Bell Flowers. 287 



himself. Love, who feared the consequences of so foolish an 

 error, broke the glass and transformed the remains into this 

 pretty plant, from which circumstance, as well as from the 

 corollas reflecting the rays of the sun, occasioned its name ; 

 although some think this title was bestowed upon it on account 

 of the glossy nature of its seed. It is made the emblem of 

 reflection as well as of flattery. It varies in color from 

 a fine violet, to a blue, and sometimes a white. Towards the 

 evening the corollas fold up into a pentagonal figure, enclosing 

 the parts of fructification, and securing them from the damp 

 air until they are again opened by the rays of Aurora. From 

 the shape of the flower when thus folded, it has sometimes 

 borne the name of Viola Pentagonia. It grows naturally 

 amongst the corn in the southern countries of Europe. It is a 

 great ornament to the parterre, particularly when sown in large 

 patches on sloping banks. Though seldom over from six to 

 twelve in height, its spreading branches completely cover the 

 earth, presenting a mass of beauty by its mirrors, not exceed- 

 ed by any of the humble plants which expand the petals to the 

 sun of summer. The shining seed should be sown in the 

 autumn, on a dry soil, to produce early flowers, and the spring 

 sowing will succeed them so as to prolong the enjoyment of 

 these agreeable little flatterers. 



THE HAREBELL. 



BY CAROLINE SYMONDS. 



In Spring's green lap there blooms a flower 

 Whose cup imbibes each vernal shower, 

 That sips fresh Nature's balmy dew, 

 Clad in its sweetest, purest blue ; 

 Yet shines the ruddy eye of morning, 

 The shaggy woods' brown shade adorning. 

 Simplest flow'ret ! Child of May ! 

 Though hid from the broad eye of day, 

 Doomed in the shade thy sweets to shed, 

 Unnoticed droop thy languid head ; 

 Still, Nature's darling thou'lt remain; 

 She feeds thee with her softest rain; 

 Fills each sweet bell with but honied tears, 

 With genial gales thy bosom cheers. 

 O, then unfold thy simple charms, 

 In yon deep thicket's sheltering arms, 

 Far from the fierce and sultry glare, 



