CHAPTER VIII 



PLANT-FOOD AND MOTION 



August 



"Restless sunflower, cease to move." 



** Spoke full well in language quaint and olden 

 One who dwelleth on the castled Rhine, 

 When he called the flowers all blue and golden, 

 Stars that in earth's firmament do shine." 



In the hot August days, when the air scarcely 

 stirs, the birds sit silent in their coverts, the cattle 

 stand under the thickest shade or knee deep in the 

 ponds. Only the insects seem to rejoice in the 

 burning rays of the sun, and gayly hover around 

 the splendid profusion of the flowers. 



In this season we may make various studies in 

 plant-life. Seated upon some shaded veranda, we 

 have the glory of the garden spread out before us. 

 Or we may be on some hill, tree crowned, not far 

 from the sea ; w^e find within hand reach golden-rod, 

 asters, milfoil, blazing-star, indigo. Looking down 

 the gentle slope to the level land we see black-eyed 

 Susan flaunting beside St. John's wort, and wild 

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