WILD, OR NATIVE FLOWERS. 



45 



Seventh of France as his heraldic bearing in the Holy Wars. The 

 flowers of the Iris have ever been favourites with the poet, the architect, 

 and sculptor, as many a fair specimen wrought in stone and marble, or 

 carved in wood, can testify. 



The Fleur-de-lis is still the emblem of France. 



Longfellow's stanzas to the Iris are very characteristic of that 

 graceful flower : 



" Beautiful lily — dwelling liy still river, 



Or solitary mere, 

 Or where the sluggish meadow brook delivers 



Its waters to the weir. 



The wind blows, and uplifts thy drooping banner, 



And around thee throng and run 

 The rushes, the green yeomen of thy manor — 



The outlaws of the sun. 



O fleur-de-luce, bloom on, and let the river 



Linger to kiss thy feet ; 

 O flower of song, bloom on, and make forever 



The world more fair and sweet." 



Shin- Leaf — Sweet Winter(;reen — Pyrola elliptica — (Nutt.) 



" Wandering far in solitary paths where wild flowers blow. 

 There would I bless His name." — Heher. 



The familiar name Wintergreen is applied by the Canadians to 

 many species of dwarf evergreen plants, without any reference to their 

 natural affinities. The beautiful family of Pyrolas shares this name in 

 common with many other charming forest flowers on account of their 

 evergreen habit. 



Every member of this interesting family is worthy of special notice. 

 Elegant in form and colouring, of a delicate fragrance and enduring 

 verdure, they add to their many attractions the merit of being almost 

 the first green things to refresh the eye, long wearied by gazing on the 

 dazzling white of the snow, for many consecutive months during winter. 



As the dissolving crust disappears from the forest, beneath the 

 kindly influence of the transient sunbeams of early Spring, the deep 

 glossy-green shoots of the hardy Pyrolas peep forth, not timidly, as if 

 afraid to meet 



"The snow and blinding sleet ; " 



not shrinking from the chilling blast that too often nips the fair promise 

 of April and May; but boldly and cheerfully braving the worst that the 

 capricious season has in store for such early risers. 



