34 ALPINE FLOWERS AND GARDENS 



it and so much helps it to thrive in the face of such 

 difficulties. Apparently overwhelmed, and its very 

 existence blighted and crippled, this is not really 

 the case. Patient perseverance has made it a 

 match for the weather; adversity has given it 

 amazing power. Winter may do its worst, and 

 yet this apparently frail Uttle plant not only 

 survives all attacks, but prospers. 



' When lowly, with a broken neck, 

 The Crocus lays her cheek to mire,' 



she does so with easy resignation and content. 

 It is possible there is even a smile — a smile with a 

 world of deep meaning in it — playing about her 

 little face : for she knows that she has conquered ; 

 she knows that she has overcome Winter, though 

 this latter may think otherwise, and exult 

 accordingly. 



No sooner does the snow retire again than the 

 Crocus, although hampered with the rotting 

 wreckage of its despised blossom, at once throws 

 up its grass-hke leaves and commences assiduously 

 to draw in stores to replenish its depleted strength, 

 and to lay up in its earth-protected body provision 

 of energy for future contests with assaulting 

 circumstance. Prematurely cut down in the midst 



