A GROUP OF HYACINTHS. 



In viewing with attention the works of Nature, we cannot fail to notice the highest degree of 

 perfection and harmony of parts. In the animal creation, when the morning is but dawning, 

 we have first the plaintive matin of the robin ; as the sun becomes nearer the horizon, the wake- 

 ful lark, on vibrating wing, gives his cheerful song; the sun once fully risen, and all the warblers 

 of the forest unite in the vocal concert; after a pause, the sun declining, the nightingale joins 

 the robin, but with a song in a much more plaintive strain, and she finally ends in a solo; a and 

 when utter darkness closes the scene, the frog croaks, the owl screeches, and all partakes of 

 the solemnity of night. An African scene at this late hour is dreadful indeed ! Besides the 

 hissing of serpents, there are the continual barkings of the wolf and jackall, the yell of the 

 tyger, hyaena, and panther, and the roaring of the lion, appalling every heart with fear. 



EXTRACT FROM THE. CALENDAR OF FLORA. 



January 26. The Snow-Drop (Galanthus nivalis) flowers. 



With the same judicious harmonizing of parts, the first flower that appears on the verge of 

 winter is the Snow-Drop, of a pale white, with a little green in the three central petals, whose 

 form the poetess thus elegantly depicts. 



Poets still, in graceful numbers, 



May the glowing Roses choose; 

 But the Snow-Drop's simple beauty 



Better suits an humble muse. 



Earliest bud that decks the garden, 



Fairest of the fragrant race, 

 First-born child of vernal Flora, 



Seeking mild, thy lowly place. 



» The plaintive song of Philomela is thus beautifully described by Virgil. Orpheus laments the loss of Eurydice for seven whole 

 months. 



The rocks were mov'd with pity to his moans, 



Trees bent their heads to hear him sing his wrongs, 



Fierce tygers couch'd around, and loll'd their fawning tongues. 



So, close in poplar shades, her children gone, 



The mother Nightingale laments alone; 



Whose nest some prying boy had found, and thence 



By stealth convey'd th* unfeather'd innocence. 



Thus she supplies the night with mournful strains, 



And melancholy music fills the plains. 



