130 PROSERPINA. 



tions and rearrangements on the discovery of any new link in 

 the infinitely entangled chain. But if we found our higher 

 nomenclature at once on historic fact, and relative conditions 

 of climate and character, rather than of form, we may at 

 once distribute oar flora into unalterable groups, to which 

 we may add at our pleasure, but which will never need dis- 

 turbance ; far less, reconstruction. 



18. For instance, and to begin, it is an historical fact 

 that for many centuries the English nation believed that the 

 Founder of its religion, spiritually, by the mouth of the 

 King who spake of all herbs, had likened himself to two 

 flowers, the Rose of Sharon, and Lily of the Valley. The 

 fact of this belief is one of the most important in the history 

 of England, that is to say, of the mind or heart of England : 

 and it is connected solemnly with the heart of Italy also, by 

 the closing cantos of the Paradiso. 



I think it well therefore that our two first generic, or at 

 least commandant, names heading the out-laid and in-laid 

 divisions of plants, should be of the rose and lily, with such 

 meaning in them as may remind us of this fact in the history 

 of human mind. 



It is also historical that the personal appearing of this 

 Master of our religion was spoken of by our chief religious 

 teacher in these terms : " The Grace of God, that bringeth 

 salvation, hath appeared unto all men." And it is a constant 

 fact that this ' grace ' or ' favor ' of God is spoken of as " giv- 

 ing us to eat of the Tree of Life." 



19. Now, comparing the botanical facts I have to express, 

 with these historical ones, I find that the rose tribe has been 

 formed among flowers, not in distant and monstrous geologic 

 seras, but in the human epoch ; that its ' grace ' or favor has 

 been in all countries so felt as to cause its acceptance every- 

 where for the most perfect physical type of womanhood ; 

 and that the characteristic fruit of the tribe is so sweet, that 

 it has become symbolic at once of the subtlest temptation, 

 and the kindest ministry to the earthly passion of the human 

 race. " Comfort me with apples, for I am sick of love." 



20. Therefore I shall call the entire order of these flowers 



