128 FLORA'S LEXICON. 



;,- IVE OAK. Qiicrcus virens. Class 21, 

 Moncecia. Order : Polyandria. The 



Live Oak is found from 37° to Florida, and 

 westward to the mouth of the Sabine river, 

 but never more than 15 or 20 miles from 

 the sea. It attains the height of 40 or 45 

 feet, with a trunk a foot or two in diameter, 

 but is sometimes much larger. The wood is the finest material 

 we have for ship-building, is much stronger and more durable 

 than the White Oak, and, indeed, is said to be no way inferior to 

 the European species. In consequence of its narrow limits and 

 the more profitable culture of Cotton in the districts where it 

 abounds, its total extinction is considered certain at no distant 

 day. 



LIBERTY. 



O Liberty ! with profitless endeavour 

 Have I pursued thee, many a weary hour ; 



But thou nor swell'st the victor's strain, nor ever 

 Didst breathe thy soul in forms of human power. 

 Alike from all, howe'er they praise thee, 

 (Not prayer, nor boastful name delays thee,) 



Alike from Priestcraft's harpy minions, 

 And factious Blasphemy's obscener slaves; , 

 Thou speedest on thy subtle pinions, 

 The guide of homeless winds, and playmate of the waves ! 

 And there I felt thee! — on that sea-clifFs verge, 



Whose pines, scarce travell'd by the breeze above, 

 Had made one murmur with the distant surge ! 

 Yes, while I stood and gazed, my temples bare, 

 And shot my being through earth, sea, and air, 

 Possessing all things with intensest love 

 O Liberty! my spirit felt thee there. 



Coleridge. 



The love of liberty with life is given, 

 And life itself th 1 inferior gift of heaven. 



Dry den. 



