SYNGENESIA P. SUPERF.LUA. 187 



Smiling, in virgin innocence, serene, 

 Thy pearly crown above thy vest of green.* 

 The lark, with sparkling eye, and rustling wing, 

 Rejoins his widowed mate in early spring, 

 And as she prunes his plumes, of russet hue, 

 Swears, on thy maiden blossom, to be true. 



" Oft have I watched thy closing buds at eve, 

 Which for the parting sun-beams seemed to grieve, 

 And, when gay morning gilt the dew-bright plain, 

 Seen them unclasp their folded leaves again: 

 Nor he who sung-' the Daisy is so sweet,' 

 More dearly loved thy pearly form to greet; 

 When on his scarf the knight the Daisy bound, 

 And dames at tourneys shone, with daisies crown'd, 

 And fays forsook the purer fields above, 

 To hail the Daisy, flower of faithful love." 



255. CHRYSANTHEMUM. 



1. C. Leucanthemum, stem erect, 1 or 2 feet high ; leaves clasp- 

 ing the stem, oblong, obtuse, cut, pinnatifid at the base, radical 

 ones obovate stalked ; flowers large, solitary, with a yellow disk 

 and white rays. White Ox-eye. 



Hob. Dry pastures and way-sides. Some of the fields in 

 the vicinity of Barmoor Castle are white with it. 

 June, July. ?/ 



2. C. segetum, smooth, glaucous ; leaves clasping the stem, 

 jagged upwards, toothed at the base ; flowers large, yellow. 



Yellow Ox-eye. 



Hob. Corn-fields, a " splendid weed," but very rare in this 

 neighbourhood. " Fields below Lamberton," Thomp. 

 Near Gunsgreen House, Rev. A. Baird. Fields near 

 St Abb\s-head. June Aug. Q 



* I question whether any but a botanist will fully appreciate the beauty 

 of this line ; and the same remark might with propriety have been made on 

 some other passages which we have quoted, particularly on that very beau- 

 tiful one from SHAKSPEARE, under Primula veris. MICHAELIS has re- 

 marked, that " the frequent recurrence for metaphorical expressions to na- 

 tural objects, and particularly to plants and to trees, is so characteristic of 

 the Hebrew poetry, that it might be almost called the botanical poetry." A 

 similar designation might not unaptly characterize the poetry of the present 

 day; we have at least found the pleasure of reading it much enhanced by 

 an acquaintance with natural history. 



