CLEM A TIS. 



have an indigenous species, C. Vitalba, not seldom found 

 in chalk or limestone soils, in hedges and retired localities. 

 This is known as "Traveller's Joy," probably because, by 

 climbing up and about trees, its festoons form a leafy bower, 

 which in the heat of a summer's day (with the thermometer* 

 at 85 ".5, as it has been this 20th of June, 1868, in the shade) 

 may afford a comparatively cool shelter to the weary pedes- 

 trian rejoiced to find so welcome a resting-place. 



The juices of different kinds of Clematis are very acrid, 

 causing irritating inflammation if applied to the skin, and 

 if continuously, ulceration. We are told that beggars use 

 the juice to procure ulcerations, that they may expose 

 their sores, and rouse the commiseration of the charitable, 

 and obtain money. Cowper accuses gipsies of such artifices. 

 He is describing a gipsy encampment, and, dilating upon 

 their modes of gaining subsistence, adds, — 



" Great skill have they in palmistry, and more 

 To conjure clean away the gold they touch, 

 Conveying worthless dross into its place ; 

 Loud when they beg, dumb only when they steal. 

 ***** 

 feigning sickness oft. 

 They swathe the forehead, drag the limping limb, 

 And vex their flesh with artificial sores." 



The Clematis well represents Artifice on this account, but 

 we would rather think of it as a graceful climber, affording 

 a pleasant shade, and gratifying us with its very delicious 

 fragrance, 



* Radiating Thermometer on grass, exposed to the direct rays of the 

 sun, stood at 148°. 7 Fahr. 



54 



