PHANTOM FLOWERS. 



21 



important to her purpose, strength of fibre, and free- 

 dom from blemishes occasioned by the destructive rav- 

 ages of insects. As observation is directed to the 

 subject, so the mind becomes expanded under the in- 

 fluence of the new study. The surprising difference 

 between the leaves now first becomes apparent. They 

 are seen to be serrated or entire, ovate, accuminate, 

 cordate, or irregular. The magnificent luster of the 

 Ivy and the Magnolia now, for the first time, attract 

 attention, and secure for them a new admiration. As 

 the season advances, she will be struck Avith the nu- 

 merous changes to which the leaves are subject, before 

 the chill winds of Autumn strip them from the trees, 

 thence depositing them in rustling piles upon the 

 ground. As incidental to the study, the habits of a 

 multitude of insect depredators will be noticed, afford- 

 ing new subjects for surprise, and fresh accessions of 

 knowledge. Everywhere the wonders of the Divine 

 Hand w^ill be displayed under conditions to which she 

 had been a stranger ; and the mysteries of Nature, thus 

 unfolded, vdll infinitely surpass all which these pages 

 can be made to contain. 



Without some directions to guide her, the enthusias- 

 tic learner, in haste to begin the work, gathers indis- 

 criminately from forest and garden, selecting leaves 



