SNOWDROP. 5 



Snowdrop, is from yocXx and otvQos (milk and flower) 

 on account of the milky whiteness of the corolla. 

 The Italians call it Pianterella ; the Germans 

 Schneegloechcrn, snowbell; and the French have 

 named it Perce Neige, because it often pierces 

 through the snow. Their poet, Benserade, makes 

 this flower say — 



Sous un voile d'argent, la terre ensevelie, 



Me produit ; malgre sa fraieheur, 

 La Neige conserve ma vie, 



Et me dormant son nom, me donne sa blancheur. 



The English name of Snowdrop is no less appro- 

 priate for this delicate flower, which Mrs. Barbauld 

 thus elegantly notices : — 



!S T ow the glad earth her frozen zone unbinds, 

 And o'er her bosom breathe the western winds ; 

 Already now the Snowdrop dares appear, 

 The first pale blossom of th' unripen'd year ; 

 As Flora's breath, by some transforming power, 

 Had changed an icicle into a flower : 

 Its name and hue the scentless plant retains, 

 And winter lingers in its icy veins. 



This early blossom demands our particular 

 attention to its formation, which is so admirably 

 adapted to the days of north winds and the nights 

 of hoar frost, that it is impossible to observe it 

 without acknowledging with what infinite wisdom 

 nature has formed her lowest works. The delicacy 

 with which the corolla is attached to the flower- 

 stalk enables it to move with the winds in every 



