into a name with a Greek form, from the Greek %i, ( , a hand, 

 and KV^OS, a flower. 



Incanus, from the hoary white of its branches. 



Gilly-Flower, either corrupted from July-flower, or 

 from the French giroflee. (See Johnson.) 



In July come gilly-flowers of all varieties. Bacon. 



The Gilly-Flower is a native of the sea coast in France 

 and Spain. Cultivation has produced numerous varieties; 

 the principal ones are Queen's stock gilly-flower, with bright 

 red, or carmine coloured flowers, and the Brompton stock, 

 with large purple flowers, and the white stock; there are also 

 other varieties, as the variegated stock, 6tc. 



The Root perennial, sometimes biennial. Stem, from 

 15 to 18 inches high, branched, hoary. Leaves, scattered, 

 long, soft, clothed with a short down. Flowers, sweet scent- 

 ed, four petaled, cruciform; petals roundish, longer than the 

 calyx; claws, length of the calyx. The calyx, a four-leaved 

 perianth. 



The Stock Gilly-Flower, and Wall-Flower, are of the 

 same genus. 



Fair is the gilly-flow'r of gardens sweet, 

 Fair is the marigold, for pottage meet. 



And lavish stock, that scents the garden round. 



Gay. 



Thomson. 



GOLDEN ROD, or VIRGA ATJREA. 



Solidago. 



Solidago, from solido, to make firm, and particularly to 

 heal a wound. From its reputed efficacy in healing wounds, 

 and other medicinal properties, it ranked among the most 

 expensive drugs, about the middle of the sixteenth century, 

 though not much in repute in modern times. 



Fifty-one American species have been ascertained. 

 There is but one indigenous to Great Britain, but this is sub- 

 ject to many varieties. They are all perennial, mostly her- 

 baceous. 



The flowers yellow, with very few exceptions. 



" In golden armour glorious to behold." 



Several species of the Tree Golden Rod, have been 

 brought from St. Helena, with white flowers. 



"Nor shines the silver Moon one half so bright 

 Through the transparent bosom of the deep." 



The name "Golden Rod, or Virga Aurea," suggested 

 the emblem, as well as the illustrations attached to the flower; 

 as also, the following note from the first edition of Flora's 

 Dictionary. 



" Le Gendre tells us, that in the first race of the French 

 Kings the sceptre was a golden rod, almost always of the 

 same height with the king who bore it, and crooked at one 

 end, like a crozier." The sceptre is an ensign of royalty, of 

 greater antiquity than the crown. 



Mercury's famous Caduce, or Wand, is called Virga. 

 That Wand, which was supposed to possess the power of 

 deciding controversies, composing differences, raising the 

 dead, &c. 



The Caduceus found on medals, is a common symbol, 

 signifying good-conduct, peace, and prosperity. The rod ex- 

 presses power, the two serpents, prudence, the wings, dili- 

 gence. 



GRAPE VINE. 



Vitis Vinifera. 



Vitis, a Vine, usually derived from vieo, to bind with 

 twigs, to hoop, to bend, to tie up in allusion to the flexibili- 

 ty of its branches. " De Theis traces it to the Celtic Gwid, 

 a tree or shrub, as being the chief, or best of trees. Gwin, 

 is the name for wine, in the same language ; from whence 

 comes, evidently enough, the Greek word for wine Oivo ; , La- 

 tin Vinum, English Wine." Rees' Enc. 



The specific name Vinifera, L. is from Vinea, a vine, 

 or Vinum, wine. 



The English name Grape, is from the root of grab, 

 gripe, and signifies primarily a cluster or bunch. Welsh 

 grab, a cluster, a grape. French grappe de raisin, a bunch 

 of grapes. Webster. 



Bacchus, the God of Wine, who first taught the use of 

 the Vine, is represented crowned with Vine and Ivy leaves. 



According to Pliny, he was the first who ever wore a 

 crown. 



The Fig-tree, Ivy, and Yew-tree, were also sacred to 

 him. 



Let dimpled mirth his temples twine, 

 With tendrils of the laughing vine. 



Scott. 



According to Plutarch, the Grape Vine sprang from the 

 blood of the Giants, who having made war on the Gods, had 

 perished in battle. The Egyptians never drank wine; they 

 held the liquor to be the blood of the giants; nor did they 

 offer it in libations, thinking it odious to the Gods. 



[See Beloe's Herodotus, Euterpe.'] 



Nor were the Gods, themselves, more safe above; 

 Against beleaguer'd heav'n the Giants move. 

 Hills pil'd on hills, on mountains mountains lie, 

 To make their mad approaches to the sky. 

 Till Jove, no longer patient, took his time 

 Tj r avenge, with thunder, their audacious crime; 

 Red lightning play'd along the firmament, 

 And their demolish'd works to pieces rent. 

 Singed with the flames, and with the bolts transfix'd, 

 With native earth, their blood the monsters mixt. 



Dryden's Ovid. 



The Vitls Vinifera, or common Grape Vine, is found 

 naturalized at least, in most parts of the more temperate 

 climes of the globe. The cultivated Vine, sports an endless 

 variety, in the shape, colour, and flavour of the fruit. The 

 Flowers are very numerous, small, green, and with a fra- 

 grance resembling that of the Mignonette. 



