lo2 



l-AMILUn GAIiDEX FLOirERS. 



Adonis, laid out as rorpses, Ix'fore whieli the women tore 

 their hair and made loud lamentations. The seeond day 

 was occupied with feasting- and merriment. It was a dis- 

 tinct feature of this worship to carry green herbs in pots 

 and shells, the favourite plants for the occasion being fennel 

 and lettuce ; for it was said that Venus laid her lovel\- boy 

 on a bed of lettuces, and the fennel is of so reviving a nature 

 tiiat the fancj' might be allowed to indulge the hope that it 

 would bring the dead to life. It wfiuld be better to say 

 that the solar myth is fully declared in the display of the 

 dead Adonis, on whose brightness winter has descended, 

 but who will presently revive and kindle life and merriment, 

 and fill the bosoms of mankind with peace and plenty. 



Ailoiiis nittiiiiiuiiliii is an annual flower, and blooms 

 thronghont the summer, notwithstanding its specific name. 

 The seed may be sown at almost any season, Ijut it should 

 always be sown where the plant is to staud, because it 

 does not bear transplanting. Any soil will suit it, and it 

 liears shade fairly well, but Ijlooms more freely in the 

 sunshine. 



