428 FLOWERS OF 



dark purple, pale blue, aud intermediate colours, and 

 when planted out in large beds have a splendid effect. 

 The French name of Queen Daisie (Seine Marguerite) 

 given to it, shows it to be of the same class as our 

 humble "wee modest crimson-tipped flower," which, 

 though now lost sight of, will not be seen without 

 pleasure by the early wanderer of the ensuing spring. 

 It is said that in China the varieties of Asters are so 

 disposed as to rival in brilliancy the richest patterns 

 of the carpets of Persia, or the most curious figures 

 that the artist in fillagree can devise. The Aster is 

 well adapted to variegate the shrubbery, as its showy 

 disc exhibits its bright rays even to November. The 

 Italian Aster {A. amellus), with blue and yellow 

 flowers, is considered to have been the plant alluded 

 to by VIRGIL in his Georyics, which he says was of a 

 golden colour, surrounded by purple leaves or petals, 

 and which was often used to adorn the altars of the 

 gods. The common Michaelmas Daisy {Aster Trade- 

 scanti], so called from, commencing flowering about 

 Michaelmas, is a characteristic flower of the garden in 

 September, growing tall and shrubby, and continuing 

 to the end of November. Bees and Flies cluster on 

 the flowers in great numbers for it is almost the last 

 hope they have to cling to. The latin specific name 

 commemorates JOHN TRADESCANT, juu. who brought 

 the plant from Virginia to England, about 1633. Its 

 flowering time caused it to be appropriated to the 

 feast of Michaelmas 



" The Michaelmas Daisy among dead weeds, 

 Blooms for St. Michael's valourous deeds." 

 China has contributed another specious gift to the 

 florist in the late flowering Chrysanthemum, the name 

 of which, golden flower, is, however inapplicable, as a 



