Then, on downs and heaths we find the Yellow Bedstraw (_Galium verum_), the crimson flowers of the Fine-leaved Heath (_Erica cinerea_), and the rose-coloured or white blossoms of the Heather or Ling (_Calluna vulgaris_): also the Carline Thistle (_Carlina vulgaris_), with its inner involucral bracts broadly spreading while the sun shines, but bent inwards to protect the florets during dull weather when the insects are at rest, the lilac flower-heads of the Devil's-bit Scabious (_Scabiosa succisa_) and the Small Scabious (_S. Columbaria_), and the conspicuous flowers of the Chamomile (_Anthemis nobilis_), all standing out in bold relief against the background of autumnal foliage. Still more numerous are the autumn flowers of the waysides. By the dry and dusty roadside we see the yellow flowers and silvery leaves of the Silver-weed (_Potentilla anserina_), the little starlike flowers of the Chickweed (_Stellaria media_), the yellow flower-heads of the Dandelion (_Taraxacum officinale_), Sow Thistle (_Sonchus oleraceus_) and Groundsel (_Senecio vulgaris_), the straggling Knot-grass (_Polygonum aviculare_), the Spotted Persicary (_Polygonum Persicaria_), the Shepherd's Purse (_Capsella Bursa-pastoris_), the Scentless Mayweed (_Matricaria inodora_), the Chamomile (_Anthemis nobilis_), the White Goose-foot (_Chenopodium album_), and Oraches (_Atriplex hastata_ and _A. patula_). Where the soil is more generous we find the Herb Robert (_Geranium Robertianum_), the Fleabane (_Inula dysenterica_), Red and White Dead-nettles (_Lamium purpureum_ and _L. album_), and the Petty Spurge (_Euphorbia Peplus_); while on old walls the Pellitory (_Parietaria officinalis_) is still in flower. XXII AUTUMN IN THE WOODS Although several of the flowers mentioned in the last chapter as blooming during the present season may be seen along the borders of woods, yet within the wood itself we are struck by the almost total absence of flowers. This loss, however, is compensated for by the beautiful and varied tints assumed by the leaves of the trees and shrubs.