LUPINE. 263 



and those which blow in the autumn will last longer than 

 the earlier ones. 



Lupines may be sown from the beginning of February 

 to the end of June : they may be sown six or seven in a 

 pot of as many inches diameter. Towards the end of June 

 they will begin to flower. It is safer to keep such as are 

 sown in February in the house, until the frosts are securely 

 over ; but this precaution will not be necessary if the season 

 be mild. They should be watered three times a week in 

 the spring ; but, as the weather becomes warmer, they may, 

 when there is no rain, be watered every evening. About 

 sun-set the leaves will droop as if dying, in the same manner 

 as those of the balsam. This must not be mistaken for a 

 want of water, as with the hydrangea : they will again dis- 

 play their starry foliage in the morning sun. 



Virgil calls Lupines tristes lupini" says Mr. Martyn, 

 " because their bitterness contracts the muscles, and gives 

 a sorrowful appearance to the countenance.'" One might 

 rather have suspected it to have been from the drooping of 

 the leaves, since the poets have always taken advantage of 

 these peculiarities in flowers, to make them expressive of a 

 sentiment, imputing a conscious timidity to the violet ; and 

 even the cowslip has, from its gentle drooping, been called 

 in by Milton as a mourner for Lycidas. The instances of 

 this use of flowers are without number ; but there are not 

 many more interesting than the following : 



" Bowing adorers of the gale, 

 Ye cowslips, delicately pale, 



Upraise your loaded stems ; 

 Unfold your cups in splendour ; speak ! 

 Who deck'd you with that ruddy streak, 

 And gilt your golden gems ?" 



CLARE. 



Notwithstanding their bitterness, Lupines were formerly 



