AUGUST. 241 



world, if undisturbed; certainly, however, to an 

 amazing extent of time. By this beautiful law 

 of the all-wise Creator, the vegetable tribes are 

 never likely to be lost. However cultivation or 

 carelessness may tend to extirpate certain species, 

 their seeds lie in myriads in the treasury of the 

 earth, and some event such as we sometimes wit- 

 ness, the lowering of a hill, the cutting of a single 

 turf, exposes them to the action of the air, and forth 

 they spring. Thus it is that farmers are frequently 

 surprised on ploughing up a field that has lain in 

 lea beyond the memory of man, to see a plentiful 

 crop of various and unusual plants spring up. So I 

 have observed in Sherwood Forest, that where turf 

 is pared, henbane is almost sure to exhibit itself, 

 though none has been seen in the neighbourhood for ^r . 

 years. Many instances of this kind have no doubt ,^, " 

 attracted the attention of all curious lovers of Na- 

 ture. 



Brooks and watery dykes now display a luxu- 

 riance of flowers and verdure- The heat which 

 withered all else has cherished them, having a con- 

 stant supply of moisture. Water-flags, bulrushes, 

 and reeds have attained their full growth; the 

 arrowhead grows in large masses elegantly inter- 

 spersed with its delicate flowers. The white and 

 yellow water-lilies still flourish, as do those richly 

 blossoming plants, the crimson loosestrife and 

 flowering rush. Willows are still rich in foliage ; 

 and to those who love to take a book into some 

 pleasant sylvan nook, it is very charming to stroll 

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