M^ 



^1 



aQiii0lia. 



flluiVlolia iVailMtlora. Natural Order: Magnoliacea: — Magnolia Fa7nily. 



^F all the flowers bestowed upon the South, there is none to 

 which a Southerner refers with more pride than to the blos- 

 soms of this elegant tree. The Magnolia grandiflora flourishes 

 throughout most of the Gulf States and on the Atlantic coast 

 as far north as North Carolina. It grows chiefly in swampy 

 lands, yet attains its greatest height in a light, fertile soil, 

 where, if planted by itself, it will assume the shape of a perfect pyra- 

 ^iireJO '^'^- "^^^ leaves are evergreen, the old ones forming a striking con- 

 tmh~> trast to the young and tender foliage, which is of a much lighter shade. 

 The flowers are of the purest white, about eight or nine inches in 

 diameter, and till the air with their honeyed fragrance. As the slight- 

 est injury causes the blossom to soon turn brown, they have often been 



only necessary to write the message with some pointed instrument on one of 

 the broad petals, and cause the flowers to be delivered in a bouquet to the 

 person desired, and the wounded parts would soon betray the secret committed 

 to the floral page. 



IL 



Jttu? cF f itiiin 



■\TATtrRE is man's best teacher. She unfolds 

 ■'•' Her treasures to his search, unseals his eye, 

 Illumes his mind, and purifies his heart. 

 An influence breathes from all the sights and soimds 

 Of her existence; she is wisdom's self. —Sirat. 



LOVE thee for the blossoms and the bees, 

 The hills, the vales, the mountains and the seas; 



nds, the clouds, the skies of azure blue, 

 e moon, the stars, and planets circling through 



NATURE! how in every charm supreme! 

 Whose votaries feast on raptures ever new! 

 for the voice and fire of seraphim, 

 sing thy glories with devotion due! —Beaiiu: 



The earth, the sun, and everythmg that's fai 



Abo\-e, below, all round and everywhere — 



The soul, the mind, to their Creator call. 



To him, the Father, First and Last of all. 



—Lah 



'T*HE gi-een earth sends its incense up 



*■ From every mountain shrine — 



From e\ery flower and dewy cup 



That "reeteth the sunshine. 



