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AS CALIFORNIA 

 WILD FLOWERS GROW: 



CHAPTER I. 



SOME SIMPLE FLOWERS. 



As far as plants themselves are concerned, they 

 have but two objects in life: first, to produce the 

 best possible seed and second, to get this seed dis- 

 persed to a new environment in which it can make 

 a fair start. In exerting themselves to achieve these 

 objects, the plants have become a source of esthetic 

 enjoyment and economic profit to mankind. In the 

 course of centuries, the plants have learned that 

 cross-fertilization produces a superior seed, and so 

 they have evolved blossoms of marvelous tints and 

 shades to attract the eye of passing bird or insect. 

 And, lest color be not attraction enough, they have 

 added bowls of nectar whose fragrance on the sun- 

 kissed air will tempt the palate of any insect who 

 happens to be color blind. 



Men today realize the advantage of promoting a 

 project by an advertising banquet. We set out 



