FLORA DOM.F.STICA. 



The name of the beautiful huntsman, in his living ca- 

 pacity, however, applies well enough; for the Adonis is 

 handsome and ruddy, and an enemy to the corn ; but the 

 flower is not so hardy as its godfather, and must be shel- 

 tered from the frosts of winter. 



The Autumnal, or Common Adonis, has usually a red 

 flower ; but there is a variety of this species, of which the 

 flowers are lemon-coloured. It is a native of most parts of 

 the south of Europe; in Germany it grows wild among 

 the corn ; as it does, according to Gerarde, in the west of 

 England. It is very common in some parts of Kent, par- 

 ticularly on the banks of the Medway, a water-nymph, 

 according to Spenser, famous for her flowers. 



ee Then came the bride, the lovely Medway came, 



Clad in a vesture of unknowen geare, 



And uncouth fashion, yet her well became, 



That seemed like silver sprinkled here and there 



With glittering spangs that did like stars appear, 



And waved upon, like water chamelot, 



To hide the metal, which yet every where 



Bewrayed itself, to let men plainly wot 

 It was no mortal work, that seemed, and yet was not. 



Her goodly locks adown her back did flow, 

 Unto her waist, with flowers bescattered, 

 The which ambrosial odours forth did throw 

 To all about, and all her shoulders spread 

 As a new spring : and likewise on her head 

 A chapelet of sundry flowers she wore, 

 From under which the dewy humour shed, 

 Did trickle down her hair, like to the hore 

 Congealed little drops which do the morn adore." 



The Vernal Adonis [Fr. hellebore d Hippocrate] is a 

 perennial ; and as it does not flower the first year, it might 

 be more convenient to purchase it at a nursery when in a 

 state to flower, than to raise it at home. It may, however, 

 be treated in the same manner as the Autumnal Adonis. It 

 is a native of Switzerland, Germany, &c. It bears a large 



