THE FIRST BLOSSOM 



for the search in the bog before we had thought of a 

 courier of spring? No matter, then, how cold or wintry 

 the landscape, go now in early March to the wet low- 

 lands, and get your first vernal greeting from the lowly 

 hermit of the bog. Welcome the prophet that 

 pierces the snow, the pioneer that lifts the bar- 

 riers of ice to tell us of the message he has 

 received from mother- earth, long before the 

 wood flower hears it in the south wind, or the 

 lisp of the bluebird tells it to the trees ! What 

 matters it that our purple-mottled, hooded blos- 

 som is not graced with perfume nor blest with 

 a poetic name? What though it may not ap- 

 pear to advantage in a button -hole? The 

 skunk- cabbage hood is as much entitled to the 

 name of flower as its close relative the beautiful 

 calla, while the naturalized European bees have 

 long welcomed it to their posy, and recognized 

 the humble "prophet not without honor 

 save in its own country." 



