[CAT'S-EARS—Calochortus Maweanus.]

The purple Nemophila is most abundant in the south, growing everywhere in early springtime upon hillsides partially shaded. Its long, coarse, hispid stems run riot over small undershrubs or dead or unsightly brushwood, often completely covering them with a mound of foliage thickly sown with the dull-purple flowers.

At first it is difficult to realize that this plant of coarse habit belongs to the sisterhood of baby-eyes, those delicate, ethereal favorites of the springtime. In fact, one's first impression of it is that it is some new species of nightshade. One learns, however, to have a fondness for these blossoms and a growing desire to gather them; but their tangling, quarrelsome habit forbids one, if any other flowers are in question.

It is said that the dark-eyed señoritas of early days decked their ball-dresses with sprays of this flower, which clung gracefully to the thin fabrics.

GROUND-IRIS.

Iris macrosiphon, Torr. Iris Family.

Almost stemless plants, often forming mats. Rhizome.—Slender. Radical-leaves.—Grasslike; six to fifteen inches long. Buds.—One or two; borne in sheathing bracts. Flowers.—On short pedicels; deep purple-blue, marked with white. Perianth.—With slender tube one to three inches long. Stamens.—Three; borne under the petaloid divisions of the style. Ovary.—Three-celled. Capsule.—Oblong-ovoid; shortly acute at each end; one inch long. Seeds in two rows in each cell; compressed and angled. Hab.—The Coast Ranges, from San Mateo to Trinity County.

When spring is at its height, this charming little Iris may be found upon sunny, open hillsides among the unrolling crosiers of the common brake. There is something peculiarly captivating about these blossoms, with their satisfying richness of hue and perfect symmetry of form, added to which is a sweet, delicate perfume, an ideal exhalation of the springtime.

As the buds unfold beautifully in water, it is better to gather buds than flowers, as the latter are too fragile to carry without breaking.