NGELICA. Angelica. Class 5, PENTANDRIA. Order 2: DIGYNIA. This plant is named angelica in allusion to its agreeable smell and medicinal qualities. It has winged 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 channelled seeds. 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. РОРЕ. Amid the burning stars of night I saw Soar up and join me!-dark clouds swept between- TAGYNIA. PPLE BLOSSOM. Pyrus. Class 12, PENOrder: ICOSANDRIA. What is more enchanting to the lover of nature than the apple-tree when clad with its beautiful bloom in the early spring? and the more, that they hold forth the promise of an abundance 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, And they wonder'd ay mair when they talk'd o' my wit, But Willy he laugh'd, and he made me his wife, I mind when I carried my wark to yon stile, There was nin o' the lave that was like my awn sel; When the clock had struck eight, I expected him heame, That age, time, or death, can divide thee and me; GILPIN. RBOR VITÆ, or TREE OF LIFE. Thuja. Class 21, MONŒECIA. Order: MONADELPHIA. Thuja, the name of a tree, whose very durable wood served, according to Theophrastus, to make images. Its roots, in particular, being curiously twisted or veined, were used for the most valuable ornamental works. This plant was probably the Juniperus Oxycedrus, very common throughout Greece and the Archipelago, of which it is supposed on good authority that the most ancient statues were made. Our present genus of Thuja has nothing in common with this classical plant, except being an aromatic evergreen tree of the same order, with very durable wood; but it is not a native of Greece or the Levant. LIVE FOR ME. “Hafed, my own beloved lord,” Half what thy lips impassion'd swore, I pray thee, as thou lovest me, fly, On some calm, blessed shore we'll dwell, MOORE. SH. Fraxinus. Class 2, DIANDRIA. Order: MONOGYNIA. There is a singular allegory in the Edda, which states that the gods hold their court under the shade of a miraculous ash, whose extensive branches shadow the whole surface of the earth; the top of the tree touches the heavens, and its roots descend to the regions of Pluto. An eagle constantly reposes on the tree, to observe every thing, and a squirrel continually ascends and descends to make report. Beneath its roots flow two fountains. In the one wisdom is concealed, and in the other is found the knowledge of things to come. Three virgins are entrusted with the charge of this sacred tree, who ever remain under its branches to refresh the tree with these salutary waters, which, on falling back on the earth, form a dew that produces honey. This effect has been ingeniously compared to the results of inventive science. GRANDEUR. Nay, I know not. There are some qualities that women have Seem'd govern'd by her motion. Men look'd on her And as the sea-bird seems to rule the wave He rides so buoyantly, all things around her- WILLIS. SPEN TREE. Populus Tremulus. Class 12, DIŒCIA. Order: POLYANDRIA. Popular tradition states that the cross was made from this tree, and that since the Passion of our Saviour, the leaves have never known rest. The vibratory motion of the leaves is indeed curious, and never fails to attract the attention of the observer. It arises from the length and slenderness of the footstalks to which they are attached. EXCESSIVE SENSIBILITY. Why tremble so, broad aspen tree? For when the air is still and clear, And never tranquil seem'st to be. ANON. Our sensibilities are so acute, The fear of being silent makes us mute. COWPER. The soul of music slumbers in the shell, Till waked and kindled, by the master's spell; Oh! life is a waste of wearisome hours, ROGERS. Which seldom the rose of enjoyment adorns ; And the heart that is soonest awake to the flowers, Is always the first to be touch'd by the thorns. MOORE. |