SEPTEMBEK. 421 



be forgotten. The Dahlia is for the future, and will 

 probably be copiously praised by the lyrists of the 

 rising generation, to whose care we commend the 

 image .of PHILLIPS that the Dahlia will adorn our 

 groves, as gas now does our towns ; but the Hollyhock 

 cherishes the images of olden days, associated with 

 timbered picturesque farm houses, thatched cottages 

 with their humble adornments, and old massive time- 

 worn mansions in secluded parts of the country. 

 Here the Hollyhock's lofty stems and bright specious, 

 though homely, mallow-like flowers, in their varieties 

 of rose, blood-red, yellow, orange, chestnut, or blackish 

 purple, besides all the intermediate gradations, are 

 well associated with the honeysuckled porch, the trim, 

 straight boxen walk, the terrace bounded by its privet 

 or close holly hedge, the beehive stand, and the formal 

 peacocks clipped in yew, pecking at each other. The 

 Hollyhock is a malvaceous plant of the genus Alcea, 

 and appears to have been introduced from Syria. It 

 grows wild also in Siberia, China, and Africa, and is 

 one of our oldest garden flowers. The late period to 

 which it extends its floral show renders it worthy of 

 attention in large gardens and pleasure grounds, and 

 its towering figure has a palatial dignity above all 

 other flowers. 



Another old tenant of the parterre is sure, at this 

 season, to attract the eye, with its flaunting staring 

 disk of golden rays, elevated upon a tall stalk dilated 

 to its utmost height. This is the Sunflower (ILelian- 

 thus), celebrated by the Bard of the Seasons in con- 

 tinuation of an old poetical idea, as ever turning 

 towards the sun. 



" The lofty follower of the sun 



Sad when he sets, shuts up her yellow leaves 



