OUTSIDE AND IN. 115 



few, I can draw them of their actual size. You see the pretty 

 alternate interlacing at the bottom, and if you can draw at all, 

 and will try to outline their curves, you will find what subtle 

 lines they are. I did not know this name for the strong- 

 edged grass leaves when I wrote the pieces about shield and 

 sword leaves in 'Modern Painters ' ; I wish I had chanced in 

 those passages on some other similitude, but I can't alter 

 them now, and my trustful pupils may avoid all confusion of 

 thought by putting gladius for ensis, and translating it by 

 the word ' scymitar,' which is also more accurate in expressing 

 the curvature blade. So we will call the ensatse, instead, 

 ' gladiolse/ translating, ' scymitar-grasses. ' And having now got 

 at some clear idea of the distinction between outlaid and inlaid 

 growth in the stem, the reader will find the elementary analy- 

 sis of forms resulting from outlaid growth in * Modern Paint- 

 ers ' ; and I mean to republish it in the sequel of this book, 

 but must go on to other matters here. The growth of the 

 inlaid stem we will follow as far as we need, for English 

 plants, in examining the grasses. 



FLORENCE, llth September, 1874. 



As I correct this chapter for press, I find it is too imperfect 

 to be let go without a word or two more. In the first place, I 

 have not enough, in distinguishing the nature of the living 

 yearly shoot, with its cluster of fresh leafage, from that of the 

 accumulated mass of perennial trees, taken notice of the 

 similar power even of the anuual shoot, to obtain some man- 

 ner of immortality for itself, or at least of usefulness, after 

 death. A Tuscan woman stopped me on the path up to Fie- 

 sole last night, to beg me to buy her plaited straw. I wonder 

 how long straw lasts, if one takes care of it ? A Leghorn 

 bonnet, (if now such things are,) carefully put away, even 

 properly taken care of when it is worn, how long will it last, 

 young ladies ? 



I have just been reading the fifth chapter of II. Esdras, and 

 am fain to say, with less discomfort than otherwise I might 

 have felt, (the example being set me by the archangel Uriel, ) 

 " I am not sent to tell thee, for I do not know." How old is 



