The Commonest Flowers. 



257 



Briefly, let me say that, as is the Forest soil, so are its 

 plants. Nature ever makes some compensations. The barrenest 

 places she ever clothes with beauty. If corn will not grow, she 

 will give man something better. In the great woods the colum- 

 bines and tutsan shine in the spring with their blue and yellow 

 blossoms, and the wood-sorrel nestles its white flowers among 

 the mossy roots of the oaks. In the more open spaces the fox- 

 gloves overtop the brake, and in the grassy spots the eyebright 

 waves its white-grey crest ; and not far ofi" are sure to gleam 

 faint crimson patches of the marsh-pimpernel, half hid in moss ; 

 whilst the swamps are fringed with the coral of the sundew. 



The King's Gairn £rook (Another View). 



LL 



257 



