THE SNOW-DROP. 



The Snow-drop (which may be found in meadows and 

 orchards) receives its name from the whiteness of its 

 flower, and the time of its appearance, which is often 

 when snow is on the ground. Its botanical appellation is 

 Galanthus nivalis, or snowy milk flower. 



The Snow-drop, considered as the harbinger of spring 

 and the promise of future blessings, is the most cheering 

 and welcome of plants. Rearing its spotless head amid 

 frost and storm, it gives joyous sign of that coming sea- 

 son which is to restore the delights of budding flowers 

 and sunny skies. But there are some persons who, though 

 " skilled in nature's lore," deny that it is adapted to awaken 

 pleasing anticipations. " The Snow-drop," writes Mr. 

 Knapp,* " is a melancholy flower. The season in which 

 the ' Fair maids of February' come out, is the most dreary 

 and desolate of our year : they peep through the snow 

 that often surrounds them, shivering and cheerless ; they 

 convey no idea of reviving nature, and are scarcely the 

 harbingers of milder days, but rather the emblem of sleety 

 storms, and icy gales, (snow-drop weather,) and wrap 

 their petals round the infant germ, fearing to admit the 

 very air that blows; and when found beyond the verge 

 of cultivation, they most generally remind us of some 



* See "Journal of a Naturalist." 



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