Amid her shapes minute while others pry, 



Scanning the myriads on the herbs' green top, 



Or mark intent, with microscopic eye, 



The monsters writhing in the hquid drop ; 



Advent'rous Banks! * her bolder march pursues, 

 Through the rude desert, and the billowy storm, 



And 'mid the elemental conflict views 

 The mighty wonders of her awful form. 



Now 'mid the rigour of antarctic frost. 



Where the chill stream of life scarce keeps its way; 

 Now where the day-star on the sultry coast 



At noon-tide sheds th' insufferable ray ; 



Uncheck'd by danger, unsubdu'd by toil. 



He climbs where mountains rise on mountains roll'd. 



Nor seeks the ores that glow beneath the soil. 

 But ^^ views the mine without a wish for gold." 



His pride, on every land, in every chme. 



From the low shrub that clothes the arid plain. 



To where the cedar waves her boughs sublime, 

 Careful to trace the vegetable reign. 



Crown of his labours! this imperial flower, 

 ^ Wafted from burning Afric's rugged scene, 

 'Neath Britain's better skies, in happier hour. 

 Enjoys the patronage of Britain's Queen! 



Grac'd \yj her Name,\ its shining petals boast 

 Above the rest to charm her favouring eyes, 



Though Flora brings from every clime her host 

 Of various odours and of varied dyes, j 



While Royal Nymphs,§ fair as the Oreade race 

 Who trod Eurota's brink, or Cynthus' brow. 



Snatch from the wreck of time each fleeting grace. 

 And bid its leaves with bloom perennial glow ! 



James Henry Pye. 



* The Right Honourable Sir Joseph Banks went with Captain Cook round the world, in order to explore the scenes of nature, 

 and has since flourished the McEcenas of Botany and Natural History, which may be compared to a very tender plant, requiring the 

 fostering aid of rich individuals, who employ their substance, not in pomp and vain amusements, but in the better pursuit of knowledge 

 and an eternal fame. " I have often," says the elegant St. Pierre, " been astonished at our indifference respecting the applause of 

 those who have introduced useful plants into their country, the sight or fruit of which are to this day so delightful. The names of these 

 public benefactors are chiefly unknown, whilst their benefits pass from generation to generation: whereas those of the destroyers of the 

 human race are handed down to us in every page, as if we took more account of our enemies than of our friends. The ancients did not, 

 however act in this way. Plutarch observes that Ceres and Bacchus, who were mortals, attained to the rank of Gods from the univer- 

 sal and lasting blessings, which they procured to mankind: whereas Hercules, Theseus, and other Heroes, rose only to the rank of 

 demi-gods, their good achievements being but of a temporary and partial nature. Pliny, the great Roman naturalist, informs us with 

 no small degree of exultation, that of the eight species of cherries known in Italy in his time, one was styled PUnian, after the name of 

 one of his relations, who had introduced it. The other species of this very fruit bore the names of the most illustrious families, being 

 denominated the Julian, Apronian, Actian, and Cfficilian. He informs us, that it was LucuUus who, after the defeat of Mithridates, trans- 

 ported from the kingdom of Pontus the first Cherry Trees into Italy, from whence they were propagated in less than an hundred and 

 twenty years over all Europe, England not excepted, then peopled by Barbarians. He also mentions Pompey and Vespasian as bearing 

 in their triumphs the trees of the conquered countries, producing a remembrance of their victories more useful and durable than columns 

 of brass or marble. 



f This plant was named by Sir Joseph Banks in honour of Her present Majesty ; who, together with the Princesses, cultivate the 

 Science of Botany, and have attained a proficiency in this science, such as none, that I know of, in the inferior ranks have equalled. 



J Virgins attendant on Diana. 



§ There is not a plant in the Gardens of Kew (which contain all the choicest productions of the habitable globe) but has been either 

 drawn by her gracious Majesty, or some of the Princesses, with a grace and skill which reflect on these personages the highest honour. 



