WOOD ANEMONE. 



WOOD ANEMONE {A. w^w^raja).— FORLORNNESS. 

 " The Wind-flower, pale and fragile."— M. A. BROWNE. 



Anemone was a nymph beloved of Zephyr. This aroused 

 the jealousy of Flora, who banished her from her court, and 

 changed her into a flower, which always blooms before the 

 return of Spring. Zephyr has abandoned this unfortunate 

 beauty to the caresses of Boreas, who, failing to win her love, 

 disturbs her, makes her bloom too early, and causes her to 

 fade quickly. 



An Anemone, with the motto, Brevis est usus, i.e., " Her 

 reign is short," accurately declares the fleeting nature of her 

 beauty. 



WOOD SORREL (Oxalis acetosella).—]OY. 



The Hallelujah Oxalis, as the French call this plant, 

 flourishes at Easter. Every evening it closes and bends down 

 its leaves, folds up its corollas, and allows its flowers to hang 

 drooping. They seem to fall with the sun ; but, at dawn of 

 day, one might fancy that they are filled with joy, for they 

 unfold their leaves, and spread forth their flowers. On these 

 accounts it is said by country people, that they praise God. 



The Wood Sorrel is by some thought to be the true 

 Shamrock. It is the emblem of the Irish nation, and the 

 badge of the Order of St. Patrick. By its means that early 

 preacher of Christianity taught the people the great doctrine 

 of the Trinity. 



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