94 CATCHFLY FAMILY. 



This plant is from 1 to 1| feet high, rather rigid, and brittle. 

 The flowers are the largest in this genus, on stalks, few in a 

 panicle, with leafy bracteas.] 



Common, but ever welcome in our hedges. Its 

 beauties are best pointed out in the following lines. 



" Fair Star of the Spring, thou art blooming as brightly, 

 Beneath the low hedge, by the dusty way-side, 



.As if the soft breezes were waving thee lightly, 

 In green, dewy glades, where the Violets hide. 



'Mid the loud din of traffic so tranquilly smiling, 

 Neglected, and scorned, yet all beautiful still, 



Not a stain, not a spot, thy white vesture defiling, 

 Thou art pure as the storm-drifted snow of the hill. 



Some spell in thy bosom, must surely be hiding, 

 To keep thee untouched from pollution around ; 



Some spell, in thine innermost depth close abiding, 



By the rude world without thee, just felt and not found. 



Blest they, who tho' life's crowded paths be their dwelling, 

 Like thee, the fell contact unstained can endure, 



And tho' the dark dust- clouds around them are swelling, 

 Still keep their white raiment unsullied and pure. 



And they have a spell, which man's eye passes over, 

 So deeply, it dwells the dark spirit within, 



A spell, the world's wisdom can never dissever, 

 Which keeps them at peace, 'mid its angriest din. 



