FIELD FLOWERS 



sure lies scattered: it is the Ranunculus, 

 or Buttercup, who has two names, even 

 as he has two lives ; for he is at once the 

 innocent virgin that covers the grass 

 with sun-drops, and the redoubtable 

 and venomous wizard that deals out 

 death to heedless animals. Again we 

 have the Milfoil and the St. John's 

 Wort, little flowers, once useful, that 

 march along the roads, like silent 

 school-girls, clad in a dull uniform ; the 

 vulgar and innumerous Bird's Ground- 

 sel ; her big brother, the Hare's Lettuce 

 of the fields ; then the dangerous black 

 Nightshade; the Bitter-sweet, who 

 hides herself; the creeping Knotweed, 

 with the patient leaves: all the families 

 without show, with the resigned smile, 

 C 72 H 



