164 PROSERPINA. 



now got at some clear idea of the distinction between out- 

 laid and inlaid growth in the stem, the reader will find the 

 elementary analysis of forms resulting from outlaid 

 growth in ' Modern Painters ' ; and I mean to republish it 

 in the sequel of this book, but must go on to other mat 

 ters here. The growth of the inlaid stem we will follow 

 as far as we need, for English plants, in examining the 

 glasses. 



FLORENCE, llth September, 1874. 



As 1 correct this chapter for press, I find it is too im- 

 perfect to be let go without a word or two more. In the 

 first place, I have not enough, in distinguishing the nature 

 of the living yearly shoot, with its cluster of fresh leaf- 

 age, from that of the accumulated mass of perennial 

 trees, taken notice of the similar power even of the 

 annual shoot, to obtain some manner of immortality foi 

 itself, or at least of usefulness, after death. A Tuscan 

 woman stopped me on the path up to Fiesole last night, 

 to beg me to buy her plaited straw. I wonder how long 

 straw lasts, if one takes care of it ? A Leghorn bonnet, 

 (if now such things are,) carefully put away, even prop- 

 erly taken care of when it is worn, how long will it last, 

 young ladies ? 



I have just been reading the fifth chapter of II. Esdras, 

 and am fain to say, with less discomfort than otherwise I 

 might have felt, (the example being set me by the arch- 

 angel Uriel,) " I am not sent to tell thee, for I do not 

 know." How old is the oldest straw known ? the oldest 



