THE TRIUMPHANT BLUEBELL 77 



leaves, and that these flat things fulfilling the function 

 of leaves are its branches. The grape-hyacinth, May- 

 lily, tulip, and fritillary would easily be recognised as 

 belonging to the order, from each one's affinity to 

 one or other of the species already named. Less 

 easily will it be recognised that when we eat 

 asparagus we indulge in the aesthetic pleasure of 

 feeding upon a lily. " You have but fed on the roses 

 and lain in the lilies of life." Roses are substantial 

 food when they take the shape of apples, pears, and 

 plums ; lilies sad bedding if of the type of butcher's- 

 broom. Nor need we make our couch in their midst 

 to enjoy the bluebells with which " Spring paves the 

 woods afresh with matchless blue." 



