42 FLORA'S LEXICON. 



IRCH. Betula Alba. Class 21, Moncecia. 

 Order: Polyandria. There is an elegance 

 in the general appearance of the birch 

 which fully justifies the poet's fancy, and 

 entitles it to the appellation he has given 

 it, of " Lady of the Woods." In every sea- 

 son, and under all circumstances, it is a 

 lovely object ; nothing can exceed the tender hue of its vernal 

 leaves, as they wave to and fro in the sunshine. In summer, 

 perhaps, it loses something of its beauty, as its bright tints then 

 subside into a more sober green ; still it preserves its graceful- 

 ness of aspect. In autumn it almost more than regains what it 

 lost in summer ; whilst winter, which deprives most other vege- 

 table productions of their charms, by displaying more fully the 

 slight silvery stem and delicate ramifications of the birch, seems 

 but to invest it with new attractions. 



GRACEFULNESS. 



O! come to the woodlands, 'tis joy to behold 



The new-waken'd buds in our pathway unfold; 



For spring has come forth, and the bland southern breeze 



Is telling the tale to the shrubs and the trees* 



Which, anxious to show her 



The duty they owe her, 

 Have deck'd themselves gaily in em'rald and gold. 



But though beautiful each, sure the fairest of all 

 Is yon birch, that is waving so graceful and tall: 

 How tender yet bright is the tint that is flung 

 O'er its delicate spray, which so lightly is hung, 



That like breeze of the mountain, 



Or gush of the fountain, 

 It owns not of rest or of slumber the thrall. 



Axon. 



