SELECTION AND SEQUENCE OF MATERIAL. 305 



The study of plants and animals, admitting of greater 

 freedom and individuality in observation than does the 

 study of minerals and physics, offers greater scope for 

 expressive work in language, drawing, painting, and 

 moulding. Plant study particularly can be correlated 

 with any of the forms of expression. The gross struc- 

 ture of plants is much simpler than that of animals, and 

 can be more readily understood and described in lan- 

 guage. The forms and colors of plants are simpler 

 than those of animals, and much more characteristic 



A pleasant world for running streams 



To steal unnoticed through, 

 At play with all the sweet sky-gleams, 



And nothing else to do ! 



A rock has stopped the silent rill, 



And taught her how to speak: 

 He hinders her; she chides him still; 



He loves her lispings weak. 



And still he will not let her go: 



But she may chide and sing, 

 And over him her freshness throw, 



Amid her murmuring. 



The harebell sees herself no more 



In waters clear at play; 

 Yet never she such azure wore, 



Till wept on by the spray. 



And many a woodland violet 



Stays charmed upon the bank; 

 Her thoughtful blue eye brimming wet, 



The rock and rill to thank. 



The rill is blessing in her talk 



What half she held a wrong, 

 The happy trouble of the rock 



That makes her life a song. 



LUCY LABCOM. 



