FLORA'S LEXICON. 133 



UCERN. Medicago Sativa. Class 17, Di- 

 adelphia. Order: Decandria. Lucern 

 occupies the same ground for a long period, 

 but when it forsakes it, it is for ever. On 

 this account it has been made the emblem 

 of life. Nothing is more charming than a 

 field of lucern in full flower. It seems 

 spread before our eyes like a carpet of green and violet. Cher- 

 ished by the husbandman, it yields him an abundant crop without 

 much care ; and, when mowed, it springs up again. The cattle 

 rejoice at its appearance ; it is a favourite plint with the sheep ; 

 and the goat receives it as a delicacy ; while the horse also eats 

 it with avidity. 



LIFE. 



Catch then, O catch the transient hour, 

 Improve each moment as it flies ; 

 Life 's a short summer — man a flower, 

 He dies — alas ! how soon he dies ! 



Johnson. 



Reflect that life and death, affecting sounds, 



Are only varied modes of endless being, 



Reflect that life, like every other blessing, 



Derives its value from its use alone ; 



Not for itself but for a nobler end 



Th' Eternal gave it, and that end is virtue. 



When inconsistent with the greater good, 



Reason commands to cast the less away; 



Thus life, with loss of wealth, is well preserved, 



And virtue cheaply saved with loss of life. 



Johnson. 



'Tis but a night, a long and moonless night; 

 We make the grave our bed, and then are gone. 



Blair. 



~~12 = 



