PREFACE. 



Every flower telleth its own tale to the 

 ear of reason ; yet men pass by unheeding. 

 Women too, and young children, who love 

 flowers, and ask questions concerning them, 

 seem alike regardless of the small voices 

 which speak from out the brakes and hedge- 

 rows, the gaily decked meadows, and daisied 

 commons. 



I have listened to those voices, height- 

 ening the delight of every country walk, 

 and I have desired that others should profit 

 Kkewise. Amid those mingled voices, there- 



