THE ARETHUSA. 



how the insect tribes in doing this service to plants also benefit 

 themselves, for the number and vigor of nectar-producing flowers 

 will be the measure of their food supply for the next year. 

 Thus Nature weaves these two humble lives together in a web 

 of mutual dependence and service. 



The Arethusa was named in honor of a nymph of Diana or 

 Artemis, as she is often called, and was represented in the Greek 

 mythology to be the presiding genius cf springs and fountains. 

 She was the daughter of Nereus and Doris, and was changed 

 into a fountain by her mistress Diana to deliver her from the 

 persistent but unwelcome pursuit of her lover Alpheios, a river- 

 god, and a son of Okeanas. The fountain was at Syracuse, in 

 Sicily, and was famous for the abundance of its waters and the 

 number of its fishes, though now the water is brackish and sup- 

 ports no finny inhabitants. Virgil invokes the inspiration of 

 Arethusa to help him compose his tenth pastoral, addressed to 

 his friend Gallus. 



The connection of our plant with wet "springy" places, 

 where it makes its home, suggested its name. Certainly, no one 

 who has seen and admired its rare charms in its native haunts, 

 can feel that it does discredit to the name or memory of the 

 fair goddess of fountains. 



Arethusa arose 



From her couch of snows 

 In the Acroceraunian mountains, — 



From cloud and from crag, 



With many a jag, 

 Shepherding her bright fountains, 



She leaped down the rocks 



With her rainbow locks 



