37 



THE BLOOD-ROOT 



THERE is no richness in colour more appealing to 

 the lover of the woods than these frail blossoms of 

 pure white, scattered like stars over the dark, shaded 

 ground, or looking out from among the lingering 

 remains of last season's decay. The starry appearance 

 is heightened when, shrinking from the cold or the 

 threat of rain, they close into timid globes of white, 

 without any green covering or protection. With the 

 smile of sunshine they open again into eight-rayed 

 stars, light and delicate, with yellow centres, timidly 

 displayed to close admirers. The Blood-root has 

 many charms. The flower that rises unprotected 

 and temptingly delicate comes up through the earth 

 enfolded in a single leaf. As soon as this leaf has 

 carried the fragile treasure through the hard ground 

 it begins to unfold, showing its rich, fleshy texture, 

 dainty tracery of veins, and fine regularity of outline. 

 Deeply and evenly lobed in a symmetrically rounded 

 outline, it seems as beautiful and rich in life as the 

 flower that passes from its folds up to the open 

 daylight, 



We cannot have the fine delicacy of the Blood-root 

 without the weakness that allows only a brief span of 

 life. The plucked flower droops, wilts, and sheds 



