222 CLASS HEXANDRIA. 



which Jussieu calls Asphodeli (from asphodel, a spear). The 

 Asphodel which gives name to the family, was among the an- 

 cients a funereal plant ; it was made to grow around the tombs ; 

 and a belief prevailed that the manes of the departed were 

 nourished by its roots. An inscription upon a very ancient 

 tomb, commences thus, " / am nourished by the Asphodel." 

 This plant was supposed to grow in abundance, upon the bor- 

 ders of the infernal regions of the ancient poets. Fig. 110, 

 represents a flower of the Asphodel family (Eucomis). 



The genus Scilla is an exotic, containing the squill, a medi- 

 cinal plant, and the hare-bell of English poets ; the latter is 

 SCILLA nutans y or nodding ; it abounds in the woods and glens 

 of Scotland, and has a soft and elastic scape. Thus Scott 

 says of the Lady of the Lake ; 



" A foot more light, a step more true, 

 Ne'er from the heath-flower dashed the dew ; 

 E'en the slight hare-bell raised its head 

 Elastic, from her airy tread." 



The flower which we term the hare-bell is the Campanula 

 rotundifolia ; this is very common near water-falls, and upon 

 rocks in other situations. The barberry (Berberis), is found 

 common in New England ; its stamens possess an unusual de- 

 gree of irritability ; they recline upon the petals, but upon 

 touching the base of the filaments by any substance, they in- 

 stantly spring towards the pistil. 



You may have observed that although we have remarked 

 upon the beauty of some flowers to be found in this class, 

 nothing has been said of their utility ; the truth is, that their 

 beauty, as is too often the case with external beauty, constitutes 

 their chief merit. When we compare the advantages which 

 the world derives from the costly race of showy tulips with 

 the utility of the humble flax, we feel that though we may ad- 

 mire the one, reason would teach us to prefer the other. You 

 may from this, derive a moral lesson, which may suggest to 

 your minds some truths, applicable to human beings as well as 

 flowers. 



The genus Convallaria presents many delicate and interest- 

 ing species. The flowers of some are funnel-shaped, and such 

 are usually called Solomon's seal. The garden Solomon's 

 seal is very common. This name is supposed to have been 

 taken from certain marks on its roots, resembling the impres- 

 sions made by a seal. It has been much celebrated for medi- 

 cinal properties.* The lily of the valley belongs to the genus 

 Convallaria ; its corolla is bell-form. 



* Gerard, a very ancient botanist, has the following curious passage. "The 



Asphodeli Scilla- Hare-bell Barberry Flowers of this class more re- 

 markable for beauty than utility Convallaria. 



