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to admire most, that which is least attainable ; and 
to hold an every-day object in slight estimation. For 
this reason exotics are highly prized, though some of 
them hâve little beauty; while England’s beautiful 
cbildren are condemned to bloom with but a seldom 
tribute of admiration. 
There is, too, a sort of préjudice against parti- 
cular plants; a Thistle, for instance, always carries 
with it the idea of unsightliness ; but the Musk 
Thistle (Carduus Nutans) is really a beautiful flower. 
Gracefully the silky stem droops beneath the weight 
of the rich purple crown, which 
“ Might outvie the tints of an emperor’s robe ; 
And the martial leaves which begird its stem 
Are like guards round a royal diadem.” 
Other plants, again, lie under the stigma of inutility. 
But why should they be thus slandered? There is 
nothing in the vegetable kingdom but has its ap- 
pointed office; and, though some plants be préju¬ 
diciai to the crops of the agriculturist, they are 
highly useful as furnishing food to the insect or fea- 
thered tribes. 
