ORCHIS. 2rt 



ORCHIS. Orchis or Satyrion. 



Natural Order, Orchidece. A Genus of the Gynandria 

 Monandria Class. 



Nor will her prudence, when intent to form 



One perfect whole, on feehle aid depend, 



And give exotic wonders to our gaze ; 



She knows, and therefore fears the faithless train : 



Sagely she calls on those of hardy class 



Indigenous, who, patient of the change 



From heat to cold which Albion hourly feels, 



Are braced with strength to brave it. These alone 



She plants and prunes, nor grieves if nicer eyes 



Pronounce them vulgar. 



Mason. 



That this family of plants, so singular in their 

 construction, and so beautiful in their appearance, 

 should be excluded from the parterre of Flora in 

 every part of the globe, evinces either a general 

 want of taste in floriculture, or a strong predilec- 

 tion for ancient prejudices and absurd opinions. 



Even the poets have failed to celebrate this 

 flower that so richly enamels our vernal pastures 

 with its spiral blossoms, and so sweetly contrasts its 

 purple spikes with the yellow furze of our chalky 

 hills. It is slightly mentioned by Mrs. Charlotte 

 Smith, who spent her early days at Berton Park, 



