rinx, fabled to have been transformed into reeds; from which 

 her admirer formed the famous instrument called Syrinx, or 

 Pan's Pipes. 



The Philadelphia of Linnxus, and others, now com- 

 monly called Syringa, in the gardens, is confounded in its 

 nomenclature and history, with the above, its branches being 

 capable of serving the same purposes. 



The Syringa Vulgaris, or common garden Lilac, has 

 usually purple flowers, but there is a beautiful white variety. 



The Persian Lilac, S. Persica, is a shrub of a slender 

 habit, growing only to the height of four or five feet. The 

 jftowers are larger than those of the common lilac, and equal- 

 ly fragrant; but fewer in each panicle, and less crowded. 

 The flowers purple, or white; the white peculiarly brilliant 

 and elegant. 



The common Lilac is, also, a native of Persia. The 

 Turks appear to have long cultivated it, and its common 

 English name is derived from them; belonging, also, in their 

 language, to the privet. It was introduced into England 

 about the middle of the sixteenth century, from Constanti- 

 nople. 



There is, also, a Chinese variety, now cultivated, but 

 more rare, the S. Chinensis, of humble stature, generally 

 taken for a broad-leafed variety of the S. Persica. 



The Lilac, various in array, now white, 

 Now sanguine, and her beauteous head now set 

 With purple spikes pyramidal, as if studious of orna- 

 ment, 



Yet unresolved which hues she most approved, 

 She chose them all. Cotcpcr. 



O, were my love yon Lilach fair, 



Wi' purple blossoms to the spring; 

 And I a bird to shelter there, 



When wearied on my little wing! Burns. 



The flowers of this genus have a permanent ealyx, small 

 tubular, bordered with four erect teeth. Corolla of one pe- 

 tal, funnel-shaped; tube cylindrical, several times longer than 

 the calyx; limb in four deep elliptic, oblong, spreading seg- 

 ments. 



LILY. 



IMium Candidwn. 



LUium, appears to be a name of rather obscure origin; 

 (says the Encyclopedia) deduced by some from the Greek 

 x . ? .ov a Lily, derived from /uio 5 , smooth, not rough, also 

 handsome, because the plant is conspicuous for the beauty 

 of its flowers. It has moreover been called xfivav, from 

 XJITOV, the Greek for dust, or pollen because, the flowers 

 seem in general to be sprinkled with a powdery substance, 

 from the abundance of their pollen. 



Ainsworth derives Lilium from the Greek \ti ? iov 3 or 

 A.I<OV, definition, a lily. Lilium is adopted from Pliny, and 

 other Latin authors. 



Candidum, from candido, (L.) to bleach, to make 

 white. L. Candidum, is said to be indisputably a native of 

 the Holv Land. 



In Heathen Mythology, the Lily is said to have been 

 originally of the colour of crocus, but Juno having dropped 

 some milk upon the earth, changed the colour from purple to 

 white. It tells us, also, that this flower was a great favourite 

 with Juno, and consecrated to her by Heathen nations. 



All nations agree in making the Lily the symbol of puri 

 ty and modesty. 



O, dress the Lily in its vest of lawn, 

 Whiter, than foam upon the crested wave, 

 Pure, as the spirit, parted from its grave, 

 When every stain that earth had left is gone. 



Percival. 



The white Lily has leaves lanceolate, scattered, atten- 

 uated at the base, numerous, long, smooth. Flowers large, 

 white, in a cluster at the top of the stem. Corolla bell-shaped, 

 smooth on the inside. Root a large scaly bulb, from which 

 proceeds many scaly fibres. 



The Yellow Lily is a native of Persia, whose chief city 

 was called Shusan, and one of its provinces Susiana. In 

 Hebrew language, the name of Susanah signifies Lily. 



Once, Emir! thy unheeding child, 

 'Mid all this havoc, bloomed and smiled, 

 Tranquil, as on some battle plain, 

 The Persian's lily shines and towers; 

 Before the contest's reddening stain, 

 Has fallen upon its golden flowers. 



JVLoore. Fire Worshippers. 



LILY OF THE VALLEY. 



Convallaria. 



Convallaria, from the Latin word Convallis, a valley, 

 or dale, enclosed on both sides with hills. Jlinsworth. 



There are many of the species idigenous in North Ame- 

 rica. Flowers generally white, or variegated with green. 

 A variety from Japan has violet coloured flowers. 



This exquisitely beautiful monopetalous flower is mo- 

 destly concealed in the broad, bright green leaves, which sur- 

 round its delicate and graceful bells. 



And ye, whose lowlier pride, 

 In sweet seclusion seems to shrink from view, 

 You of the Valley nam'd, no longer hide 

 Your blossoms, meet to twine the brow of purest bride. 



Barton. 



That shy plant the lUy of the vale, 

 That loves the ground, and from the sun withholds 

 Her pensive beauty, from the breeze her sweets. 



Evening's Excursion. G. F. 



The Lily whose sweet beauties seem, 

 As if they must be sought. 



Barton. 



And sweetest to the view, 

 The lily of the vale, whose virgin flower 

 Trembles at every breeze, beneath its leafy bower. 



Same. 



