256 



GUELDER ROSE.— VIBURNUM 

 OPULUS. 



Natural order, Dumosce Caprifolia, Juss. In 

 the wild state it is a genus of the Pentandria 

 Trigynia class. 



" The snow-ball which eclipses 

 The white bosom of Venus." 



This offspring of accident or cultivation, 

 which Vertumnus presents to our shrubbery, 

 to harmonize with the elegant lilac, and group 

 with the gay laburnum, holds a conspicuous 

 situation in the regions of Flora, 



" Throwing up into the darkest gloom 



Of neighbouring cypress, or more sable yew, 

 Her silver globes, light as the foamy surf 

 That the wind severs from the broken wave." 



This native shrub often rises to the height 

 of eighteen or twenty feet, clothing itself with 

 a light green foliage, lobed in a similar man- 

 ner to that of the maple-tree, and decorating 

 its grey irregular branches with clusters of 

 abortive flowers, resembling the works of the 

 finest chisel upon the purest alabaster ; parti- 



