220 THE PINE. 
gardens, since he says, ‘‘ The gardin Gelouers are made so pleasant 
and swete with the labours and witt of man, and not by nature.” 
Monsieur Pirolle seems of opinion that it was originally brought 
from Africa, since he says it anciently bore the name of Tunica, 
and Herbe tunique, which seems to indicate that it was a plant from 
Tunis. 
Shaw considered it a native of Italy when he wrote— 
‘¢ Jn fair Italia’s bosom born, 
Dianthus spreads his fringed ray ; 
And glowing ’mid the purpled morn, 
Adds fragrance to the new-born day. 
Oft by some mould’ring time-worn tower. 
Or classic stream, he loves to rove, 
Where dancing nymphs, and satyrs blithe, 
Once listen’d to the notes of love. 
Sweet flower, beneath thy natal sky 
No fav’ring smiles thy scents invite ; 
To Britain’s worthier regions fly, 
And paint her meadows with delight.” * 
The modern generic name of Dianthus, which has been bestowed 
upon this fragrant flower, is derived from the two Greek words, Avoc 
and av@oc, which signifies Jove’s flower. 
** Like that sweet flower that yields great Jove delight ; 
Had he majestic bulk, he’d now be styled 
Jove’s flower ; and, if my skill is not beguiled, 
He was Jove’s flower when Jove was but a child. 
Take him with many flowers in one conferr’d, 
He’s worthy Jove, e’en now he has a beard.” — Cowley. 
The French name of Ciillet signifies a little eye, and our name of 
Pink seems to have been derived from the Dutch name of Pink for an 
eye, and bestowed upon it on the same account. 
To proceed in the history of this Pink of flowers, we go back to the 
days of Queen Elizabeth, from whose vegetable historian, Gerard, we 
learn that it was then cultivated in its improved double state, and this 
is the first writer who calls them “ Pinks, or Wild Gilloflowers,” from 
their being smaller than the “ Clove Gilloflower, or the Carnation,” 
which were also then known in English gardens. 
England, as well as Spain, France, Germany, and most other 
temperate and warm climates, possess a native Pink, but to state how 
many of them have been changed by cultivation, and from which 
each peculiar variety first sprang, would be as arduous a task as to 
attempt to define the parentage of each peculiar apple, which, like the 
Pink, owes its excellence and variety to the labours of the cultivator. 
And the Pink, like the apple, continues to demand the attention of 
man to preserve it from degenerating into its original insignificance ; 
for although the hand of the gardener can double and triple the petals 
of the Pink, he cannot render their beauties permanent, for nature 
* The modern Italians hold perfumes in aversion. 
