SEPTEMBER. 173 



of aster, among which are this genus, as well 

 as that commonly called chrysantl^mum, re- 

 ceive especial care in China. By this people, 

 their large water-lily, the nelumbium, is es- 

 teemed as the very chief of flowers, and though 

 it grows wild in their streams, yet it is brought 

 into their enclosed grounds. Next to this, in 

 their estimation, come the fragrant olive (0/ea 

 f7'ag)'ans,) and the innumerable varieties of 

 star-like blossoms which glitter in golden 

 beauty, or are shaded off to most delicate tints ; 

 and which, arranged on terraces, one above 

 another, offer every variety of hue. 



The Michaelmas daisy, or Christmas daisy, 

 arrayed in its sober tints, is a very useful 

 flower now, when flowers seem gradually going, 

 and brown leaves rustle on the spots where 

 zephyrs lately played among soft green branches. 

 The common Michaelmas dais}', {Aster Trades- 

 cantia,) and the Alpine species, (Aster Aljmms,) 

 arc among the handsomest kinds. Like most 

 of the genus, these flowers are natives of the 

 fields of Virginia, and the common kind was 

 named in honour of the celebrated naturalist 

 John Tradescant, who introduced it in England 

 among several other plants, the seeds of which 

 he brought from America. 



Far more beautiful in colour are the brilliant 

 bell-shaped blossoms of the gentianella, or large 

 flowered dwarf gentian, (Gentiana acaulis,) 

 wliich are now blooming for the second time 

 in the year, and seem to be as vigorous at the 

 autumnal season, as in the early months. This 



