= oI —o-5 
—~. x BS . 
Suntlower, 
Helianthus anus, Narorar Orper: Composite— Aster Family. 
OA II 
SCTITERALLY, Helianthus, from two Greek words, 4elzos, the 
p- sun, and anthos, a flower, denotes Sunflower. The common 
© variety is a native of South America, and is probably the 
: largest of the species, for it towers sometimes to the height 
of fifteen feet, with a stalk as large as a man’s wrist. 
ole er te growth depends on the character of the soil, as a 
poor soil dwarfs and diminishes its stature. The flowers are yellow, 
and are frequently the size of a large dinner plate. The seeds are 
very rich and oily, and are sometimes used like almonds for preparing 
soothing emulsions. In Europe a sort of bouillon is made of them for 
infants, and in Portugal they are ground into meal for bread, and are 
sometimes used in the same way by our own American Indians. They 
are also said to be used as a substitute for coffee. The oil is nearly 
” equal to olive oil, and the stems are useful as food for cattle and also 
for fuel. It has been asserted that if the seeds are planted around a dwelling 
‘the plants act as a preventive of fevers, by absorbing the malaria, 
hiotty Ghoughls. 
RIDE of the garden, the beauteous, the regal, 
The crown’d with a diadem burning in gold; 
Sultan of flowers, as the strong pinioned eagle 
And lord of the forest their wide empire hold. 
HERE is a region loftier tar There is a world with blessings blest, 
Than sages know or poets sing — Beyond what prophet’s e’er foretold; 
Brighter than summer’s beauties are, Nor might the tongue of angel guest 
And softer than the tints of spring. A picture of that world unfold. 
OOK past yon hills, whose crest bright sunned is 
With the last fond glance that the dead day gives; 
Up! let the voice of thy De Profundis 
Thrill to those courts where no sorrow lives! 
—Barton Grey. 
290 
