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POPULAR SCIENCE REVIEW. 
the fairy beings by which they are always surrounded. In 
course of time the finding of the “ four-leaved shamrock” was 
supposed to be the omen of a speedy and happy marriage (the 
imaginary ultimatum of bliss) to the youth or maiden who 
discovered it, and it became the custom to search for it after 
every harvest-home feast. The old song’, “ 141 seek a four- 
leaved shamrock in all the fairy dells,” tells of the enchant- 
ments to be woven with the mystic leaves. The national 
dances of the Scotch, Welsh, and Irish, assuming with greater 
or less variation the nature of a reel and the described figure 
of eight, have their origin in the quatre-foil or four-leaved 
figure, which is woven by the dancers, and is associated with 
ancient superstitions. 
With the garniture of all these poetical and historical asso- 
ciations, our little specimen tuft of White Clover seems to 
assume vastly more interesting aud pleasing relations than 
when regarded merely as a sort of pasture grass, or as food for 
cattle. Important as are its useful qualities, we are insensibly 
more attracted to examine its minute and beautiful structure, 
when we call to mind all the bits of fancy surrounding its modest 
leaves ; and we stoop to gather a handful of its simple white 
blossoms, or triple leaves, with something of a poetical sentiment 
within us. When we have examined its parts carefully and 
minutely with a botanical object in view, it is possible we may feel 
that the real poetry of nature lies deeper than is revealed to the 
more careless observer, and, like most things that are worth 
having in life, must be sought for to be enjoyed. In the dark 
gloomy month of December, in the midst of London fogs and 
frosty nights, one might well despair of finding- anything like a 
botanical specimen ; yet under such hopeless circumstances have 
we discovered the little Trifolium repens patiently nestling in a 
suburban garden until the warm days of spring should beam 
forth to invigorate and strengthen its tiny leaves, and develop 
the little white blossoms which are there in unseen preparation. 
In April or May we find it in full perfection ; and throughout 
the summer it shares with the daisy the spontaneous duty of 
carpeting- our meadows, downs, and uncultivated lands, at the 
same time well rewarding the care and skill of the farmer who 
encourages it to establish itself in his pastures. 
The creeping- underground stems of the Dutch clover favour 
its spreading and rapidly-increasing tendency ; and, in digging- 
up a specimen, we find that we have to remove several little 
rootlets, which are connected together by this creeping stem. 
It would appear, that when the first little plant is formed from 
the tiny seed it throws out this stem, which, after pressing on 
for an inch or so, sends up a little bud which soon expands into 
a perfect plant, having delicate rootlets like its predecessor ; 
