IN THE OPEN 



and vanishing at length, as if resolved again into 

 the invisible. 



Old gravelly roads, which meander across the 

 pasture and seem destitute of any special beauty, 

 are often adorned from end to end with the round- 

 leaved spurge, of richest hue, varying from maroon 

 to plum color. This little weed is so unpreten- 

 tious, so sincerely humble and unassuming, that 

 probably very few ever see it or are aware of its 

 existence. It lies prone upon the earth, where, 

 once it attracts the attention, it is seen to be a 

 beautiful embroidery on the bare ground. Here 

 grows the poverty-grass which on misty days is 

 covered with dewdrops incrusted with jewels 

 while more pretentious plants are not decked in 

 any such beautiful array. The mist descends 

 upon the poorest of them all, and makes that 

 resplendent. 



In the society of weeds there is this tendency 

 to segregate, quite as in human society. Even the 

 beach has its clique, a curious throng quite distinct 

 from any of the fields, which defy the encroach- 

 ment of the waves. About these coarse weeds of 

 the beach is something peculiarly in keeping with 

 their environment. The strange spiny fruit of the 



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