14 FIRST STEPS IN GENERAL KNOWLEDGE, 



" * The water is calm and still below, 



For the winds and waves are absent there, 

 And the sands are bright as the stars that glow 



In the motionless fields of upper air ; 

 There, with its waving blade of green, 



The sea-flag streams through the silent water, 

 And the crimson leaf of the dulse is seen 



To blush like a banner bathed in slaughter. 

 There, with a slight and easy motion, 



The fan-coral sweeps through the clear deep sea, 

 And the yellow and scarlet tufts of ocean 



Are bending like corn on the upland lea.' " 



During the foregoing conversation the party 

 had approached the gate of the orchard, where, in 

 summer, a few mushrooms occasionally sprang up. 

 "In a few weeks," said their father, "we shall 

 have to set out for yonder pastures, on our mush- 

 room expedition. After these rains, it is likely 

 that they will be numerous ; for these plants, like 

 the algse, are very fond of water, though they do 

 not live entirely in it." 



"We must be careful what we gather," said 

 Henry, " for some kinds are poisonous." 



" The FUNGUS tribe, which includes our common 

 mushroom, is a very curious and wonderful race 

 of vegetables," said his father, " springing up with 

 a rapidity unknown in other plants, and not un- 



