68 ERYTHRONIUM AMERICANUM. YELLOW DOG-TOOTH VIOLET. 



Yet if we are judged by our merit, I ween 



The Tulip will soon be the Garden Queen ; 



No envy I fear, nor of beauty the frown, 



While the worth of the Tulip can purchase the crown. 



" How can the vain Rose ever hope to claim, 

 By the verse of the poet, the bright meed of fame ? 

 Or the pale-featured Lily pretend to enhance 

 Her right, as the flower most favor'd of France ? 

 No favors I boast, though in beauty I shine, 

 And variety's garb, ever charming, is mine; 

 But my triumph I rest upon merit alone, 

 For worth is e'er valued when beauty is flown. 

 Then why should I fear either anger or frown, 

 While the worth of the Tulip will merit the crown ? " 



The only incongruity in the application of these lines to our 



plant is in the line, — 



"And variety's garb, ever charming, is mine." 



But, as already remarked, there is little doubt, if zealous im- 

 provers would take it in hand, this boasted charm would be our 

 plant's as well. The original tulip of Europe {Tulipa sylvcstris) 

 is a simple yellow flower, a little larger, but scarcely so showy 

 as this lovely spring flower of our woods. 



Explanation of the Plate. — i. Whole plant with bulb deep in the ground. — 2. Side 

 view of flower, with relative length of pistil and stamens. — 3. Recurved petals as often 

 seen at mid-day. — 4. Capsule soon after the petals have fallen. 



