Hepatica 73 



tial visitants, entering the new world of the spring 

 with a certain surprise. 



The hepatica is so beautiful that it transcends 

 the sky and the earth, and brings heaven close. 

 Look into the heart of the flower, and view its 

 wondrous life ; most of all, that pulsating colour 

 which lifts and dilates, and drops and lessens, 

 from blue of the sapphire to soft purple of the 

 amethyst, as if the sky itself were living in this 

 tiny blossom. And if the bloom be white, then 

 note how at the foot of the petals a slight golden 

 glow appears, as if the sun had given it a special 

 ray : 



&quot; Oh, the earth s unconscious bosom 

 Such rare colour never knew ! &quot; 



but the heavens have known it, and here are their 

 translated undulations of light, fascinating our 

 eyes and hearts in the life of a little flower where 

 in the spirit moves with the same infinite power 

 that is exercised as easily in the movement of the 

 universes. The scene of the advent of this de 

 lightful blossom is beautifully presented by Dora 

 Read Goodale : 



&quot; All the woodlawn path is broken 

 By warm tints along the way ; 

 And the low and sunny slope 

 Is alive with sudden hope, 



