VIRGINIAN COWSLIP. 233 



to which it belongs, and he soon conceives the 



utility of the individual plant to the grand link of 

 vegetation by which the animal world is supported. 

 The pleasure that the herbalist enjoys, when he first 

 meets with an unknown plant, has been thus tie- 

 scribed by the poet of I? Homme des Champs. 



He marks the treasure with an eager glance ! 



" Great God I" exclaims, and forth his hands advance, 



Sudden to seize the prey : not more delight 



Feels the fond lover at his mistress' sight. 



He deems it as the most important event of his life, 

 and he joyfully bestows on it the name of some 

 esteemed friend, or eminent countryman : his fancy 

 pictures it growing under cultivation with his native 

 plants ; his immediate acquaintance covet it for his 

 sake, and his name is justly registered amongst 

 those who have benefited their country by peaceable 

 pursuits. 



The plant, of which we are about to speak, is 

 indigenous to the Columbian world, that vast field 

 from which such store of novelty has been poured 

 into the more known quarters of the globe. It 

 grows in several parts of North America, and was 

 first sent from Virginia by Banister to Bishop 

 Compton in the year 1704 ; and Miller mentions 

 having seen it in blossom at his lordship's garden at 

 Fulham in the year 1709. After which, the plant 



