WINTER'S ROSETTES 



241 



any. We find no adequate m.ention of these quiet res- 

 olute rosettes which are everywhere disclosed in spring 

 upon the melting of the snow, but which might have 

 been found as early as the previous September. Many 

 a dried stalk or withered seed-pod protruding above the 

 snow will point the way to them. This wiry spire of 

 the pretty moth-mullein beset with its globular pods; 

 these brown catkins of the rib-grass plantain ; this feath- 

 ery sprig of peppergrass we may readily guess what a 

 pretty tufted carpet 

 is that which covers 

 the bare earth about 

 their feet. This 

 brown spiny mock- 

 ery of last summer's 

 thistle reminds us of 

 the most beautiful of 

 all these winter dec- 

 orations, the sym- 

 metrical compound 

 star of acanthus-like 

 leaves, guarding the 

 root beneath, and 

 waiting in patience 

 for the first oppor- 

 tunity of sending up its stalk of bloom. 



The evening primrose shows us one of the most per- 

 fectly symmetrical of all these leaf clusters a beautiful 

 complex spiral star, geometrical in its arrangement, and 

 a perfect pattern for the modeller, sculptor, decorator, 

 or wood-carver. The willow-herb, or fire- weed (Epilo- 

 biui/i), is almost equally perfect; and, indeed, our art- 

 worker may find a wide choice of ornamental types, 



