Shamvack. 
Grifaliann repens. NaTuRAL ORDER: Leguminosae — Pulse Family. 
2 TO AS TN 
we 
rae HITE CLOVER, as this plant is usually called, inhabits 
” all soils, from the luxuriant meadow to the sterile moun- 
tains, hills or rocky places. It is highly useful for pastur- 
» age, and forms the chief food for cattle in some countries. 
AS yl The flowers are white and odoriferous. Bees are attracted 
4% from a considerable distance ‘by it, as it freights the -air very 
heavily where it grows in quantities. The Shamrock is an Irish plant, 
and St. Patrick having chosen it to illustrate to his simple hearers his 
idea of the Trinity, it became thenceforth the national emblem of Ireland. 
Brande and Bentham say the Shamrock is the Oxalis acetosella or com- 
mon wood sorrel, and with some reason, as the White Clover is believed 
to be of only recent introduction into Ireland, but the above is more gen- 
erally received. Pliny says no serpent will touch it, which is probably 
a classic superstition. 
Hight Hearteduess, 
ACH delighted and delighting, gives 
The pleasing ecstacy which each receives. 
~ Prior, 
HOM call we gay? that honor has been long That dries his feathers saturate with dew 
The boast of mere pretenders to the name. Beneath the rosy cloud, while yet the bean 
The innocent are gay —the lark is gay, Of day-spring overshoot his humble nest. 
— Cowper. 
S poised on vibrant wings, So, lost in vivid light, 
Where its sweet treasure swings, So, rapt from day and night, 
The honey-lover clings I linger in delight, 
To the red flowers,— Enraptured o’er the vision-freighted hours. 
—Rose Terry, 
O THOU sweet lark, that in the heaven so high, That lags so far below that- lofty flight, 
Twinkling thy wings, dost sing so joyfully, ° Still silently receive thy melody. 
I watch thy soaring with no mean delight; O thou sweet lark, that I had wings like thee! 
\ And when at last I turn mine aching eye — Southey. i 
Fi 
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pe aie 
