CHAPTER XIV 

 THISTLES AND NETTLES 



"And the thorns which make us think 

 Of the thornless river brink 

 Where the ransomed tread." 



Mrs. Browning. 



THE Book of Genesis teaches that thorns and 

 thistles grew out of the cursed ground, in punish- 

 ment for our first parents' sin. Modern science, 

 harmonizing with ancient theology, holds that this- 

 tles and nettles, as we know them to-day, are 

 younger children in the great family of plants. 

 They are " highly specialized." 



The larger thistles are suited in color and struc- 

 ture to the tastes and needs of the bumble-bees, 

 which are among the latest born of insects. The 

 nettles employ the wind as their pollen-carrier, and 

 are wondrously adapted to make the best use of 

 this capricious servant, which outdoes the most ex- 

 acting of trades unions in its determination to 

 "lay off" when it pleases and to regulate its own 



holidays and the length of its working-day. And 



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