~ CHAPTER IV 
ON PLANT LIFE 
We are told that in old days the Fairies 
used to give presents of Flowers and Leaves to 
those whom they wished to reward, or whom 
they loved best ; and though these gifts were, 
it appears, often received with disappoint- 
ment, still it will probably be admitted that 
flowers have contributed more to the happi- 
ness of our lives than either gold or silver or 
precious stones; and that our happiest days 
have been spent out-of-doors in the woods and 
fields, when we have 
. . . found in every woodland way 
The sunlight tint of Fairy Gold.t 
To many minds Flowers acquired an ad- 
ditional interest when it was shown that 
1 Thomson. 
117 
