“Do you know all I’ve told about, when you see them?” asked Bouncing Bet. “No,” replied Eleanor. “Do you, Mary Frances?” “Not all,” Mary Frances shook her head. “Come then,” cried Jack and Bet, jumping from the tree. “Come,” and they led them among the flowers, and pointed out to them besides the ones mentioned: Wake Robins, Trailing Arbutus, Lupines, Forget-Me-Nots, Columbines, Heather, Laurel, California Poppies, and hundreds of other wild flowers which were in bloom in the outside meadows and fields and woods. “I’m so sorry we haven’t time to tell you the story of each one,” said Jack. “Some time next year, please come again and we’ll tell you.” “We could come to-morrow, couldn’t we, Mary Frances?” Eleanor ventured, but Jack answered: “No, not to-morrow. Only once a year can flower fairies talk with human beings. It must be to-day. So now, just as quickly as possible, I am going to tell you something about how plants are related to each other, but please be more comfortable. Do take a seat in the grape-vine swing.” Then the girls noticed a hammock nearby, formed by the interlacing of growing grape vines. It was wonderfully comfortable, and they leaned back contentedly as Jack took his place in a little green lily-shaped flower growing close by, and Bouncing Bet pranced around on the lawn near him. “Jack’s in his pulpit now,” she said. “Hear him speak.” FOOTNOTE: [J] For information concerning weeds used in medicine, send for Farmers’ Bulletin No. 188, which may be had free from the United States Department of Agriculture. CHAPTER XL BOUNCING BET AND HER FRIENDS “YOUNG ladies,” began Jack-in-the-Pulpit, “Bouncing Bet and I have arranged a little play for you. It’s to be this way: after finishing a few introductory remarks, I will call the names of various flower families. Bet has been around to see certain members of each family, and although they are very busy, they have promised to come when she calls—that is, the fairy of each flower or plant that she calls will come to this grassy slope which is to be the stage for our play.” “How perfectly lovely!” cried the girls. “But they will have little time to talk,” warned Jack. “So,” he went on, “let me tell you a few facts about— PLANT FAMILIES “It may surprise you to learn that certain plants belong to certain plant families. “You know that certain animals belong to certain animal families and can easily recognize that gentle Pussy Cat is a near relative of fierce Mr. and Mrs. Tiger, and of Mr. and Mrs. Lion, and of Mr. and Mrs. Panther and all the young panthers, and lions and tigers. They all have some similarity: they all have pointed teeth, and sharp claws, and can lap liquid food with their tongues. They all tread with light, soft-padded toes. There are other members of the Cat Family of which you can think. Even though Mrs. Puss is of near relation, she’s mightily afraid of her big relatives.