220 



THE MEADOWS AND PASTUBE-FIELDS. 



A S the autumn days close in the grassy meads 

 begin to grow brown, many of our spring and 

 summer flowers have fulfilled their mission, and have 

 cast abroad their seed. Many a 



" Virgin daughter of the mead, 



Wooed by the sun, the wind, the shower, 

 In loveliness beyond compare, 



It toils not, spins not, knows no care ; 

 Framed by the secret hand that brings 



All beauty out of waste and rude, 

 It blooms a season, dies, and flings 



Its germs abroad in solitude." 



The autumn meadow flowers are strangely like those 

 of the early spring, where, if not for its tall stem, we 

 might almost take the large and bright yellow star 

 of the Goafs-beard (Tragopogon pratense), or, as it is 

 called, " Jack-go-to-bed-at-noon," for the dandelion. 

 If, however, we look closely at the flower, we shall 

 find the florets with cut edges (in this instance 

 slightly serrated), and set in a long flower-cup, quite 

 smooth. Then, too, the plant stands some two or 

 three feet high, and has long, large, and smooth leaves. 



