IV 



MUST A "USE 11 BE FOUND FOR EVERYTHING? 



EACH pupil had a plant of the spring buttercup. 

 The teacher called attention to the long fibrous 

 roots, the parted leaves, the yellow flowers ; but 

 these parts were apparently only incidentals, for she 

 touched them lightly. But the hairs on the stem 

 and leaves were important. They must be of some 

 use to the plant. What is it ? Evidently to protect 

 the plant from cold, for does not the plant throw up 

 its tiny stem in the very teeth of winter ? It was 

 clear enough ; and thus are we taught that not the 

 least thing is made in vain. Everything has its 

 place and use ; it is our business to determine what 

 the uses are. We must think of these things as we 

 come and go. 



I wondered how these children would look upon 

 the plants and animals they meet, and what the 

 great round world would mean to them. The 

 blackberry has thorns to keep away the animals that 

 would harm it ; the rabbit has soft short fur that it 

 may not be caught in the briers ; the poison sumac 

 has venom to protect it from those who would 

 destroy it; the crow is black that it may not be 

 seen at night ; the nettle has stings to punish its 

 enemies ; the dog fennel has rank scent to protect 



(102) 



