;fi^,^',-V\Vi, ) M4M' \"'''" ALBERT R. MANN LIBRARY AT CORNELL UNIVERSITY THE GIFT OF Isabel Zucker class '26 Cornell University Library The original of tliis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924074089206 COi (£)l oi CD = CO| tv)i Oi Oii FLORA'S LEXICON: INTERPRETATION THE LANGUAGE AND SENTIMENT FLOWERS AN OUTLINE OF BOTANY, POETICAL INTRODUCTION. BY CATHARINE H. WATERMAN. BOSTON: PHILLIPS, SAMPSON, AND COMPANY. 1857- Entered, according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1839, BY HOOKER & CLAXTON, In the clerk's office of the district court of the eastern district of Pennsylvania. ADVERTISEMENT. The language of flowers has recently attracted so much attention, that an acquamtance with it seems to be deemed, if not an essential part of a polite educa- tion, at least a graceful and elegant accomplishment. A volume furnishing a complete interpretation of those meanings most generally attached to flowers, has therefore become a desirable, if not an essential part of a gentleman's or a lady's library. In the manual now offered to the public, an attempt has been made to comprise all that is important in the way of inter- pretation in a reasonable compass, and to adorn this part of the work with such quotations from the best poets of our language, both native and foreign, as have a direct and graceful reference either to the peculiarities of the flowers, or to the sentiments which they are made to express. The outhne of Botany placed at the end of the volume will be found to con- tain a sufSciently clear exposition of the Linnean sys- tem to explain fully the scientific terms and the classi- fication used in the body of the work. (3) EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. Frontispiece. Robe. Ivy. Myrtle. — To Beauty, Friendship and Love. To face page 72. Scarlet Ipomcba. Laurustinus. Convolvulus. — I attach myself to you, but shall die if neglected. To face page 132. Jasmine. Strawberry. Tulip. — Be not too early en- tangled in the charms of love, or yours will be a life of inquietude. To face page 192. Crown Imperial. Turk's-Cap Lily. Lily of the Val- ley. — You have the power to restore me to happiness. (5) T^" INTRODUCTORY VERSES. LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. Eakth hath a thousand tongues, tha swell In converse soft, and low — We hear them in the flowery dell, And where the waters flow. We note them when the oliant reed Bends to the summer air, Its low-toned music gently freed By the soft breezes there ; And angels from their starry height, On hills, and dales, and green banks write. There is a language in each flower That opens to the eye, A voiceless — but a magic power, Doth in earth's blossoms lie ; The flowering Almond, first to bring Its perfume to the breeze. The earliest at the call of spring. Among the green-clad trees, Whispers of Indiscretion's fate, Trusting too soon — convinced too late. INTRODUCTORY VERSES. The Wall Flower clinging cheerfully, An:iid decaying bloom, Tells of the heart's fidelity, In stern misfortune's gloom ; And like the clasping Ivy vine. When all around depart. Closer in storms the bonds entwine. Of friendship round the heart. And glory's crown is proudly seen. In the bright Laurel's evergreen. Hope smiles amid the blossoms white That crown the Hawthorn bough, And in the Myrtle's leaflets bright, Love softly breathes his vow. The little Lily of the Vale Seems sent our hearts to bless. Still whispering, on spring's balmy gale, Return of Happiness. While blooming on some favour'd spot, We trust to thee, Forget-me-not. And quivering to the lightest wind That fans the summer flower. The Aspen's fender leaves we find. Shrinking beneath its power, At every trembling breath that steals Its spreading boughs between. Each little blossom's leaf reveals A pang of misery keen ; INTRODUCTORY VERSES. Like lightly utter'd careless words, Wounding the heart's half-broken chords. Woe for the Aspen tree — and woe For hearts too finely strung, The tempest wind shall round them blow, And heart — and branch, be wrung ; The storm's dread wing shall o'er them sweep, And bow them to the blast. While each must early learn, to weep The hopes that could not last : The bosom's sensibility. Is pictured in the Aspen tree. The little Blue Bell lifts its head The Amaryllis beside. Emblems, upon their grassy bed, Of Lowliness and Pride, — Bright as the summer's bluest cloud, Each opening Bell appears, The sun, that gilds the floweret proud, Its humble blossom cheers ; Sweeter the Blue Bell's lowly mien. Than Pride, in dazzling radiance seen. The vari'^gated Columbine Hangs its bright head to earth. As half ashamed the sun should shine Upon its place of birth; 10 INTRODUCTORY VERSKS. And drooping on its tender stem, As the low night-wind swells, It seems in many a dew-drop gem, Like Folly's Cap, and Bells ; Rung by the wind in frolic play. Whene'er they sportive pass that way. The Musk Rose loads the evening breeze, With its own rich perfume. Wafting far incense thro' the trees. From its thick clustering bloom ; Charming, as Beauty's palmiest hours, Capricious as its smiles. One Summer sees it crown'd with flowers, The next no breezy wiles Can lure one bud, where thousands smiled,- And hence capricious Beauty styled. And what is beauty ? — lo, the sun That left the blooming spray. Shines once again the boughs upon — The Roses — where are they ? Some strew with leaves the grassy plain, Flashing in crimson hue, Some languish there, that ne'er again Shall drink the evening dew ; And fleeting Beauty's sadden'd close. Is traced in the pale, wither'd Rose. INTRODUCTORY VERSES. H What brings the bright and shining leaf, The scarlet Poppy wears? A consolation for our grief, A solace for our cares ; The ancients wreathed the brows of sleep, With the rich Poppy flowers, For slumber dries the eyes that weep, And pictures happier hours ; And in its scarlet blossom rests A healing balm for wounded breasts. Yes — flowers have tones — God gave to each A language of its own, And bade the simple blossom teach Where'er its seeds are sown ; His voice is on the mountain's height And by the river's side. Where flowers blush in glowing light, In Lowliness, or Pride ; We feel, o'er all the blooming sod. It is the language of our God. Ho spreads the earth an open book In characters of life. All where the human eye doth look Seems with his glory rife; He paints upon the burning sky In every gleaming star, The wonder of his nomes on high. Shining to faith afar ; 12 INTRODUCTORY VERSES. His voice is in the tempest's wrath, And in the soft south zephyr's path. For us, frail, feeble things of clay, Are all these beauties given. The glorious, wide-spread orb of day, And the bright starry heaven ; The far-stretch'd waters, and the land, The mountain, and the plain, These are the free gifts of his hand. And shall they plead in vain ? Rocks, hills, and flowers, their homage pav, And shall we worship less than they ? No — from the green enamell'd sod Let the soul's praises rise, The living temple of our God, Arch'd by his own blue skies. There, let thy grateful praise be heard. There, let thy prayers be given. And with the hymns of flower and bird. They shall ascend to heaven. And sooner reach the eternal bowers Breathed over beds of blushing flowers. FLORA'S LEXICON. CACIA. Robinia Pseudacacia. Class 17, DiADELPHiA. Older : Decandria. The savages of North America have consecrated the Acacia to the genius of ciiaste love; their bows are made from the incorruptible wood of this tree, their arrows are armed with one of its thorns. These fierce chil- dren of the forest, whom nothing can subdue, conceive a senti- ment of delicacy ; perhaps what they are unable to express by words, but they understand the sentiment by the expression of a branch of blooming Acacia. The young savage, like the city coquette, understands this seducing language perfectly. The Acacia is a native of North America, and received its name from the botanist, Kobin. PLATONIC LOVE. Our rocks are rough, but smiling there The Acacia waves her yellow hair, Lonely and sweet, nor loved the less For flowering in a wilderness Then come — thy Arab maid will be The loved and lone Acacia tree. Moobe. 2 (!■•!) ~ 14 FLORA'S LEXICON. CACIA ROSE. Robinia Hispida. Class 17, DiADELPHiA. Order : Decandria. Art has produced nothing that may vie in fresh- ness and in elegance of appearance with this beautiful flowering shrub; its inclining branches, — the gaiety of its verdure, — its clusters of rose-coloured flowers, like bows of ribands, hung on branches clothed with hairs of a reddish brown, never fail to excite admiration, and have combined to ren- der it a proper emblem of elegance. Its appearance has been compared to that of an elegant female in her ball dress. ELEGANCE. The fairness of her face no tongue can tell, For she the daughters of all women's race. And angels eke, in beautie doth excel, Sparkled on her from God's own glorious face, And more increast by her own goodly grace, That it doth far exceed all human thought, Ne can on earth compared be to aught Spenser. There's no miniature In her face, but is a copious theme. Which would, discours'd at large of, make a volume. What clear arch'd brows ! what sparkling eyes . tne li.ies Contending with the roses in her cheeks, Who shall most set them off. What ruby lips: Or unto what can I compare her ^leck, But to a rock of crystal 1 Every limb Proponion'd to love's wish, and in their neatness Add lustre to the richness of her habit Not borrow'd from it. Massikger. FLORA'S LEXICON. 15 >/^ DONIS. Flos Adonis. Class 13, Polt- ANDRiA. Order : Polygynia. Adonis was killed, while hunting, by a boar. Venus, who, for his sake, had relinquished the joys ^ of Cythera, shed tears for the fate of her favourite. They were not lost ; the eartli received them, and immediately produced a light, delicate plant, covered with flowers resembling drops of blnod. Bright and transient flowers, too faithful emblems of the pleasures of life, ye were consecrated by Beauty herself to pain- ful recollections ! PAINFUL RECOLLECTIONS. Full twenty years have pass'd away, since thou, beloved one ! With darkening eye to heaven upraised, the last time bless'd thy son ; And meekly closing thy thin hands, with mine between them press'd. Fled, with my name upon thy lips, to thine eternal rest. My first, my last, my OJily friend ! — if aught the ransom'd know Of the dark thoughts and sinful deeds that stain the world below, How hath thy gentle spirit grieved, as but a mother's can, To see thy precepts to the boy, neglected by the man ! But no ; thou art beatified ! — on yonder radiant shore. The sins and sorrows of thy child can trouble thee no more; And if, in thy refulgent home, thou thinkest of me now, 'T is with my childhood's innocence yet beaming on my brow ! So would I have thee see thy son, the wreck'd of passion's storm. With prematurely wrinkled brow, pale cheek, and stooping form, To thy soul's gaze, immortal one ! would ever present be, The same fair child of guileless heart, thatgamboU'd at thy knee. The Knickerbocker. FLORA'S LEXICON. LMOND, Amysrdalus. Class 12, 1' osan- DRIA. Order: Monogynia. Fable confers an affecting origin on this tree. It relates that Demophoon, son of Theseus and Phse- dra, in returning from the siege of Troy, was thrown by a storm on the shores of Thrace, where then reigned the beautiful Phyllis. The young queen graciously received the prince, fell in love with him, and became his wife. When recalled to Athens by his father's death, Demophoon promised to return in a month, and fixed the day. The affectionate Phyllis counted the hours of his absence, and at last the appointed day arrived. Nine times she repaired to the shore ; but, losing all hope of his return, she dropped down dead with grief, and was turned into an Almond- tree. Three months afterwards, Demophoon returned. Over- whelmed with sorrow, he offered a sacrifice at the sea-side, to appease the manes of his bride. She seemed to sympathize with his repentance : for the Almond-tree, into which she had been transformed, instantly put forth its flowers, and proved by this last effort that true love, " strong as death," is incapable of change. INDISCRETION. Like to an almond-tree, mounted high On top of green Selinis, all alone, With blossoms brave bedecked daintily; Whose tender locks do tremble every one, At every little breath that under heav'n is blown. Spenser. According to Moore, the Almond blossom is the emblem of hope— The hope, in dreams of a happier hour, That alights on Misery's brow, Springs out of the silvery alinond-fiower, That blooms on a leafless bough. In ancient times, the abundance of blossom on this tree waa considered as the promise of a fruitful season. j FLORA'S LEXICON. 17 LOE. Class 6, Hexandria. Order : Mo- NOGYNiA. The aloe is said to thrive best in the desert, and is only attached to the soil by a very slender fibre. Its taste is very sharp and bitter. So sorrow drives us away from the world, detaches our hearts from the earth, and fills them with bitterness. This plant derives its support almost entirely from the air, and assumes very singular and fantastic shapes. Le Vaillant found many species very numerous in the deserts of Na- maquoise ; some of them six feet long, which were thick and armed with long spines. From the centre of these a light twig shoots forth to the height of a tall tree, all garnished with flow- ers. Others exalt themselves like the cactus, bristling with thorns. Others, again, are marbled, and seem like serpents creeping upon the earth. Brydone saw the ancient city of Sy- racuse entirely covered by great aloes in flower ; their elegant branches giving to the promontory which bounded the coast, the appearance of an enchanted forest. These plants also prosper well in our gardens. The collection in the museum of Paris is said to be the most complete in the world. These magnificent and monstrous members of the vegetable kingdom are also found in barbarous Africa. There they grow upon the rocks in arid and sandy soil, in the midst of that burn- ing atmosphere in which scarce aught but tigers and lions can breathe and live. Let us bless Providence, then, for raising in our climate verdant bowers over our heads, and for spreading under our feet the soft carpet of grass, ornamented with saflron, violets, and daisies. GRIEF. Besides, you know, Prosperity 's the very bond of love ; Whose fresh complexion, and whose heart together. Affliction alters. Shakspeaee. 18 FLORA'S LEXICON. \fA'%:^^-'^ * ?■/•' MARANTH. Amaranthus. Class 21, Mo- /^if^^^!jrii',^-^' NJEciA. Order: Pentandkia. The ama- ViS'^5rA!-.i^ 3S® ranth is one of the latest gifts of autumn, ^^y^-fla^^Sj.S ^""^ when dead its flowers retain their rich 'sMi'iiSA^^^^tel scarlet colour. The ancients have associ- ^-'^if'^'^fflW&Syv ated it with supreme honours ; choosing it -''■ iJxs'v %^''<^* to adorn the brows of their gods. Poets have sometimes mingled its bright hue with the dark and gloomy cypress, wishing to express that their sorrows were combined with everlasting recollections. Homer tells us, that at the fune- ral of Achilles, the Thessalians presented themselves wearing crowns of amaranth. IMMORTALITY. Milton, in his gorgeous description of the court of heaven, mentions the amaranth as being inwoven in the diadems of an- gels— With solemn adoration down they cast Their crowns, inwove with amaranth and gold ; Immortal amaranth, a flower which once In Paradise, fost by the tree of life, Began to bloom ; but soon for man's offence To heaven removed, where first it grew, there grows, And flowers aloft, shading the fount of life. And where the river of bliss through midst of heaven Rolls o'er Elysian flowers her amber stream, With those that never fade. Pope mentions this flower in his Ode for St. Cecilia's day imagining it to bo found in celestial bowers ;— By the streams that ever flow. By the fragrant winds that blow O'er the Elysian flowers; By those happy souls that dwell In yellow meads of asphodel. Or amaranthine bowers. FLORA'S LEXICON. 19 MERICAN COWSLIP. Primula Veris. Class b, Pentandria. Order: Monogy- NiA. The elegant stem of a single root of this plant springs from the centre of a ro- sette of large leaves couched on the earth. In April it is crowned with twelve pretty flowers with the cups reversed. Linnaeus has given it the name of " Dodecatheon," which signifies " twelve divinities," a name, perhaps, somewhat too extravagant for a small plant so modest in its appearance. An American writer says of them, in their indigenous soil, that they resemble a clus- ter of bright yellow polyanthuses. " Our gold cowslips," he adds, "look like a full branch of large clustering king-cups; they carelessly raise themselves on their firm stalks, their corollas gazing upward to the changing spring sky, as they grow amidst their pretty leaves of vivid green. They adorn almost every meadow, and shed a glow of beauty wherever they spring." YOU ARE MY DIVINITY. At such an hour, thine image, brought By Memory to the passive eye. Would blend with every gentle thought Of dwellers in the distant sky. And float, in airy seeming, by. Fit princess of the sylphid crowds. Born of the wealth of Fantasy In her own heaven of Summer clouds. Where ever laughing sunbeams shine On eyes as calm and bright as thme. J. R. Choeley. Cowslips wan that hang the pensive head. Milton. Anxious cares the pensive nymph opprest. And secret passions labour'd in her breast Pope. 20 FLORA'S LEXICON. MARYLLIS. Amaryllis Sarniensis. Class 6, Hexandria. Order : Monogynia. Gar- deners say that tlie amaryllis, of which there are numerous varieties, is a proud plant, because it frequently refuses its flow- ers to their most earnest cares. The Guern- sey lily is a charming flower, and closely resembles the tuberose in appearance and size ; it is of a cherry red colour, and, when the sun shines upon it, it seems studded with gems of gold. The name of this plant is derived from a Greek word, which has been not inappropriately translated, by Monsieur Pirolle, as significant of splendour, and perhaps we have no flowering plant more beautifully gay than the amaryllis. HAUGHTINi-:SS. PRIDE. - But he liis wonted pride Soon recollecting, with high words, that bore Semblance of worth, not substance, gently raised Their fainting courage, and dispell'd their fears. Milton. How poor a thing is pride ! when all, as slaves, Diflfer but in their fetters, not their graves. Daniel. Pride by presumption bred, when at a height, Encount'ring with contempt, both march in ire; And 'twixt 'cm bring base cruelty to light; The loathsome offspring of a hated sire. Sterline. I'll oflir, and I'll suffer no abuse, Because I'm proud ; pride is of mighty use. The alTectation of a pompous name. Has oft set wits and heroes in a flame: Volumes, and buildings, and dominions wide, Are oft the noble monuments of pride. Crown. FLORA'S LEXICON. 21 MERICAN ELM. Vlmus Americana. Class 5, Pentandria. Order : Digynia. The American Elm is found in ail parts of the United States, but thrives best between the forty-second and forty-sixth degrees of north latitude. The wood is inferior to the European, and as it is in consequence not very well adapted to practical purposes, its uses are few and unimportant. PATRIOTISM. I see thee weep, and thine are honest tears, A patriot's for his country. Thou art sad At thought of her forlorn and abject state, From which no power of thine can raise her up. CoWPER. Give me the death of those Who for their country die; And O be mine like their repose, When cold and low they lie ! Their loveliest mother earth Enshrines the fallen brave; In her sweet lap who gave them birth, They find their tranquil grave. Montgomery. In that dread hour my country's guard I stood, From the state's vitals tore the coil'd serpent. First hung with writhing up to public scorn, Then flung him forth to ruin. Maturin. O heaven! he cried, my bleeding country save! Is there no hand on high to shield the brave? Yet, though destruction sweep those lovely plains, Rise, fellow men! our country yet remains! By that dread name we wave the sword on high! And swear for her to live ! with her to die ! Campbell. FLORA'S LEXICON. MERICAN LINDEN, or BASS-WOOD. Tilia Americana. Class 13, Polyandria. Order : Monogynia. The American Lin- den, or Bass-wood, is a lofty tree, but the wood is not extensively used in the arts. We have two other species, in the south and we=-t, whose wood possesses similan' properties, and is likewise little employed. MATRIMONY. From that day forth, in peace and joyous bliss They lived together long without debate ; Nor private jars, nor spite of enemies, Could shake the safe assurance of their states. Spenser. Nothing shall assuage Your love but marriage : for such is The tyeing of two in wedlock, as is The tuning of two lutes in one key : for Striking the strings of the one, straws will stir Upon the strings of the other ; and in Two minds link'd in love, one cannot be Delighted, but the other rejoiceth. Lilly. Marriage is a matter of more worth, Than to be dealt in by attorneyship. Shakspeare. What is wedlock forced but a hell. An age of discord and continual strife 1 Whereas the contrary bringeth forth bliss, And is a pattern of celestial peace. Shakspeare. FLORA'S LEXICON. 23 MERICAN ARB0R-V1TJ3. Thuja occi- dentalis. Class 21, MoNfEciA. Order : Mo- NADELPHiA. The American Arbor-vitee is found in the same region as the spruces, where it is called White Cedar; and indeed it much resembles in its appearance the Cupressus Thugoides, or genuine White Cedar. It grows to the height of 50 or 60 feet, with the trunk 10 or 15 inches in diameter, and is now planted for ornament in all parts of the Union. The wood is soft, fine-grained, and is highly esteemed for its durability; but it is difficult to procure stalks of any considerable length with a uniform diameter. IMMORTALITY. Look nature through: 'tis revolution all; All change ; no death. Day follows night, and night The dying day ; stars rise, and set, and rise ; Earth takes th' example. See the summer gay, With her green chaplet, and ambrosial flowers, Droops into pallid autumn: winter grey, Horrid with frost, and turbulent with storm. Blows autumn and his golden fruits away. Then melts into the spring : soft spring, with breath Favouian, from warm chambers of the south. Recalls the first. All, to re-flouri.sh, fades; As in a wheel, all sinks, to reascend. Emblems of man, who passes, not expires. Yocso. Immortality o'ersweeps All pains, all tears, all time, all fears — and peals Like the eternal thunders of the deep Into my ears this truth — Thou liv'st for ever. Byron. 24 FLORA'S LEXICON. '^)'l'tA4>^^ "* '; NEMONE. Anemone. Class 13, Poly- riffriSSsjt^'' : !?, i. ANDRiA. Order: Polygynia. Anemone " ■ "" '"■ ^"i^JLti^ was a nymph beloved by Zepliyr. Flora, ^is. - being jealous, banished her from her court. and changed her into a flower, which al- ways opens at the return of spring. Zephyr "V^^jjjj^^TJ had abandoned this unfortunate beauty to the rude cnresses of Boreas, wlio, unable to gain lier love, agi- tates her until her blossoms are half open, and then cauMib her imtnediatply to fade. An anemone, with this motto, " Brevis est usus," — " Hor reign is short," admirably expresses the rapid decline of beauty. { FORS.\KEN. She will not speak the anguish of her breast, She cannot chide the one she loves to bless; What though her bosom own no soothing rest] Slie does not cease to pray for his distress : Her heart is wasting in a slow decay. And the disease of hope smiles o'er her prey. At times she wanders when the air is warm, And gazes on the trysting-place so dear, When love and innocence, in gentle form, United like a dew-drop and a tear. When happy thoughts went heavenward in sweet prayer; And all was bliss when Waldron's smile was there. And then she turns her sicken'd heart away, And bends her footsteps to her mother's grave. Thinking how soon she'll mingle with her clay — She knows there is no human arm to save. And though she smiles at death — her thoucrhts of life, And faithless Waldron, cause a tearful strife. Dawes. FLORA'S LEXICON. '-i^ NGEIilCA. Angelica. Class 5, Pentan- DRiA. Order 2 : Digynia. This plant is named angelica in allusion to its agreeable smell and medicinal qualities. It has wing- ed leaves divided into large segments ; its stalks are hollow and jointed, the flowers grow in an umbel upon the tops of the stalks, and consist of five leaves, succeeded by two large chan- nelled seed's. Archangelica is sometimes cultivated in gardens for its leaf-stalks, to be blanched and eaten as celery, or candied with sugar. In Lapland, where it is also found, it is used to crown poets, who fancy themselves inspired by its agreeable odour. INSPIRATION. My fancy form'd thee of angelic kind. POPB. Amid the burning stars of night I saw A brighter glory — for thy spirit shone Through the clear heavens all beautiful, alone, And fill'd my heart with rapture and with awe. I heard thy voice — blest who their Maker's law Within their inmost soul in peace enthrone. For this celestial world is all their own; No earthly gaud hath ever power to draw Downward their brighter gaze — Oh ! be tnou one ! Thou whom I loved upon that lower scene, Soar up and join me ! — dark clouds swept between — The stars were veil'd — the radiant light was gone — Yet, Angel Spirit! when earth'? shadows flee, On hope's immortal vvfing I trust to follow thee. Anon. 26 FLORA'S LEXICON. PPLE BLOSSOM. Pyrua. Class 12, Pen- TAGYNiA. Order: Icosandria. What is more enchanting to the lover of nature than the apple-tree when clad with its beautiful bloom in the early spring; 1 and the more, that they hold forth the promise of an abun dance of delicious fruit. The apple bloom is indeed a charming flower, and by some is preferred before the rose. PREFERENCE. The lasses aw wonder'd what Willy could see, In yen that was dark and hard-featur'd like me ; And they wonder'd ay mair when they talk'd o' my wit. And slily telt Willy, that could'nt be it : But Willy he laugh'd, and he made me his wife. And whea was mair happy thro' aw his lang life 1 Its e'en my great comfort, now Willy is geane. That he often said, nea pleace was like his awn heame. I mind when I carried my wark to yon stile. Where Willy was dyking, the time to beguile. He would fling me a daisy to put i' my breast. And I hammer'd ray noddle to make out a jest: But merry or grave, Willy often would tell. There was nin o' the lave that was like my awn sel; And he spake what he thought, for I'd hardly a plack When we married, and nobbet ae gown to my back. When the clock had struck eight, I expected him heame, And wheyles went to meet him as far as Dumleane ; Of aw hours it telt, eight was dearest to me, But now when it strikes, there's a tear i' my e'e. O Willy ! dear Willy ! it never can be. That age, time, or death, can divide thee and me; For that spot on the earth, that's aye dearest to me, Is the turf tha'. has cover'd my Willy frae me. Gilpin. FLORA'S LEXICON. 27 '^ RBOR VIT^, or TREE OF LIFE. Thuja. Class 21, MoNn soaring up, on snowy wings, that brighten as they rise, I hear thy soft voice calling me to meet thee in the skies ! I know that this is but a dream ; that I can never see Thy spirit, until mine shall wear the garment of the free ; That 'tis my own imaginings that visit me by night. But surely heaven the image clothes with something of its light ! Yes, mother ! in thy holy home, death's gloomy valley past, A hope hath risen in my heart, that we shall meet at last; There these faint glimmerings of day, from yonder sphere un- trod. Shall be exchanged for perfect light — the effluence of God ! The Knickerbocker. Dull grave — thou spoil'st the dance of youthful blood, Strik'st out the dimple from the cheek of mirth. And ev'ry smirking feature from the face ; Branding our laughter with the name of madness. Blair. FLORA'S LEXICON. 31 URICULA. Primula Auricula. Class 5, Pentandria. Order: Monogynia. As all the most beautiful flowers that were known to the ancients, had been placed in the hieroglyphical language of plants, we had son\e difficulty in making a selection worthy of representing the delightful art of painting. But our choice has at length fallen on the " queen of the snowy Alps," as the fittest emblem. PAINTING. O thou who seated by the golden wave Of classic Tiber, stol'st the prismy hues From the rich landscape that Italia gave, — Claude ! whose celestial genius could transfuse Heaven's beauty into earth's, and both combine In those undying paintings only thine ; Could'st thou have travell'd to our western sky, And near'd the setting sun, whose vesture spreads Its gold and purple, blent harmoniously ; When Autumn chills the foliage, and sheds O'er the piled leaves among the evergreen. All colours and all teints to grace the scene; Thou would'st have shown that there are other climes Besides Ausonia's where the heart may gush With overwhelming fulness, and at times Feel the deep influence of bland nature's hush, When Evening steals in blushes to her West, And clouds are in their marriage garments drest. Dawes. FLORA'S LEXICON. ZALEA, INDIAN. Azatea Indica. Class Pent-Decandria. Order: Monogynia. A very splendid species of Azalea, with large and rich scarlet flowers, chosen, on account of the gorgeous splendour of its flowers, as the suitable emblem of Romance. ROMANCE. The pipe, and song, with many a mingled shout, Ring through the forest, as the Satyr-rout Dance round the dragon-chariot of Romance : Forth pricks the Errant Knight with rested lance: Imps, Deeinons, Pays, in antic train succeed. The wand'ring maiden, and the winged steed ! The muttering Wizard turns, with haggard look, The bloody leaves of the accursed book, Whilst Giants, from the gloorny castle-tow'r, With lifted Bats of steel, more dreadful low'r ! Hence, at midnight, thou fhalt stray, Where dark Ocean flings its spray, To hear o'er Heav'n's resounding arch The Thunder-Lord begin his march ! Or mark the flashes, that present Some far-off shatter'd monument; Whilst along the rocky vale, Red fires, mingled with the hail. Run along upon the ground, And the thunders deeper sound ! The loftier Muse, with awful mien. Upon a lonely rock is seen '. Full is the eye that speaks the dauntless soul; She seems to hear the gatherinir tempest roll Beneath her feet: She bids an eagle fly. Breasting the whirlwind, through the dark-red sky ! Or, with elated look, lifts high the spear. As sounds of distant battles roll more near. Bowles. FLORA'S LEXICON. 33 ALM. Melissa. Class 14, Didynamia. Order : Gymnospeemia. The scientific name of this plant is Melissa, which is syno- nymous with the Greek word for bee, being derived from fxsXi, honey, which is sought for in these flowers with avidity. " The recent plant has the agreeable odour of le- mons." " It was formerly prized as a corroborant in hypochon- driacal and nervous affections." It is on account of the soothing qualities of the waters distilled from this plant that it has been made the emblem of sympathy. SYMPATHY. Is there who mocks at sacred Sympathy, And owns a bosom from her dictates free? Who never long'd to press unto his heart, At the first glance, a friend, and never parti Who the soft influence of a smile denies, And the more melting power of tearful eyes 1 Who an unconscious look, a word, a sigh, Boasts his unhallow'd bosom can defy? O never let him deem his soul was made For holy hopes, and joys that never fade. For pure delights, that love can only know, And all the ties that cheer our hearts below : The tender names of husband, brother, friend. Ne'er to his breast their blissful sounds shall lend, But cheerless, joyless, shall he live and die, Nor claim in life a smile, in death a sigh! M. A. J. For love is a celestial harmony Of likely hearts composed of stars concent, Which join together in sweet sympatky, To work each others' joy and true content. Spenseb. 34 FLORA'S LEXICON. ALSAM. Impatiens. Class 5, Pentan- DRiA. Order: Monogyma. This plant, which is one of the most beautiful and deli- cate of popular annuals, is a native of East India, and forms a showy cone of carnation- like flowers finely variegated. It possesses the peculiar property of retaining, during the hottest months of summer, all its freshness and beauty, while many other plants are v/ithered before they have flowered. It has been named Nolitangere and Impatiens, from the curious fact that when the seeds are ripe, they are thrown with considerable force out of the capsules on their being slightly touched ; on this account it has been made the emblem of impatience. The Turks use it to represent ardent love. IMPATIENCE. Oh ! for thy wings, thou dove ! Now sailing by with sunshine on thy breast ; That, borne like thee abovi^, I too might flee away, and be at rest ! Oh ! to some cool recess Take, take me with thee on the summer wind! Leaving the weariness, And all the fever of this life behind. The aching and the void Within the heart whereunto none reply, Tiie early hopes destroyed Bird ! bear me with thee thro' the sunny sky. Hem.ans. Send quick, and summon in the council To see the crown imposed ! Bianca dies 1 JMy throne hangs on your speed ! Fly I N. P. Willis. FLORA'S LEXICON. 35 ARBERRY. Berberis Vulgaris. Class 6, Hexandria. Order : Monogynia. The common barberry is abundant in many parts of the United States. Its close branches and thorns render it peculiarly fit for hedges, j and its brilliant red berries are very orna- mental to the fields which it encircles, i These berries, worn in the hair, have been mistaken for coral | ornaments. Preserved in sugar, they form a cheap Ljt much valued dainty among the farmers of New England. The fruit of the barberry is so very acid that birds will seldom eat them. The tree is armed with thorns, and the flowers are so irritable, that at the slightest touch all the stamina close around the pistil. Thus this tree bears all the characteristics of persons whose tem- per is sharp and irritable. SHARPNESS. SOURNESS OF TEMPER. Happiness courts thee in her best array ; But, like a misbehaved and sullen wench, Thou pout'st upon thy fortune and thy love : Take heed, take heed, for such die miserable. Shakspeahe. He reads much; He is a great observer, and he looks Quite through the deeds of men : he loves no plays, As thou dost, Antony ; he hears no music : Seldom he smiles ; and smiles in such a sort, As if he mock'd himself, and scorn'd his spirit That could be moved to smile at any thing. Shakspeahb. She is peevish, sullen, froward, Proud, disobedient, stubborn, lacking duty ; Neither regarding that she is my child, Nor fearing me as if I were her father. Shakspe'arb. 30 FLORA'S LEXICON ASIL. Ocimum Basilicum. Class 14, Di- DYNAMiA. Order : Gvmnospeiimia. Po- verty is sometimes represented under the figure of an old woman covered with rags, seated near a plant of basil. It is commonly said, that hate has the eyes of a basilisk, because this name has been given to a fabu- lous animal, which is stated to produce death by a single glance. Basil, however, is a name derived from the Greek, which signi- fies royal, and indicates the excellence of this fragrant plant HATRED. I had much rather see A crested dragon, or a basilisk; Both are less poison to my eyes and nature. Drtden. No voice of friendly salutation cheer'd him, None wish'd his arms might thrive, or bade God speed him: But through a staring ghastly-looking crowd, Unhail'd, unblest, with heavy heart he went RoWE. Oh, that I could but mate him in his might, Oh, that we were on the dark wave together. With but one plank between us and destruction. That I might grasp him in these desperate arms. And plunge with him amid the weltering billows, And view him gasp for life. Maturin. They did not know how hate can burn In hearts once changed from soft to stern ; Nor all the false and fatal zeal The convert of revenge can feel. Byron. FLORA'S LEXICON. 37 AY-BERRY, or WAX-MYRTLE. Myrica cerifera. Class 22, Dicecia. Ordei : Te- TRANDRiA. The Bay-berry, or Wax-myrtle, is a shrub found in the Northern and Mid- dle Atlantic States, growing chiefly in bar- ren soils. The name is derived from a wax- like substance, of a greenish colour and pleasant odour, which is obtained from the berries, and in some districts very abundantly. INSTRUCTION. She taught the child to read, and taught so well, That she herself, by teaching, learn'd to spell. Byron. 'Tis pleasing to be school'd in a strange tongue By female lips and eyes — that is, I mean When both the teacher and the taught are young, As was the case at least where I have been ; They smile so when one's right, and when one's wrong They smile still more, and then there intervene Pressure of hands, perhaps even a chaste kiss ; I learn'd the little that 1 know by this. Byron. Culture's hand Has scatter'd verdure o'er the land ; And smiles and fragrance rule serene. Where barren wild usurp'd the scene. And such is man — a soil which breeds Or sweetest flowers, or vilest weeds; Flowers lovely as the morning's light. Weeds deadly as an aconite ; Just as his heart is train'd to bear The poisonous weed, or flow'ret fair. BOWHING. nl FLORA'S LEXICON. AY. Laurus Nobilis. Class 9, Ennean- DRiA. Order: Monogynia. The Laiirus Nobilis, or Sweet Bay, though but a shrub in our country, in Asia and the southern parts of Europe, its proper birth-place, at- tains to the height of twenty or thirty feet. It grows very freely on the banks of the river Peneus, in Thessaly ; and hence, perhaps, the fable of the metamorphosis of Daphne, daughter of that river. It also, with classic propriety, adorns mounts Ida and Athos. REWARD OF MERIT. Not around the peaceful bower Should thy verdant branches twine. Though thy leaves through wintry hour With unchanging lustre shine : There are fitter scenes than this for thy bloom On the poet's lofty brow ■ Let thy classic garlands glow. Or, if he lielh low, On his tomb. Or, return'd from well-fought field, When the victor throws aside Both his dinted helm and shield And his sword in crimson dyed. O'er his trophies let thy green branches wave; For what so fit a meed Prom the country he has freed. As the laurel-wreath decreed To the brave ? Anon. FLORA'S LEXICON. 39 EE orchis. Orchis. Class 19, Synge- NESiA. Order: Monogyma. This plant is singularly beautiful in its appearance, which so much resembles the bee, that it is fre- quently mistaken for one resting on the plant. It commonly grows near woods, and in the open meadows. The most successful method of cultivation is by choosing a soil and situation as natu- ral to thsm as possible, and by suffering the grass to grow around them. ERROR. Well boots it the thick-mantled leas To traverse: if boon nature grant, To crop the insect seeming plant, The vegetable Bee ; or nigh Of kin, the long-horn'd Butterfly, White, or his brother purple pale, Scenting alike the evening gale; The Satyr flower, the pride of Kent, Of Lizard-form, and goat-like scent. Bishop Mant. O hateful Error, Melancholy's child ! Why dost thou show to the apt thoughts of men The things that are nof! O error, soon conceived, Thou never com'st unto a happy birth, But kill'st the mother that engender'd thee. Shakspbare. When people once are in the wrong. Each line they add is much too long; Who fastest walks, but walks astray. Is only furthest from his way. Prior. 40 FLORA'S LEXICON. EECH, Fagus Sylvatica. Class 21, Mo- N, Pentan- DRiA. Ortler: Monog'siia. As luodest dif- fidence adds attractions to beauty, so does this graceful flower engage our notice by its unassuming carriage, for the cyclamen, a.- tbough it expands its petals In an upright direction, never rears its head to the sun. We pre^ont this emblem with a hope that the poets will not longer remain too diffident to let this pretty plant escape the har- mony of their song, since we cannot find a lins to form a motto, or grace the floral symbol of diffidence. " Distress makes tfie fiumble hear» diffiflent." The church has dedicated this flower to St. Romuald- DIFFIDENCE. The molest virtues mingled in her eyes, Still on the ground dejected, darting all Their humid beams into the blooming flowers. Thomson. As lamps burn silent, with unconscious light, So modest ease in beauty shines most bright; Unaiming charms with edge resistless fall. And she who means no mischiet, does it all. Hill. I pity bashful men, who feel the pain Of fancitd sccrn and undeserved disdain, And bear the marks upon a blushing face Of needless shame, and self-imposed disgrace. Our sensibilities are so acute, The fear of being silent makes us mute. COWPER. He saw her charming, but he saw not half The charms her downcast modesty co'^'^'^al'd. I'llOMSON. FLORA'S LEXICON. 71 YPRESS. Cupressus Sempervirens. Claes 2, MoNCEciA. Order: Monadelphia. The cypress is the universal emblem of mourn- ing, and is the funeral tree in the eastern world, from the Persian Gulf to the Caspian Sea ; it is also dedicated to the dead, from Mazanderan to Constantinople, as well as to the utmost bounds of China's fruitful shores. Ovid gives us a traditionary account of the mournful origin of the cypress tree, and we always find it devoted to mournful thoughts, or sad solemnities. Cyparissus, son of Telephus of Cea, was beloved by Apollo. Having killed the favourite stag of his friend, he grieved, pined, and, dying, was changed by Apollo into a cypress tree. Calmet describes it to be a tall, straight tree, having bitter leaves. The shade and smell were said to be dangerous ; hence the Romans looked on it as a fatal tree, and made use of it at funerals. It is an evergreen ; the wood is heavy, of rather a fragrant smell, — is not liable to be attacked by insects, and does not speedily decay. Shakspeare says that cypress is the emblem of mourning; and WTare told by Irving that, in Latium, on the decease of any person, a branch of cypress was placed before the door. MOURNING. A funeral train Will in a cypress grove be found. Landon. The moon is o'er a grove of cypress trees Weeping like mourners. Landon. Peace to the dust that in silence reposes Beneath the dark shades of cypress and yew; Let spring deck the spot with her earliest roses, And heaven wash their leaves with its holiest dew. PlERPONT. 72 FLORA'S LEXICON. M ,te|/T. -fv, AFFODIL. Narcissus Major. Class 6, i^50P75c¥i>w" Hexandria. Order: Monogynia, This ,v .>.)^^_K;-iv^-^ jg ^ Spanish plant. It is the largest of the genus, and has splendid flowers. It is ge- nerally found double in gardens, rarely sin- gle. The Daffodil, says the Flora Histo- rica, was evidently considered a kind of lily by early writers, and we are of opinion that the name is a cor- ruption of Dis's Lily, as it is the flower supposed to be dropped from the chariot of that god, in his flight with Proserpine. CHIVALRY. 'T is much he dares ; And to that dauntless temper of his mind, He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour To act in safety. Shakspeare. He is a man, setting his fate aside, Of comely virtues : Nor did he soil the fact with cowardice (An honour in him, which buys out his fault); But, with a noble fury, and fair spirit. Seeing his reputation touch'd to death. He did oppose his foe: And with such sober and unnoted passion He did behave his anger, ere 't was spent. As if he had but proved an argument. Shakspeare. The dearest friend, the kindest man. The best condition'd and unwearied spirit In doing courtesies. Shakspeabe. FLORA'S LEXICON. 73 AHLIA. Dahlia. Class 19, Syngenesia. Order : Polygamia Superflua. Named in honour of Andrew Dahl, a Swedish bota- nist. A mountain flower of South America, recently become very fashionable among the florists of the United States, who vie with eacli other in the number and beauty of the different varieties which they cultivate, and which form the chief ornament of all our horticultural exhibitions. FOR EVER THINE. Yes ! still I love thee : — Time, who sets His signet on my brow ; And dims my sunken eye, forgets The heart he could not bow ; Where love, that cannot perish, grows For one, alas ! that little knows How love may sometimes last; Like sunshine wasting in the skies, When clouds are overcast. The dew-drop hanging o'er the rose, Within its robe of light. Can never touch a leaf that blows, Though seeming to the sight; And yet it still will linger there. Like hopeless love without despair, — A snow-drop in the sun ! A moment finely exquisite, Alas! but only one. DaWE8. 74 FLORA'S LEXICON. m T\^st"s rl'-.wer. It is not loved for its fair de- licate bfesoni.E only ; but its fragrant leaves, •nX.rJi: joif.rrs ■''■e Hreeze of dewy morn, and the soft breath of ev-", ~.t>'i-;!'.2 it to it? frequent association with the woodbine or POETRY., Its sides I'll plant with dew-v=weet eglantine, And honeysunkles full of clear bee-wine. Keats. Yonder is a girl who lingers Where wild honeysuckle grows, Mingled with the briar rose. II. Smith. A sweeter spot on earth was never found: I look'd, and look'd, and still wilii new delight; Such joy my soul, such pleasures fiU'd my sight; And the fresh eglantine exhaled a breath, Whose odours were of power to raise from death. Dryden. Boon nature scatter'd, free and wild. Each plant or flower, the mountain's child, Here' eglantine embalni'd the air, Hawthorn and hazel mingled there; The' primrose pale, and violet flower, Found in each cliff a narrow bower. Scott. 76 FLORA'S LEXICON. LM. Vtmus. Class 5, Pbntandria. Or^ der: Digynia. The elm is a very majes- tic tree ; in beauty, dignity, and usefulness, yielding only to the oak. Gilpin gives pre- ference to tlie ash in his scale of excplienoe, because it has more of individuality than the elm, which he esteems a great source of picturesque beauty. But his objection applies to the tree only in its skeleton state. When in full leaf, the elm shows itself an elm. DIGNITY. Follow me, as I sing And touch the warbled string; Under the shady roof Of branching elm, star-proof, Follow me ! Ahoh. Ye fallen avenues ! once more I mourn Your fate unmerited, once more rejoice That yet a remnant of your race survives. How airy and how light the graceful arch ! Yet awful as the consecrated roof Re-echoing pious anthems ! while beneath The checker'd earth seems restless as a flood Brush'd by the wind. So sportive is the light Shot through the boughs, it dances as they dance, Shadow and sunshine intermingling quick, And dark'ning and enlight'ning, as the leaves Play wanton, ev'ry moment, ev'i-y spot. CoWPER. There, fast rooted in their bank, Stand, never overlook'd, our favourite elms. CoWPER. FLORA'S LEXICON. 79 NC RANTER'S NIGHTSHADE. Cir- caa. Class 2, Diandria. Order: Mono- GYNiA. The species Lutetiana is found in North America and Europe. As the name of this plant indicates, it is celebrated in magical incantations. Its flowers are rose- coloured, and veined with purple. It com- monly grews in damp and shady places, where shrubs fit for the purpose to which this has been applied may be supposed to be found. It is named Circaea after the enchantress Circe. FASCINATION. The night-shade strews to work him ill. Drayton. • O, who can tell The hidden power of herbes, and might of magic spell ! Sfenszr. 'T is now the very witching time of night. I'll witch, sweet ladies, with my words and looks. Shakspearb. For Circe had long loved the youth in vain, Till love refused, converted to disdain: Then mixing pow'rful herbs, with magic art, She changed his form, who could not change his heart Dryden. For he by words could call out of the sky Both sun and moon, and make them him obey : The land to sea, and sea to main-land dry, And darksome night he eke could turn to day ; Huge hosts of men he could alone dismay. And hosts of men of meanest things could frame, Whenso him list his enemies to fray. That to this day for terror of his fame The fiends do quake, when any him to them does name. Spbnser. 80 FLORA S LLXrCOK, diftercnt character to tbji; 've have as='ji.':^. fo It guage. We presume that it 'las been ms '' ■ Tl VEMIXG PRI^JRCS}! CE-nMhera. Olass 8, (j'ni.K!>T.'j.. Orinr: Mowohywa. l; is uiicerla:r vvhci; tiiic bpz'otiful flower was first Liuroo'ucfld iritc^ iJiigknd, tliungli ve krC'V; i.b»* it v;is br >';ght li-rn V'lrj^inia Ij Padua, a the year 'OiO. Et ^'^ i .■e.-.-.iai tavouritj v/iLh ojr i oe;S: vh"^ -;;:•'■' U ^ \ • ry .5. l^'rll an !iic.c'( rf 'n- I constarcy on account of the transient duration of i».» ri-:">i:^i. It opens between six and seven o'clock in the evening. INCONST iNCY When once the sun sinks in the west, And dew-u'-oBS pearl the Evenii:^'j ii^east; Almost as pale as moon-beams are, Or its companionable star, The evening primrose opes anew Its delicate blossoms to the dew ; And, hermit-like, shunning the light, Wastes its fair bloom upon the Night, Who, blindfold to its fond caresses, Knows not the beauty he possesses. Thus it blooms on while Nifht ia by; When Day looks out with open eye, 'Baeh'd at the gaze it cannot shun, It faints, and withers, and is gone, Clare. How long must women wish in vain A constant love to find ? No art can fickle man retain. Or fix a rovmg mmd. Yet fondly we ourselves deceive. And empty hopes pursue ; Though false to others, we believe They will to us prove true. Shadweli. FLORA'S LEXICON. 81 VERGREEN THORN. Mespilus Pyra- cantha. Class 12, Icosandria.. Order : DiGYNiA. This well-known shrub is a na- tive of the south of Europe : it also grows plentifully on Mount Caucasus, in the Cher- sonesus, and in China. It was introduced into England early in the seventeenth cen- tury, but has never yet got beyond the pale of the garden or shrubbery, notwithstanding Evelyn's hint that it might be culti- vated, with little trouble, for fences and other common purposes. SOLACE IN ADVERSITY. Thou wast not born when merry May " Hangs out thfe virgin flag of spring," When birds from every bush and spray Are carolling. Thou wast not born when summer throws Her glory over sky and earth, Nor did the beam which wakes the rose Smile on thy birth. No; like this shrub which cheers the bower, What time the threatening storm is rife, A blessing for the wintry hour Thou sprang to life. And such art still — no summer friend. Breathing smooth things in Pleasure's ear; But, oh ! let grief the spirit rend, And thou art near. What could I less than love the hour Which stills the bird, and strips the lea, Since, oh ! to cheer the social bower. It gave us thee. Anon. FLORA'S LEXICON. ENNEL. Anethum. Class 5, Pentandria. Order : Digynia. The gladiators mingled this plant with their food, from a supposi- tion that it tended to increase their strength. After the games were over, the conqueror was crowned with a wreath of fennel. The Romans named the plant anethum. STRENGTH. One fire drives out another ; one nail, one nail ; Rights by rights founder, strengths by strengths do fail. Shakspeakb. Hercules himself must yield to odds ; And many strokes, though with a tattle-axe, Hew down and fell the hardest timber'd oak. Shakspeare. Blood hath bought blood, and blows have answer'd blows; Strength match'd with strength, and power confronted power. SUAKSPEARE. All the soul Of man is resolution ; which expires Never from valiant men, till their last breath ; And then with it, like a flame extinguish'd For want of matter; it does not die, but Rather ceases to live. Chapman. If your resolutions be like mine. We will yet give our sorrows a brave end. Justice is for u-s so may fortune be: I'm a bright proof of her inconstancy. But if no god will lend us any aid. Let us be gods, and fortune to ourselves. Crown. FLORA'S LEXICON. 83 ERN. Filicia. Class 24, Cryptogamia. Order : first of this class. Fern often affords an agreeable seat to lovers ; its ashes are used in the manufacture of glasses for the convivial party ; and all the world knows that love and wine make men sin- SINCERITY. The green and graceful Pern, How beautiful it is ! There's not a leaf in all the land So wonderful, I wis. Have ye ever watch'd it budding, With each stem and leaf wrapp'd small, Coiled up within each other Like a round and hairy ball ■! Have ye watch'd that ball unfolding Each closely nestling curl, And its fair and feathery leaflets Their spreading forms unfurl] Oh ! then most gracefully they wave In the forest, like a sea. And dear as they are beautiful Are these Fern leaves to me. For all of early childhood — Those past and blessed years To which we ever wistfully Look back through memory's tears — The sports and fancies then my own, Those Fern leaves dear and wild Brinn- back to my delighted breast — 1 am once more a child. TWAMLEY. [84 FLORA'S LEXICON. A^ LAX. Linum. Class -5, Pentandria. Or- der ; Pentagynia. Truly we ought to be grateful to this useful plant ! It yields us the linen we wear, the paper we write up- on, and the lace which adorns our fair countrywomen. Nowhere can we cast our eyes but we see evidence of its utility. It has been cultivated from time immemorial for the lint and tow it affords, and it was formerly the chief occupation of cottagers' wives to spin this into yarn and linen cloth. I FEEL YOUR KINDNESS. Ah! 'tis a goodly little thing, It groweth for the poor. And many a peasant blesses it, Beside his cottage door. He thinketh how those slender stems That shimmer in the sun. Are rich for him in web and woof, And shortly shall be spun. He thinketh how those tender flowers Of seed will yield him store ; And sees in thought his next year's crop, Blue, shining round his door. Oh ! the goodly Flax-flower ! It groweth on the hill; And be the breeze awake or sleep, It never standeth still ! It seemeth all astir with life. As if it loved to thrive. As if it had a merry heart Within its stem alive! Then fair befal the Flax-field ; And may the kindly showers Give strength unto its shining stems. Give seed unto its flowers. Mary Howitt. FLORA'S LEXICON. 85 OXGLOVE. Digitalis. Class 14, Didy- NAMiA. Order: Angiospermia. Where is the Garden-guest that may oiitshuje the stately, tall, magnificent Foxglove 7 This is as remarkable for its majestic, lofty de- nieanour, as the light, lithe Harebell for its modest playfulness. The tall spiral stem, springing up from the group of broad leaves, and thickly hung with the beautiful purple blossoms, gradually lessening in size from the large open bells on the lower portion of the stalk, to the little bud on the summit, still wrapped up in their close green calices, is an object so strikingly beautiful, that I should think any person who had once given it an attentive observance must inevitably be a lover of flowers to the end of his days. STATELINESS. The Foxgloves and the Fern, How gracefully they grow With grand old oaks above them And wavy grass below ! The stately trees stand round Like columns fair and high, And the spreading branches bear A glorious canopy Of leaves, that rustling wave In the whispering summer air, And gaily greet the sunbeams That are falling brightly there. The miser-leavea ! — they suffer Not a gleam to twinkle through, And in the Foxglove's hairy cup, At noonday, drops of dew Are hanging round like tears Of sorrow, that the sun Gives to other flowers his kisses, But to her soft lips not one. TWAMLBY. 86 FLORA'S LEXICON. UCHSIA, GLOBEFLOWERED. Fuch- sia Globtisa. Class 8, Octandria. Or- der : MoNOGVNiA. This is a plant of great beauty, perhaps, says Paxton, exceeding any other species or variety of the Fuchsia known. It is dwarf and somewhat spread- ing, and the slender branches are some- what sparingly covered with leaves, which are not of a large size. CONFIDING LOVE. Bless the hour Endearment gives ! Who on earth's cold climate lives, But has felt his heart rejoice. When woman's smile, and woman's voice, Hath sent, with magical control, All sweetness to the soften'd soul ? Oh ! Happiness, where art thou found (If indeed on mortal ground) But with faithful hearts alone, That Love and Friendship have made one — In tenderness and faith sincere, In affection's sweetest tear. It was a livelong holiday; And in that boat, far from the faithless crowd, They who true love and mutual trust avow'd. Pursued in peace their solitary way. And it was bliss to see the manly youth. Whose look bespoke sincerity and truth. Gaze upon her he loved, as he could bless Th' Almighty Being, in the living light Of whose warm sun he felt such happiness. Whilst tears of transport almost dimm'd his sight. Bowles. FLORAS LEXICON. 87 ERANIUM. Pelargonium. Class 16, Mo- NADELPHiA. Order : Heptandria. Among the gayest of the floral court are the richly clad Geraniums. Fashion and culture have contributed so much to the aggrandizement of the beautiful tribe of Pelargoniums, or, as they are generally, but erroneously call- ed Geraniums, that they now count a greater number of royal and illustrious titles in their family than any other species of tiower can boast. GENTILITY I said the Lily was the queenly flower, And these bright creatures, sure, her courtiers be ! For they are robed all so royally. E'en like the glittering guests of regal bower; And, like them too, their chiefest rank and power Lie in their sounding titles, and we see Tliat both do value the embroiderie Of their gay-tinted garb. In their first hour Of modish fame, see how to both down bend, In fashion's homage, all the wondering crowd Of sycophant adorers ! Should chance send A newer star, how soon into a cloud Shrink the late idols ! whom no more ye find ; Nor have they either left ye any sweet behind. TwAMLBT. Athenia is a noble gentlewoman, Stamp'd in the finest mould of excellence. Rome in her palmiest state, when woman nursed Her grandeur, by the care of her young heroes, Had scarce her equal. Dawes. 88 FLORA'S LEXICON. ILLYFLOWER. Cheiranthus Incanus. Class 15, Tetraovnamia. Order : Sili- QuosA. The gillyflower, — less graceful than the rose, — less superb than the lily, — has a splendour more durable. Constant in its benefits, it offers to us, all the year, its beautiful red and pyramidal flowers, which always diffuse an agreeable odour. The finest gillyflowers are red j they derive their name from their colour, which rivals in brilliancy the far-famed purple of Tyre. White, violet, and variegated gillyflowers have also their charms. This beautiful flower may be said to grow in our parterres, like a blooming and lively beauty, who scatters health around her ; health, that chief of blessings, without which there can be neither happiness nor lasting beauty. LASTING BEAUTY. 'Tis not alone in the flush of morn, In the cowslip-bell or the blossom thorn, In noon's high hour, or twilight's hush, In the shadowy stream, or the rose's blush, Or in aught that bountifiil Nature gives, That the delicate Spirit of Beauty lives. Oh no ! it lives and breathes, and lies. In a home more pure than the morning skies ; In the innocent heart it loves to dwell. When it comes with a sigh or a tear to tell Sweet visions that flow from a fount of love, To mingle with all that is pure above. Sweet Spirit of Beauty ! my dreams are thine, But I lose thee not when thy day-beams shine ; Thy image is still to my constant gaze. At midnight hour or noontide blaze ; And none but one with a heart unsold. Can know the bliss which thy lovers hold. Dawes. FLORA'S LEXICON. 89 LORY FLOWER, CRLMSON. Clianlhus Puniceus. Class 17, Diadei.phia. Order: Decandria. This new and beautiful shrub is a native of New Zealand, whence seeds of it were sent to England by the Missiona- ries in that part. The native name is Kowaingutu Kaha, or Parrot-bill, most probably called so from the resemblance to the bill of a bird. GLORIOUS BEAUTY. The Spirit of Beauty unfurls her light, And wheels her course in a joyous flight; I know her track through the balmy air, By the blossoms that cluster and whiten there; She leaves the tops of the mountains green, And gems the valley with crystal sheen. At morn, I know where she rested at night, For the roses, are gushing with dewy delight; Then she mounts again, and round her flings A shower of light from her crimson wings; Till the spirit is drunk with the music on high, That silently fills it with ecstasy. At noon she hies to a cool retreat; Where bowering elms over waters meet. She dimples the wave where the green leaves dip, As it smilingly curls like a maiden's lip, When her tremulous bosom would hide, in vain, From her lover, the hope that she loves again. She hovers around us at twilight hour, When her presence is felt with the deepest power. She silvers the landscape, and crowds the stream With shadows that flit like a fairy dream; Then wheeling her flight through the gladden'd air. The Spirit of Beauty is everywhere. Dawes. 90 FLORA'S LEXICON. ORSE. Vlex EuropcBHS. Class 17, Dia- DELPHiA. Order : Decandria. The bota- nical name Vtex is obscure; we call it in- discriminately Furze, Gorse or Whin. The common wild Gorse of England, in Si. Pe- tersburg is cherished in the choicest green- houses, and esteemed one of their most precious ornaments, as it flowers in winter. In England the commons are covered in the richest profusion with its gay, beau- tiful, and fragrant flowers. CHEERFULNESS IN ADVERSITY. Fair maidens, I'll sing you a song; I'll tell you the bonny wild flower, Whose blossoms so yellow, and branches so long, O'er moor and o'er rough rocky mountain are flung, Far away from trim garden and bower. It clings to the crag, and it clothes the wild hill ; It stands sturdily breasting the storm, When the loud-voiced winds sing so drearily shrill, And the snow-flakes in eddies fall silent and still. And the shepherd can scarce wrap him warm. 'T is the bonny bright Gorse, that gleams cheerily forth. Like sunlight e'er lingering here, In the verdure of Spring, and when Summer on earth Has call'd all the fairest of blossoms to birth. As a crown for the noon of the year. TWAMLEY. And her against sweet cheerfulness was placed. Whose eyes, like twinkling stars in evening clear, Were deck'd with smiles, that all sad humours chased, And darted forth delights, the which her goodly graced. Spenser. FLORA'S LEXICON. 91 RASS. Gramen. Class 3, Tkiandria. Or- der : DiGYNiA. It will be admitted that what is the most useful, is in nature the most common ; and of all vegetable pro- ductions, what is there more common than grass 1 It clothes the earth with a ver . dant carpet, and it yields food, — nay, it " grows for the cattle," in obedience to the Creator's word. UTILITY. 'Tis pleasant, on the steep hill-side. Where lies in view the prospect wide Of cultured farm, with interchange Of tilth and pasture, cot and grange, At ease the careless limbs to stretch Beneath the broad o'er-arching beech. And, lighted by the sky serene, Mark the full hay-field's varied scene. Here, as the swarthy mowers pass Slow through the tall and russet grass, In marshalling rank from side to side, With circling stroke and measured stride. Before the scythe's wide-sweeping sway The russet meadow's tall array Falls, and the bristly surface strows With the brown swathe's successive rows. And then the toiling horses strain. Slowly to move the ponderous wain. From pile to pile the slow wain goes. And still at each more lofty grows ; While the stout swains below supply Fresh fardels to the swains on high. Heaps upon heaps the grassy load: Thence, lumbering o'er the homeward road, It swells, adorn'd with trophied bough. The rich compact, or treasured mow. Mast. FLORA'S LEXICON. AREBELL. Hyacinthus non-scriptus. Class 6, Hexandria. Order: Monogynia. Tliisj beautiful little flower is a native of Persia; but is found in most parts of Europe. Our woods in the Spring present a lively appear- j ance, from the mixture of their azure blue bells among the pale yellow primroses, and the many difterent-tinted heaths, so tastefully intermingled by the hand of Nature. It is called Harebell from its generally growing in those places frequented by hares : the flower varies in colour and bc:;uty ; some being completely white, and others much resembling the poorer kinds of hyacinths ; but they have longer and narrower flowers, not swelling at the bottom ; the bunch of flowers is likewise longer and bends downwards. The fresh roots of this plant are said to be poisonous ; the juice is mucilaginous, and in the time of Queen Elizabeth was used as starch. SUBMISSION. Sweet flower ! though many a ruthless storm Sweep fiercely o'er thy slender form, And many a sturdier plant may bow In death beneath the tempest's blow, Submissive thou, in pensive guise. Uninjured by each gale shalt rise. And, deck'd with innocence, remain The fairest tenant of the plain : So, conscious of its lowly state. Trembles the heart assail'd by fate ; Yet, when the fleeting blast is o'er. Settles as tranquil as before ; While the proud breast no peace shall find, No refuge for a troubled mind. Anon. FLORA'S LEXICON. 93 AWTHORN. Oralcegus. Class 12, Ico- SANDTtiA. Order: Digynia. The hawthorn has been made the emblem of hope because the young and beautiful Athenian maids brouLjIit its branches, covered with flowers, to decorate their companums on their nup- tial day, whilst they bare larger boughs cf it to the altar. The altar of Hymen was lighted by torches made from the wood of this tree ; and it also formed the flam- beaux which illuminated the nuptial chamber. We are told that the Troglodytes, in the simplicity of their minds, tied hawthorn branches to the dead bodies of their parents and friends; and at the interment of the corpse they strewed its branches upon the body, and afterwards covered it witli stones, laughing through the whole of the ceremony. They considered death as the dawn- ing of a life which should never cease. HOPE. Now hawthorns blossom, now the daisies spring. Pope. See now, to grace the coppice wild, May-born, our Britain's native child. The Medlar's broad and single eye ; And, prized for village pharmacy. The Elder's crowded cups minute; Service, with tupe of Autumn fruit; And Maple's spikes of florets green ; And Hawthorn, famed 'mid vernal scene For gracing May's propitious hour With prodigality of flower, Pink-anther'd 'mid its petals pale. And lending fragrance to the gale; Hail'd from its fair and sweet array The namesake of the lovely May. TWAMLEY. ; 94 FLORA'S LEXICOX-T. AZEL. Corylus Avellana. Class 21, Mo- NCECiA. Order : Polyandria. Tliere was a time when men were not united by any common tie. When the mother would de- prive her son of the wild fruit with which he wished to appease his hunger, and if mis- fortune united them for a moment, the sud- den sight of an oak laden with acorns, or a beech covered with beech-mast, rendered them enemies. According to ancient mythology the gods had pity on the hu- man race. Apollo and Mercury exchanged presents, and came down upon the earth. The god of harmony received from the son of Maia a tortoise shell, of which he liad made a lyre, and gave in return a branch of hazel, which had the power of making virtue beloved, and of re-uniting hearts divided by hatred and envy. Thus armed, the two sons of Jupiter presented themselves to men. Apollo first sang that eternal wisdom which had cre- ated the universe ; filial piety and patriotic love were brought into action, by his eloquence, to unite the human race ; and com- merce he made the bond of the world. His last thought was the most sublime, for it was consecrated to the gods ; and he told mankind that they might become equal with the gods by deeds of love and beneficence. Ornamented with two light wings, and serpents entwining them- selves around it, the hazel wand, presented to the god of eloquence by the god of harmony, is still, under the natae of Mercury's vpand, the symbol of peace, commerce, and reconciliation. RECONCILIATION. And see. As yet unclothed, the Hazel-tree Prepares his early tufts to lend The coppice first fruits; and depend In russet drops, whose cluster'd rowB, Still closed in part, in part disclose, Yet fenced beneath their scaly shed, The pendent anther's yellow head. Mant. FLORA'S LEXICON. EART'S EASE. Viola Tricolor. Class 5, Pentandria. Order: Monogynia. I'he tints of this flower are scarce less varied than the names that have been bestowed I upon it. That of pansy is a corruption of the French name, pensee, thought. Leigh Hunt introduces the heart's-ease into his verses : The garden's gem, Heart's-ease, like a gallant bold, In his cloth of purple and gold. Phillips observes that the most brilliant purples of the artist appear dull when compared to that of the pansy ; our richest satins and velvets coarse and unsightly by a comparison of tex- ture ; and as to delicacy of shading, it is scarcely surpassed by the bow of Iris itself. THINK OF ME. Frolick virgins once these were, Overloving, living here ; Being here their ends denied, Ran for sweethearts mad, and died. Love, in pitie of their teares, And their losse in blooming yeares. For their restlesse here-spent houres, Gave them heart's-ease turn'd to flowres. Herrice. And there are pansies, that's for thoughts. Shakspeabb. And thou, bo rich in gentle names, appealing To hearts that own our nature's common lot; Those, styled by sportive fancy's better feeling ' A Thought,' ' The Heart's Ease,' or ' Forget me not.' Barton. t)() FLORA'S LEXICON. EATH. Erica. Class 8, Octandria. Or- der : MoNOGYNiA. The foliage of this plant is ever-green, of varied and beautiful shapes, and on examination is found as pleasing as its. singular blossom. In our floral hicrO' glyphics it is made emblematical of soli- tude; and thus, when tlie rut-tic lover offers his mistress a bouquet of heath and pansics, she understands that if his solitude were charmed by her society his heait would be at ease. SOLITUDE. The Erica here That o'er the Caledonian hills sublime Spreads its dark mantle (where the bees delight To .seek their purest honey), flourishes; Sometimes witli bells like amethysts, and then, Paler, and shaded like the maiden's cheek With gradual blushes — other while, as white As rime that hangs upon the frozen spray. Of this, old Scotia's hardy mountaineers Their rustic couches form ; and there enjoy Sleep, which, beneath his velvet canopy. Luxurious idleness implores in vain. TwAMLEy. Oh ! to lie down in wilds apart, Where man is seldom seen or heard. In still and ancient forests, where Mows not his scythe, ploughs not his share, With the shy deer and cooing bird ! To go, in dreariness of mood. O'er a lone heath, that spreads around A solitude like a silent sea, Where rises not a hut or tree. The wide-embracing sky its bound ! HOWITT FLOKA'S LEXICeN. 97 ELIOTROPE. Heliotropium. Class 5, Pentandria. Order: Monogynia. There are more than thirty species of this delicate and sweet-scented flower. The most va- lued by American florists are Peruvianum, Corymbosum, and Grandiflorum. The for- mer is a universal favourite. INTOXICATED WITH PLEASURE. Methinks I've cast full twenty years aside, And am again a boy. Every breath Of air that trembles through the window bears tJnusnal odour. Proctor. What's i' the airl — Some subtle spirit runs thro' all my veins. Hope seems to ride this morning on the wind, And joy outshines the sun. Proctor. O sages! think on joy like this, And where 's your boast of apathy. Moore. Each sound too here to languishraent inclined, Luli'd the weak bosom, and induced ease, Aerial music in the warbling wind, 4.t distance rising oft, by small degrees, >'earer and nearer came, till o'er the trees It hung, and breathed such soul-dissolving airs, As did, alas ! with soft perdition please : Entangled deep in its enchanting snares, Ths lisfning heart forgot all duties and all cares. Thomsok. 98 FLORA'S LEXICON. ICKORY. Canja alba. Class 21, Mon«- CIA. Order: Polyandria. Tlie Hickory is found in most parts of tlie United Sljites, and also produces nuts of excellent qualify, which are everywhere well known. The ■wood of the Hickories, of which we ha- e eight species, possesses great weight, strength and tenacity, but decays speedily when exposed to hea*. and moisture, and consequently is unfit for architectural purposes. GLORY. How sleep the brave, who sink to res' By all their country's wishes bless'd : When Spring, with dewy fingers cold, Returns to deck their hallow'd mould, She there shall dress a sweeter sod Than Fancy's feet have ever trod. By fairy hands their knell is rung; By forms unseen their dirge is sung ; There Honour comes, a pilgrim grey, To bless the turf that wraps their clay ; And Freedom shall awhile repair. To dwell a weeping hermit there. COLL-NS. Glory is like a circle in the water, Which never ceaseth to enlarge itself, Till by broad spreading, it disperse to nought. SHAKSPSAHa. Real glory Springs from the silent conquest of ourselves , And without that the conqueror is nought But the first slave. Thomson. FLORA'S LEXICON. 99 OLLY. Ilex. Class 4, Tetrandria. Or- der: Tetragynia. The providence of an all-wise Creator is shown in an admirable manner in this beautiful plant. The great hollies which grow in the forest of Need- wood bear leaves bristling with thorns to the height of eight or ten feet, and above this height the leaves cease to be thorny. There the plant has no need to arm itsolf against enemies which cannot reach it. This tree, with its dazzling verdure, is the last ornament of the forests, when they are despoiled by the winter's frosts and chilling blasts; its berries serve as food for the little birds which remain with us through the inclement season of winter ; and it also offers them a comfortable shelter amid its foliage. FORESIGHT. Some to the holly hedge Nestling repair, and to the thicket some ; Some to the rude protection of the thorn. Thomson. O reader! hast thou ever stood to see The holly tree? The eye that contemplates it well perceives Its glossy leaves; Order'd by an Intelligence so wise As might confound an atheist's sophistries. Below a circling fence, its leaves are seen Wrinkled and keen ! No grazing cattle through their prickly round Can reach to wound ; , But, as they grow where nothing is to fear, Smooth and unarm'd the pointless leaves appear. SOUTHEY. u 100 FLORA'S LEXICON. OLI,YHOCK, or ROSE-MALLOW. Al- c