SOME HUMBLE ORCHIDS 137 



abundance than those of other hues. And if the 

 strange yet plausible theory of Grant Allen be 

 true, that all flowers were originally yellow, but 

 that in the processes of evolution they have experi- 

 mented with other colors only to work back again 

 to the original hue, it is easy to account for the 

 plentifulness of this color. 



In May and early June, when the tardiest Ferns 

 have unfolded and yielded their 

 winter woolens to yellow war- 

 blers and humming- 

 birds for nest -linings, 

 and the Beech 

 leaves have 

 freed their hands 

 from their furry mit- 

 tens, another Orchid 

 appears in the Hem- 

 locks, in Time o' 

 Year's woods, and in 

 the woodland strips 

 near the shore where 

 the smooth shining leaves 

 of the Twayblade attract the eye 

 even before it becomes aware of the 



