LEAVES. 



The beautiful leaves, so varied in their forms 

 and hues, are essential to the life of plants. No 

 more can plants flourish without them than can 

 animals without lungs and stomach, for they breathe 

 through their leaves and digest their food in them. 



And when we consider that every part of the 

 flower is but a leaf, rolled or twisted or changed 

 somehow in form and color, we more fully appreci- 

 ate their importance. Yes, not only do they fur- 

 nish the leafy umbrage of the forest, but also the 

 flowers which, whether crowning the wayside with 

 beauty or smiling in a sick-room, whether adorning 

 the halls of splendor or pleading in some loathsome 

 prison, everywhere breathe forth the fragrance of 

 divine love. 



From the realm of Infinite Thought they come 

 inviting investigation ; and by studying them we 

 grow not only wiser, but also better and happier. 



