FLORA'S LEXICON. 



IRCH. Betula Alba. Class 21, MONCECIA. ! 

 Order : POLYANDRIA. There is an elegance j 

 in the general appearance of the birch j 

 which fully justifies the poet's fancy, and ; 

 entitles it to the appellation he has given j 

 it, of " Lady of the Woods." In every sea- ! | 

 son, and under all circumstances, it is ajj 

 , lovely object; nothing can exceed the tender hue of its vernal 

 I leaves, as they wave to and fro in the sunshine. In summer, 

 I perhaps, it loses something of its beauty, as its bright tints then 

 | subside into a more sober green ; still it preserves its graceful- 

 ! ness of aspect In autumn it almost more than regains what it 

 j lost in summer; whilst winter, which deprives most other vege- 

 I table productions of their charms, by displaying more fully the 

 | slight silvery stem and delicate ramifications of the birch, seems 

 but to invest it with new attractions. 



GRACEFULNESS. 



O! come to the woodlands, 'tis joy to behold 

 The new-waken'd buds in our pathway unfold; 

 For spring has come forth, and the bland southern breeze 

 Is telling the tale to the shrubs and the trees, 

 -Which, anxious to show her 

 The duty they owe her, 

 Have deck'd themselves gaily in em' raid and gold. 



But though beautiful each, sure the fairest of all 

 Is yon birch, that is waving so graceful and tall: 

 How tender yet bright is the tint that is flung 

 O'er its delicate spray, which so lightly is hung, 



That like breeze of the mountain, 



Or gush of the fountain, 

 It owns not of rest or of slumber the thrall. 



ANON. 



