128 CHAPTER XVII. 



Surely there are in plants, as in human beings, 

 hidden points of agreement which time alone reveals ; 

 yes, and deep differences which do not show upon the 

 surface. 



How little do we know of plants if we examine 

 only the details of their structure ! We need, as 

 Kuskin says, to learn not only the anatomy of plants, 

 but also their biography ; how and where they live 

 and die, their tempers, benevolences, malignities, dis- 

 tresses, and virtues. We must study them from 

 their youth to their age, from bud to fruit. Then 

 perhaps we too, like the Cabbage butterfly, shall be 

 able to detect hidden relationships and properties 

 which we do not now suspect. 



Professor Penzig remarks that Capparis and its 

 allies have in all their parts a strong scented sul- 

 phurate oil common to Cruciferse, Tropseolum, Keseda, 

 and some other plants. The presence of this oil may 

 perhaps attract the butterflies. 



As I have mentioned the affinity of the Capers 

 to the Crucifers, I will add that the mignonette 

 (Reseda) is likewise allied to this family. Of this 

 fact also the white butterflies are perfectly aware : 

 for the Bath White (Pieris Daplidice) lays her eggs 

 upon the different species of Reseda. 



In the preface to " Modern Painters," Ruskin, 

 speaking of the wild-flowers in Titian's " Bacchus and 

 Ariadne," mistakes the Caper for a Rose. This 

 strange error is corrected in the later edition. 



A rare Capparis (C. rupestris) occurs on the 

 Riviera, not a hundred miles from Nice. As I know 

 of but one single plant, and it is possible that very 

 few others exist in this region, I abstain from 



