34 FLORA'S LEXICON. 



ALSAM. Impatiens. Class 5, Pentan- 

 dria. Order: Monogynia. This plant, 

 which is one of the most beautiful and deli- 

 cate of popular annuals, is a native of East 

 India, and forms a showy cone of carnation- 

 like flowers finely variegated. It possesses 

 the peculiar property of retaining, during 

 the hottest months of summer, all its freshness and beauty, while 

 many other plants are withered before they have flowered. It 

 has been named Nolitangere and Impatiens, from the curious fact 

 that when the seeds are ripe, they are thrown with considerable 

 force out of the capsules on their being slightly touched ; on this 

 account it has been made the emblem of impatience, The Turks 

 use it to represent ardent love. 



IMPATIENCE. 



Oh ! for thy wings, thou dove ! 



Now sailing by with sunshine on thy breast; 

 That, borne like thee above, 



I too might flee away, and be at rest! 



Oh ! to some cool recess 



Take, take me with thee on the summer wind ! 

 Leaving the weariness, 



And all the fever of this life behind. 



The aching and the void 



Within the heart whereunto none reply, 

 The early hopes destroyed 



Bird ! bear me with thee thro' the sunny sky. 



He MANS. 



Send quick, and summon in the council 

 To see the crown imposed ! Bianca dies ! 

 My throne hangs on your speed ! Fly ! 



N. P. Willis. 



