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1 



The Genie in the Arabian tale is not half so 

 astonishing. In this tiny casket lie folded roots, 

 stalks, leaves, buds, flowers, seed-vessels, — surprising 

 polor and beautiful form, all that goes to make up a 

 plant which is as gigantic in proportion to the bounds 

 that confine it as the Oak is to the acorn, 



Ce/ia Thaxter, 



Oh, downy dandelion wings. 



Wild floating wings like silver spun. 



That dance and glitter in the sun ! 



You airy things, you elfin things. 



That June-time always brings ! 



Oh, are you seeds that seek the earth. 



The light of laughing flowers to spread ? 



Or flitting fairies, that had birth 



When merry words were said ? 



Helen Gray Cone. 



Baby Seed Song 



Little brown brother, oh! little brown brother, 



Are you awake in the dark? 

 Here we lie cosily, close to each other: 



Hark to the song of the lark — 

 *'Waken !" the lark says, "waken and dress you ; 



Put on your green coats and .gay. 

 Blue sky will shine on you, sunshine caress you — 



Waken! 'tis morning — 'tis May!" 



Edith Nesbit Bland. 



A weed is a plant out of place. 



Margaret Scott Gatty. 



With the first faint green lines that are visible 

 among the flower beds come the weeds, yea, and even 

 before them; a wild vigorous straggling army, full 

 of health, of strength, and a most marvelous power 



