96 motm^ 



centre of the flower, jewels w^hich mortals seldom see, 

 or of which few even suspect the existence. 



Crown jewels have always been temptations to 

 daring robbers, and the object of many deep-laid 

 plans of theft ; the plant's crow^n jewels are subject 

 to the same dangers. How many predatory ants 

 and roving beetles or w'asps make daring raids upon 

 the flower, and plunder the 2:>ollen, devouring it, 

 carrying it ofl" in their intrusive coats to w^aste it 

 upon leaves and stalks as they ramble on their way. 

 The bees and the butterflies are not freebooters ; the 

 plant 23uts her jewel treasures in their keeping to 

 l^ledge for large returns, or to secure strong allies and 

 increase of state. 



In the month of May flowers crowd upon us in 

 numbers so great that we are at a loss for time to 

 study them. Even if April has been cold the match- 

 less arbutus has found time to bloom above last 

 year's protecting leaves, and has passed away, leaving 

 only a memor}'- of its fragrance and rosy beauty. 

 The dandelions — jolly, popular, child-beloved gold 

 of the spring — have bloomed, and in May the grass is 

 covered with their delicate clocks ; we still in early 

 May find the oxalis almost making a carpet for 

 pasture lands or sunny hillsides. When the oxalis 

 grows in damp shade its flowers and leaves are larger 

 and of a deeper color, but the blossoms are fewer. 



