60 THE CRUCIFORM FAMILY. 



base. Named from the Greek, which signifies "the hand," 

 and " a flower," because from its fragrance one delights to carry 

 it in the hand.] 



These flowers are never found wild, but on old 

 walls, but 



" Call it not wasted, the scent they lend, 



To the breeze, when no step is nigh ; 

 Oh thus, for ever, the earth should send, 

 Her grateful breath on high." 



As the Wall-flower is plentiful, in a wild state, in 

 the South of Europe, we may suppose that it was in- 

 troduced into this country from there ; and one of the 

 first plants cultivated in our gardens ; as it is found 

 on the ruins of our oldest buildings. Turner, (one of 

 the earliest writers on flowers) calls it " Wall-gelever," 

 (probably a corruption of Giroflee, its French name,) 

 or " hartis-ease." But we may gratefully look upon 

 it, as one of our own dear flowers, when it has clung 

 so faithfully to the walls which first sheltered it ; 

 through all changes, and disasters, even to their days 

 of desolation and decay. One beautiful ruin, richly 

 decorated with glossy green ivy, and this sweet flower ; 

 recurs to my mind, as it appeared on a lovely May 

 day, the brilliant sun giving to the flowers, a yet 



