The seed-globe of the Dandelion is a favorite with children, by whom it is named a “clock”; its seeds are furnished with feathery plumes, which serve as wings to waft them abroad. The flower-stem too is easily split when plucked, and curls into enchanting spirals that no youthful taste may resist. When cut off short by the cruel lawn-mower, these generous plants put forth fresh golden discs close to the ground within the leaves. [Illustration: DANDELION: Taraxacum officinale.] *Coltsfoot.* _Tussilago Farfara._ Found in moist meadows, on banks, and brooksides in May. The flowers and leaves grow from the root, about 4 or 6 inches high. The leaf appears some time after the flowers; it is large, rounding, with a heart-shaped base, the margin slightly broken by small rounded points, and with strong ribs radiating from the base; it is exceptionally fine in texture, and the upper side is possessed of a silky smoothness, the lower side being soft woolly (the new leaves are very woolly). They grow from the root on stout, half-round stems, that are dull purplish-red in color, and often covered with a loose white wool; the leaves are a fine cool green, silvery beneath. The small flowers are grouped in dandelion-like heads, with many fine fringy rays; all colored alike a bright yellow. The head is held in a deep, leafy cup that is green strongly tinged with reddish-brown; it grows on a stout, grooved, roughish stem, which bears several, small, brownish scales; it rises from the ground before the leaves. The Coltsfoot, introduced from England, has become thoroughly naturalized here. Its blossoms bear a certain superficial resemblance to the Dandelion, though really different in habits of growth. The leaves are truly decorative, growing thickly in large spaces, and forming a mosaic of green tiles close down to the brook’s edge. [Illustration: COLTSFOOT: Tussilago Farfara.] *Robin’s Plantain.* _Erigeron bellidifolius._ Found in meadows and fields, during May and June. The stalk (from 8 to 18 inches high) is single, and sparingly leafy; grooved, and slightly hairy. Color, light green. The long, narrow leaf, with a tapering tip, and a partly-clasping base, has a taut midrib which fulls the blade; its margin is sparsely notched (except that of the upper leaves), and the surface is slightly hairy. The color is green, with a paler midrib. The arrangement is alternate, and at long intervals. The disc flowers are very small, and in color greenish-yellow; set in a flat-topped head, surrounded by many long rays, like a finely cut fringe, which are blue or pinkish-lavender. The cup is hemispherical, and green. The heads form a flat-topped terminal cluster.