VI. THE PAKABLE OF JO ASH. 109 



has come to us by chance from the same country, the type 

 of mere senseless prolific activity, the American water- 

 plant, choking our streams till the very fish that leap out 

 of them cannot fall back, but die on the clogged surface ; 

 and indeed, for this unrestrainable, unconquerable inso- 

 lence of uselessness, what name can be enough dishonour- 

 able? 



6. I pass to vegetation of nobler rank. 



You remember, I was obliged in the last chapter to 

 leave my poppy, for the present, without an English 

 specific name, because I don't like Gerarde's 'Corn-rose,' 

 and can't yet think of another. Nevertheless, I would 

 have used Gerarde's name, if the corn-rose were as much 

 a rose as the corn-flag is a flag. But it isn't. The rose 

 and lily have quite different relations to the corn. The 

 lily is grass in loveliness, as the corn is grass in use ; and 

 both grow together in peace gladiolus in the wheat, and 

 narcissus in the pasture. But the rose is of another and 

 higher order than the corn, and you never saw a cornfield 

 overrun with sweetbriar or apple-blossom. 



They have no mind, they, to get into the wrong place. 



What is it, then, this temper in some plants malicious 

 as it seems intrusive, at all events, or erring, which 

 brings them out of their places thrusts them where they 

 thwart us and offend ? 



7. Primarily, it is mere hardihood and coarseness of 

 make. A plant that can live anywhere, will often live 

 where it is not wanted. But the delicate and tender ones 



