CRUCIFEROUS TRIBE 67 



flowers was used as a remedy both for the apoplexy and the palsy ; and was 

 esteemed " a singular remedy for the gout and pains in the joints and sinews." 

 But though we no longer use its petals for medicine, and cannot cat its 

 pungent leaves, yet we regard its beauty and sweetness as its uses. The 

 time was when men believed that every plant had its known or unknown 

 virtues, and thought that they honoured the Great Creator by thus believing. 

 But it is proof enough for us of Cod's goodness that the flower can charm 

 the eye and elevate the thought, that it can soothe the sorrow, or awaken 

 the memory ; that it can whisper to us a tale of His love and care for the 

 flowers of the field, and a blessed assurance that we and our least concerns 

 are under His watchful eye, and share in His ever-present goodness. And so 

 our walks over hills and meadows, by sea-cliff or rural stream, shall teach us 

 more of Him by means of His sweetest gifts. 



The Wall-flower was early cultivated in the English garden, and is yet, 

 in its rich varieties of brown and yellow and double and single blossoms, a 

 favourite plant of the border. The little garden plots in the city or in the 

 square send forth fragrance from its petals, though sometimes, as Ave see them, 

 we are reminded of Elliott's description :— 



" But mourning better days, the widow here 

 Still tries to make her little garden bloom — 

 For she was country-born. No weeds appear 

 Where her poor pinks deplore their prison tomb ; 

 To them, alas ! no second spring shall come : 

 And there in May the lilac gasps for breath, 

 And mint and thyme seem fain their woes to speak, 

 Like saddest portraits painted after death ; 

 And spindling Wall-flowers, in the choking reek 

 For life — for life uplift their branches weak." 



The troubadours were very fond of the Wall-flower, and the old Proveni^-al 

 ballads told its praises, nor have men of modern times left it unsung. Moir 

 thus says of it — 



"Sweet Wall-flower, sweet Wall-flower ! 



Thou conjurest up to me 

 Full many a soft and sunny hour 



Of boyhood's thoughtless glee, 

 When joy from out ttie daisies grew 



In woodland pastures green, 

 And sunmier skies were i'ar more blue 



Than since they e'er have been !" 



25. Stock (Matthiola). 



1. Hoary Shrubby Stock (M. iticdna). — Stem shrubby ; leaves hoary 

 with down, long and narrow, entire ; pods without glands. Plant perennial. 

 This Sea-stock waves its light purple flowers on the southern shores of our 

 island, bearing too much resemblance, both in form and odour, to the common 

 Stock of the garden, to leave any doubt as to its name. It is found on the 

 southern seashore of the Isle of Wight, especially about Niton; and grew 

 formerly on cliffs to the eastward of Hastings ; in the last named place it is 

 apparently extinct, as it is also on the cliffs at the east of Ramsgate, where it 

 once grew. It flowers in May and June, and is the origin of the Stocks of 

 the garden — 



9—2 



