FLORAL EMBLEMS. 225 



ORACLE. 



DANDELION. Leontodon. 



Dandelion this, 



A college youth, that flashes for a day 

 All gold ; anon he doffs his gaudy suit, 

 Touch'd by the magic hand of some grave bishop, 

 And all at once, by commutation strange, 

 Becomes a reverend divine." 



Hurdis. 



The medicinal properties of this plant have 

 caused it to be familiarly known by a name 

 that has brought it into contempt, and on 

 which account it is presumed the emblem 

 originated. 



" Why, by the verities on thee made good, 

 May they not be my oracles." 



Shakspeare. 



