60 



CHAPTER Y. 



TILIlCE^J HYPEKICACE^ MALVACEAE 

 ACEKlCE^ HIPPOCASTANlCEJE 

 BALSAMINlCE^J OXALIDACEJE. 



" The leaf -tongues of the forest, the flower-lips of the sod, 

 The happy birds that hymn their rapture in the ear of God, 

 The summer wind that bringeth music over land and sea, 

 Have each a voice that singeth this sweet song of songs to me : 

 This world is full of beauty like other worlds above, 

 And, if we did our duty, it might be full of love ! " 



GERALD MASSEY. 



THE LINDEN order comes next of British groups in the natural 

 arrangement ; and although we have but few species, it is not 

 wanting in interest. The characteristics are four or five sepals 

 soon falling off, and the same number of petals, and numerous 

 stamens. They resemble the Mallows in the valve-like arrange- 

 ment of the calyx, but are distinguished from them by their 

 free stamens. 



The elegant and fragrant blooms of the Lime tree (Tilia 

 europgea, Plate V.,fig. &), attract crowds of bees, which keep 

 up a perpetual buzzing among the leaves. I remember a swarm 

 issuing from one of our hives, and making its way, as if by a 

 preconcerted plan, to a group of Limes in the next garden. 

 The foliage of this tree is very pleasing, appearing early and 

 gladdening the eye all the summer with its fresh green hue. 

 The leaves are heart-shaped, and a tuft of minute hairs is 

 situated at the juncture of the veins on the under side. Several 

 blossoms grow in a cluster, and a sort of thin leaf accompanies 

 the flower-stalk part of the way. The Swiss planted these 

 trees upon every victorious battle-field, and with them the 

 Linden is regarded as an emblem of liberty. In Russia they 

 use the inner bark of the Linden to make bast mats and ropes, 



