THE FRINGED GENTIAN. 



is loved by what is best in us," says Emerson, and loved, I think, 

 because there is something of the best of Nature in man, and some- 

 thing of the best of man in Nature. 



The rounded world is fair to see, 



Nine times folded in mystery: 

 Though baffled seer cannot impart 

 The secret of its laboring heart, 

 Throb thine with Nature's throbbing breast, 

 And all is clear from east to west. 



Spirit that lurks each form within 



Beckons to spirit of its kin. 



\^Emerson. 



The naturalist interprets to us the exact definable truth of 

 Nature, as that truth is embodied in the physical facts, laws, and 

 relations of things. From him we learn of the causes, methods, 

 reasons, and adjustments of Nature. Sometimes he teaches us what 

 is the physical basis of that beauty of form and color which, in the 

 sunset sky or June landscape, in fern or flower, ravishes the soul 

 with delight. Not seldom he is able to resolve the reason that runs 

 unheard beneath the song of the poet, when he strikes Nature's 

 most melodious key. 



" All are but parts of one stupendous whole, 

 Whose body nature is, and God the soul." 



Having then something of that soul in each of us, it is no wonder 

 we should feel a subtile sympathy with the other parts of this great 

 body which Nature is. So when the poet has woven a web of 

 thought and feeling about any of the beautiful forms of Nature, and 

 imparted to them a human interest and sensibility out of his own 

 soul, he has been illustrating the truest philosophy. 



