SWEET-PEA. 361 



be kept within doors in warm weather, or it will grow very 

 tall and weakly, and produce few flowers. 



There is a variety of this Pea entirely white ; but the 

 most beautiful is the red and white. But that I fear to 

 confess so great a heresy, I would say this flower need 

 not yield even to the rose. Nothing can exceed the 

 elegance of its form ; nor can there be a more delicate con- 

 trast of colour. They are justly termed Papilionaceous, 

 for they do indeed look like butterflies turned to flowers. 

 It is sometimes difficult to believe that the little white 

 butterflies which reel about in the sunshine are not white 

 violets or peas which have broken their bonds. It is 

 equally difficult to believe that these flowers want any 

 thing but will to fly : and we almost expect to see them 

 start from their stalks as we look at them. 



Both these fancies are authorised by the poets. 



" In their own bright Kathaian bowers 

 Sparkle such rainbow butterflies, 

 That they might fancy the rich flowers, 

 That round them in the sun lay sighing, 

 Had been by magic all set flying. 



LALLA ROOKH. 



These butterflies, Mr. Moore tells us, are called, in the 

 Chinese language, Flying-leaves. " Some of them, 1 ' con- 

 tinues he, " have such shining colours, and are so varie- 

 gated, that they may be called Flying-flowers ; and indeed 

 they are always produced in the finest flower-gardens." 



" Here are sweet-peas on tip-toe for a flight, 

 With wings of gentle flush, o'er delicate white, 

 And taper fingers catching at all things 

 To bind them all about with tiny rings." 



KEATS. 



In his Calendar of Nature Mr. Hunt speaks of Sweet- 

 peas, as looking like butterflies turned to flowers. 



In short, it seems scarcely possible not to feel this. 

 They seem only lingering to sip their own honey. 



