48 



THE GUIDE TO NATURE 



rock-particles, when larger roots find 

 their way in, carrying more dirt. The 

 crack widening and deepening through 

 the course of many years, becomes fill- 

 ed with drifting dirt, when, perhaps a 

 seed of some tree blows into it, and 

 then the real process of rock-splitting 

 begins on a larger and more rapid scale. 

 If the rock has a well developed seam 

 the expansive force of the roots of a 

 tree is likely to split it entirely asun- 

 der. This is proved in the case of the 

 rock shown in the illustration. 



As the rock breaks and chips and 

 disintegrates, it contributes to the vigor 

 of the plant, since rock particles con- 

 tain the elements of plant food. 



The Butterfly and the Flower. 



BY ADDA BAUMAN, PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA. 



With widespread wings 



She gayly fluttered by; 



And I just bowed, with a smile; 



For she was only a butterfly, 



And I the flower that beguiles. 



Perhaps she'll come back 



This way some day, 



And I'll bid her "bide a wee." 



i '11 give her a treat 



Of nectar sweet 



That's stored in the heart of me. 



She is a coquette, that I know, 

 Just takes a sip and away she goes 

 To seek the heart of another flower. 

 Resting but a moment on leafy bower. 

 She is a beauty, rare and most gay, 

 And that is just a butterfly's way. 



Curious Stone and Tree. 



Mr. Leo E. Mingus of Battle Creek, 



Michigan, is an expert photographer. 



In his perambulations with the camera, 



he always looks not only for the ordi- 



TWO OAKS GROWN TOGETHER. 



nary, beautiful things of nature, but 

 for the things that are special. 



He contributes to this number a pho- 

 tograph of a rock that he says looks to 

 him like nature's attempt to be patri- 

 otic, as she has there sculptured Uncle 

 Sam's eagle in stone. He also sends a 

 photograph of an oak tree, remarkable 

 on account of the curious grafting of 

 nature with some aid from man. The 

 larger tree is about two feet in diam- 

 eter ; the smaller, one foot and a 

 half. It is generally believed locally 

 that the Indians grafted these trees to- 

 gether, and hence the combination is 

 known as "the old Indian landmark." 

 Who can offer a more plausible expla- 

 nation? 



AN EAGLE IN STONE. 



The First Dandelion. 



BY CHARLES NEVERS HOLMES, NEWTON, MASS. 



When 'mid reviving field and fell 



Spring's cheerful presence comes to stay,. 



Ere o'er reverdured hill and dell 

 Awakes the flowerage of May, 



Upon the lawn's fresh growth of green, 

 'Neath April's fickle shade and light, 



A dandelion blooms unseen 



Like saffron flame in sunshine bright. 



