JANUARY. 9 



as an emblem of a happiness which she was 

 not destined to enjoy, with that inconstant 

 monarch. 



The flowers of the rosemary {^Rosmmimis 

 officinalis) are of a bkiish Hlac colour, and are 

 on the shrub from this month until April. The 

 plant has been from time immemorial common 

 in the English garden, and grows wild in the 

 south of Europe. It is found, too, on some 

 parts of the dry deserts of Africa. Dr. Sha^v 

 saw the rosemary, and the dried stems of the 

 myrtle, used by the Moors in Barbary, for 

 heating ovens ; and was reminded of the words 

 of our Saviour respecting the flower of the 

 field, Avhich " to-day is, and to-morroAV is cast 

 into the oven." 



If the weather be mild during January, the 

 snow-drop (Galanthus nivalis) droops its head 

 over the earth. The Italians call it snow-bell. 

 It is a wild flower in our laud. The Russian 

 snow-drop (Galanthus plicatus) is not found in 

 our native fields, but is common ^n the lands 

 of the Crimea. This species is smaller than 

 the English snow-drop, and continues in blos- 

 som later in the year. 



One or two of the various species of snow- 

 flake, especially the spring kind, (Lencojmn 

 venntm,) are also conmion now. They are 

 pretty l)ulbous- rooted plants, natives of various 

 parts of Europe, and abundant in Switzei'land. 

 This flower was formerly known as St. Agnes' 

 flower. 



With a blossom of a reddish purple colour, 



A3 



