FLORA'S LEXICON. 57 



HINA ASTER, or STARWORT. Aster 

 Chinensis. Class 19. SYNGENESIA. Order : 

 POLYGAMIA SUPERFLUA. Europe and Ame- 

 rica are indebted to the missionary, Fattier 

 d'Incarville, for this beautiful various-colour- 

 ed flower ; he having first sent it to the 

 " Jardin du Roi," at Paris, about 1730. At 

 first it produced only simple flowers of one uniform colour ; but, 

 by cultivation, they became so doubled and quadrupled in form, 

 and so varied in colour that it now forms one of the principal 

 ornaments of the parterre, from July to November. 



The Chinese, who have favoured us with this plant, make ad 

 rnirable use of it in decorating 1 their gardens. To prepare them, 

 they first raise the plants in pots; then, separating the colours, 

 they dispose them with such infinite art as to produce one splen 

 did and harmonious whole. This effect is often increased by 

 planting them near the side of a lake. 



The China-aster is made the emblem of variety ; and owes its 

 principal charms to a careful culture of the skilful gardener, who 

 has surrounded its golden disks with every colour of the rainbow. 

 So study produces an endless variety in the refinement of the hu- 

 man mind. Though majestic and brilliant, the China-aster is not 

 the imprudent rival of the rose, but succeeds it, and consoles us 

 for its absence. 



VARIETY OF CHARMS. 



Who hath not proved how feebly words essay 

 To fix one spark of beauty's heavenly ray 1 

 Who doth not feel, until his failing sight 

 Faints into dimness with its own delight, 

 His changing cheek, his sinking heart confess 

 The might the majesty of loveliness ? 



By RON. 



Heart on her lips, and soul within her eyes, 

 Soft as her clime, and sunny as her skies. 



BYRON. 



