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GUM CISTUS. — CISTUS LADANIFERUS. 



Natural order, Rosacece. Cisti, Juss. A genus 

 of the Polyandria Monogynia class. 



" Ye lovely fugitives ! 



Coeval race with man ! for man you smile ; 

 Why not smile at him too : you share indeed 

 His sudden pass ; but not his constant pain." 



Young. 



The beautiful family of plants comprised 

 under the tribe of Cistus are sufficient to form 

 a separate and interesting work. 



The transient nature of their blossoms ex- 

 tend through their numerous race, from the 

 most minute that creeps the rock, to the 

 tallest shrub that heads their family. None 

 can be found to possess a flower which lives 

 to see a second sun. But as they have a great 

 profusion of flower-buds, this imperfection is 

 the less regretted ; and we find them emble- 

 matical of popular favour, smiling on this 

 spray to-day, on that to-morrow, ever chang- 

 ing, ever gay, but no sooner received than 

 withered. But, 



" ye painted populace ! 



Who dwell in fields, and lead ambrosial lives ; 

 *i« morn and evening dew your beauties bathe, 

 And drink the sun, which gives ;:our cheeks to c - 



