GERMAN IRIS. 



\ 



^'■"^^x 



us but a day, and you have shortened it ! Oh ! how sweet 

 was the dew ! how radiant the sun ! and yet we must die ! 

 but we will be avenged/ Thus chanting, the two nymphs, 

 continually whirling about and bewailing their fate, draw 

 near the young maidens' couch, and breathe over their faces 

 their poisonous exhalations. Poor children ! Mark their 

 livid cheeks ! their pale lips ! their arms closely interwoven ! 

 Alas ! their heart has ceased to beat ; they no longer breathe 

 the breath of life ; they are dead together. The flowers are 

 avenged ! " 



GERMAN IRIS {Iris germmiica). — Ardour. Flame. 



" The azure fields of heaven were 'sembled right 

 In a large round, set with the flowers of light : 

 The flowers-de-luce, and the round sparks of dew 

 That hung upon their azure leaves, did show 

 Like twinkling stars, that sparkle in the evening blew," — 



Fletcher. 



The German Iris is a plant which the peasants of that 

 country delight to cultivate on the tops of their cottages. 

 When the air gently waves about its beautiful flowers, and 

 the sun lights up their petals with mingled tints of gold, and 

 purple, and azure, one might say that bright and perfumed 

 flames glance upon the rustic roofs. No doubt this appearance 

 has caused the name Flamrne to be given to this flower. 



Three Flower-de-luce y or Fleur-de-lis^ two and one, or, on a 

 shield azure, is the royal arms of France. It fltly speaks of 

 the ardour and enthusiasm which are peculiarly characteristic 

 of the inhabitants o{ La belle Fra7tce. It is also a universally 



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