NOWDROP. Galanthus. Class 6, HEXANDRIA. Order: MONOGYNIA. The north wind whistles, and the hoar frost clothes the verdure-despoiled trees; an uniform white carpet covers the earth,-the birds withhold their tuneful song,-and the sealed waters cease to murmur as they roll along; the rays of the sun, enfeebled by the density of our atmosphere, shed a gloomy light over our fields; and the heart of man is sad, while all nature reposes in torpid tranquillity. Thus Madame de La Tour describes the state of nature, when suddenly a delicate flower pierces through the veil of snow which had concealed it. It has been aptly termed by her countrymen Perce neige, from the quality just named; and is with equal propriety called snow-drop in America. CONSOLATION. The rose is for the nightingale, But the holly greets the red-breast And the snow-drop, waken'd by his song, Peeps tremblingly forth, From her bed of cold still slumber, But dance unto my melody And wave your graceful head." TWAMLEY. PIDERWORT. Anthericum. Class 6, HEXANDRIA. Order: MONOGYNIA. This plant is generally admitted as a border flower. The French have called it Ephémèrine de Virginie, because its flowers fade rapidly; they have also made it the emblem of transient happiness. The dead flowers are quickly succeeded by others, from April to the end of October. TRANSIENT HAPPINESS Sweet, as the desert-fountain's wave There comes BYRON. For ever something between us and what We deem our happiness. BYRON. All who joy would win Must share it-happiness was born a twin. Like a frail shadow seen in maze, BYRON. Or some bright star shot o'er the ocean, Is happiness, that meteor's blaze, For ever fleeting in its motion. ANON. TAR-WORT, CATESBY'S. Aster Grandiflorus. Class 19, SYNGENESIA. Order: SUPERFLUA. This North American plant has been made to represent afterthought, because it sends forth its flowers in the month of November, when most others have disappeared. AFTERTHOUGHT. What is done cannot be now amended: SHAKSPEARE. The drunkard, after all his lavish cups, WEBSTER. Habitual evils change not on a sudden, ROWE. High minds of native pride and force, SCOTT. Some who offend from a suspicious nature, BAILLIE. |