96 The Trumpet Flower. 



country it is the only one of the species that will live in the 

 open air ; when there, it bears an orange-colored flower from 

 July to August. It is the emblem of Separation, about which 

 Robert Tyas says — How many ravishing harmonies spring up 

 on every side from the association of plants with the animal 

 creation ! The butterfly embellishes the rose ; the nightingale 

 sings in our groves ; and the industrious bee enlivens the 

 flower which yields its sweet treasures. Throughout nature the 

 insect is associated with the flower ; the bird with the tree ; and 

 the quadruped with the plants. Man alone is able to enjoy 

 all these things ; and he alone can break the chain of concord 

 and of love, by which the whole universe is bound together. 

 His greedy hand bears off an animal from its native clime, with- 

 out thinking of its habits and its wants ; and yet more frequently 

 neglects the plant, which is made to forget, in its new slavery, 

 the attractions of its own country. Does he import a plant ? 

 He neglects the insect which animates it, the bird which 

 adorns it, and the quadruped which is nourished by its leaves 

 and reposes under its shade. Behold the Virginian Jasmine, 

 with its beautiful verdure and flowers; it always remains a 

 stranger amongst us (English). We always prefer our lovely 

 honeysuckle before it. From the woodbine the bee gathers 

 honey, the goat browses its verdure, and its fruit is the food of 

 legions of the feathered tribe. Could we see the humming bird of 

 Florida hopping about its slender branches, for in the vast forests 

 of the new world it prefers its beautiful foliage to that of any other 

 shrub, we should doubtless regard with greater admiration and 

 pleasure, the rich Virginian jessamine. The humming bird 

 makes its nest in one of the leaves, which it rolls into the shape 

 of a horn ; it finds sustenance in the nectareous vessels of its red 

 flowers, which are similar to those of the foxglove ; and its little 

 body, when resting on the Trumpet flower, appears like an 

 emerald set in coral. It is sometimes so tame and fearless that 

 it may be taken with the hand. This little being is the soul and 

 life of the plant that cherishes it. Separated from its aerial 

 guest, this beautiful twining plant becomes as a desolate widow 

 who has lost all her charms. 



Piety has made this flower emblemise the Christian whom his 

 Master has left ; though outward show remains the same, a name- 



