128 FLORAL EMBLEMS. 



EARLY YOUTH. 



Primrose . — Primu la . 



" And here's the meek 

 And soft-ey'd primrose." 



Hurdis 



The age between childhood and womanhood 

 is represented by this early blossom, whose 

 delicate perfume and modest colour so agree- 

 ably attend the path to summer. 



'* Youth is the vision of a morn, 



That flies the coming day : 

 It is the blossom of the thorn, 



Which rude winds sweep away. 

 'Tis Uke the charming hue that glows 



Upon a virgin's face ; 

 Till care hath nipp'd her fading rose. 



And withered every grace." 



Cunningham. 



The common primrose is dedicated to St. 

 Agatha ; the red variety, aculis, to St. Ade- 

 laide ; the early red, Verna rubra, to St. Theo- 

 dora ; and the polyanthus to St. Catehrine de 

 Ricci. 



