126 THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 



we call the petals, arc the five waxen sepals which give the 

 flower a breadth of two to five inches when spread. When 

 not exi)anded, these assume the shape of a most exquisite 

 little cup. 



The stamens of the flowers are numerous, and their pis- 

 tils form coriaceous capsules containing many seeds.. The 

 seeds are hard to germinate and the plants slow 

 of growth. The radical evergreen leaves of the plant are pal- 

 mate or pcdate and finely notched at the edges, and arc of just 

 the right dark hue to best bring the lovely waxen blossoms 

 into relief. 



The name HcUcborus niyer has reference to the lilack 

 root of the i)lant ; and with curious wonderment we wish we 

 knew the why and how that so black a root bears so white a 

 flower. After the flowers have passed their youthful grace 

 and bridal beauty the waxen petal-like sepals, take on a 

 shade of green, while their seeds slowly mature. 



The purity of the Christmas Roses wdiich ojjen when 

 other plants are dead and in their sealed tombs, gives these 

 especial grace. And the impossible becoming possible at the 

 season which we celebrate as the birth time of the Christ 

 Child, has long associated them with the Nativity. There is a 

 pretty legend of a little child who followed the shepherds to 

 the stable, and lingering, beheld the infant Jesus when Magi 

 ofi^ered their gifts. Exceeding love filled the shepherd child 

 with desire to likewise bring an offering, and tlie sentient 

 eartb thrilled b\- the child feet sent up the wliite llowers to l)e 

 his offering. Thus, the legend affirms, came the Christmas 

 Roses to the world, the white flowers of the Nativity. 



Ancient English annals tell of "blessing the hou.ses and 

 the Jierds with tlie black hellebore or Christmas Rose." A 

 preliminarv ceremon\- being to draw a circle around the plant 

 with the point of a sword, the suppliant then ofi^ering prayer 



