SECRET OF THE CHARM OF FLOWERS 147 



by contrast, and is the complexion known as 

 " milk and roses." The apple-blossom is a beauti- 

 ful example, and the beloved daisy — the " wee, 

 modest, crimson-tipped flower," which would be 

 so much less dear but for that touch of human 

 crimson. This is the herb-Margaret of so many 

 tender and pretty legends, that has white for 

 purity and red for repentance. Even those who 

 have never read these legends and that prettiest, 

 most pathetic of all which tells of the daisy's origin, 

 find a secret charm in the flower. Among other 

 common examples are the rosy-white hawthorn, 

 wood anemone, bindweed, dropwort, and many 

 others. In the dropwort the rosy buds are seen 

 among the creamy white open flowers ; and the 

 expression is always very marked and beautiful 

 when there is any red or purple tinge or blush on 

 cream- whites and ivory- whites. When we look from 

 the dropwort to its nearest relative, the common 

 meadow-sweet, we see how great a charm the touch 

 of rose-red has given to the first : the meadow- 

 sweet has no expression of the kind we are con- 

 sidering — no human association. 



In pure yellow flowers, as in pure white, human 

 interest is wanting. It is true that yellow is a 

 human colour, since in the hair we find yellows 



