DRAGON PLANT. 181 



in the earth, was naturally adopted as the symbol of the 

 productive power of waters, upon which the active spirit of 

 the creator operated, in giving Hfe and vegetation t6 matter 



DRAGON PLANT. 



Oh ! wander not where dragon Arum showers 

 Her baleful dews, and twines her purple flowers, 

 Lest round thy neck she throw her snaring arms, 

 Sap thy life's blood, and riot on lliy charms. 

 Her shining berry, as the ruby bright. 

 Might please thy taste, and tempt thy eager sight: 

 Trust not this specious veil ; beneath its guise. 

 In honey'd streams, a fatal poison lies. 



MRS. F. A. ROWDEN. 



The above hnes were penned to caution children against 

 the dangers of this beautiful vegetable production. But as 

 children of a full growth are frequently entangled, we shall 

 caution them in the words of Dryden, who says, 



The spreading snare for all mankind is laid, 

 And lovers all betray, or are betray'd. 



17 



