IpOrtulam giran^itlora. Natural Order: Portulacacex— Purslane Family. 



LA NTS cultivated under this name are mostly from South 

 Africa, though the varieties are greatly improved, and florists 

 by a course of treatment produced a multiplicity of colors. 

 Ill their native land they are found in very sandy soils, and 

 ■f^^ ihere are no plants that stand drouth better than they, except, 

 'X^. perhaps, the cacti. The flowers appear fresh every morning 

 |J^''''during flowering seasons, and the seeds when ripe are of a silvery 

 J appearance. The native weed known under the name of Purslane is an 

 ^^ American sister-plant, entirely devoid of beauty. The latter has thick, 

 fleshy stems and leaves, and is used as a pot-herb, also for pickles, 

 salads, and garnishing, and for that reason is designated botanically 

 Portulaca oleracea. 



T^HE earth was made so various, that the mind 



Of desultory man, studious of change, 

 And pleas'd with novelty, might be indulged. 



TirHEREFORE did nature pour her bounties forth 



With such a full and unwithdrawing hand. 

 Covering the earth with colors, fruits and flocks, 

 Thronging the seas with spawn innumerable — 

 But all to please and sate a curious taste. 



poux: 



Coun 



specit 

 vhich 



VrOUTH loves 

 ^ 'Till the sou 

 Becomes variety 



—Milton. 

 and lives on change 

 ,1 sighs for sameness 

 ; and takes its pl.ice. 



TLESS the variou 



ntless the shades 



from mind: 



No general object of desire is know 



Each has his will, and each pursues 



of mankind, 

 parate mind 



his own. 



— Gifford. 



"Y J'ARIETY, the source of joy below, 



From which still fresh revolving pleasures flow : 

 In books and love the mind one end pursues. 

 And only change the expiring flame renews. 



pL.W every- string in love") 

 -Set all its music flowing; 



Be air, and dew. and 

 To keep the soul-fl 



;ht, and fire, 

 ver growing. 



V 



AT each from other diflfers, first confess; 

 Xe.\t, that he varies from himself no less. 



-Pope. 



