14 The Japanese Floral Calendar. 



O'er wooded landscape, veiling all 

 In one soft cloud of misty white, 

 'Twere in vain, almost, to hope to trace 

 The plum-trees in their lovely bloom 

 Of argent, 'tis their sweet perfume 

 Alone which leads me to their place." 



There is also an interesting story 4 related by Mr. Con- 

 der in explanation of the name "Nightingale-dwelling- 

 plum-tree," applied even till the present day to a favorite 



A VIEW IN THE RECUMBENT DRAGON PLUM GARDEN. 



species of delicious odor, having pink double blossoms. 

 Sometime in the tenth century, the imperial plum-tree 

 withered, and, as it was necessary to replace it, search was 

 made for a specimen worthy of so high an honor. Such 

 a tree was found in the garden of the daughter of a talented 

 poet, named Kino Tsurayuki, and was demanded by the 

 officials of the Court. Not daring to resist the imperial 

 command, but full of grief at parting with her favorite 



4 Conder's Flowers of Japan. 



