FLORA'S LEX ICON. 141 



^jfir -W^lA <co EZEREON. Daphne Mezereon. Class 8, 

 ^j^^^M^^w' Octandria. Order : Monooynia. The 

 ^^^fc^3^% stem of this plant is covered with a dry 

 ^Qil|^$J2^ ^ark, which gives it the appearance of dead 

 ^5fe$^|P?j|\ wood. To hide this, nature has surrounded 

 ^^^^^g^^>^ each of its branches with a garland of pur- 

 t "~— ^lOzfe^r- — pie flowers, which, unrolled in spiral form, 

 and tipped with a small tuft of leaves, seems to assume the form 

 of a pine-apple. 



This fragrant and much-admired shrubbery plant frequently 

 flourishes towards the end of January, appearing as it were in 

 the breast of snows, reclad in its charming attire. It is regarded 

 as the emblem of an imprudent and coquettish nymph, who, in 

 the midst of winter, arrays herself in the robes of spring. 



DESIRE TO PLEASE. 



Mezereon too, 

 Though leafless, well attired, and thick beset 

 With blushing wreaths, investing every spray. 



COWPER. 



Then in a kiss she breathed her various arts, 

 Of trifling prettily with wounded hearts ; 

 A mind for love, but still a changing mind, 

 The lisp affected, and the glance design'd ; 

 The sweet confusing blush, the secret wink, 

 The gentle swimming walk, the courteous sink; 

 The stare for strangeness fit, for scorn the frown; 

 For decent yielding, looks declining down ; 

 The practised languish, where well-feign'd desire 

 Would own its melting in a mutual fire; 

 Gay smiles to comfort; April showers to move; 

 And all the nature, all the art of love. 



Parnell. 



