ryllis, of which there are numerous varieties, a proud plant, because even after the greatest care it refuses to blossom. The Guernsey lily is a splendid species. The number of flowers is commonly from eight to twelve, and the circumference of each about seven inches. The corolla in its prime has the colour of a fine gold tissue wrought on a rose-coloured ground, and when it begins to fade it is pink. In full sunshine it seems to be studded with diamonds; but, by candlelight, the specks or spangles appear more like fine gold dust: when the petals are somewhat withered, they assume a deep crimson colour. The name of these beautiful plants is derived from a Greek word signifying to shine, sparkle, flash. PRIVATION, Myrobolan. This tree is not unlike the plum-tree, and produces a fruit having the colour and appearance of a beautiful cherry, but containing only a juice of a disagreeable flavour, so that the very birds refuse to feed upon it. PROHIBITION, Privet. PROMPTNESS, Ten Weeks Stock.

Page 80.

This plant

springs up very soon after it is sown, and blossoms within ten weeks. As the flowers are but short-lived, if you would enjoy them for any length of time, you ought to keep sowing them from March till August. Nothing can be more delightful than the red, white, and purple tints of these flowers, which give out a most fragrant smell. PROSPERITY, Beech. The Beech may be con

sidered as the rival of the oak for beauty of form and the utility of its wood. It grows in any situation, and shoots up with such rapidity that it is common to say you may see it grow.

PROTECTION, Juniper. Page 252.

PURITY, Star of Bethlehem. Nothing can be more pure and pleasing than the appearance of this lovely plant, which throws up in the month of June a long bunch of star-like flowers, as white as milk.

RARITY, Mandrake. The ancients attributed extraordinary virtues to the Mandragora, or Mandrake, but, as they have not left any accurate description of this plant, we know not the

species to which they gave the name. Our quacks, ever eager to profit by ignorance, contrive, by a gross artifice, to give the miniature figure of a man to different roots, which they show to the credulous, assuring them that these are real Mandrakes, which are found only in a small and almost inaccessible district of China. They tell them also that the Mandrake cries lamentably when pulled up out of the ground; that the person who pulls up one of these roots is sure to die soon afterwards; that, in order to procure it, the earth must be dug away from it, a cord tied round it, and the other end fastened to a dog, which pulls it away, and then has to pay the penalty of the impious deed. Were we to collect all the absurd and superstitious notions that have originated in ancient errors, respecting the supposed virtues of plants which never existed, they would form a curious volume. RECOLLECTIONS, PAINFUL, Flos Adonis. Page140. TENDER, Periwinkle. Page 81.

RECONCILIATION, Hazel. Page 249.

RESERVE, Maple. The Maple has been made

C C

the emblem of reserve, because its flowers are late in opening and slow to fall. RESISTANCE, Tremella Nostoc. This is a gelatinous plant, which has much engaged the attention of men of science, but has hitherto escaped their researches. It was in high repute with the alchymists of old, who, like the vulgar of the present day, considered it to be the substance of what are termed falling stars, and employed it as such in their attempts to compose the philosopher's stone and a universal panacea. Other sages have regarded this gelatine as matter cast up by hawks after eating frogs; and others, again, have supposed it to be a real animal. It appears, however, that, as if to escape their investigations, this plant and several more of the same nature mutually transform themselves one into another. It is found in the alleys of gardens and in meadows. After cool and rainy nights, it has been observed to cover the ground completely in certain spots: but a few hours' sunshine causes it to disappear. In short, nothing positive is yet known concerning the Tremella, which continues to be a secret of Nature.

RESOLUTION, Cress. The ancients were of opinion that those who eat Cress become firm and decided, for which reason this plant was in great request.

RICHES, Corn. Page 165.

"" FALSE, Sunflower. Page 189. ROYALTY, Angrec. This is a parasitical plant of the Molucca Isles. In Ternate, the females of the blood royal wreathe it in their hair, but do not allow slaves or servants to wear it. They have reserved to themselves this exclusive right, says a traveller, persuaded that Nature, by causing this plant to grow only on elevated situations, has clearly indicated that its flowers are designed for the exclusive decoration of royalty.

RUDENESS, Clot Bur. The rough and prickly Clot Bur, which possesses neither beauty nor utility, though continually banished from our fields, always finds its way back to them. RUPTURE, Greek Valerian. Pliny relates that several Kings contested the honour of having first discovered this plant: hence it received the name of Polemonium, from the Greek word polemos, signifying war.