®mim^mt< 



^1 



UibcS VUbniin. Xaturai. Order: Grossulariacccc — Currant Fawilv. 



OTANICALLY named from a misapplied Arabic word, and 

 nacularly from Corinth in Greece, with which it has no 

 cial connection, while even the qualifying Latin epithet, 

 'iihniiu (red) is a misnomer, as not only red but white cur- 

 : ints are included, it must be confessed this excellent shrub 

 been unfortunate in its godfathers. It is, however, quite 

 C" fimiliar to e\eryone, or if not the}' have missed one of the blisses 

 childhood in lying under its branches to pluck the bright, gleaming 

 ut hanging like strung rubies in such clusters and bountiful abundance, 

 hlled with a healthful and agreeable wine-like juice. The flowers are a 

 delicate green, and would be pretty if of some brilliant tint. -The yellow 

 Currant, that grows wild in Missouri and Oregon, is grown as a garden 

 shrub, for the bright and cheering flowers that appear so early in spring- 

 time, and like the robin, are among nature's earliest harbingers of her 

 awakening, and of earth's returning joy. 



Ion J\l^%t^ J\\. 



ITER every tone is music's own, like those of morning birds, 



And something more than melody dwells ever in her words; 

 The coinage of her heart are they, and from her lips each flows, 

 .\s one may see the burden'd bee forth issue from the rose. 



— Edz'.'nrd C. Pittkiiey. 



'T'HY words had such a melting flow, 

 '^ And spoke the truth so sweetly well. 

 They drop'd like heaven's serenest snow. 

 And all was brightness M'here thcv fell! 



AH! simple is the spell, I ween, 

 That doth that grace impart; 

 It dwells its own sweet self within — 

 It is — a loving heart! 





ALL are lovely, all blossom of heart and of mind; 



All true to their natures, as Nature designed; 



To cheer and to solace, to strengthen, caress, 



And with love that can die not to buoy and to bless. 



— \Vil/i,iiii 



104 



