180 WOODLAND IDYLS. 



plant referred to by Longfellow when in speak- 

 ing of the English settlers in Hiawatha he says : 



"Wheresoe'er they tread, beneath them 

 Springs a flower unknown among us, 

 Springs the white man's foot in blossom." 



The plantain delights in a compact clayey 

 soil and with the knot-grass combats most fierce- 

 ly for supremacy along the sides of the narrow 

 foot paths in unkempt country dooryards. Along 

 the cow-paths of old pastures it is also found in 

 company with the prickly sida and the wire- 

 grass, all three fighting their common enemy, 

 the blue-grass, which cannot withstand as they 

 the constant tread of foot or hoof. Holmes also 

 refers to the social habit of the plantain in the 

 lines : 



"Knot-grass, plantain all the social weeds, 

 Man's mute companions, following where he leads." 



Among other plants which have followed man 

 in his march across the continent are the dog- 

 fennel, burdock and jimson, which in barn yards 

 and the waste places of small towns flourish and 

 fight. All three are homely, ill smelling and 

 uncouth, springing from soil enriched by kine 

 or swine in places wholly uncared for and un- 

 frequented by man. A weed is but a plant whose 

 true use is as yet unknown. Each has its chosen 

 habitat where best it flourishes and perpetuates 

 its kind. All serve to hide the scars, the rough 



