li 



bisCUS (Erionum. Nati'ral Order: Malvacccr — Mallov.' Family. 



\ \NESCENT, as its familiar name indicates, this handsome 

 mnual was imported some years since from Italy; its botan- 

 ical name is made up of the generic hibiscus, or mallow, 

 iiid Trionum, of the constellation known by that name to the 

 'i^ ^Romans, and to us as Charles's Wain. The flowers are 

 similar in shape to the single hollyhock blossom, and are 

 about two inches across the top, the petals being a sulphur or green- 

 ish }ello\\, and the base of each a rich maroon brown. There are 

 vaiious otiier plants and shrubs under the general name Hibiscus, 

 some of which in the South Sea Islands grow sufficiently large to 

 be used with the bamboo in the erection of houses, such as the peo- 

 ple ot th It latitude require. They thrive best in moist, sandy soil. 



IriOtng J^atii^, 



T 



Rl'ST 

 Boaut\ 



hut soon the charm will pass. 



—Drydc, 



T 



I AT transitory flower, even while it lasts. 



Palls on the roving sense when held too near. 

 Or dwelling there too long; by fits it pleases, 

 And smells at distance best; its sweets, familiar 



By Ircqucnt 



D 



dull and do 



-J'f'^ry. 



O not idolatrize; beauty's a flower 

 Which springs and withers almost 



TOVE raised on beauty will like that decay; 

 '-' Our hearts may bear its slender chain a day, 



TDEAUTY, sweet love, is like the morning dew. 

 Whose short refresh upon the tender green 



flow'ry bands in wantonness are worn — 

 norning's pleasure, and at evening torn. 



time, but till the sun doth show, 

 gilt is gone, as it liad never been. 



TOVE built on beauty, soon as beauty 

 Choose this face, changed bv no d< 



•nEAUTY, like the fair Hesperian tree, [guard 

 Laden with blooming gold, had need the 

 Of dragon. watch with unenchanted eye, 

 To save her blossoms and defend her fruit 

 From the rash hand of bold incontinence. 



—Millnn. 



