CHAPTER XXV 



(Bactiert ILz^^on^ 



Laws of the plant-world — Our ignorance — One touch of nature 

 — The economy of nature. 



The lessons which can be learned from flowers are 

 almost as numerous as the flowers themselves ; quite as 

 numerous, if, as I believe, every plant has its own 

 separate message and lesson. Into these, of course, I 

 cannot enter, I can only point out a few which are 

 more or less taught by all, and I leave out all spiritual 

 and religious lessons, for I am not writing a 'Flower 

 Sermon.' 



The great lesson that our gardens teach us is, that 

 everything in nature is subject to the strictest law, for 

 this is taught by plants almost more surely than by 

 anything else ; because most living organisms, such as 

 men and animals, having powers of moving, and of 

 exercising will, thought, or instinct, can change their 

 surroundings, and so in many cases can change their 



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