244 WILD FLOWEKS OF WINTEB. 



the most inexplicable manner on the newly quarried 

 stone, struggling for existence. Still more strangely 

 do they appear on the newly discovered volcanic island, 

 where they form the pioneers of a higher state of 

 vegetative existence. They protect the root of the 

 Alpine plant near the region of perpetual snows, and 

 where mosses cease to grow all vegetation is at an 

 end. A new world opens up before us, which requires 

 greater space than at present is at our disposal. 

 Thus the spring, summer, and autumn flowers pass 

 away, with their blossoms, leaves, and fruit. Other 

 seasons will come, ever gay with flowers, other eyes 

 will note their beauty, other pens describe their 

 varying and manifold attractions. And now 



"Farewell, dear flowers ! sweetly your time ye spent, 

 Fit, while ye lived, for smell or ornament ; 



And, after death, for cures. 

 I follow straight without complaint or grief ; 

 Since, if my life be pure, I care not if 



It be as short as yours." 



