Galax-Leaved Shortia, 



SHORTIA GLA CI FOLIA Gray. 



Spake full Well, in language quaint and olden 

 One who dwelleth by the castled Rhine, 



When he called the flowers, so blue and golden, 

 Stars, that in earth's firmament do shine. 



= 5 



Stars they are, wherein we read our history 



As astrologers and seers of eld; 

 Yet not wrapped about with awful mystery. 



Like the burning stars, which they beheld. 



Wondrous truth, and manifold as wondrous, 



God hath written in those stars above ; 

 But not less in the bright flowerets under us 



Stands the revelation of his love. 



Bright and glorious is that revelation. 



Written all over this great world of ours: 

 Making evident our own creation. 



In those stars of earth, these golden flowers. 



Longfellow. 



There is an interesting, almost romantic, story connected with 

 the discovery and rediscovery of this beautiful plant. About a 

 hundred years ago the French government sent a noted botanist 

 of the time, Mons. Andr^ Michaux, to this country to collect useful 



