SNOWDROP. OalanthuB nivalis. 



Natural Order SpathacetB. Narcissi, Juse. A Genus 

 of the Hexandria Monogynia Class. 



Fair-handed Spring unbosoms every grace, 

 Throws out the Snowdrop and the Crocus first. 



Thomson - . 



As the dove was sent forth from the ark to learn 

 ■whether the waters were abated, so does the Snow- 

 drop seem selected by Flora to find whether the 

 frost be mitigated, and as a herald to announce the 

 arrival of her garland. It is the first flower that 

 awakes from the repose of winter, and cheers us 

 with the assurance of the re-animation of nature ; 

 and hence it has been made the emblem of con- 

 solation. 



This delicate blossom was formerly held sacred 

 to virgins ; and this may account for its being so 

 generally found in the orchards and gardens at- 

 tached to old monastic buildings. 



A flow'r that first in this sweet garden smiled, 

 To virgins sacred, and the Snowdrop styled. 



TlCKELL. 



The Snowdrop stands in most of our late bo- 

 tanical works as a native plant, but it appears to 



B 2 



