96 FLORA'S LEXICON 



EATH. Erica. Class 8, Octandria. Or- 

 der : Monogynia. The foliage of this plant 

 is ever-green, of varied and beautiful shapes, 

 and on examination is found as pleasing as 

 its singular blossom. In our floral hiero- 

 glyphics it is made emblematical of soli- 

 tude ; and thus, when the rustic lover offers 

 his mistress a bouquet of heath and pansies, she understands that 

 if his solitude were charmed by her society his heart would be 

 at ease. 



SOLITUDE. 



The Erica here 

 That o'er the Caledonian hills sublime 

 Spreads its dark mantle (where the bees delight 

 To seek their purest honey), flourishes; 

 Sometimes with bells like amethysts, and then, 

 Paler, and shaded like the maiden's cheek 

 With gradual blushes— other while, as white 

 As rime that hangs upon the frozen spray. 

 Of this, old Scotia's hardy mountaineers 

 Their rustic couches form; and there enjoy 

 Sleep, which, beneath his velvet canopy, 

 Luxurious idleness implores in vain. 



TwAMLEY. 



Oh ! to lie down in wilds apart, 



Where man is seldom seen or heard, 

 In still and ancient forests, where 

 Mows not his scythe, ploughs not his share, 

 With the shy deer and cooing bird ! 



To go, in dreariness of mood, 



O'er a lone heath, that spreads around 



A solitude like a silent sea, 



Where rises not a hut or tree, 



The wide-embracing sky its bound ! 



HOW ITT. 



