THE GOLDEN ROD 



SOLID AGO VIRGA AUREA 



TALL slender wands, green below, but blazing 

 with clusters of golden stars above, wave 

 in the hedgerows and add their quota to the pre- 

 vailing golds of the late days of August. It is the 



<t - I' ^ ^ 



a, sheathing bracts, a', outer ray floret, b, inner tubular floret, c, stamens, 

 heads joined, filaments distinct, d, stigma, style, ovary. 



Golden Rod, signal of the passing of summer's prime 



and herald of the advent of autumn. A story that 



is an amusing commentary on human nature is 



attached to this plant, a story which, Gerard suggests, 



well justifies the old English proverb, " Far fetched 



and dear bought is best for ladies." 



183 



