

The Crown Imperial. 65 



Unknown and unadmired, our race 



Springs up, and blooms and fades away, 



And few have sought our resting-place, 

 Or watched our buds from day to day. 



Yet in the simplest blossoms dwell 



Such proofs of power and wise design, 



As to the wondering spirit tell, 



The hand that formed them is divine. 



SONG OP THE CRYPTOGAMIAN TRIBES. 



Chieftain, from our varied store, 



"What tribute shall our tribes provide ? 



We have gems on Ocean's shore, 

 And beneath the flowing tide, 



And many a precious treasure laid 



On the mossy bank in the forest glade. 



We will bring our gallant chief 

 The waving locks of Maiden-hair, 



And Fragile with graceful leaf, 

 Fit for lovely dames to wear, 



And the Royal Osmund's palmy bough. 



A plume that suits a warrior's brow. 



Chieftain, to thee we duly bring, 

 Our countless gifts from land and sea, 



And lo ! to crown our offering 



The nectared draughts we pour to thee, 



Peziza's lowly daughters bear, 



In their ruby cups so rich and rare. 



The Crown Imperial. 



The Fritillaria Imperialis — Crown Imperial, is in the 

 Class Hexandria ; Order Monogynia. The generic name, Fritil- 

 laria, is from Frililltis, the Latin for dice-box, from the spotted 

 color of the petals, or, perhaps, some other fancied resemblance. 

 Its characters are : corol inferior, six«petalled, bell-form, with a 

 nectariferous cavity above the claw of each ; stamens the length 

 I 



