FLORA'S I, r. XI CON. 



s:i 



ERN. Filiciu. Chun -.'1, (ryptogamia. 

 Order: first of this class. Fern often 

 ailbrds an agreeable seat to lovers ; its 

 ashes are used in the manufacture of glasses 

 for the convivial party ; and all the world 

 knows that love and wine make men sin- 

 cere. 



SINCERITY. 



The green and graceful Fern, 



How beautiful it is ! 

 There's not a leaf in all the land 



So wonderful, I wis. 



Have ye ever watch'd it budding, 



With each stem and leaf wrapp'd small, 



Coiled up within each other 

 Like a round and hairy bain 



Have ye watch'd that ball unfolding 



Each closely nestling curl, 

 And its fair and feathery leaflets 



Their spreading forms unfurl 1 



Oh ! then most gracefully they wave 



In the forest, like a sea, 

 And dear as they are beautiful 



Are these Fern leaves to me. 



For all of early childhood — 



Those past and blessed years 

 To which we ever wistfully 



Look back through memory's tears — 



The sports and fancies then my own, 



Those Fern leaves dear and wild 

 Bring back to my delighted breast — 



I am once more a child. 



TWAMLEY. 



