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Magnolia, 
ftlagnolia grandiflora. Natura Orver: Magnoliacee —Magnolia Family. 
EERE IAT 
a ZF all the flowers bestowed upon the South, there is none to 
JeQX@ which a Southerner refers with more pride than to the blos- 
soms of this elegant tree. The Magnolia grandiflora flourishes 
throughout most of the Gulf States and on the Atlantic coast 
“as far north as North Carolina. It grows chiefly in swampy 
= lands, yet attains its greatest height in a light, fertile soil, 
where, if planted by itself, it will assume the shape of a perfect pyra- 
mid. The leaves are evergreen, the old ones forming a striking con- 
trast to the young and tender foliage, which is of a much lighter shade. 
; The flowers are of the purest white, about eight or nine inches in 
eg diameter, and fill the air with their honeyed fragrance. As the slight- 
ait est injury causes the blossom to soon turn brown, they have often been 
ES used as a medium of communication between lovers or friends. It was 
only necessary to write the message with some pointed instrument on one of 
the broad petals, and cause the flowers to be delivered in a bouquet to the 
person desired, and the wounded parts would soon betray the secret committed 
to the floral page. 
Jove of Daturg. 
ATURE is man’s best teacher. She unfolds 
Her treasures to his search, unseals his eye, 
Illumes his mind, and purifies his heart, 
An influence breathes from all the sights and sounds 
Of her existence; she is wisdom’s self.  —S¢reet. 
LOVE thee for the blossoms and the bees, The earth, the sun, and everything that’s fair, 
The hills, the vales, the mountains and the seas; Above, below, all round and everywhere — 
The winds, the clouds, the skies of azure blue, The soul, the mind, to their Creator call, 
The moon, the stars, and planets circling through; To him, the Father, First and Last of all. 
—Lalee, 
NATURE! how in every charm supreme! HE green earth sends its incense up 
Whose votaries feast on raptures ever new! From every mountain shrine — 
O! for the voice and fire of seraphim, From every flower and dewy cup 
To sing thy glories with devotion due! —Zeattie, That greeteth the sunshine. —wwrazzier, 
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