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sentation of the three nails with which our Saviour was 

 nailed to the Cross j the five stamina the five wounds ; 

 and in the radiant purple Nectary the representation 

 of the rays that might be supposed to have surrounded 

 his head when he expired on the Cross. 



GRASS OF PARNASSUS. Of this plant there 

 is only this one species 5 and it is the only English plant 

 of this Order. It is a native of most parts of Europe, 

 by the side of bogs and moors, and in wet meadows. 

 It produces milk-white flowers in August and Septem- 

 ber. The petals are curiously veined with pellucid 

 lines ; but that part of the flower which is called the 

 nectary, of which there are five, set round with nume- 

 rous yellow glands, supported on foot- stalks, is more 

 elaborately constructed than is to be found in any 

 other British vegetable. 



FLAX blossoms in June and July; whether it be a 

 native of England, or not, is doubtful. 



Flax appears to have been cultivated as early as we 

 have any historical knowledge : it is mentioned in the 

 Old Testament as cultivated in Egypt. 1 - It is a tall, 

 slender, annual plant, with a beautiful blue flower. 

 When it is ripe, it is pulled up by the roots by hand, 

 laid in water to soak till it begins to rot ; it is then 

 taken out, spread in the air to dry, and is fit for 

 the operation of breaking, &c.; after which it is spun, 



c Exodus ch. ix. v. 31. 



