Linnean System of Plants. 59 



other enemies, like a beauty, who, placed in a rank of life 

 which subjects her to the necessity of facing the elements, loses 

 the dazzling fairness of her complexion, while her health and 

 strength remain unimpaired. Among the finest lilies not in- 

 cluded in this genus are the African lily ( Agapanthus, delight- 

 ful flower, umbellatus, from its mode of inflorescence) and the 

 whole genus Amaryllis (one of Virgil's nymphs), more especially 

 the Atamdsco, Belladonna, Jacobae^^, and Guernsey lilies. To 

 describe, or even to enumerate, all the fine flowers of this order 

 would be a work of time, and would demand more space than 

 can be afforded here. I will only observe in passing, that the 

 Tuberose, Gioriosa, and Chandelier, are of the number : the 

 first of these is well known; the name of the second speaks for 

 itself; and, indeed, so we may say of the last, which is named 

 from the position and brilliancy of its fine scarlet flowers, 

 which shed their cheering light over the wastes of Africa. 

 The African genus, Cyanella (blue, Gr.), is remarkable for 

 the form and position of its stamens, which resemble the human 

 thumb and fingers. The asphodel partakes the lot of angels, 

 in flourishing both in Tartarus and Eden. According to old 

 traditions, the dead are nourished with its seeds, — a circum- 

 stance which accounts for its being placed in such different 

 climates. 



Though we have several British species of Allium*, the 

 genus is best known among us by foreign species, cultivated 

 in this country for domestic use; as the leek (A. Porrum), 

 shallot (^.ascalonicum), onion (^.Cepa), garlick (v4. sativum), 

 &c. Among the more useful plants we may reckon the aloe, 

 of which several of the species are of incalculable importance 

 to their countrymen ; one in particular, a native of Mexico : 

 its trunk and leaves supply the place of beams and tiles for the 

 roofs of houses ; furnish needles, thread, paper, cordage, shoes, 

 stockings, and other articles of clothing ; and the juice affords 

 wine, honey, sugar, and vinegar. The American aloe (Agave, 

 admirable), also, serves many useful purposes, exclusive of its 

 reputed power of keeping off" apparitions and evil spirits, for 

 which it is so highly respected by the Egyptians. In speaking 

 of useful plants, I must not omit to mention, that not only the 

 rattan (Calamus, kalam, Arab.; verus, true), and other canes; 

 but the bamboo also (Bambusa, the Indian name ; «rundin^cea, 

 ay-undo, a reed, from aru, a Celtic wocd signifying water) is in- 

 cluded in this order. Among the many important uses of the 

 latter plant, is one which I wish I could speak of as more 



* This word, derived from the Celtic, is expressive of th pungent, biting 

 flavour of the plants. 



