lo2 FLORA HfSTORICA. 



surrounded by linear leaflets similar to the foli- 

 age of the Fennel plant. We presume it was 

 called Devil in a Bush from the crooked-horned 

 shaped capsules being encompassed by the branch- 

 ing leaves described, and Love in a Puzzle from 

 this pretty flower being seated in a chevaux de 

 frise of linear foHage ; we therefore make it the 

 emblem of embarrassment. 



The Nigella is a native of the south of Europe, 

 where it grows amongst the corn in the same man- 

 ner as the blue corn bottle-flower grows with us. 

 It was cultivated in our gardens as long back as 

 1570, and Gerard speaks of it with double flow- 

 ers in 1597 ; thus Love in a Puzzle seems to 

 have been as common in the reign of our virgin 

 queen as it has been of later times, and as it 

 was of old amongst the gods themselves, if we 

 may beUeve Anacreon. 



*' One day, the Muses twiu'd the hands 

 Of baby-love, with flow'ry bands ; 

 And to celestial beauty ,2:ave 

 The captive infant as her slave. 

 His mother conies with many a toy, 

 To ransom her beloved boy ; 

 His mother sues — but all in vain — 

 He ne'er will leave his chains again. 

 Nay, should they take his chains away, 

 The little captive still would stay, 

 ' if thit^,' he cries, ' a bondai^^c be, 

 * Who could wibh for liberty 1" "" 



MoouEs Translation, 



