88 WILD FLOWER FAMILIES 



resemblance to the Shin-leaf. Its fragrant white 

 flowers are borne in a spike on a stem varying 

 greatly in height, though averaging perhaps 

 twelve inches. The plants are found in open 

 woods, over an area extending from Nova Scotia 

 and Minnesota on the north to Georgia and Ohio 

 on the south. 



Oh ! wherefore were the flowers made, 



All dyed with rainbow light, 

 All fashioned with supremest grace, 



Upspringing day and night; 



Springing on valleys green and low, 



And on the mountains high, 

 And in the silent wilderness 



Where no man passes by? 



God might have made the earth bring forth 



Enough for great and small, — ^ 



The oak tree and the cedar tree, 

 And not a flower at all. 



Mary Howitt. 



