GLEANINGS FROM OLD AUTHORS. 85 



and without branches ; whose leaves are almost as large as those 

 of the Vine, notch'd in their edges, a little pointed at their end, 

 and rough to the feeling. 



" At the top of this stalk grows a beamy flower, whose disk is 

 compos'd of several ranks of yellow leaves plac'd in the shape of a 

 crown, in the midst of which are several other ranks of leaves sup- 

 ported on embryo's, divided one from another by leaves folded up 

 like a gutter, and contain'd in a scaly cup. These embryo's come 

 in time to be oblong seeds, shut up in seed-vessels apart from one 

 another." 



The following is the fabulous account given by the ancient 

 heathens as to the origin of this plant. We have most abundant 

 cause for gratitude that we are favoured with the Holy Scriptures, 

 which give us the correct account of the Being who created all 

 things, and the design therein. 



" I must now relate the love of an unfortunate virgin, whose 

 heart was so wounded with that passion, that death was the only 

 remedy could cure her. Her name was Clytia, and she was fallen 

 so desperately in love with the Sun, that she could not be one 

 moment without seeing him. The Sun, who in those days went 

 by the name of Phoebus, was a handsome young man, and of a 

 charming mien and behaviour ; but he had little regard to the 

 passion of his damsel. She encpiir'd every where, whither she 

 might go to see him oftnest ; and hearing at length that the Isle 

 of Rhodes was the place he most frequented, she resolv'd to go 

 thither. But alas ! scarce was she arriv'd in Rhodes, when she 

 heard that Phoebus was in love with another. To what unheard-of 

 grief did she then abandon herself, especially when she was too 

 fully convine'd of that intrigue, by being an eye-witness of the 

 shower of gold that he caus'd it to rain down, and of the roses that 

 were seen to blow the day of the birth of Rhodia, who was the 

 fruit of that amour. She wept, and bemoan 'd her condition, to try 

 if Phoebus would have any regard for her : but perceiving that all 

 was to little purpose, she could no longer resist the ill that opprcss'd 

 her, but afflicted herself to that degree, that her grief brought her 

 to the grave. Then Phoebus was touch 'd with compassion, and in 

 token of his concern for her, chang'd her into a flower, which he 

 commanded should be call'd Sun-flower, in acknowledgment of 

 the love Clytia bore him." Tulipa. 



