26 



FLOWERS. 



which Nature hands alike to all. It has been said 

 that birds are the poor man's music, so wild flowers 

 may be said to be the poor man's poetry ; for him, as 

 for all, they open their gay petals, and exhale the 

 sweetest odors; they smile upon his toils, and add 

 new charms to repose. 



To children, flowers are an unfailing source of de- 

 light ; and the first blossom that flings its fragrance 

 upon the spring air is welcomed by them as a har- 

 binger of future joys. With what care may they 

 often be seen nursing their little daisy-plants, when 

 their whole happiness seems wrapt up in their suc- 

 cessful growth ! And the violets which they have 

 dug from the woods, and transplanted into their own 

 gardens, are watched with the greatest anxiety. This 

 love of children for flowers is implanted in their young 

 breasts by Him who created every blossom pure and 

 beautiful, and a fit object of admiration and love. 



There is much that is interesting and worthy of 

 our attention in flowering plants, besides th^ir beau- 

 tiful colors, and attractive and showy appearance; 

 many of them possess peculiar habits which render 



Complete Stamens and Ovary and Calyx and 

 flower. Pistil. Pistil. Corolla. 



Ovary and 



Calyx. 



them objects of wonder. Even the simple parts of a 

 flower, when separated, bear evidence of a superior 



