^m. 



'^0%nB^ttm. 



U 



IJoinscttia pulcl)trruua. Natural Order: Eiiphorbiacca: — Spurge Family. 



*^^, :f OEL ROBERTS POINSETT, United States minister to Mexico, 

 k^discovered, in 1828, this magnificent plant, one that excites such 

 universal admiration when in its holiday trim. It is commonly 

 ..grown among hothouse plants, though it will thrive in other situ- 

 l-'^:^- ations with care and attention. It is a hall-shrubby plant, much 

 inclined to a straggling growth, and requires pruning about the 

 -second spring month, when it should be cut back to within about 

 two inches of the wood of the previous year. This causes the 

 IP plant to send out side branches, which must be preserved with care 

 lest the ends of the twigs be broken. In midwinter the scarlet 

 bracts or leaves which surround the flowers begin to appear, 

 crowning the tip of each shoot as it were with fire, when it is the 

 most brilliant, most magnificent plant in our collections. For deco- 

 rative purposes it is much sought, and as the demand nearly alwaj-s exceeds the 

 supply, high prices are paid without demur for these floral tips. 



in 



Htanii|. 



T^HE gav and glorious creatures! they neither "toil nor spin;" 



Yet lo! what goodly raiment they're all appareled in; 

 No tears are on their beauty, but dewy gems more bright 

 Than ever brow of eastern queen endiadem'd with light. 



r\ ROSE! O pearl! O child! O things of light! 

 ^-' O maiden's eye that melts with beams of love ! 



O stars that sparkle in the vault above! 

 O peerless moon, thou radiant queen of night! 

 O golden sun, so glorious in my sight! 



—Mkx Bo'.oles. 



How doth m^' soul leap forth to soul in the 

 To that appealing mute divinity 

 Which gives thee glory as it gives thee niig 

 'Tis what we worship, though we know it i 



H 



s [words pvO' what he will, he cannot 

 eathes his Hall' he conceives — the s;lo 



■eali 



I 



m 



And never pauses till the height 



lorious vision flies: 

 ere he may, he cannot hope to find 

 .ith, the beauty pictur'd in his mind. 







