SEPTEMBER AND NOVEMBER. 



239 



only shows how much there is yet to be learned about 



a common wild flower. 



Fringed Gentian. Tlie beautiful fringed gentian must 



Gefitiana crinita. ever be 



associated in one's mind 

 with the poet Bryant, 

 who has written such 

 charming lines on it. 

 To him it was the flow- 

 er of hope which comes 



"When . . . 



. . . shortening days por- 

 tend 



The aged year is near his 

 end," 



and with sweet and 

 quiet eye looks through 

 its fringes heavenward ; 

 and he thought it was 

 as blue as the sky. But 

 the blue of the flower 

 is not as true as its ex- 

 pression of hopeful de- 

 pendence ; there is in- 

 deed a marvelous heav- 

 enward - looking calm- 

 ness expressed by every 

 one of its lines. The 



Fringed Gentian. 



