136 PROSERPINA. 



I will shortly note the changes of name in their twelve 

 orders, and the reasons for them. 



i. CHARITES. The only change made in the nomenclature 

 of this order is the slight one of ' rubra ' for * rubus ' : partly 

 to express true sisterhood with the other Charites ; partly to 

 enforce the idea of redness, as characteristic of the race, both 

 in the lovely purple and russet of their winter leafage, and in 

 the exquisite bloom of scarlet on the stems in strong young 

 shoots. They have every right to be placed among the 

 Charites, first because the raspberry is really a more impor- 

 tant fruit in domestic economy than the strawberry ; and, 

 secondly, because the wild bramble is often in its wandering 

 sprays even more graceful than the rose; and in blossom and 

 fruit the best autumnal gift that English Nature has appointed 

 for her village children. 



n. URANIDES. Not merely because they are all of the color 

 of the sky, but also sacred to Urania in their divine purity. 

 1 Convoluta ' instead of ' convolvulus,' chiefly for the sake of 

 euphony ; but also because pervinca is to be included in this 

 group. 



in. CYLLENIDES. Named from Mount Cyllene in Arcadia, 

 because the three races included in the order alike delight 

 in rocky ground, and in the cold or moist air of mountain- 

 clouds. 



iv. OREIADES. Described in next chapter. 



v. PLEIADES. From the habit of the flowers belonging to 

 this order to get into bright local clusters. Silvia, for the 

 wood-sorrel, will, I hope, be an acceptable change to my girl- 

 readers. 



vi. ARTEMIDES. Dedicate to Artemis for their expression 

 of energy, no less than purity. This character was rightly 

 felt in them by whoever gave the name ' Dianthus ' to their 

 leading race ; a name which I should have retained if it had 

 not been bad Greek. I wish them, by their name ' Clarissa ' 

 to recall the memory of St. Clare, as ' Francesca ' that of St. 

 Francis.* The ' issa,' not without honour to the greatest of 



* The four races of this order are more naturally distinct than botan- 

 ists have recognized. In Clarissa, the petal is cloven iuto a fringe at 



