JUNE. 93 



Macdonald and Macallister, who chose these beautiful 

 plants for their badges. 



" The erica here, 



That o'er the Caledonian hills sublime 

 Spreads its dark mantle (where the bees deligh' 

 To seek their purest honey), flourishes ; 

 Sometimes with bells like amethyst, and then 

 Paler, and shaded, like a maiden's cheek, 

 With gradual blushes : others while as white 

 As rime that hangs upon the frozen spray." 



" Flower of the waste ! the heath fowl shuns 

 For thee the brake and tangled wood ; 

 To thy protecting shade she runs, 

 Thy tender buds supply her food ; 

 Her young forsake her downy plumes 

 To rest upon thy opening blooms. 



" Flower of the desert, though thou art ! 

 The deer that range the mountain free, 

 The graceful doe, the stately hart, 

 Their food and shelter seek from thee ; 

 The bee thy earliest blossom greets, 

 And draws from thee her choicest sweets. 



" Gem of the heath ! whose modest bloom 

 Sheds beauty o'er the lovely moor ; 

 Though thou dispense no rich perfume, 

 Nor yet with splendid tints allure, 

 Both valour's crest and beauty's bower, 

 Oft hast thou deck'd, a favorite flower. 



" Flower of the wild ! whose purple glow 

 Adorns the dusky mountain's side, 

 Not the gay hues of Iris' bow, 

 Nor garden's artful varied pride, 

 With all its wealth of sweets could cheer, 

 Like thee the hardy mountaineer. 



