FLORA'S LEXICON. 93 



AWTHORN. Cratagus. Class 12, Ico- 

 SANDRIA. Order: DIGYNIA. The hawthorn 

 has been made the emblem of hope because 

 the young and beautiful Athenian maids 

 brought its branches, covered with flowers, 

 to decorate their companions on their nup- 

 tial day, whilst they bare larger boughs of 

 it to the altar. The altar of Hymen was lighted by torches 

 made from the wood of this tree ; and it also formed the flam- 

 beaux which illuminated the nuptial chamber. We are told that 

 the Troglodytes, in the simplicity of their minds, tied hawthorn 

 branches to the dead bodies of their parents and friends ; and at 

 the interment of the corpse they strewed its branches upon the 

 body, and afterwards covered it with stones, laughing through 

 the whole of the ceremony. They considered death as the dawn- 

 ing of a life which should never cease. 



HOPE. 



Now hawthorns blossom, now the daisies spring. 



POPE. 



See now, to grace the coppice wild, 

 May-born, our Britain's native child, 

 The Medlar's broad and single eye ; 

 And, prized for village pharmacy, 

 The Elder's crowded cups minute; 

 Service, with tupe of Autumn fruit; 

 And Maple's spikes of florets green ; 

 And Hawthorn, famed 'mid vernal scene 

 For gracing May's propitious hour 

 With prodigality of flower, 

 Pink-anther'd 'mid its petals pale, 

 And lending fragrance to the gale; 

 Hail'd from its fair and sweet array 

 The namesake of the lovely May. 



TWAMLEY. 



