NATURE PORTRAITS 
PART II 
By L. W. Brownell 
SPRING’S HARBINGER— 
THE BLUEBIRD 
MUST A “USE” BE FOUND FOR EVERYTHING? 
Each pupil had a plant of the spring buttercup. The 
teacher called attention to the long fibrous roots, the 
parted leaves, the yellow flowers; hut these parts were 
apparently only incidentals, for she touched them lightly. 
But the hairs on the stem and leaves were important. 
They must he of some use to the plant. What is it? 
Evidently to protect the plant from cold, for does not 
the plant throw up its tiny stem in the very teeth of 
winter? It was clear enough; and thus are we taught 
that not the least thing is made in vain. Everything 
has it place and use ; it is our business to determine what 
the uses are. We must think of these things as we come and go. 
I wondered how these children would look upon the plants and ani- 
mals they meet, and what the great round world would mean to them. 
The blackberry has thorns to keep away the animals that would harm it; 
the rabbit has soft short fur that it may not be caught in 
the briars ; the poison sumac has venom to protect it from 
those who would destroy it; the crow is black that it may 
not he seen at night; the nettle has stings to punish its 
enemies ; the dog fennel has rank scent to protect it from the 
browsing animals. All the world is as perfect as a museum ! 
I wondered what would happen if some inquisitive 
child were to ask what becomes of all the plants which 
have no thorns or hairs or poison or ill scent. What if he 
should ask why the thornless blackberry does not perish, or 
why the sumacs that are not poisonous still live, or if he 
should suggest that the dandelion comes up earlier 
in the spring than the buttercup and yet has no 
YOUNG 
MOCKING-BIRD 
The spots on the breast 
disappear when he grows 
older. 
By A. K.uldytfc Dugmore 
