THE HYACINTH, 



THE HYACINTH {HyacintJms oriejitalis).—GKUY.. Play. 



Apollo and Hyacinthus are related to have been engaged 

 in playing quoits on the river Amphysus, when a quoit, which 

 had just been hurled from the hand of Apollo, diverged 

 from its intended course and slew the luckless Hyacinthus. 

 The god had not the power to restore his friend to life, but 

 chancred him into the beautiful flower which has ever since 

 borne his name. Milton has recorded the incident as follows : 



" Apollo, with unwitting hand, 

 Whilome did slay his dearly-loved mate, 

 Young Hyacinth, the pride of Spartan land ; 

 But then transformed him to a purple flower." 



THE HYDRANGEA {Hydrangea hortensis).— 

 You ARE Cold. 



This plant was brought from China about eighty years 

 ago. It is highly valued for its great profusion of elegant 

 flowers, which are by nature of a rosy tinge. By culture, 

 under some circumstances, they become blue, an effect which 

 florists seem to aim at. The plant is very ornamental in 

 large rooms and halls ; and when the flowers are blue the 

 whole plant has a cold appearance, whence it has been 

 thought to be emblematic of a coquette, who, devoid of 

 any estimable qualities, seeks to please only by attention 

 to her toilet. 



ii6 



