IV 



Must a ^'Use" be found for Everything? 



EVERY pupil had a plant of the spring 

 buttercup. The teacher called attention 

 to the long fibrous roots, the parted leaves, the 

 yellow flowers; but these parts were apparently 

 only Incidentals, for she touched them lightly. 

 But the hairs on the stem and leaves were im- 

 portant. They must be of some use to the 

 plant. What Is It? Evidently to protect the 

 plant from cold, for does not the plant throw 

 up Its tiny stem In the very teeth of winter? It 

 was clear enough; and thus are we taught that 

 not the least thing Is made In vain. Everything 

 has Its place and use; It Is our business to 

 determine what the uses are. 



I wondered how these children would look 

 on the plants and animals they meet, and 

 what the great round world would mean to 

 them. The blackberry has thorns to keep 

 away the animals that would harm It; the rabbit 

 has soft short fur that it may pass through 



>3" 



