2lst£r I'OVJIlllboSUS. Natural Order: CompositiT — Aster Family. 



^ UR native Aster grows about two teet high, and is found 

 requently in dry, open woodlands in the Northern and Mid- 

 States. The name is derived from the Greek word aster, 

 'signifying a star, as the petals spread out like raj's of light 

 from the center. There are none of our native plants that 

 "* '^^^Jt:lare equal to the Chinese Asters, though the same assiduity 

 1 y^ ■ \-^ in culture would undoubtedly improve them. On the western prairies 

 £^ ^1^0 t^*^""^ '^'"'^ some whose colors are really handsome in their exquisite 

 standing tall among the grass ; in some places so abundant that 

 seem that a rose or purple glory had settled down o\'er the 

 ir the birds to sing in. 



'"/I^^ tints, Stan 

 tm it would 

 < IF 5 fields for 



ejt? — 



A LIKE all ages. Dames of ancient days 



Have led their childi-en through the mirthful maze; 

 And the gay grandsire, skill'd in gestic lore, 

 Has frisk'd beneath the burden of" threescore. 



—GoUsmilh. 



rVA, no! I never will grow old, AAr*^'^' grieve thai time has brought so soon 

 ^ Though years on years roll by, The sober age of manhood on 1 



And silver o'er my dark brown hair, As idly should I weep at noon 



And dim my laughing eye. To see the blush of morning gone. 



H 



ly I Y days pass pleasantly away, My foes are impotent and shy, 



My nights are blest with sweetest sleep, My friends are neither false nor cold; 



I feel no symptoms of decay, And yet, of late, I oflen sigh, 



I have no cause to mourn or weep; I'm growing old! Join: G. Saxe. 



'"THE spring, like youth, fresh blossoms doth produce. 



But autumn makes them ripe and fit for use. —Sir J. Denlmm. 



L^ 32 





