THE HIGH -ALPS *** - - - - - -SUMMER FLOWERS OF THE HIGH ALPS - - -[Illustration: CIRCIUM SPINOSISSIMUM. SCOP. - -The Spiny Fuller’s Thistle. Le Chardon le plus épineux. Stachlige -Kratzdistel. - -FRONTISPIECE, _see page 50_.] - - - - - SUMMER FLOWERS - OF - THE HIGH ALPS - - BY - SOMERVILLE HASTINGS - M.S. - AUTHOR OF “ALPINE PLANTS AT HOME,” SERIES I. AND II. - - [Illustration] - - ILLUSTRATED BY REPRODUCTIONS - FROM DIRECT COLOUR PHOTOGRAPHS - BY THE AUTHOR - - LONDON: J. M. DENT & SONS, LTD. - NEW YORK: E. P. DUTTON & CO. - - - - -Preface - - -The coloured plates of Alpine plants, which are the special feature of -this book, are all reproduced from colour photographs taken directly from -nature. The plants were all photographed exactly as they were found, -with two exceptions, in the immediate neighbourhood of Rosenlaui in the -Bernese Oberland during the month of July 1909; so that the pictures are -true portraits of the flowers “at home.” - -The Lumière process of colour photography which was used, depends on the -action of light on a photographic plate after its passage through various -coloured starch grains. The process is entirely beyond the control of -the operator, and the exact colours are automatically reproduced. These -photographs have in turn been carefully reproduced for this work by the -three colour process. - -The flowers here photographed were selected as good examples of common -and typical species; and, of course, they represent but a very small -portion of the rich flora of Switzerland. The present volume is intended -as a short introduction to the subject, for the fuller study of which the -following works are recommended:— - - A. Gremli, “The Flora of Switzerland.” Translated by Paitson. - - A. W. Bennett, “The Flora of the Alps.” - - G. Hoffmann, “Alpine Flora.” Translated by E. S. Barton. - - L. and C. Schröter, “Coloured Vade-mecum to the Alpine Flora.” - - C. Schröter, “Das Pflanzenleben der Alpen.” - - F. E. Hulme, “Familiar Swiss Flowers.” - - “Hints and Notes for Travellers in the Alps,” being the General - Introduction to Ball’s Alpine Guide. - -They have all been freely referred to in the preparation of the -accompanying notes. - -Wherever possible the common name of each plant in English, French, and -German has been given on the corresponding plate. It is hoped that this -may be of use to the reader. - -In conclusion I would like to thank the publishers for the great trouble -they have taken in the preparation of the plates, and Mr Howard Farmer, -of the Polytechnic School of Photography, for much valuable advice. - - SOMERVILLE HASTINGS. - - NEW CAVENDISH STREET, W. - _April 1910._ - - - - -Illustrations - - - THE SPINY FULLER’S THISTLE _Frontispiece_ - - FACING PAGE - - THE NARCISSUS-FLOWERED ANEMONE 2 - - THE GLOBE FLOWER 4 - - THE COMMON MONK’S-HOOD 6 - - THE YELLOW WOLF’S-BANE 8 - - THE TWO-FLOWERED VIOLET 10 - - THE LONG-SPURRED PANSY 12 - - THE BOX-LEAVED MILKWORT 14 - - THE CREEPING GYPSOPHILA 16 - - THE MOSS CAMPION OR CUSHION PINK 18 - - THE WOOD GERANIUM 20 - - THE ALPINE CLOVER 22 - - THE BROWN CLOVER 24 - - THE COLD MOUNTAIN-LENTIL 26 - - THE DULL-FLOWERED SWEET CLOVER OR ALPINE SAINFOIN 28 - - THE WHITE DRYAS 30 - - THE ALPINE ROSE 32 - - FLEISCHER’S WILLOW-HERB 34 - - THE MOUNTAIN HOUSE-LEEK 36 - - SEMPERVIVUM FUNCKII 38 - - THE EVERGREEN SAXIFRAGE 40 - - THE LARGE ASTRANTIA 42 - - THE ALPINE STARWORT OR ALPINE ASTER 44 - - THE CAT’S-FOOT, MOUNTAIN EVERLASTING OR MOUNTAIN CUDWEED 46 - - THE ARNICA 48 - - THE ROUND-HEADED RAMPION 52 - - THE BEARDED BELL-FLOWER OR CAMPANULA 54 - - THE DWARF HAIR-BELL OR BELL-FLOWER 56 - - THE HAIRY-LEAVED ALPENROSE 58 - - THE LESSER WINTER-GREEN 60 - - THE STEMLESS GENTIAN 62 - - THE SHORT-LEAVED GENTIAN 64 - - THE ALPINE TOAD-FLAX 66 - - THE ALPINE BALSAM 68 - - THE LEAFY LOUSEWORT 70 - - THE YELLOW AURICULA 72 - - THE MARSH ORCHIS 74 - - THE LADY’S SLIPPER 76 - - THE WHITE VERATRUM 78 - - - - -Introduction - - -No one can visit Switzerland for the first time without being struck -with the singular beauty of its wild flowers. In the early summer the -whole country from the lowland meadows right up to the snowline is ablaze -with beauty. Probably in no other part of the world are the forms of -the flowers more pleasing and their colours more brilliant. Hence it is -that almost everyone who visits the Alps, however little interest he may -take in the wild flowers of his own home, desires to know something of -the wonderful new forms that everywhere meet his gaze. Here the charm -of novelty also comes in, for at least half the flowers met with in the -Alps are absent from the plains, and many of the species that occur in -both situations have, as we shall see later, acquired such different -characters at high altitudes as to be with difficulty at first sight -recognised. Those who would see Switzerland in all its beauty, and as -far as its floral treasures are concerned, at its best, must visit it in -early June before the hay is cut. Otherwise they will miss the glory of -the unmown meadows, and although many of the spring flowers, like the -Crocuses and Primulas (Plate 35), may still be found in small quantities -at high altitudes even in July, the striking effect of the large masses -of these flowers will be entirely wanting. - -If we travel to Switzerland by the ordinary tourist route, across Germany -or France, and then ascend the mountain peaks, we shall, in the first -part of our journey, notice but few differences in the vegetation from -that to which we are accustomed. The wild flowers of France and Germany -are very like those of the South of England and, except that perhaps the -yellow Fuller’s Thistle (_Circium oloraceum_) may be seen in damp places -near the railway, very little of botanical interest will be observed -until the customs are passed and Switzerland itself is reached. Even -here the traveller may be for a time a little disappointed. The first -unfamiliar plant to be noticed will very likely be the Red-berried Elder -(_Sambucus racemosa_). A little later, in some shady wood, the tall -feathery Spiræa (_Spiræa Aruncus_), or the beautiful little May-Lily -(_Maianthemum bifolium_), may be seen. Or a glimpse of the white-flowered -Rampion (_Phyteuma spicatum_) or the Alpine Honeysuckle (_Lonicera -alpigena_), with its twin red berries, may be had in passing. But not -until the mountains themselves are reached will the tourist discover that -he has entered into an entirely new plant world. - -The main factor which determines the character of the flora of any given -region in the Alps is its altitude. But we must not forget that there are -other things to be considered beside the absolute height above the sea -level, and the local conditions of exposure to the sun and protection -from the cold winds are quite important factors. Generally speaking, -it may be said that the climate is a good deal milder on the southern -slopes of the Alps than in the north. Olives can be grown in some of -the lower mountain regions of the south, and with them are found many -of the plants of Southern Europe and the Mediterranean region which are -never seen in places of the same altitude on the northern slopes. It -is exceedingly probable that most of the lower parts of the Alps were -originally covered to a large extent by forest trees. The oak, ash, and -beech still flourish in many parts, although much of the original forest -has been removed long ago, and used for building purposes or as fuel, -and large areas have been thus cleared for meadow and pasture land. In -many districts the spruce and the pine appear to be usurping the place of -the other forest trees mainly because the young plants are less eagerly -devoured by browsing animals, especially the goats. Below 4000 feet on -the northern slopes and 5000 feet or a little over on the south side of -the Alps may be described as the REGION OF FOREST TREES, and above this -level the ordinary deciduous trees become dwarfed and scarce. That this -altitude corresponds fairly well with a transition to a colder climate -is seen by the change in the character of the herbaceous plants also. -For the next 2000 feet we have the SUBALPINE REGION covered mainly by -Coniferous trees. Here are vast forests, particularly of Spruce (_Picea -excelsa_) and Silver Fir (_Abies pectinata_). The former is the familiar -“Christmas tree,” which grows to a great height on the mountain sides, -its lower branches festooned with grey lichens. Besides these trees the -Larch (_Larix Europæa_) on primary rock, and the Scotch Fir (_Pinus -sylvestris_) and the Arolla (_Pinus Cembra_) are also to be seen. - -Above 6000 feet in the north and 7000 in the south the Conifers become -dwarfed and stunted, and gradually disappear to give place to the ALPINE -REGION. Sometimes as we look along a valley the line of transition is -seen to be abrupt and straight, at other times irregular and undulating. -Bushes of Alpenrose, Juniper, and Alpine Willow extend upward to the -Alpine region, but larger trees are entirely absent. Here are found in -profusion the greater number of the plants and flowers peculiar to the -Alps. Many of the species may of course be found in sheltered or secluded -spots at much lower levels, but here are to be seen in abundance the -bright-coloured Saxifrages, Gentians, Anemones, and Pansies, which make -the Alps their particular home. Here are the _alps_ or upland pasture -grounds of the Swiss, and here are situated the _châlets_ or summer homes -of Swiss herdsmen. In June or July, when the pasture is becoming scarce -in the valleys and when all the snow is melted on the mountain slopes, -the native farmer packs a large copper caldron and whatever else he may -require for making cheese into his bullock waggon, and accompanied by his -cattle, and often by his family as well, treks upward. The “alps” may be -two or three days’ journey from his home, so that he must take with him -all that he will probably require for his two or three months’ stay. - -The Alpine region extends from the upper tree limit to the snowline, -which may be taken as somewhere between 8000 and 9000 feet. Some of the -most charming and brightly coloured of Alpine plants like _Eritrichium -nanum_ and the Cushion pinks (Plate 9) are to be found just below the -snowline. Even above this level flowering plants may be met with, for -even at the highest altitudes bare rock is to be found from which the -snow has been blown by the wind or melted by the sun, or where the slope -is too great for more than a very thin covering to remain lodged. The -Glacier Crowfoot (_Ranunculus glacialis_), a pink-flowered buttercup, -has for example been found within a short distance of the summit of the -Finsteraarhorn, the highest peak in the Bernese Oberland. - -Just over two thousand different species of flowering plants are to be -found in Switzerland, and a little over half of these are exclusively -Alpine. In contrasting the flowers of the Alps with those of our own -country, it may be first of all well to consider what we have that -Switzerland has not. Of course our seashore plants will be mainly absent, -but strange to say a few species of Thrift are here and there found, -and the yellow Horned Sea-poppy (_Glaucium luteum_) even grows in the -neighbourhood of Lake Neuchâtel. We are so used to the bluebells of our -woods, the purple heather of our heaths, and the yellow gorse of our -commons, that we hardly realise how glorious they are. In Switzerland -the gorse is very rare, the bluebells are not found at all, and the -bell-heathers are absent though the ling is found everywhere. Even the -purple foxglove is replaced by a yellow variety. These facts should be -borne in mind, lest a too unfavourable comparison be made with our own -rich flora. - -But the flowers of the mountains are truly wonderful, and it is their -abundance as well as their bright colours that make them so striking. -At the same time, it must be remembered that though so numerous neither -the flowers themselves nor the plants that bear them are really -larger than their lowland relatives. Indeed, in spite of their bright -conspicuous flowers, the plants that grow at the higher altitudes are -generally stunted and dwarfed. Most of the peculiarities of Alpine -plants, which we will now enumerate, are to be accounted for by the -conditions under which they live. That this is really so is shown by the -fact that “within the bounds of what must unquestionably be regarded -as a single species, individuals change in character as we ascend to -higher altitudes, the leaves become more hairy and more fleshy, and the -flowers brighter and larger.” Even more direct evidence of this is to -be obtained by cultivating Alpine plants at lower levels and lowland -plants at high altitudes. Not a few of the plants of the mountains when -grown in our gardens at home change in character very considerably. -They tend to elongate so that their leaves are separated by longer -intervals of stem, and their hairy characters very largely disappear. -The Bearded Bell-flower (Plate 26) may lose its bearded character, -and the familiar Edelweiss may, in some cases, develop smooth green -leaves almost as hairless as those of an ordinary plant. Conversely, we -have the observations of Professor Bonnier, who cultivated the plants -of the lowlands at high altitudes in the Alps and Pyrenees. Where the -plants were able to grow at all they became, in most cases, stunted and -dwarfed. The Jerusalem Artichoke, for example, which forms a tall leafy -stem like a sunflower in the plains, became a short stumpy plant with -leaves arranged in a rosette at its base. Generally speaking, the plants -developed a better marked underground stem, and thicker, darker green -leaves than the same species grown under more ordinary conditions. - -One of the principal characteristics of Alpine plants is the extensive -development of the rootstock and underground stem. This is required to -protect them against the strong winds, and to extract as large a supply -of water and nourishment as possible from the frequently scanty soil. But -there is another consideration of at any rate equal importance. During at -least half of the year owing to the white coverlet of snow, all activity -in the Alpine plant world ceases so that the production of flowers and -seeds, indeed all the vital processes of the plants must be crowded into -the few months when the ground is clear. Crocuses and Snowbells and -other plants are found blooming at the very edge of the snow, therefore -everything must be ready for immediate flower production directly the -snow melts. For this to take place a reserve store of nourishment -is essential, and accordingly Alpine plants are furnished with thick -underground stems and fleshy roots where the food substances can be -stored. - -It is further interesting to note that the number of plants that go -through their life cycle in a single year and then die off (annuals as -they are called), is in the Alps comparatively small, for most of the -plants persist from year to year. Kerner states that while only 44 per -cent. of the plants on the Danube plains are perennials, there are as -many as 96 per cent. in the Alps. That this has something to do with -the conditions under which the plants grow is seen by the fact that the -annual meadow-grass (_Poa annua_) becomes perennial in the Alps. Annuals -persist through the winter season, only in the form of seed, so that -a single wet summer such as the last (1909), by interfering with the -ripening of the seeds, might threaten with extinction an entire species. -Annuals have but little food stored up for a sudden outburst of activity -on the approach of spring, nor can the tiny root of a budding seedling -obtain from the soil all that is necessary for the rapid production of -flowers and seeds. Moreover, as we shall see immediately, the production -of seeds is in most plants very largely dependent on the presence of -insect visitors, and without them either less fertile seeds or no seeds -at all are in most cases formed. Insects are said to be less numerous -in the Alps than in the plains, and thus the assumption of a perennial -character makes the existence of the plant less dependent on external -conditions. - -Another point which has already been referred to is the low stature -and stunted character of so many Alpine plants. Undoubtedly there are -marked exceptions, such as the tall Gentians; but, generally speaking, -it must be admitted that mountain plants are short stemmed and dwarfed, -the vegetative part of the plant being often merely represented by a -wreath of leaves. This is also very largely the result of the peculiar -conditions of plant-life at high altitudes. The bright sunlight by day -and intense cold at night have both a retarding effect on the growth -of the stem. As regards light, the converse result is well seen in the -long, lanky shoots of a potato growing in a dark cellar. But there is -also another factor of some importance. The green leaves of plants are -constantly giving out as watery vapour the fluid which has been absorbed -by the roots. The decreased atmospheric pressure at high altitudes, the -general dryness of the air, and the bright sunlight by day all unite to -accelerate this process. During the day the ground is warmed even to -a larger extent than the air, and thus the absorption of water by the -roots is correspondingly hastened. During the night the intense radiation -rapidly cools down the soil on which the plant grows, but the surrounding -air is not cooled to anything like the same extent. The result is that -the absorption of fluid by the roots is diminished in a much larger -degree than the effusion of watery vapour from the leaves, and the plant -is in imminent danger of being dried up. To this danger the plants of -high altitudes respond in various ways. In the first place, their stunted -character not only diminishes the area of leaf surface for the exhalation -of watery vapour and protects them to some extent from strong winds, but -it also places them in the lowest stratum of air which is most likely -to assume the temperature of the soil. The felted, cushion-like habit -(Plate 9) of so many Alpine plants, and the rosette-like arrangement -of their leaves (Plate 19), are also of advantage to the plants by -exposing less leaf surface directly to the air. The succulent leaves of -plants like the house-leeks (Plates 18 and 19), and the hairy covering -of the Cat’s-foot (Plate 23), Edelweiss, and others, seem also designed -to counteract the tendency to too rapid desiccation, and the tough -leathery character of many leaves (Plate 7), and the thickened cuticle of -others (Plate 30), are clearly of like value. The relatively increased -thickness of the leaves of many Alpine plants is also, no doubt, due to -the intensity of the sunlight, for direct experiments have shown that -increased illumination has this effect. Their usual dark green colour is -thought to result from an excess of the green pigment by which plants -are able to extract the carbon required for their growth from the air. -The rarefaction of the air and shortness of the season of growth at high -altitudes, as well as the low stature of most Alpine plants, make it -essential that assimilation should take place as rapidly as possible when -conditions are favourable for it. - -But it is in connection with their flowers that the wonderful adaptation -of Alpine plants to their surroundings is perhaps best seen. The plants -of high altitudes generally bear more numerous and more brightly coloured -flowers than do their relatives of the plains. The low stature of the -plants that bear them gives rise to the impression that the flowers of -the Alps are also larger than those of lowland districts, but though -undoubtedly more numerous and more crowded together they are of about the -same size as those of other nearly related species. The colours of the -flowers are, however, undoubtedly deeper and more intense. If we examine -specimens of the same kind of flower, for instance the Forget-me-not or -Eyebright, that have been found growing at different altitudes, we shall -be struck with the deeper tints of the flowers from the higher regions. -That this character has something to do with the conditions of life in -Alpine districts is shown by the disappointment that we sometimes feel -at the diminished brilliancy of the flowers of Alpine plants when grown -in our gardens at home. The flowers of the Alps are also, as a rule, of -a more highly organised type than those of the plains, and corresponding -with this increase in complexity is a relative increase in the number of -pink and blue flowers, and a diminution in that of the yellow and white. -Alpine plants, too, seem to produce more honey than do the corresponding -plants in the plains; at any rate, the yield of honey from bee-hives is -greater, and Bonnier has shown that the secretion of honey by flowers of -the same kind increases with the altitude, and that in some cases there -is a corresponding increase in the intensity of the scent of the flower. - -While many of the characteristics of Alpine flowers are to be explained -as a direct result of the conditions of life at high altitudes, it is -probable that the process of natural selection has also had a good -deal to do with their production. One of the principal objects of the -life of a flowering plant is to produce seeds. It has been shown that, -generally speaking, more numerous and healthier seeds are produced when -the seed-producing apparatus of a flower is fertilised by pollen from -the stamens of a flower of a different plant. Hence arrangements have -to be made by plants for the conveyance of their pollen from flower -to flower. This is sometimes effected by the wind, but much pollen is -lost, so that this is manifestly a very wasteful method. Plants have -therefore adopted the more economical plan of getting insect visitors to -do this carrying business for them. The bright colours and sweet scents -are to attract insects to the flower, and honey is provided for their -entertainment there. It is generally believed that the total number of -insect visitors in the Alps is less than in the plains, and therefore the -competition for their services being more severe, greater attractions in -the form of brighter coloured flowers and more abundant honey have to -be provided for them. But, unfortunately, the direct observations of H. -Müller do not confirm this view. There can be no question, however, that -the relative proportion of the several varieties of insects in the Alps -is very different from that in the plains. There are comparatively few -flies, bees, and wasps, but numerous humble-bees, butterflies, and moths -in the mountain regions. These insects have longer tongues and prefer to -visit flowers of a more complicated structure, where the honey cannot -be reached by their shorter tongued relatives. Flowers of this sort -with less easily obtained honey are more often of a red or blue or pink -colour, and more rarely of a yellow tint. Not a few Alpine flowers like -the Aconites (Plates 3 and 4) are entirely dependent on humble-bees for -their fertilisation, and an even larger number, such as the Long-Spurred -Pansy (Plate 5), and several of the Gentians are exclusively visited by -butterflies and moths. Müller even goes so far as to suggest that not a -few of the Alpine flowers, especially those of a pale crimson colour and -with a clove-like smell, such as the Pinks (Plate 9), have been evolved -in the Alps under the influence of butterflies and moths. In spite of -this it is curious to note that the number of flowers that are habitually -self-fertilised is greater in the Alps than in the plains. But when it -is explained that these are for the most part of the same type of flower -that is pollinated by flies, bees, and wasps in lowland districts the -apparent anomaly becomes clear. - -The question of the origin of the Alpine flora is a subject upon which -botanists are by no means completely agreed at the present time. A large -number of the thousand different plants that are found in the high Alps -reappear in distant mountains and the Arctic regions, though absent in -the intervening country. Thus the late John Ball calculated that 17 per -cent. of the Alpine species were met with in the Arctic regions, and 25 -per cent. in the Altai Mountains of Northern Asia. That this is not due -to the conveyance of seeds from place to place by the agency of wind -or birds is shown by the fact that the resemblance of the plants of -different mountain chains to one another is in no way proportional to -their geographical proximity, even when their climate is similar. The -true explanation is probably to be sought in the Glacial Period, in which -the greater part of Europe was covered by ice, so that the climate of -the plains was very similar to that of the high Alps and Arctic regions -at the present time. At this period the flora of the extreme north was -able to mingle with that of the mountain regions. When the climate of the -intervening districts became once more less severe, the competition with -the present lowland flora became so keen that the Alpine-Arctic plants -retreated to high altitudes or the far north. It may be that the high -mountain regions have formed centres for the evolution of new species, as -Mr John Ball believed, but there is but little direct evidence for this -view. - -Nearly every visitor to Switzerland who regards its rich flora in any -way worthy of notice is desirous to obtain some permanent record of the -pleasing impressions obtained. Either the flowers are pressed, or the -plants are pulled up with more or less of their roots to be planted in -some garden at home, or, as the author would suggest is by far the best -method, photographs of the plants are taken. May we here, first of all, -protest against the wholesale destruction of Alpine plants that goes on -every year by careless visitors. Where a few flowers are required for -study or to be preserved by pressing, they may, by all means, be picked. -There seems no reason also why a few of the more common or abundant -plants should not be dug up with their roots, carefully packed, and taken -home, although the Swiss authorities do not permit even this, but it is -disgraceful that large nosegays of choice flowers should be gathered -for the mere pleasure of watching them wither in the hand, and then -thrown away. The Swiss natives, unhappily, set us a very bad example -in this respect; but it is fortunate that the Edelweiss and Alpenrose -are the only flowers that they at all extensively attack. Many of the -more frequented tourist routes have become almost bare of any but the -commonest flowers. One has only to ascend to some peak or glacier by two -paths, one that is well-trodden, and a second but little used, to see how -complete this destruction of wild flowers has been. - -Excellent little presses for preserving plants and flowers can be bought -in Switzerland. They take up no more room in one’s bag than a Baedeker -or Bradshaw’s Guide, and do the work much more efficiently. Their only -disadvantage is that they are generally too small to display any but -the tiniest plants completely, and it is really wiser to take out from -England a couple of boards with straps and a good supply of blotting -paper. The special paper sold for pressing plants is much to be preferred -to ordinary white or pink blotting-paper, as the plants tend to stick to -it much less. A fair amount will be required, as the plants need frequent -changing and the paper must be dried. Specimens should be carefully set -out by pressing on them with the finger till they take up the required -positions, and stored when dry in some exercise book or between sheets of -paper. - -The cultivation of Alpine plants in our gardens at home is by no means -as easy as might at first be supposed. The climate and conditions of -life in Peckham are very different to those at the summit of Pilatus, -and unless the thing is done carefully and thoroughly it had better not -be attempted at all. The chief difficulty in growing Alpine plants in -our climate is not the cold but the excessive moisture of winter, which -tends to rot their roots, and from which they are protected in their -native home by their snowy covering. Our object should be to reproduce, -as far as possible, in our gardens the conditions under which the plants -grow in the high Alps. For the rockery a porous stone will be required, -such as limestone or sandstone, and it is essential to select a kind -that does not crumble with the frost. The partially fused masses of -brick, which can be obtained very cheaply as a waste product from brick -kilns, when washed over with a mixture of cement and sand do very well. -The rocks and stones must be so laid that every bed or pocket in which -the plants are to grow is thoroughly well drained, for nothing is so -destructive to them as water-logging of the soil. Plants that grow in -the clefts of rocks should be planted in a sloping position, as water is -then less liable to collect in the rosettes of leaves. Those that grow -in cool, moist, spongy soil are best planted in a mixture of peat moss -and earth. It is also important to notice whether the plant which is -being cultivated was previously growing on limestone or granitic soil, -for it is easy to add a little chalk to the earth if this is required. In -planting out one has to be careful not to curl up the roots, and it is -wise to sprinkle the plant with water two or three times a day for the -first week or so. Alpine plants should never be manured. It should be -remembered that mountain plants grow slowly, and though very many species -can be successfully cultivated, the Houseleeks and Saxifrages are likely -to give the best results with a minimum of trouble. - -It is impossible in such a book as this to give more than a few general -suggestions as to the photography of Alpine plants. One of the chief -difficulties with which one has to contend is the wind. When the plant is -photographed anywhere near its natural size the smallest stop has to be -used to obtain depth of focus, and this greatly increases the duration -of the exposure. Many of the colour photographs herein reproduced were -given as long as five or ten minutes. When the wind is intermittent it -is quite safe to give repeated exposures of a few seconds at a time, -being careful in removing and replacing the cap not to shake the camera, -for the plant is sure to return to exactly the same position after being -blown to and fro by the wind. Where tall plants are being taken it is -wisest to select a time in the early morning or near sunset, for though -the intensity of light is diminished at these times, there is usually but -little wind. The writer has found a strip of white calico, some 12 or 15 -inches wide, with long knitting needles sewn on to it at intervals, of -great value as a wind screen in plant photography. The knitting needles -can be pushed into the ground, and the plant surrounded on three sides or -completely by such a screen, and thus very largely shaded from the wind. -With a little care the screen does not appear in the photograph, and it -is easily rolled up and carried from place to place. For near objects -the intensity of light in the Alps is only slightly greater than that in -England at the same time of day, but it is always wiser to make use of an -exposure meter if the best results are desired. By the use of the swing -back any plane surface, whatever be its inclination to the vertical, can -be easily focussed. This will be found of especial value where a blurred -background is desired, and the slight distortion thus obtained, which is -so noticeable in architectural subjects, is quite negligible in the case -of plant portraits. The deep shadows that are produced when flowers are -photographed in bright sunlight are generally best avoided. - - - - -SUMMER FLOWERS OF THE HIGH ALPS - - HERE FOLLOW COLOURED PLATES AND DESCRIPTIONS OF 39 SWISS - PLANTS, WITH THEIR NAMES IN LATIN, ENGLISH, FRENCH, AND GERMAN - - - - -The Narcissus-Flowered Anemone - -(_ANEMONE NARCISSIFLORA_) - - -Many varieties of Anemone are found in Switzerland. Not only have we the -common English Wood Anemone (_A. nemorosa_) of the early spring, and the -much rarer Pasque Flower (_A. Pulsatilla_) of our downs, but there is -also the white or yellow Alpine Anemone (_A. alpina_), which forms so -marked a feature of the Alpine pastures in early summer. Even in July and -August, when most of the flowers have faded, the feathery tufts of seeds -of the Alpine Anemone are still to be seen as the so-called “Chamois’ -beards.” - -The Narcissus-flowered Anemone, here photographed, is a widely -distributed plant. It occurs on grassy slopes and in pastures between -4000 and 7000 feet above the sea level, and seems to prefer a limestone -soil. The finely divided leaves are well seen in the photograph. Unlike -every other species of Anemone found in Switzerland the flower stalk -bears not a single flower only but two to eight, or even more, and at the -point where the flower stalk divides a green collaret or involucre is -seen. The flowers are pure white inside, and their external surfaces are -often slightly woolly and tinged with pink, especially in the bud. The -seeds have no feathery appendages like those of the Alpine Anemone. The -flowers are without honey. They are visited by pollen-collecting insects, -and should these fail will become self-fertilised. The plant blooms in -May and June, and some flowers may still be found even in July in the -highest Alpine pastures. It is met with widely distributed over Central -Europe, North America and Northern Asia, but is absent in Scandinavia. -On account of the numerous closely allied species which are found in -Northern Asia, it is thought that this plant may have originated in that -region and then spread east and west to America and Europe respectively. - -[Illustration: PLATE I. - -ANEMONE NARCISSIFLORA. L. - -The Narcissus-flowered Anemone. Anémone à fleurs de Narcisse. -Narcissenblüthige Anemone oder Berg-Windröschen.] - - - - -The Globe Flower - -(_TROLLIUS EUROPÆUS_) - - -THIS large and stately plant is common in mountain pastures from the -lower levels right up to 7000 feet. It has finely divided leaves and -bright yellow globe-like flowers, borne on long stalks which are -usually unbranched. It is evidently a near relation of the buttercups, -but differs from them in the possession of numerous brightly-coloured -sepals, which enclose and conceal the much smaller tongue-shaped petals. -Although not exclusively Alpine, being found all over Central Europe, -in Scandinavia, and the north of England, it has been included in this -series because it is sure to be noticed by anyone visiting Switzerland -for the first time. - -It flowers in May, June, and July, and flourishes best in damp places. A -much smaller form, bearing only a single flower, is found exclusively on -high mountains (_var. humilis_). It should probably be regarded merely as -a variety and not as a distinct species. - -The Globe Flower, the Anemones, and the two species of Aconitum -illustrated in the two following plates are all examples of the buttercup -order, the Ranunculaceæ. The common yellow buttercup so abundantly -found in Alpine meadows is _Ranunculus montanus_. This species very -closely resembles the ordinary upright buttercup of our English fields -(_Ranunculus acris_), which it replaces in the Alps, but differs from it -in the possession of a solid (not hollow) stem and a hairy disc beneath -the seeds. It is a somewhat smaller plant, with less numerous—generally -only two or three—flowers. - -[Illustration: PLATE II. - -TROLLIUS EUROPÆUS. L. - -The Globe Flower. Trolle d’Europe ou Boule d’Or. Echte oder Europäische -Trollblume.] - - - - -The Common Monk’s-Hood - -(_ACONITUM NAPELLUS_) - - -Several species of Aconitum are met with in Switzerland. They have -all bright-coloured flowers, especially adapted for fertilisation by -humble-bees. It is only where there are humble-bees to convey the -pollen from flower to flower that seeds can mature, so that where these -insects do not exist the Aconites cannot spread. The five sepals of -the Aconite flowers are coloured for attractive purposes, the highest -being especially large and helmet-shaped. Protected by this are the -representatives of the petals, so modified and reduced that they no -longer have any attractive function, and are only of use to the plant by -producing honey. They form a couple of nectaries on long stalks inside -the helmet-shaped sepal. - -The Common Monk’s-Hood is found in rich moist meadows between 3000 and -7000 feet. It seems to be especially common in the neighbourhood of -Alpine dairies and cow houses. It flowers in June and July, and is very -poisonous. From the conical root, resembling that of horseradish, the -preparations of aconite used in medicine are prepared. When applied -externally, aconite causes tingling and numbness and may relieve the pain -of neuralgia. Internally, it depresses the action of the heart and lowers -the temperature of the body. Homeopathists still use it for this purpose, -but in doses so small as to have no appreciable action whatever. The -single straight flower stalk, closely packed with blossoms, is rarely -branched in its upper part, though small branches may be met with below. - -The Panicled Monk’s-hood (_Ac. paniculatum_) resembles the above rather -closely, but differs from it in the more open arrangement of the flowers -on the hairy flower stalk, which is usually branched near the top. The -leaves of both plants are finely divided, but the sub-divisions of those -of the common Monk’s-hood are longer and narrower, more strap-shaped in -fact, than those of the panicled form. - -[Illustration: PLATE III. - -ACONITUM NAPELLUS. L. - -The Common Monk’s-Hood. Aconit Napel ou Napel bleu. Rübenwurzliger -Eisenhut.] - - - - -The Yellow Wolf’s-Bane - -(_ACONITUM LYCOCTONUM_) - - -This plant is a species of Aconite, and a close relation of the common -Monk’s-hood illustrated on the previous page. It is common on the -borders of woods and in bushy places between 3000 and 7000 feet above -the sea level. In this species, which, like the common Monk’s-hood, is -visited almost exclusively by humble-bees, the upper helmet-like sepal -which conceals the honey is especially long. It is interesting to note -that the humble-bees do not, in all cases, obtain the honey in the way -intended by the plant. A dark spot is often to be seen near the tip of -the helmet where a humble-bee has nibbled through the flower leaf and -obtained access to the nectary direct. In this way the designs of the -plant for cross fertilisation may be frustrated, for where the honey is -obtained in this manner no pollen is carried from flower to flower by the -insect visitor. _Aconitum Anthora_, which is rather like the above, has -more finely divided leaves and darker yellow flowers which are much less -elongated than those of the Wolf’s-bane. The flowers, in fact, closely -resemble those of the common Monk’s-hood except that they are yellow -instead of blue. Both plants are poisonous. - -[Illustration: PLATE IV. - -ACONITUM LYCOCTONUM. L. - -The Yellow Wolf’s-bane. Aconit Tue-loup ou Cappe de Moine. Wolftödtender -Eisenhut.] - - - - -The Two-Flowered Violet - -(_VIOLA BIFLORA_) - - -This pretty little plant is common in moist shady places between 3000 and -7000 feet all over Switzerland. It is also found in Bohemia, Silesia, -the Vosges, and other parts of Central Europe. It flowers from May to -August in the clefts of rocks, and amongst the boulders on the banks of -streams. It was in just such a place as this that the present photograph -was taken. The flowers are bright yellow, streaked with brown, and the -dark green leaves are kidney-shaped and entire. Although there are -several other violets with yellow flowers to be found in Switzerland, no -other species has broad kidney-shaped leaves. The smooth, erect flower -stalk, which also bears some leaves, frequently divides into two near -the middle, each branch being terminated by a bright yellow flower. -This character, which has given to the violet its name, is, however, by -no means constant, and flower stems bearing a single or three or more -flowers are also often seen. The number of flowers borne by the plant -would seem rather to be determined by its size and vigour, which, of -course, again depend largely on the conditions under which it grows. - -[Illustration: PLATE V. - -VIOLA BIFLORA. L. - -The Two-flowered Violet. Violette à deux Fleurs. Zweiblüthiges Veilchen -oder Zwillings-Veilchen.] - - - - -The Long-Spurred Pansy - -(_VIOLA CALCARATA_) - - -The Long-Spurred Pansy flowers in June and July, and is a typical Alpine -plant. The high mountain pastures are sometimes literally carpeted with -its large purple flowers, all turned towards the sun. It is common on -sunny slopes and among rocky débris between 5000 and 9000 feet, and -prefers a limestone soil. The underground stem of the plant bears at its -extremity a small rosette of leaves, and a short flower stalk terminated -by the single large flower. The flower, which has a delicate and sweet -scent, is usually of a rich purple colour, much more rarely yellow (_var. -flava_). Sometimes the purple becomes paler and a lavender variety -results, and, rarest of all, the flower may be pure white. From the many -other violets and pansies which are found in Switzerland, the species -we are now considering is recognised by its narrow, notched leaves, by -the upward direction of the lateral petals, and especially by the long, -narrow spur, which is quite as long as the corolla. - -Unlike most of the violets which are fertilised by bees, the Long-Spurred -Pansy depends entirely on butterflies for the conveyance of its pollen. -The narrow opening to the flower and the long spur, at the bottom -of which the honey is concealed, are only suited to insects such as -butterflies and moths with relatively long tongues. It is pretty to see -the butterflies flitting from flower to flower, and Müller observed a -single insect visit no less than one hundred and ninety-four different -blossoms in 6¾ minutes. - -[Illustration: PLATE VI. - -VIOLA CALCARATA. L. - -The Long-spurred Pansy. Violette à long éperon ou Violette éperonnée. -Langgesporntes Veilchen.] - - - - -The Box-Leaved Milkwort - -(_POLYGALA CHAMÆBUXUS_) - - -The Box-leaved Milkwort is a shrubby mountain plant with a woody -branching stem and leathery evergreen leaves, which resemble those of the -common box but are somewhat thicker. The flowers occur singly or in pairs -in the axils of the upper leaves. They consist of a boat-shaped corolla -of a pale yellow colour, which becomes darker towards the tip, and two -wing-like appendages, which look like petals but are really sepals. These -are usually white but are sometimes purple red. It is stated that their -colour is determined by the soil on which the plant grows and is white or -pure slate; on calcareous, slate coloured. - -The Box-leaved Milkwort is widely distributed in Switzerland, Germany, -and Austria, between 1500 and 7000 feet, and grows on wooded hills and in -dry rocky places, where it is often extremely abundant. It flowers from -May till the end of August. The plant is quite distinctive and will be -readily recognised. Although belonging to the Milkwort tribe it is quite -different from all other species, which have red, white or blue, never -yellow, flowers and deciduous, not evergreen, leaves. - -The Common Milkwort (_Polygala vulgaris_) of our English downs and heaths -is also found in the Alps. It is a small herbaceous plant with a slender -stem, perhaps three or four inches long, which is thickly covered with -leaves, and terminates in a cluster of pink, blue, or white flowers. -_Polygala calcarea_, a nearly-related species found only in limestone -districts, has sky-blue flowers and leaves for the most part clustered in -the form of a rosette at the base of the stem. - -[Illustration: PLATE VII. - -POLYGALA CHAMÆBUXUS. L. - -The Box-leaved Milkwort. Polygala faux-buis. Immergrüne Kreuzblume.] - - - - -The Creeping Gypsophila - -(_GYPSOPHILA REPENS_) - - -The Creeping Gypsophila is a perennial plant with a woody stem, from -which branches arise bearing the narrow strap-shaped leaves and pale -crowded flowers. It is found in all the limestone regions of the Alps, -amongst the rocky boulders beside mountain streams, and in dry torrent -beds between 1000 and 7000 feet, and even descends to the plains with -certain of the rivers. It is found, for example, near Munich on the banks -of the Isar. The plant is also widely distributed in the mountain regions -of Central Europe and extends from the Pyrenees to the Carpathians. The -flowers, which open in July and August, are white with more or less of -a tinge of pink about them, which may be quite marked in certain cases. -Together they form what is botanically known as a corymb. The numerous -flower stalks branching off from different points of the ascending stem -are of such a length that all the flowers are approximately on the same -level. In this way they are displayed to the best advantage, so that -their insect visitors may find it easy to pass from flower to flower. -There are several species of Sandwort and Chickweed to be found in -Switzerland that closely resemble the Creeping Gypsophila. Apart from -technicalities the chief points to keep in mind in the identification of -the plant are the woody creeping stem, the much-branched flower stalks, -and the entire absence of hairs. - -[Illustration: PLATE VIII. - -GYPSOPHILA REPENS. L. - -The Creeping Gypsophila. Gypsophile rampante. Kriechendes Gipskraut.] - - - - -The Moss Campion or Cushion Pink - -(_SILENE ACAULIS_) - - -Wherever conditions are unfavourable to plant life, not only on high -mountains but also in deserts and by the seashore, the plants that manage -to survive frequently respond by a process of co-operation and form dense -cushion-like masses. In the high Alps many examples of this are seen. The -individual plants are closely huddled together in the form of a tuft, not -only on account of warmth and natural protection and to prevent their -being blown away by rough winds, but also because the cushion acts as a -sort of reservoir or sponge and prevents the little plants being dried up -by the fierce rays of the sun. - -The Moss Campion is a typical “Cushion plant.” It is found abundantly -all over the Alps, especially in the limestone regions between 5000 and -10,000 feet or even higher. It grows in open rocky places, often on the -bare rock itself, and in the neighbourhood of glaciers, and may be found -close up to the snowline. The bright green moss-like cushions formed of -the dense clusters of leaves become sprinkled over with pinkish-purple -star-like flowers in June, July, and August. Occasionally the flowers are -white. The long conical root penetrates far into the soil or into some -fissure in the rocks, thus securely anchoring the plant, and divides -above into numerous branches, which radiate in all directions and are -thickly covered below with brown dead leaves and terminate above in a -rosette of bright green linear leaflets. The flowers, which are visited -by many kinds of insects, are of three kinds. Rarely we find cushions -of flowers containing both stamens and pistil in the same flower, but -even here the pistil becomes ready to receive pollen before the stamens -open so as to prevent self-fertilisation. Usually, however, the flowers -are unisexual and contain stamens or pistil only, and staminate and -pistillate flowers are borne on different cushions. - -The Moss Campion is widely distributed in the mountain regions of -Southern Europe, North America, and the Arctic regions. _Silene exscapa_ -closely resembles the above, but is much less common. Its flowers are -smaller and less brightly coloured, and the separation between calyx and -flower stalk is more gradual and less abrupt than in the Moss Campion. -Its seed-vessel or capsule is, moreover, hardly longer than the remains -of the calyx which encloses it, whereas the capsule of the Moss Campion -projects well beyond the enclosing calyx leaves. - -[Illustration: PLATE IX. - -SILENE ACAULIS. L. - -The Moss Campion or Cushion Pink. Silène à Courte tige. Stengelloses -Leimkraut oder Moos-Leimkraut.] - - - - -The Wood Geranium - -(_GERANIUM SYLVATICUM_) - - -Seventeen species of Geranium or Crane’s-bill, so named from the shape -of the seed, are met with in Switzerland, and several of them are rather -difficult to distinguish from one another. - -The Wood Geranium is found in England, but is not very common. In -Switzerland it is exceedingly abundant on the borders of woods and in -rich mountain meadows and pastures between 3000 and 7000 feet. Though -a beautiful plant it is by no means welcome to the herdsman, for it is -not good for fodder. The finely divided leaves are well seen in the -photograph. The purple-blue flowers have more of a tinge of red in them -when they first open. The Wood Geranium will be recognised by its erect -stem, hairy above, leaves which are arranged opposite to one another, -purple-violet flowers with petals that are not notched in the middle, -and sepals drawn out to a long point. The Brook Crane’s-bill (_Geranium -rivulare_) has white flowers varied with red, and the Meadow Crane’s-bill -(_Geranium pratense_) has larger flowers which tend to hang down, and the -Blood Geranium (_Geranium sanguinum_) has unbranched flower stalks and -notched petals. - -[Illustration: PLATE X. - -GERANIUM SYLVATICUM. L. - -The Wood Geranium or Wood Crane’s-bill. Géranie des Forêts. -Wald-Storchschnabel.] - - - - -The Alpine Clover - -(_TRIFOLIUM ALPINUM_) - - -This plant is the most beautiful and most sweetly scented of all the -clover tribe. The long conical root stock which penetrates far into the -soil terminates above in many radiating branches. On these are borne the -long stalked leaves, composed of three narrow leaflets with serrated -margins. The flowers, which are larger than those of any other clover, -are borne in a group of four to twelve on top of a long flower stalk. -They begin to appear early in June and continue coming out till the end -of August; they are usually of a delicate pinkish-purple colour, but -occasionally a cream or white variety may be found. The Alpine breezes -are often filled with their delicate fragrance. When the flower fades the -petals are not shed, but remain attached to the seeds and act as wings -which aid in their dispersal. Unlike most of our English clovers, which -are annuals, the Alpine clover is a perennial and lives for many years, -throwing up fresh leaves and branches every spring. The thick solid -rootstock of some of these plants must be many years old. This species -is very common in the meadows and pastures in the central Alps between -5000 and 8000 feet, where it grows in greatest abundance and especially -luxuriantly on primary granitic rock. It is probably a true native -of the Alps, but is also found in South Tyrol, the Pyrenees, and the -Carpathians. - -The Alpine clover will be readily recognised by its few-flowered -flower-heads and narrow pointed leaflets arranged in groups of three. -The much rarer _Trifolium pallescens_ is perhaps a little like the -pale flowered variety, but it has many flowered flower-heads and ovate -leaflets. - -[Illustration: PLATE XI. - -TRIFOLIUM ALPINUM. L. - -The Alpine Clover. Trèfle des Alpes ou Réglisse des Alpes. Alpenklee.] - - - - -The Brown Clover - -(_TRIFOLIUM BADIUM_) - - -Unlike the greater number of Alpine plants which persist from year -to year the Brown Clover is a biennial, that is to say, its life is -limited to two years, and at the end of its second summer the plant dies -off. It is found abundantly in the limestone districts of Switzerland -between 4000 and 7000 feet, and flowers in July and August. It grows in -meadows and pastures, and seems to prefer a moist, open spot, where the -competition with other plants will be less severe. Thus it is met with -on moraines, on the fresh soil brought down by avalanches and streams, -and even on the dirt heaps around Alpine cow houses. The much-branched -brownish stem bears the rather long-stalked leaves, composed of three -leaflets with serrated margins and blunt points. The flower-heads, -made up of numerous florets closely packed together, are at first of a -golden yellow colour. As the individual flowers fade—and the lowest fade -first—they become brown and scale-like and turn downwards, and the dry -brown corolla remaining attached to the seed forms an important aid in -its dispersal by the wind. The Brown Clover is widely distributed in the -mountain regions of Central Europe. It will be readily recognised by its -globular flower-heads of yellow flowers and bright green leaves made up -of three leaflets, which are arranged opposite to one another on the -upper part of the stem. - -_Trifolium spadiceum_ is very like the above, but is not so common. Its -flower-heads become more elongated and change to a darker brown tint than -those of the plant here photographed as the flowers fade. - -[Illustration: PLATE XII. - -TRIFOLIUM BADIUM. SCHREB. - -The Brown Clover. Trèfle brun. Braunklee.] - - - - -The Cold Mountain-Lentil - -(_PHACA FRIGIDA_) - - -The Cold Milk-Vetch or Mountain-lentil—to give a literal translation -to its popular Swiss name, for it has no English—is a typical Alpine -plant, found in fair abundance between 5000 and 8000 feet, perhaps most -frequently in limestone districts. In rocky places or mountain meadows -it often grows in profusion, but it seems to avoid the pastures. The -stem is usually unbranched, about 6 or 8 inches high, and bears the pale -yellow or cream-coloured flowers and the bright green leaves, made up of -four or five pairs of leaflets with an odd one at the tip. The leaves are -arranged in pairs opposite to one another, and where they join the stem a -couple of pale broad wing-like stipules are attached. It is unfortunate -that these are not well seen in the photograph, for they are the most -characteristic thing about the plant. The Cold Mountain-lentil has an -extensive range, being found in mountain districts all over Europe, -Northern Asia, North America, and in the Arctic regions. It is thought to -have originated in the Steppes of Northern Asia. - -_Phaca alpina_ differs from the above in being a somewhat taller plant -with branched stem, deeper yellow flowers, leaves made up of nine to -eleven pairs of leaflets, and smaller, narrower, stipules. - -[Illustration: PLATE XIII. - -PHACA FRIGIDA. L. - -The Cold Milk-Vetch or Mountain-Lentil. Phaque Froide. Kalte Berglinse -oder Einfache Gletscherlinse.] - - - - -The Dull-Flowered Sweet Clover or Alpine Sainfoin - -(_HEDYSARUM OBSCURUM_) - - -The Alpine Sainfoin is the only member of the sixteen European species -of _Hedysarum_ (Sainfoin) that is found in Switzerland. The plant -consists of a thick, dense underground stem which persists from year to -year and serves as a storehouse for food. Underground branches extend -outward from this in various directions and give rise to ascending shoots -bearing leaves and flowers. The short stalked leaves bear eleven to -nineteen leaflets which are arranged in pairs; the purple-red flowers -occur in clusters. The flowers are visited by bees on account of the -honey they contain. By means of a sort of catapult arrangement, which -only goes off when the bee settles on the flower, the body of the insect -becomes dusted with pollen and as the bee travels from flower to flower -pollination is effected. In the Western Alps a variety of this plant -with yellowish flowers is occasionally to be found. The seed vessel of -the Alpine Sainfoin is very characteristic. It is not unlike an ordinary -pea-pod, but is smaller, more flattened, and divided into two or three -oval segments by constrictions. The plant is fairly abundant between 5000 -and 8000 feet, and flowers in July and August. It is rare in meadows, -but is found on the rocky borders of Alpine pastures and on the banks -of streams. It is met with in all parts of the Alps, in the mountainous -districts of Europe and Asia, and in the Arctic regions, and is thought -to have taken origin in the Steppes of Northern Asia. It should be very -easily recognised. The drooping habit of the flowers and the constricted -seed-pods are most characteristic. - -The flowers of this species have generally more red in them than those of -the specimen photographed. - -[Illustration: PLATE XIV. - -HEDYSARUM OBSCURUM. L. - -The Dull-Flowered Sweet Clover or Alpine Sainfoin. Esparcette des Alpes. -Dunkler Süssklee.] - - - - -The White Dryas - -(_DRYAS OCTOPETALA_) - - -The White Dryas, or Silver-herb as the Swiss call it, is a characteristic -Alpine plant which is found all over Switzerland between 3000 and 8000 -feet, and even descends to the plains with some of the rivers. It is -common in dry mountain pastures and rocky places, and seems to grow best -on limestone soil. Often the bare surfaces of rocks and boulders are -thickly covered with its matted growth, which persists from year to year -as soil gradually accumulates around it. - -The thick dense rootstock gives rise to long trailing branches, which -extend in all directions and bear the leaves and flowers. Associated -with the root tips is a curious fungus growth, which from its constant -presence is thought to be of value to the plant. The tough leathery -evergreen leaves have rolled back notched edges. Their upper surfaces are -dark green, smooth, and polished, and devoid of the stomata or little -pores by which air is absorbed by green plants generally; the lower -surfaces are covered by thick white felt-like hairs. The flowers, which -appear from May till July, resemble those of the Alpine Anemone, but are -smaller. They have usually eight petals, hence the Latin name. Inside -the petals are a large number of stamens arranged in the form of a ring, -and inside these again a honey secreting gland which surrounds the mass -of closely packed carpels in the centre of the flower. The carpels bear -long silky styles, which grow out into beautiful feathery appendages -as the seeds ripen—another point of resemblance to the Alpine Anemone. -The carpels become ready for pollination before the stamens shed their -pollen. Then the outermost stamens open, and only after several days have -elapsed do the innermost stamens become mature. A little consideration -will show how wonderfully this arrangement is adapted to favour the -cross-fertilisation of the carpels by pollen brought from another -flower by the agency of insect visitors. Should this, for any reason, -fail, self-fertilisation will almost certainly be effected by means of -the pollen from the innermost stamens. If a large number of plants of -the White Dryas be carefully examined some will be found with flowers -containing both stamens and carpels, as above described, while others, -less numerous, have flowers with stamens only. These will of course -produce no seeds. Some plants, again, will be seen to bear both kind of -flowers. The White Dryas is found in the mountainous districts of Europe -and in the Arctic regions of the new and old worlds. The plant will be -readily recognised, for its leaves are quite different from those of an -anemone. - -[Illustration: PLATE XV. - -DRYAS OCTOPETALA. L. - -The White Dryas or Silver-herb. Dryade à huit pétales. Echte Silberwurz.] - - - - -The Alpine Rose - -(_ROSA ALPINA_) - - -THE Alpine Rose or Dog-Rose must not be confounded with the Alpenrose. -The resemblance is only in the names, for the Alpenrose so much beloved -by the Swiss is really a rhododendron and quite a different plant. The -Alpine Rose is a shrub sometimes 8 or 10 feet high, and only a single -branch is shown in the photograph. It is found on the borders of mountain -woods and in bushy places, from the lower slopes up to about 7000 feet, -and flowers in May, June, and July. The leaves consist of seven to -eleven leaflets, and there are broad stipules at the base of each leaf. -The sweet-scented flowers are of a rich rose-red colour. The sepals are -exceptionally long and project beyond the petals; this is especially -noticeable in the bud. The fruit or hip is flask-shaped and rather -narrowed at the base. Thorns are as a rule absent from the flowering -branches, but are generally to be found on the lower and younger shoots, -which point downwards. Sometimes they are absent altogether. The Alpine -Rose is found pretty abundantly in the mountain woods of Southern and -Central Europe, but does not extend to the North. Thus it grows in the -Pyrenees, Auvergne, the Balkans, and in one part of the Black Forest. - -The Dog-Roses are phenomenally difficult to distinguish from one another, -and as many as fifty Swiss species are described. The characteristics -above mentioned, and especially the high elevation at which it is found, -will assist in the recognition of the present species. By the arrangement -and character of the leaves and spines and the shape of the fruit, the -Alpine Rose itself has been sub-divided into some thirty sub-species. - -[Illustration: PLATE XVI. - -ROSA ALPINA. L. - -The Alpine Rose. Eglantine des Alpes. Alpen-Heckenrose.] - - - - -Fleischer’s Willow-Herb - -(_EPILOBIUM FLEISCHERI_) - - -This plant is fairly common in the Alps and grows in dry stony places, -especially amongst the boulders of dried-up torrent beds and beside -some of the streams; with some of these it descends towards the plains. -Like not a few of the less common Alpine plants, where it is found at -all, it is usually met with in great abundance. The flowers which open -out in July are of great beauty, and their arrangements to prevent -self-pollination are of considerable interest. The stamens first ripen, -and while these are held erect the stigma is bent downward and the four -segments into which it is divided above are closely pressed together. -(Most of the flowers are in this stage in the photograph.) When the -pollen is shed the stamens bend downward, and not till then does the -stigma rise in the centre of the flower and its four lips become -separated from one another. - -The flowers of Fleischer’s Willow-herb closely resemble those of the -Rose-bay (_Epilobium angustifolium_), common in bushy places all over -England, Switzerland, and Central Europe. But the Rose-bay is a bigger -plant with tall, usually unbranched stem and much larger leaves, which -are veined underneath. As will be seen by the photograph, the leaves -of Fleischer’s Willow-herb are narrow and lance-shaped, and the few -veins that can be made out are all parallel to one another. Closely -resembling the plant here photographed is the Rosemary-leaved Willow-herb -(_Epilobium rosmarinifolium_). Its leaves are usually more numerous, -narrower, and more strap-shaped, and its stem is taller and, as a rule, -more branched. But the most constant difference between the two plants is -to be found in the length of the stalk which bears the stigma (style). -This is as long as the stamens in _Epilobium rosmarinifolium_, but only -half this length in _Epilobium Fleischeri_. - -[Illustration: PLATE XVII. - -EPILOBIUM FLEISCHERI. HOCHST. - -Fleischer’s Willow-Herb. Epilobe des Moraines. Weidenröschen.] - - - - -The Mountain House-Leek - -(_SEMPERVIVUM MONTANUM_) - - -Several varieties of House-leek are found in Switzerland. They grow in -dry, rocky places, where moisture is scarce and where they are exposed -to the fierce heat of the sun. Their succulent leaves, covered by a -thick, almost leathery, cuticle, are arranged in rosettes, and serve -as storehouses for water. The plants grow slowly and in clusters, and -when each one has accumulated sufficient strength it throws up a long -central stalk bearing star-like flowers, and dies as the seeds mature. -The house-leeks are reproduced not only by means of seeds, but also by -runners, which extend outward and bear a small rosette of leaves at their -extremities. Some of these can be made out in the photograph. Some of the -Saxifrages closely resemble the house-leeks in habit of growth, but are -less succulent. - -The Mountain House-leek is common all over the Alps between 4000 and -8000 feet, or even higher in certain parts. It seems to grow best on -primary granitic rock. The wedge-shaped rosette leaves are covered with -short glandular hairs. The rosettes are unfortunately not well seen in -the photograph, the leaves that can be made out being mainly those of -a species of Primula. From the centre of the rosette the flower stalk -arises. It is some 3 to 6 inches long and is covered with succulent -leaves with reddish tips. Above it divides into branches which bear -the beautiful star-like flowers. The flowers, which appear in July and -August, are usually of a pale red colour with a darker central stripe to -each petal. A variety with cream-coloured petals is very occasionally -found. - -The Cobweb House-leek (_Sempervivum arachnoideum_) is not unlike the -plant here photographed, but will be readily distinguished from it by the -long white hairs borne at the tips of the rosette leaves, which become -interwoven with those of adjoining leaves to form a spider’s-web-like -structure. Its flowers are a brighter crimson than those of the Mountain -House-leek. - -[Illustration: PLATE XVIII. - -SEMPERVIVUM MONTANUM. L. - -The Mountain House-leek. Joubarbe des Montagnes. Berg-Hauswurz.] - - - - -Sempervivum Funckii - - -Not unlike the Mountain House-leek photographed on the previous page -is _Sempervivum Funckii_. It is not a common plant, being only found -in Eastern Switzerland, the Tyrol, the Carpathians, and a few other -mountainous districts, and does not seem to have acquired any local name. -Compared with the Mountain House-leek the rosettes of leaves are a little -smaller. They are covered with much longer hairs, which are not, however, -twisted together into a spider’s web like those of the Cobweb House-leek. -As will be seen the flowers are of a beautiful pale pink colour, and each -petal has a stripe of a darker tint running down its centre. The plant -grows in rocky places. - -The Common House-leek (_Sempervivum tectorum_), which is often seen in -England growing on old walls and on cottage roofs, where it is supposed -to protect from lightning, is also found in Switzerland. It is fairly -common in dry, rocky places, and ascends from the plains to 7000 feet. -Its purple flowers are not unlike those of _Sempervivum Funckii_, but -its wedge-shaped rosette leaves are only provided with hairs along -their margins, and are armed with sharp spines at their extremities. It -is, moreover, a much larger plant. The rosette leaves of _Sempervivum -Wulfeni_, another Alpine species, are very like those of the Common -House-leek, but the plant is readily distinguished by its yellow or -greenish-yellow flowers. It grows on primary rock between 6000 and 8000 -feet, and is rather uncommon. - -[Illustration: PLATE XIX. - -SEMPERVIVUM FUNCKII. BRAUN. - -Funcke’s House-leek. Joubarbe de Funcke. Funcke’s Hauswurz.] - - - - -The Evergreen Saxifrage - -(_SAXIFRAGA AIZOIDES_) - - -THE Saxifrages have been extraordinarily successful in the Alps. Some -thirty different species, some of them exceedingly common, are met with -in Switzerland. - -The Evergreen Saxifrage is one of the most abundant. It grows in moist -rocky places, at the foot of glaciers, and on the banks of mountain -streams and waterfalls. It ascends to 9000 feet in places and descends -almost to the plains with some of the rivers. The plant grows in tufts. -The erect flower stems are covered by the narrow, succulent leaves, which -have hairs along each margin; they terminate in branches bearing four to -eight flowers. The star-like flowers, which appear in July and August, -are made up of five brightly coloured petals alternating with five green -sepals. The petals may be lemon yellow with orange red spots, or, as in -the specimen here photographed (var. _atrorubens_), pure orange red. Next -comes a ring of ten stamens with dark red pollen, and then the showy -ring-like nectary and the two styles in the centre of the flower. The -honey is so obvious and abundant that insects of all kinds—flies, bees, -butterflies, and beetles—visit the flowers; but self-fertilisation is, -in the main, prevented by the pollen being shed before the ovaries with -their stigmata are ready for fertilisation. The Evergreen Saxifrage is to -be found in all parts of the Alps, and is also met with in the Arctic -regions. - -With the help of the photograph no difficulty should be experienced in -recognising the plant. From the Stonecrops, notably the Biting Stonecrop -(_Sedum acre_), it is recognised by its possession of two styles. But -several of the other Saxifrages resemble it much more closely. The -Rough Saxifrage (_S. aspera_) has paler flowers and more hairy leaves. -The Moss-like Saxifrage (_S. bryoides_) has a moss-like growth and the -flowers are borne on long, usually unbranched, flower stalks. _Saxifraga -Sequieri_ has more flattened leaves, and _Saxifraga Hirculus_, which is -rare, has two raised spots at the base of each yellow petal. - -[Illustration: PLATE XX. - -SAXIFRAGA AIZOIDES. L. - -The Evergreen Saxifrage. Saxifrage toujours verte ou Saxifrage pain -d’Oiseau. Immergrüner Steinbrech oder Borsten-Steinbrech.] - - - - -The Large Astrantia - -(_ASTRANTIA MAJOR_) - - -This tall and handsome plant is common from the lower mountain region up -to 6000 feet all over Switzerland. It grows in meadows, bushy places, -and mountain woods. Several long-stalked leaves rise directly from the -root stock. They are of a large size, circular in general outline, and -consist of five or six radiating lobes with deep depressions between -them. The branched flower-stem, perhaps some 2 or 3 feet in height, -bears relatively few leaves. Its various branches terminate in what -appear to be single flowers, but what are really masses of tiny flowerets -with short stalks all of the same length, surrounded by a sort of cup -made up of radiating leaves. The individual flowers are greenish-white, -often with a pinkish tinge, and the radiating leaves are pale pink, -with a central green stripe and greenish tip. The flower-masses of -the Astrantia are an excellent example of the way in which small and -unattractive flowers combine together and form a structure, both large -and conspicuous, to attract insect visitors. These floral societies are -even better seen in the large natural order the Compositæ, of which our -next four photographs are examples. The Large Astrantia flowers in July -and August, and is met with in many of the mountain woods of Central -Europe as well as in the Alps. It is occasionally found in England. - -The Small Astrantia (_Astrantia minor_) is a much smaller and more -slender plant. The notches in its leaves extend right up to the stem, -thus completely separating the eight or nine leaflets from one another. -The Hare’s-ear (_Bupleurum ranunculoides_) somewhat resembles the Large -Astrantia, but its flower-masses are entirely devoid of any tinge of pink -and its leaves are strap-shaped. - -[Illustration: PLATE XXI. - -ASTRANTIA MAJOR. L. - -The Large Astrantia or Master-wort. Astrance Majeure ou Radiaire. Grosse -Sterndolde.] - - - - -The Alpine Starwort or Alpine Aster - -(_ASTER ALPINUS_) - - -The beautiful little Alpine Aster is found all over the Alps. It flowers -in July, August, and September, but occasionally it may be found in bloom -even as early as May. It grows in dry Alpine pastures, sunny meadows, and -rocky places, not infrequently in company with the Edelweiss, between -4000 and 9000 feet; in a few places it extends much lower. The plant -consists of a rosette of woolly tufted leaves, with a central stem -bearing the solitary flower-head. In the higher regions the flower-stem -is short, perhaps only 4 inches in length, but nearer the plains it may -be 8 or 9 inches. In any case, however, the flower-head is large, an -inch or two in diameter, and conspicuous on account of the broad purple -ray florets, which contrast strongly with the golden yellow centre. -The Alpine Aster is very widely distributed, being found in Northern -Asia, Arctic America, and in most of the mountain ranges of Central and -Southern Europe, but not in the far North. - -Closely resembling this plant is the Alpine Fleabane (_Erigeron alpina_). -It has narrower ray florets, which are arranged in several rows and -not in a single row like those of the Alpine Aster, and a branched -flower-stem bearing several separate flower-heads. The much rarer _Aster -Amellus_ differs from the Alpine Aster in the possession of a branched -flower-stem and blue, not purple, ray florets. - -[Illustration: PLATE XXII. - -ASTER ALPINUS. L. - -The Alpine Aster or Alpine Starwort. Aster des Alpes. Alpen-Aster.] - - - - -The Cat’s-Foot, Mountain Everlasting or Mountain Cudweed - -(_ANTENNARIA DIOICA_) - - -The Cat’s-foot, which is, after all, perhaps the most suitable name for -this curious plant, is abundant in the Alps from the lowest levels right -up to 7000 or 8000 feet. It is found in dry places, on moors and heaths, -and in dry open woods. It sometimes forms an unwished-for inhabitant of -the mountain pastures where it is disliked by the herdsmen, for it is an -undesirable plant for fodder. The leaves, like those of the Edelweiss, -are covered with white woolly hairs, and the flower stems are also hairy. -The flowers, which are pink or white, are dioicious, that is to say, the -same flower does not produce both pollen and seed, and seed-forming and -pollen-producing flowers do not occur on the same plant. As the pollen -is not carried by the wind from flower to flower, the plant is entirely -dependent upon its insect visitors for the fertilisation of its seeds, -and without them no seeds will be formed. The plant is also spread by -means of runners, which extend over the soil and take root at intervals. -The Swiss peasants make wreaths of the Mountain Everlasting, which -they wear as a charm, especially on Ascension Day. The plant is widely -distributed, and is found in the North of England and Scotland, as well -as most parts of Europe and the Polar regions. - -The Carpathians Cudweed (_Antennaria carpathica_), which is also common -in Switzerland, differs from the Cat’s-foot in that its flowers are brown -rather than white or pink, and that it does not send out runners. - -[Illustration: PLATE XXIII. - -ANTENNARIA DIOICA. GÄRTNER. - -The Cat’s-Foot, Mountain Everlasting, or Mountain Cudweed. Gnaphale -dioique ou Pied de Chat. Echtes Katzenpfötchen oder Mayensässblume.] - - - - -The Arnica - -(_ARNICA MONTANA_) - - -A bright conspicuous plant is the Arnica, with its yellow star-like -flower-heads. It grows in meadows, pastures, and on sunny moors, and is -widely distributed in the Alps, from the lower mountain regions up to -8000 feet. It is much less common in limestone than in other districts. -Four broad green leaves grow from the root in the form of a cross. In -the centre of these rises the erect flower-stalk some 8 or 9 inches -long, and covered with glandular hairs. On the flower-stalk are borne -the one or two pairs of leaves, without stalks, and arranged opposite -to one another. The flower-heads are drooping in the bud, but when they -open they are large and conspicuous and of a deep yellow colour. They -give forth a faint, resinous, not very pleasing, odour. The outer or ray -florets of the flower-head have long projecting strap-shaped petals. -Their purpose is to attract insects to the floral society, and the less -conspicuous florets in the centre of the flower-head produce just as good -seeds. At first but a single flower-head is formed, but later on, if the -plant is vigorous, buds appear in the axils of the opposite stem-leaves, -and two more flower-heads appear. This is what has happened in the two -specimens here photographed, and a second pair of buds is seen in one -of them. It is interesting to note that a mould-like fungus is found -constantly associated with the roots of the plant. It is believed that -the two plants grow together to the mutual advantage of each, the fungus -assisting the Arnica to obtain nourishment from the soil, and in return -receiving from it some of the organic matter manufactured from the air -with the help of light. The root has a bitter aromatic taste. From it -is made the tincture of Arnica, which is often applied to bruises, -apparently, however, without any very considerable influence upon them. - -Several other Alpine plants, the Doronicum and Aronics, for example, have -bright yellow flower-heads like the Arnica, but as no similar Alpine -plant has pairs of opposite leaves on the flower-stem, the recognition of -the Arnica becomes a very simple matter. - -[Illustration: PLATE XXIV. - -ARNICA MONTANA. L. - -The Arnica. Arnica. Echtes Wohlverlei.] - - - - -The Spiny Fuller’s Thistle - -(_CIRCIUM SPINOSISSIMUM_) - -(_See Frontispiece_) - - -This stately and beautiful plant is common in all parts of the Alps, -but is found nowhere else. It grows in moist places in the meadows and -pastures, and beside the streams, between 4000 and 7000 feet. It is -generally looked upon as a noxious weed by the herdsmen, but in one or -two places the upper and more succulent parts are gathered and preserved -as pigs’ food for the winter. - -The thick evergreen leaves, armed with formidable spines, are paler -at the upper part of the stem where they surround the large brown -flower-head. Usually but a single flower-head is borne by each plant, -but each one produces some hundreds of seeds. Each seed has a feathery -wing-like appendage, so that it may be more easily distributed by the -wind. The Spiny Fuller’s Thistle is usually some 3½ or 4 feet high, as -was the specimen photographed, but in high altitudes the plant is more -bushy and stunted. Under these conditions it is not unlike the Stemless -or Alpine Carline Thistle (_Carlina acaulis_), which, in spite of its -name, has sometimes a stem some 8 or 10 inches long. But the Carline -Thistle has a larger and more flattened flower-head, and when the flowers -are in bloom they are of a purple colour, though they soon turn brown as -they get dried up. - -Probably the nearest relation of the plant here photographed is the -Common Fuller’s Thistle (_Circium oloraceum_), abundant in moist places, -both in the Alps and lowlands. It is a plant that would seem to be -protected by its resemblance to other members of its family, for though -it appears spiny, it is soft and succulent, and bears not a single -prickle anywhere. The leaves, which are sparsely distributed on the -slender stem, are of a dirty grey-green colour, and though as tall as its -spiny relative, the plant is much less robust. - - - - -The Round-Headed Rampion - -(_PHYTEUMA ORBICULARE_) - - -In England we have only two kinds of Rampion and both are rare, but in -Switzerland there are no less than ten different species, with blue -and white flowers, and some of them are extremely abundant. One of -the commonest of the blue-flowered varieties is here photographed. It -grows in mountain pastures and poor meadows between 3000 and 8000 feet, -and is found not only in the Alps but all over Central Europe, though -absent in the North. It flowers in July, and the size of the plant -undergoes considerable variation according to the altitude at which it -grows. Sometimes the flower-stalks are but 3 or 4 inches long, at others -16 or 18. The leaves, which grow from the root stock, have serrated -edges, and are frequently a good deal larger than those of the specimen -photographed. The methods adopted by the plant for the distribution -of its pollen and the fertilisation of its seeds through the agency -of insect visitors are of particular interest. Each flower of the -flower-head is formed of a blue tubular structure (corolla), which is at -first closed above. In the centre of this is the style covered by short -hairs and surrounded by the five stamens. While still in the bud the -stamens shed their pollen, which collects in the tube around the style -and is retained in position by the short hairs. Now the flower opens -at its tip, and while maintaining its tubular character above splits -longitudinally below into five or six segments, so that linear openings -are formed. The result is that when an insect settles on the flower the -tubular corolla is very easily depressed, exposing the style surrounded -on all sides by pollen. Any pollen that is not removed by the insect -falls from the style, for the short hairs on the style by which it is -held in position very soon fade. The style then splits above into three -segments, exposing for the first time the sticky stigmatic surface now -ready for pollination. - -The Round-headed Rampion is one of the five Swiss species with rounded, -not elongated, flower-heads. Three of them can at once be put aside, -because they are usually much smaller plants and have less than twelve -flowers to a flower-head, whereas the Round-headed Rampion has always -more. _Phyteuma Scheuchzeri_ is distinguished from this plant by its -lilac flowers, longer stalked and usually broader basal leaves, and -especially by the circle of leaves immediately beneath the flower-head, -which are longer than the flowers themselves. - -[Illustration: PLATE XXV. - -PHYTEUMA ORBICULARE. L. - -The Round-headed Rampion. Raiponce à Capitules Arrondies. Kugelköpfige -Rapunzel.] - - - - -The Bearded Bell-flower or Campanula - -(_CAMPANULA BARBATA_) - - -Of the numerous Bell-flowers which abound in the Alps none is more -quaint and beautiful than the one here photographed. The whole plant, -stem, leaves, and flowers, is covered with short hairs, but around the -mouth of the bell the hairs are longer and stiffer, and pure white. It -is interesting to note that when cultivated in rockeries in England the -hairy character of the plant almost entirely disappears. Some three to -five pendent flowers are borne by each flower-stalk, all turned in the -same direction. Occasionally a single flowered variety is met with, -usually at a high altitude. The ordinary pale blue colour of the flower -may disappear entirely, and specimens with pure white blossoms are not -infrequent. The plant is found abundantly all over the Alps and Sub-Alps, -in meadows and pastures, and to a less extent in open woods, from 3000 -feet almost to the snowline (7000 to 9000 feet). It is usually less -abundant on limestone than on other rocks. The Bearded Bell-flower is -also met with in the Carpathians, Jura, southern parts of Norway, and in -other mountainous districts in Europe. It is probably a native of the -Alps. - -No difficulty will be experienced in recognising the Bearded Campanula. -No other Bell-flower has little projections between each of the five -teeth of the calyx which are turned back towards the stem. Only one -other Bell-flower (_Campanula Zoysii_), and that a species not always -recognised as distinct, has a light blue corolla with long hairs around -its mouth. But here there is a constriction just immediately below the -opening of the bell, and the plant is smaller and very rare, and occurs -only in Eastern Switzerland. - -[Illustration: PLATE XXVI. - -CAMPANULA BARBATA. L. - -The Bearded Bell-flower or Campanula. Campanule Barbue. Bärtige -Glockenblume.] - - - - -The Dwarf Hair-Bell or Bell-Flower - -(_CAMPANULA PUSILLA_) - - -The photograph gives a good general idea of the tufted growth of the -Dwarf Bell-flower. The plant is quite small, rarely more than 3 or 4 -inches high, and forms dense close-growing tufts of some size. The -smooth or hairy flower-stalks bear one to six pale blue flowers and the -narrow leaves, which are most numerous and have serrated edges below. -There are also short flowerless branches covered with similar leaves, -and a few broader leaves with longer stalks grow directly from the root -stock. These last are not well seen in the photograph. The plant is very -abundant in dry rocky and sandy places, in dried up torrent-beds, by the -roadside and on the tops of walls. It is found from the lower mountain -region up to some 8000 feet, and descends with some of the rivers towards -the plains. It is also found in the Jura and parts of the Black Forest. - -The Dwarf Bell-flower will be recognised from most of the other species -of Campanula which abound in Switzerland by its broad basal leaves, its -narrow stem leaves, and its erect seed pod. But, unfortunately, there -are three other Swiss species to which this description equally well -applies. Of these the rare _Campanula excisa_ is at once picked out by -the deep rounded clefts between the five segments of its bell-shaped -flower. _Campanula Scheuchzeri_ is a larger plant of more open and less -tufted growth and with fewer flowerless leafy shoots. Its bell-shaped -flowers are usually of a darker blue, are more conical, and have a -wider opening; they are, in fact, less truly bell-shaped. _Campanula -rotundifolia_, the common Hair-bell of our heaths and downs, which occurs -also in Switzerland, is slightly taller than our plant and has also more -cone-shaped flowers. Its flower buds are held erect, while those of the -other three Bell-flowers we are considering are dependent. In a general -way, the low stature and tufted growth of the Dwarf Bell-flower will, in -most cases, suffice for its recognition. - -[Illustration: PLATE XXVII. - -CAMPANULA PUSILLA. HÆNK. - -The Dwarf Hair-bell or Bell-flower. Petite Campanule ou Campanule Naine. -Kleine Glockenblume.] - - - - -The Hairy-Leaved Alpenrose - -(_RHODODENDRON HIRSUTUM_) - - -The Alpenrose is the commonest and best known of all the Alpine plants. -It abounds almost everywhere; were it not so it would have become -practically extinct years before, for it is gathered unmercifully. Nor -are the visitors to Switzerland alone responsible for this. Every Sunday -throughout the summer, crowds of the native peasants, both children and -adults, may be seen returning home, each bearing in his arms an immense -bunch of the favourite flower, and often with a second and smaller -nosegay tied round the top of his alpenstock. - -There are really two distinct species of Alpenrose, the Hairy-leaved -(_Rhododendron hirsutum_), and the Rusty-leaved (_Rhododendron -ferrugineum_) varieties, and a hybrid or cross between them is also -less commonly found. Both varieties are low evergreen shrubs with thick -leathery leaves which only fade after three or four years. Both have -raised brown spots on the lower surfaces of the leaves, only they are -much more numerous on the Rusty-leaved species, so that the under surface -of the leaf is completely covered with them while they are only sparsely -scattered on the leaf of the Hairy-leaved variety. They contain a balsam, -and are thought to be of use to the plant in preventing its drying up. -They may also assist in the absorption of water. The flowers of both -species are admirably adapted for cross-fertilisation by the humble-bees -which visit them. The stamens first mature, and not until the great -part of the pollen is shed does the stigma lengthen and become ready -for pollination. The long hairs growing from the stalks which bear the -stamens interlock with similar hairs on the inside of the corolla, and -thus effectively prevent the entrance of smaller insects which might -visit the flower in search of the abundant honey, but which would fail -to effect its fertilisation. The flowers of the species here illustrated -are usually a little paler in colour, slightly smaller, and open a -little later than those of the Rusty-leaved variety. The plant usually -forms a lower and more thickly branched shrub, with rather shorter -twigs. But the essential distinguishing features between the two are -to be found in their leaves. The leaves of _Rhododendron hirsutum_ are -usually broader and less pointed, green underneath, and have well-marked -hairs all round their edges. In _Rhododendron ferrugineum_ the leaves -tend to be narrower, darker green above, and brown underneath, and are -entirely devoid of hairs, but have rolled back edges. Both species are -found abundantly in rocky places between 4000 and 8000 feet, and flower -in June, July, and August, and may be seen at their best in July. The -Rusty-leaved variety seems to prefer a rather moister spot and may also -be found on peat. It is most abundant on primary granitic rock, while the -other species grows best on limestone. - -[Illustration: PLATE XXVIII. - -RHODODENDRON HIRSUTUM. L. - -The Hairy-leaved Alpenrose. Rhododendron cilié ou hérissé. Bewimperte -Alpenrose, oder Wimpern-Alpenrose.] - - - - -The Lesser Winter-Green - -(_PYROLA MINOR_) - - -The plant here photographed derives its English name from the evergreen -character of its leaves. It is in fact a British plant, being found -somewhat rarely in Scotland and in the North, but is much more common -in Switzerland. It grows among the moss in shady woods, from the plains -right up to the tree-limit and may even reach 8000 feet or higher, where -protected by shrubs and bushes. The plant is widely distributed in -Switzerland and is also found in Vosges, Pyrenees, and Jura. It flowers -in July. - -The Lesser Winter-Green will be recognised by its short, straight style, -which does not project beyond the flower and which is closely surrounded -by the stamens which converge toward it. Of the four other Swiss Pyrolas -which resemble the above, two only are at all common, and these two will -alone be mentioned. _Pyrola secunda_ will be recognised by its longer -straight style, which projects beyond the petals and by its greenish -white flowers, which are all turned in the same direction. Its leaves are -more pointed and have deeper notches than those of our plant. _Pyrola -rotundifolia_ has also a style that projects beyond the petals, but it is -curved so that the stigmatic surface at its extremity is far below the -centre of the flower. - -[Illustration: PLATE XXIX. - -PYROLA MINOR. L. - -The Lesser Winter-green. Petite Pyrole. Kleines Wintergrün.] - - - - -The Stemless Gentian - -(_GENTIANA ACAULIS_) - - -Many species of Gentian are met with in the Alps. One of the best known -of the smaller varieties is the Stemless Gentian or Gentianella, which is -a frequent inhabitant of heaths, meadows and pastures all over the higher -parts of Switzerland, and is also found in the Jura and Carpathians, -being less common on limestone soil and more abundant on primary granitic -rock. The plant grows at an altitude of 4000 to 8000 feet, and flowers -in June, July, and August. Occasionally it descends much lower and may -even be found below 1500 feet in a few special localities. Each plant -consists of a small rosette of leaves, a very short stem, and a single -bell-shaped flower of deep azure blue. Very often two or three plants -are found growing together and a small group such as that photographed -is not infrequent. Occasionally also specimens with pale blue, rose red -or even white flowers may be seen. When the flower has been fertilised, -and while the seeds are maturing, the brightly coloured corolla shrivels -up and surrounds the seed vessel, at the same time becoming of a green -colour and perhaps taking on a vegetative function. The leaves are rather -leathery, narrow, and pointed. - -It is often quite a difficult matter to distinguish between the Stemless -Gentian, here illustrated, and the Carved Gentian (_Gentiana excisa_), -not only because the two plants are so much alike but also because -intermediate forms exist; indeed, it is open to question whether the -two plants are really to be regarded as distinct species. In the Carved -Gentian the calyx lobes become contracted just above their bases, to -widen out again above, and the recesses between the lobes are more -rounded and less pointed. The leaves also are broader, less leathery, and -not nearly so sharp pointed as those of the so-called stemless variety. -The flowers of the Marsh Gentian (_Gentiana Pneumonanthe_) are also not -unlike those of the plant here photographed, but it should be readily -distinguished because its leaves are much narrower and several flowers -are borne by a single plant. - -[Illustration: PLATE XXX. - -GENTIANA ACAULIS. L. (GENTIANA CLUSII). - -The Stemless Gentian. Gentiane à Tige Courte. Stengelloser Enzian oder -Erd-Enzian.] - - - - -The Short-Leaved Gentian - -(_GENTIANA BRACHYPHYLLA_) - - -A particularly fine group of this beautiful little Gentian is here -photographed. It is typical of the high Alps or snow region, and is -rarely found below 6000 feet, and while scarce above 9000 is to be -gathered even at 12,000 feet on the Matterhorn. But a single flower is -borne by each little plant at the top of a short stem, which also bears -the small, thick, closely packed leaves. The plant is found growing in -the turf of mountain pastures and rocky places in the central parts of -the whole Alpine chain. It is moderately common particularly on primary -rock, and is also met with in Dauphiny and the Pyrenees. - -Of the twenty or more species of Gentian that occur in Switzerland, -some are tall, stately plants, bearing numerous blue, yellow, or purple -flowers. Others are much smaller and bear relatively few flowers, or -even one only in small feeble plants. A few never have more than a -single blossom to each little plant. Among these last are the Stemless -Gentian with its bell-shaped flower, figured on the previous plate, -and the Short-leaved Gentian with its star-like flower, which we here -illustrate. As a matter of fact, there are really three single-flowered -Star-Gentians and to distinguish between them is not easy. Of these the -Bavarian Gentian (_Gentiana bavarica_) is recognised from our plant by -its longer stem, perhaps 2 to 3 inches long, on which only two or three -pairs of opposite leaves are borne, and by the fact that the lower leaves -are smaller than the upper. The Spring Gentian (_Gentiana verna_) has a -very short stem, covered by closely packed leaves like the short-leaved -variety, and like it, too, the lower leaves are the larger, but its -leaves are harder, narrower, and more pointed, and short wing-like -projections are found on its calyx. - -[Illustration: PLATE XXXI. - -GENTIANA BRACHYPHYLLA. FROL. - -The Short-leaved Gentian. Gentiane à Feuilles Courtes. Kurzblättriger -Enzian oder Eiförmiger Enzian.] - - - - -The Alpine Toad-Flax - -(_LINARIA ALPINA_) - - -This beautiful little plant is abundant in all parts of the Alps. It -is one of the first to take possession of fresh soil, but disappears -rapidly under the stress of competition with other plants. Its numerous -winged seeds are carried far and wide by the wind, and take root and grow -rapidly on any open space. Hence it is found among the general rocky -débris of the mountain-side, on the moraines of glaciers, and on the -fresh soil brought down by avalanches, and is most abundant in limestone -districts. Its true home is the high Alps and the snow region, and it -flourishes best between 5000 and 9000 feet; but it is often carried down -to a much lower level by the rivers, and is even found locally in the -plains of Southern Germany. The Alpine Toad-flax is an inhabitant of most -of the mountain ranges of Central and Southern Europe, and is thought to -have taken origin in the South. It flowers from June till September, and -seems to have derived its name from its flax-like foliage. - -From the root stock arise one or more prostrate branches which creep over -the rocks and soil, and turn upward at their extremities to terminate -in a bunch of the brightly-coloured flowers. The grey-green leaves are -narrow and succulent, and are arranged in whorls of four on the stem. The -flowers are furnished with a long spur which contains the honey, and -are only visited by bees and humble-bees. The common humble-bee has a -long enough tongue to reach to the tip of the spur and is the chief agent -in the fertilisation of the plant. The orange-yellow spot at the only -opening to the flower is equivalent to a notice “this way to the honey.” -Should no insect visit a flower self-fertilisation will nevertheless -occur and seeds will be produced all the same. A variety of this plant, -with flowers of a uniform red-violet colour and without any orange-yellow -spot, grows on primary granitic rock. A second and much rarer type has -pure yellow blossoms. - -The plant is sure to be easily recognised. The prostrate stem, narrow -leaves, and entirely closed up flowers that grow together in bunches are -some of the more characteristic features. - -[Illustration: PLATE XXXII. - -LINARIA ALPINA. MILL. - -The Alpine Toad-flax. Linaire des Alpes. Alpen-Leinkraut.] - - - - -The Alpine Balsam - -(_ERINUS ALPINUS_) - - -The Alpine Balsam is a characteristic rock plant of the limestone Alps. -Taking root in the clefts of the rocks, it sends out radiating branches -in all directions, which adhere closely to the surface. It may also be -sought in dry mountain meadows and among the grass of dry stony slopes, -and is fairly common between 4000 and 7000 feet. Sometimes it is met -with at a lower altitude in rocky places. The leaves, which are broader -at their free extremities and covered by short hairs, are crowded -together at the base of the stem. They have deeply serrated edges. -The violet-purple or occasionally white flowers, which are formed of -five petals united at their bases, are borne at the extremities of the -branches. The Alpine Balsam is found not only in the Swiss Alps but also -in the Tyrol, the Jura, the Vosges and Pyrenees. It flowers from early -June till August. - -The flowers of the Bird’s-eye or Mealy Primrose (_Primula farinosa_) are -not unlike those of the Alpine Balsam, at any rate at first sight. But -each Mealy Primrose plant bears but a single leafless flower-stem which -terminates in a cluster of flowers. Moreover, the Mealy Primrose is found -in moist meadows and boggy places, and rarely among rocks, and its leaves -have a grey, powdery bloom on their lower surfaces. - -[Illustration: PLATE XXXIII. - -ERINUS ALPINUS. L. - -The Alpine Balsam. Erine des Alpes. Alpen-Leberbalsam.] - - - - -The Leafy Lousewort - -(_PEDICULARIS FOLIOSA_) - - -The Louseworts as a whole have been exceedingly successful in the Alps. -No less than fourteen different species are to be found, and some of -them are exceedingly common. In spite of their unpleasant name they -are for the most part really beautiful plants, and as a group they are -interesting in several ways. In the first place, they are all in some -degree parasites on other plants. Branches arise from the roots which -attach themselves to the roots of neighbouring plants and absorb from -them water or salts or even organic nourishment. The Leafy Lousewort -is not a great offender in this respect, but other species are capable -of completely destroying many of the surrounding plants. The method of -pollination of the Lousewort flowers is also somewhat remarkable. The -flowers are only visited by humble bees, for no other insect appears to -be strong enough to force an entrance into the flower. As may be made out -from the photograph, the flower consists of two lips. In the upper is a -vertical slit through which the stigma alone projects, but immediately -behind the slit are the four stamens. The lower lip forms practically a -landing stage for insect visitors. When the humble-bee alights on the -flower his head is sure to come in contact with the projecting stigma -and some of the pollen which he unconsciously carries with him will be -removed. As he bends forward and thrusts his head into the flower to -suck the honey the vertical slit in the upper lip will be widened out -and the stamens will protrude and strike the insect’s head. When the -humble-bee at last leaves the flower to continue his journey its various -parts will resume their former relative positions. Should no insects -visit the flower self-pollination will occur. This appears to be the -usual course of events in the North where humble-bees are scarce. In -Spitzbergen, where there are no humble-bees, a nearly-related species, -_Pedicularis lanata_, is said to be regularly self-fertilised without -apparently suffering in any possible way. - -The Leafy Lousewort here illustrated is the commonest variety in most -districts. It is a tall, stately plant, often some two feet high, which -is found on grassy slopes and in rocky places between 3500 and 7000 feet, -and grows best on a limestone soil. The large fine-divided leaves are -even found among the pale yellow flowers on the flower-stem. The plant -flowers in June and July, and is found in the Alps, Pyrenees, Vosges, and -Jura. It will be readily recognised by its alternate leaves, and pale -yellow hairy flowers, without any beak-like projection at their summits. -_Pedicularis Oederi_, which is a little like it, has no foliage leaves -between the flowers, which are devoid of hairs, and have a blackish red -spot on either side of the upper lip. - -[Illustration: PLATE XXXIV. - -PEDICULARIS FOLIOSA. L. - -The Leafy Lousewort. Pédiculaire à épi feuillé. Reichbeblättertes -Läusekraut.] - - - - -The Yellow Auricula - -(_PRIMULA AURICULA_) - - -Directly the snow melts up come the Auriculas, but only on limestone -soil. The Auricula is really a spring plant, and usually flowers in -May, but where protected by slowly melting masses of snow it may not -bloom till much later; the accompanying photograph was taken in July. -The thick, dense rootstock penetrates deep into the clefts of the rock. -The leaves are smooth, rather fleshy, and of a bluish-green colour. The -upper surface of the leaves, the flower-stalk and the calyx are covered -with a white mealy substance. The leaves appear to serve the plant as a -means of absorbing or storing water. Although the thick, dense cuticle -usually present on leaves which have this function is here absent, they -are found to dry up very slowly. It is probable that the thick cellulose -walls between the individual cells replace the cuticle in the leaves of -this plant. The flowers give forth a pleasant odour, something like that -of the cowslip, but rather sweeter. Like the flowers of the primrose, -they are of two kinds. The one has a long stigma which projects as far -as the opening of the flower, and short stamens, and the converse is the -case in the other. The object of this arrangement is to facilitate the -pollination of the flowers by the agency of insect visitors as they pass -from the one type to the other. Darwin found that very few seeds were -formed when the flowers were self-fertilised. - -The Auricula grows in rocky places between 3000 and 7000 feet. It is only -found in limestone districts, and is rather local. It is also to be met -with in the Jura, Dauphiny, the Pyrenees, the Carpathians, and in one or -two places in the Black Forest. - -The Auricula will be readily recognised. From the Oxlip (_Primula -elatior_) and Cowslip (_Primula officinalis_ or _veris_), it is -distinguished by its smooth, not wrinkled, leaves and mealy stem. It is -probable that most of the brilliantly coloured garden Auriculas were -originally derived from this species. - -[Illustration: PLATE XXXV. - -PRIMULA AURICULA. L. - -The Yellow Auricula. Primevère Auricule. Felsen-Aurikel oder -Flühblüemli.] - - - - -The Marsh Orchis - -(_ORCHIS LATIFOLIA_) - - -A large number of Orchids are to be found in the Alps. They form a -well-defined group of plants which are particularly interesting in -view of complicated devices which they have adopted to ensure the -fertilisation of their seeds by the agency of insect visitors. Nearly all -the English species are found in Switzerland, and most of them are met -with in much greater abundance there. The beautiful pink Helleborine, the -sweet-scented Butterfly Orchis, may be found in profusion on the lower -mountain slopes, and the dark red Nigritella, with its odour of vanilla, -and the ghost-like Coral-root, in the higher regions. - -Of the genus Orchis alone there are no less than seventeen Swiss species. -Many of these are much alike, and by no means easy to distinguish from -one another. One of the most abundant is the Marsh Orchis, which is also -met with in England, but is not nearly so common there. The plant grows -in damp meadows and boggy places, where an average sized plant may be 18 -inches or two feet high. Its large purple spotted flowers appear in June -and may last until July. - -The methods adopted by the plant to ensure the fertilisation of its -flowers by means of insect visitors are most elaborate and exact, but -without the aid of diagrams they are a little difficult to explain. It is -curious that no honey is contained in the spur. It is probably the cell -sap in it that is attractive to insects. - -The Marsh Orchis will be recognised by its spreading spotted leaves, -hollow stem, the palm-shaped tubers of its root, and the thick spur to -the flower. - -[Illustration: PLATE XXXVI. - -ORCHIS LATIFOLIA. L. - -The Marsh Orchis. L’Orchis à Feuilles Larges. Breitblättriges -Knabenkraut.] - - - - -The Lady’s Slipper - -(_CYPRIPEDIUM CALCEOLUS_) - - -This is one of the most striking plants of the Swiss flora, and while -nowhere common is pretty widely distributed in the limestone districts of -the Alps. It is a plant of some size, perhaps 12 to 24 inches in height, -and grows in stony woods from the lower mountain region up to 6500 feet. -One to three large yellow flowers are borne by each plant. Their method -of fertilisation is of exceptional interest. Close to the attachment of -the yellow slipper-shaped petal to the rest of the flower is a projection -bearing on each side a stigmatic surface below and a mass of pollen -above. The large yellow petal is smooth inside and has overhanging edges, -rather like those of the familiar beetle-trap that is used for catching -cockroaches, and as we shall see in a moment it acts in a similar manner. -There is no honey in the flower, and it is not quite clear what the small -bees that have been seen visiting it go there for. But at any rate when -they once get in they have the greatest possible difficulty in getting -out again, and only succeed in doing so by climbing up the attached side -of the flower where the edges are not overhanging, that is on either side -of the central projection. In doing this they are sure to brush first -against the stigmatic surface, leaving behind some of the pollen they may -chance to have sticking to them, and then against the viscid mass of -pollen, some of which is sure to become attached to them. This process -has been actually observed by Dr Herman Müller in the Alps. - -The Lady’s Slipper Orchid is found also in the Jura, Tyrol, Dauphiny, -Pyrenees, in certain parts of Central and Southern Germany, and even in -the North of England. It is everywhere rather rare, but specially so -in this country. It flowers in May and June, and is sure to be easily -recognised, for there is no other plant in the least like it. - -No doubt such names as the Lady’s Slipper, Lady’s Mantle, and -Lady’s-Tresses refer to the dedication of the plant to the Virgin in -mediæval times. The French name, “Sabot de Vénus,” refers to a very -different personage. A comparison between the English, French, German, -and the scientific names, for the last of which Linneus is responsible, -is a good example of the way in which the goddess Venus and the Virgin -Mary were often confounded with one another in the early days. - -[Illustration: PLATE XXXVII. - -CYPRIPEDIUM CALCEOLUS. L. - -The Lady’s-Slipper Orchid. Sabot de Vénus. Gemeiner Frauenschuh.] - - - - -The White Veratrum - -(_VERATRUM ALBUM_) - - -The White Veratrum is a tall weed with large green leaves, very abundant -in moist meadows and pastures in all parts of the Alps between 2000 and -6000 feet. Before the flowers appear it strongly suggests one of the -larger Gentians, but the flowers, which come out in July and August, -are quite different. It is a widely distributed plant, being found in -Russia, Siberia, Lapland, as well as in most of the mountain ranges of -Central and Southern Europe. It appears to have been left as a relic of -the glacial period in the higher parts of Silesia and the Black Forest. -The large green leaves are downy beneath, and the flowers, which are -always green externally, may be pure white (var. _typicum_), or more -commonly yellowish-green (var. _Lobelianum_), internally. Some would -regard these two varieties as distinct species. The whole plant is -extremely poisonous. Sometimes it is eaten by the sheep and goats with -disastrous results to the herdsmen, but the cattle are wiser and rarely -make this mistake. The poison is an alkaloid Veratrin, which is contained -in largest quantities in the root from which it is extracted for medical -purposes. If the root be tasted it will at first appear sweet, but its -acrid, bitter flavour soon overpowers this first impression. The Swiss -herdsmen look upon the White Veratrum as a noxious weed, not only because -of its poisonous properties but also because it grows in the richest -soil and robs the true fodder plants of nourishment. In the Jura, on the -other hand, the farmers rather welcome it. They say that the shade of its -large leaves preserves the grass for the cattle and prevents it becoming -dried up by the scorching sun. - -The White Veratrum will be easily recognised. Its nearest relative, the -Black Veratrum (_Veratrum nigrum_), is a much rarer plant that grows in -woods. It has reddish-black or chocolate flowers, which grow in large -spikes like those of the plant here illustrated, but each individual -flower has a relatively longer flower-stalk. - -[Illustration: PLATE XXXVIII. - -VERATRUM ALBUM. L. - -The White Veratrum. Hellébore blanc ou Vératre blanc. Weisser Germer.] - - - - -Index - - - A - - _Abies pectinata_, xi - - Aconites, 6 - - _Aconitum Anthora_, 8 - _Lycoctonum_, 8 - _Napellus_, 6 - _paniculatum_, 7 - - Alpenrose, the Hairy-leaved, 58 - the Rusty-leaved, 58 - - Alpine anemone, 2 - Aster, 44 - Balsam, 68 - Carline Thistle, 50 - Clover, 22 - Fleabane, 44 - Honeysuckle, x - Region, xii - Rose, 32 - Sainfoin, 28 - Starwort, 44 - Toad-flax, 66 - - _Alps_, xii - - Altitude, x - - _Anemone alpina_, 2 - _Narcissiflora_, 2 - _nemorosa_, 2 - _Pulsatilla_, 2 - - _Antennaria carpathica_, 47 - _dioica_, 46 - - _Arnica montana_, 48 - - Arnica, 48 - - Arolla, xii - - Aronics, 49 - - _Aster alpinus_, 44 - _Amellus_, 45 - - Aster, the Alpine, 44 - - _Astrantia major_, 42 - - _Astrantia minor_, 43 - - Astrantia, the Large, 42 - the Small, 43 - - Auricula, the Yellow, 72 - - Auriculas, garden, 73 - - - B - - Ball, John, xxii - - Balsam, the Alpine, 68 - - Bavarian Gentian, 64 - - Bearded Bell-flower, 54 - - Bell-flower, the Bearded, 54 - the Dwarf, 56 - - Bird’s-eye, 68 - - Biting Stonecrop, 41 - - Black Veratrum, 79 - - Blood Geranium, 20 - - Bonnier, Professor, xv - - Box-leaved Milkwort, 14 - - Brook Crane’s-bill, 20 - - Brown Clover, 24 - - _Bupleurum ranunculoides_, 43 - - - C - - _Campanula barbata_, 54 - _excisa_, 56 - _pusilla_, 56 - _rotundifolia_, 57 - _Scheuchzeri_, 57 - _Zoysii_, 55 - - Campanula, the Bearded, 54 - - Campion, the Moss, 18 - - _Carlina acaulis_, 50 - - Carline Thistle, the Alpine, 50 - - Carpathians Cudweed, 47 - - Carved Gentian, 62 - - Cat’s-foot, 46 - - “Chamois’ beards,” 2 - - Chickweed, 16 - - Christmas tree, xi - - _Circium oloraceum_, 51 - _spinosissimum_, 50 - - Climate of Alps, xi - - Clover, the Alpine, 22 - Brown, 24 - Dull-flowered Sweet, 28 - - Cobweb House-leek, 37 - - Cold Milk-Vetch, 26 - Mountain-lentil, 26 - - Colours of Alpine flowers, xix - - Common Fuller’s Thistle, 51 - Milk wort, 14 - Monk’s-Hood, 6 - - Cowslip, 73 - - Crane’s-bill, Brook, 20 - Meadow, 20 - - Creeping Gypsophila, 16 - - Crocuses, xv - - Cudweed, Carpathian, 47 - Mountain, 46 - - Cultivation of Alpine plants, xxiv - - Cushion Pink, 18 - - “Cushion plant,” 18 - - _Cypripedium calceolus_, 76 - - - D - - Destruction of Alpine plants, xxiii - - Dog-Rose, 32 - - Doronicum, 49 - - _Dryas octopetala_, 30 - - Dryas, the White, 30 - - Dull-flowered Sweet Clover, 26 - - Dwarf Bell-flower, 56 - Hair-Bell, 56 - - - E - - Edelweiss, xv, xviii, 46 - - _Epilobium angustifolium_, 34 - _Fleischeri_, 34 - _rosmarinifolium_, 35 - - _Erigeron alpina_, 44 - - _Erinus alpinus_, 68 - - _Eritrichium nanum_, xiii - - Evergreen Saxifrage, 40 - - Everlasting, the Mountain, 46 - - Eyebright, xix - - - F - - Fleabane, the Alpine, 44 - - Fleischer’s Willow-herb, 34 - - Flowers of Alpine plants, xix - - Forget-me-not, xix - - Fuller’s Thistle, the Common, 51 - the Spiny, 50 - - - G - - Gentian, the Bavarian, 64 - the Carved, 63 - the Marsh, 36 - the Short-leaved, 64 - the Spring, 65 - the Stemless, 62 - - _Gentiana acaulis_, 62 - _bavarica_, 64 - _brachyphylla_, 64 - - _Gentiana excisa_, 63 - _Pneumonanthe_, 63 - _verna_, 65 - - Geranium, the Blood, 20 - the Wood, 20 - - _Geranium pratense_, 20 - _rivulare_, 20 - _sanguinum_, 20 - _sylvaticum_, 20 - - Glacial period, xxii - - Glacier Crowfoot, xiii - - _Glaucium luteum_, xiii - - Globe Flower, 4 - - Gypsophila, the Creeping, 16 - - _Gypsophila repens_, 16 - - - H - - Hair-bell, the Common, 57 - the Dwarf, 56 - - Hairy-leaved Alpenrose, 58 - - Hare’s-ear, 43 - - _Hedysarum obscurum_, 28 - - Horned Sea-poppy, xiii - - House-leek, the Cobweb, 37 - the Common, 38 - the Mountain, 36 - - - I - - Insects in the Alps, xx - - - L - - Lady’s Mantle, 77 - Slipper, 76 - Tresses, 77 - - Larch, xi - - Large Astrantia, 42 - - _Larix Europæa_, x - - Leafy Lousewort, 70 - - Lesser Winter-Green, 60 - - _Linaria alpina_, 66 - - Long-Spurred Pansy, 12 - - _Lonicera alpigena_, x - - Lousewort, the Leafy, 70 - - Low stature of Alpine plants, xvii - - - M - - _Maianthemum bifolium_, x - - Marsh Gentian, 63 - Orchis, 74 - - May-Lily, x - - Meadow Crane’s-bill, 20 - - Mealy Primrose, 68 - - Milk-Vetch, the Cold, 26 - - Milkwort, the Box-leaved, 14 - the Common, 14 - - Monk’s-Hood, the Common, 6 - - Moss Campion, 18 - - Moss-like Saxifrage, 41 - - Mountain Cudweed, 46 - Everlasting, 46 - House-leek, 36 - -lentil, the Cold, 26 - - Müller, H., xx, xxi, 13 - - - N - - Narcissus-flowered Anemone, 2 - - - O - - _Orchis latifolia_, 74 - - Orchis, the Marsh, 74 - - Origin of Alpine flora, xxi - - Oxlip, 73 - - - P - - Panicled Monk’s-hood, 7 - - Pansy, the Long-Spurred, 12 - - Pasque Flower, 2 - - _Pedicularis foliosa_, 70 - _lanata_, 71 - _Oederi_, 71 - - Perennials in the Alps, xvi - - _Phaca alpina_, 26 - _frigida_, 26 - - Photography of Alpine plants, xxv - - _Phyteuma orbicular_, 52 - _Scheuchzeri_, 53 - _spicatum_, x - - _Picea excelsa_, xi - - _Pinus Cembra_, xii - _sylvestris_, xii - - _Poa annua_, xvi - - _Polygala calcarea_, 15 - _chamæbuxus_, 14 - _vulgaris_, 14 - - Preserving Alpine plants, xxiii - - Pressing Alpine plants, xxiii - - Primrose, the Mealy, 68 - - _Primula auricula_, 72 - _elatior_, 73 - _farinosa_, 68 - _officinalis_, 73 - _veris_, 73 - - _Pyrola minor_, 60 - _rotundifolia_, 60 - _secunda_, 60 - - - R - - Rampion, the Round-headed, 52 - the White-flowered, x - - _Ranunculaceæ_, 4 - - _Ranunculus acris_, 5 - _glacialis_, xiii - _montanus_, 4 - - Red-berried Elder, x - - Region of forest trees, xi - - _Rhododendron ferrugineum_, 58 - _hirsutum_, 58 - - Rock gardens, xxiv - - _Rosa alpina_, 32 - - Rose-bay, 34 - - Rose, the Alpine, 32 - - Rosemary-leaved Willow-herb, 3 - - Rough Saxifrage, 41 - - Round-headed Rampion, 52 - - Rusty-leaved Alpenrose, 58 - - - S - - “Sabot de Vénus,” 77 - - Sainfoin, the Alpine, 28 - - _Sambucus racemosa_, x - - Sandwort, 16 - - _Saxifraga Aizoides_, 40 - _aspera_, 41 - _bryoides_, 41 - _Hirculus_, 41 - _Sequieri_, 41 - - Saxifrage, the Evergreen, 40 - the Moss-like, 41 - the Rough, 41 - - Scotch Fir, xii - - _Sedum acre_, 41 - - _Sempervivum arachnoideum_, 37 - _Funckii_, 38 - _montanum_, 36 - _tectorum_, 38 - _Wulfeni_, 38 - - Short-leaved Gentian, 64 - - _Silene acaulis_, 18 - _exscapa_, 19 - - Silver Fir, xi - - Silver-herb, 30 - - Slipper, the Lady’s, 76 - - Small Astrantia, 43 - - Snowbells, xv - - Spiny Fuller’s Thistle, 50 - - _Spiræa Aruncus_, x - - _Spiræa_, x - - Spring Gentian, 65 - - Spruce, xi - - Star-Gentians, 64 - - Starwort, the Alpine, 44 - - Stemless Carline Thistle, 50 - Gentian, 62 - - Stonecrops, 41 - - Stunted character of Alpine plants, xvii - - Subalpine Region, xi - - Sweet Clover, the Dull-flowered, 28 - - - T - - Toad-flax, the Alpine, 66 - - _Trifolium alpinum_, 22 - _badium_, 24 - _pallescens_, 23 - _spadiceum_, 25 - - _Trollius Europæus_, 4 - - Two-flowered Violet, 10 - - - U - - Underground stem of Alpine plants, xv - - - V - - _Veratrum album_, 78 - _nigrum_, 79 - - Veratrum, the Black, 79 - the White, 78 - - _Viola biflora_, 10 - _calcarata_, 12 - - Violet, the Two-flowered, 10 - - - W - - White Dryas, 30 - Veratrum, 78 - - Willow-herb, Fleischer’s, 34 - the Rosemary-leaved, 35 - - Winter-Green, the Lesser, 60 - - Wolf’s-bane, the Yellow, 8 - - Wood Anemone, 2 - Geranium, 20 - - - Y - - Yellow Auricula, 72 - Wolf’s-bane, 8 - - - PRINTED BY - TURNBULL AND SPEARS, - EDINBURGH - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SUMMER FLOWERS OF THE HIGH ALPS *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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