AUGUST. 



AUGUST. 



159 



" A drowsy indolence now hangs on all ; 

 Each creature seeks someplace of rest, some shelter 

 From the oppressive heat: silence prevails, 

 Nor low, nor bark, nor chirp of bird is heard ; 

 In shadv nooks the sheep and kine convene ; 

 Within the narrow shadow of the cot 

 The sleepy dog lies stretched upon his side, 

 Nor heeds the footsteps of the passer by. 

 Or at the sound but raises half an eyelid, _ 

 Then gives a feeble growl and sleeps again : 

 No sound is heard but humming of the bee, 

 For she alone retires not from lier labour, _ ^_ 

 Nor leaves a meadow flower unsought for gain. 



Joanna Baillie. 



If there is less variety in the floAvers which 

 during this month expand afresh, yet there is 

 as great an amount of briUiant colouring in the 

 garden, as in the more proUfic season of mid- 

 summer ; for dahUas, sun-flowers, and ama- 

 ranths, wear hues more deep and glowing than 

 the rose or hly of June. A magnificent flower 

 is the dahlia, and it is pleasant to think that its 

 culture afi'ords an innocent recreation to many 

 a florist of humble life. The autumnal flower- 

 shows in which it is exhibited, give evidence 

 how wonderfully the skill of the florist has 

 improved the stately flower, which, Avheii it 

 grows in its native land, is neither so bright 

 . nor so beautifully formed, as the blossom to be 

 seen in the humblest garden. The dahlia 

 grows wild on the sandy plain, as well as on 

 the mountains of Mexico ; and was introduced 

 into Europe by the great natui-alist Baron 

 Humboldt. He, in the year 1789, sent it to 

 Professor CavaniUes, of the Botanic Garden ot 

 Madrid, who in that year presented it to the 



