MILKWORT. 



it. The perfume is most delicious and of the greatest 

 strength at sunrise and sunset. It blooms from earliest 

 Spring to latest Autumn, in the border or the window 

 garden. Its blooming may be delayed till winter ; it may 

 even be converted into a ligneous plant, by careful means, so 

 as to form a small shrub, and live for years. 



Mignonette has nothing in its appearance to attract our 

 notice, but its perfume makes it a universal favourite ; thus 

 it has become the emblem of one who, without pretension to 

 beauty, possesses qualities which command profound respect 

 and affection, and constrain us to say, ** Your qualities sur- 

 pass your charms." 



MILKWORT {Polygala vidgaris). — Hermitage. 



This plant, with pretty blue flowers, is always covered 

 with foliage similar to the leaves of Box. Hermits, who 

 formerly loved to dwell in elevated localities, planted it about 

 their abodes. The ancients thought it good food for cattle, 

 and that it increased the quantity of their milk. It is full 

 of a milky juice, whence its name, which signifies much iiiilk. 



MISTLETOE {Vismm albicm). — I RISE ABOVE all. 



" Oaks, from whose branches 

 Garlands of Spanish moss and of mystic Mistletoe flaunted, 

 Such as the Druids cut down with golden hatchets at Yule-tide." — 



Longfellow. 



The Mistletoe is a small shrub which grows on the top of 

 large trees. The grand oak is its slave, and nourishes it with 



