SEPTEMBER 239 



one's attention might with profit and pleasure be directed 

 towards the marvel of seed distribution. Some seeds are 

 carried by animals, the plant itself growing in the place 

 frequented by a certain species most suited to its require- 

 ments, and involuntarily in this instance, the seeds having 

 hooked hairs or processes, such as burrs and cleavers. Some 

 seeds are scattered by the plants themselves, as for instance, 

 our little herb Robert, which throws its seeds some twenty- 

 five feet. We all know well in what manner the dandelion 

 can plant its seed miles away from the parent root ; we 

 have all of us listened in the hot Summer noon to the 

 bursting of the gorse pods, sowing its seeds. So we see 

 each wayside " weed " has a marvellous life-history. Ruskin 

 writes in defence of these so-called "weeds" 



" What right have you, O passer by the way, to call any 

 flower a weed ? Do you know its merits ? its virtues ? its 

 healing qualities? Because a thing is common, shall you 

 despise it ? If so, you might despise the sunshine for the 



same reason." 



