A Word for Books 
the big things, and every part and peculiar- 
ity of the biggest ones ; and I really began 
to appreciate them, to recognize their pe- 
culiar beauties, to feel the charm of their 
personalities. The green tangle by the 
roadside which, before, I had seen as a 
pretty tangle merely, now became a lovely 
intertwining of a dozen different shrubs and 
vines ; and it was only when each thus be- 
gan to speak for itself to the eye that the 
composite beauty of the group was mani- 
fest. 
You must notice each plant if you 
want to understand its intrinsic beauty or 
its value in combination with others ; to 
notice it you must want to know it ; and 
you are not likely to want to know any- 
thing until you begin to try in some sys- 
tematic fashion. Once systematically be- 
gun in the pages of your book, the botany- 
lesson continues in your walks and drives, 
soon without any definite effort — just be- 
cause of the new sharpness which a new de- 
gree of attention has quickly developed in 
your eyes. When this outdoor lesson has 
gone on for a while you will know by sight, 
345 
