112 Extracts from the Journals. [Jan., 



prising and energetic freemen, whose habitations, stretching 

 north, south, east and west, reach to the uttermost limits of this 

 broad expanse, may we not, indeed, say with the poet, that to 

 no land was ever given " a destiny more high, sublime." That 

 destiny will surely be achieved if our mental progress should 

 keep pace with the increase of our population; which already 

 presents the proudest spectacle of political greatness the world 

 ever beheld. To this end, we must build up and sustain a Lite- 

 rature, — unlike that of the worn-out monarchies and despotisms of 

 Europe; — a National Literature, based upon comprehensive prin- 

 ciples of humanity, congenial with the spirit of our institutions, 

 and fully adequate to the energy, enterprise and varying condi- 

 tions of our people. 



HORTICULTURE. 



[Extract from an Address delivered by David Thomas, before the Aurora 

 Horticultural Society, Sept- 23, 1845.] 



The colors of flowers are not more varied than their forms, or 

 manner of flowering. The snow-drop is a hell, the crocus a cwp. 

 The tiger flower appears in solitary glory, the goat's beard in 

 countless numbers. The English globe flower is a holloiv ball, the 

 globe thistle is solid to the centre. The flat blossom of the black- 

 berry lily, contrasts with the tube of the trumpet flower; and the 

 triangular iris with the circular form of the rose. 



As another instance of diversity in flowers, cleome begins to 

 bloom at the base of the spike, liatris at the top, and dipsacus 

 (the teazle) in the middle, extending its blossoms upwards and 

 downwards at the same time; and forming, as soon as the first 

 florets have withered, two separate and receding circles. 



It might be hard to say what spot of the earth's surface has 

 furnished the most flowers for our gardens; and whether that spot 

 is located in the eastern or western hemisphere. It is true, the 

 Cape of Good Hope has produced an astonishing number of beau- 

 tiful plants; but most of them are unavailable to us on account of 

 the severity of our winters: and yet so bountifully has our globe 

 been replenished, that there are more from colder regions than we 

 can find room for in our borders. Mountains- that extend far to 

 the south, yield us plants from their cold sides or summits. Thus 

 shrubs and trees from the elevated parts of Carolina and Georgia, 

 are generally hardy here; and even Oenothera rosea, from Peru, 

 abides our coldest seasons, and becomes a weed. In this way, or 

 on this principle, INIexico furnishes chclone barbata, Nepaul, the 



