EARLIEST BUTTERFLIES 



solid coruscation of silver and the still cold 

 bit very deep. Clad in kersey like the 

 pioneer, its homespun clothing has defied 

 the weather, holding the cold away from 

 its thin leaf with all this padding of matted 

 wool which makes the plant seem so rough 

 and coarse. In the summer it will defy 

 the fierce heat of the July sun with the 

 same armor, sitting here with its feet in 

 the burning sand and its tall spike tossing 

 back the sunshine with a laugh from its 

 golden efflorescence. 



Like the pioneer, the mullein came from 

 the Old World, well fitted to bear the 

 rigors and defy the dangers of the New. 

 Like him it took root, and its seed holds 

 the land in the rough places, brave and 

 beautiful, though rough-coated, tender 

 at heart, and helpful always. 



So, when the sun has gone over the 

 western ridge and the north wind scouts 



