116 THE CBANE'S-BILL FAMILY. 



The STOBK'S-BILLS (Erodium) are not common 

 the smallest (hemlock S.) is the most frequent. The 

 distinguishing character between these and the 

 Crane's bill, is in the seed-vessels, which have long 

 spiral awns, bearded on the inside. Its name is from 

 the fruit resembling the head of the Heron. 



I must conclude with some very pretty lines by 

 Wordsworth, on our favourite flower Herb Eobert : 

 sometimes called 



Poor Kobin. 



Poor Eobin is yet flowerless, but how gay, 

 With his red stalks, upon this sunny day ! 

 And as his tufts of leaves he spreads, content 

 "With a hard bed, and scanty nourishment, 

 Mixt with the green, some shine, not lacking power, 

 To rival summer's brightest scarlet flower. 

 And flowers they well might seem to passers by, 

 If look'd on only with a careless eye ; 

 Flowers or a richer produce (and it suit, 

 The season) sprinklings of ripe Strawberry fruit. 

 * * * # 



Or does it suit our humour to commend 

 Poor Eobin, as a sure and crafty friend, 

 Whose practice teaches, spite of names, to show 

 Bright colours, whether they deceive or no ? 

 Nay, we would simply praise the free good will, 

 "With which, though slighted, he on naked hill 

 Or in warm valley seeks his part to fill ; 



