37 
THE BLOOD-ROOT 
There is no richness in colour more appealing to 
the lover of the woods than these frail blossoms of 
pure white, scattered like stars over the dark, shaded 
ground, or looking out from among the lingering 
remains of last season's decay* The starry appearance 
is heightened when, shrinking from the cold or the 
threat of rain, they close into timid globes of white, 
without any green covering or protection. With the 
smile of sunshine they open again into eight-rayed 
stars, light and delicate, with yellow centres, timidly 
displayed to close admirers. The Blood-root has 
many charms. The flower that rises unprotected 
and temptingly delicate comes up through the earth 
enfolded in a single leaf. As soon as this leaf has 
carried the fragile treasure through the hard ground 
it begins to unfold, showing its rich, fleshy texture, 
dainty tracery of veins, and fine regularity of outline. 
Deeply and evenly lobed in a symmetrically rounded 
outline, it seems as beautiful and rich in life as the 
flower that passes from its folds up to the open 
daylight. 
We cannot have the fine delicacy of the Blood-root 
without the weakness that allows only a brief span of 
life. The plucked flower droops, wilts, and sheds 
