In the still shallow, but beyond reach, there floats on the surface a small patch of green vegetation formed of the treble leaves of the water crow-foot.

Towards June it will be a brilliant white spot.

The slender stems uphold the cup-like flowers two or three inches above the surface, the petals of the purest white with a golden centre.

They are the silver buttercups of the brook.

Where the current flows slowly the long and somewhat spear-shaped leaves of the water-plantain stand up, and in the summer will be surmounted by a tall stalk with three small pale pink petals on its branches.