AMERICAN COWSLIP, 



O R, 



M E A D I A. 



It has its present appellation from its native country, and from the resemblance its growth bears 

 to the ordinary Cowslip, possessing, like it, leaves radical, and an erect scape or flower-stem* '. From the 

 summit of the scape, which is fringed round with numerous small and regular leaves, the peduncles 

 or flower-stalks, as in umbelliferous plants, issue in every direction, each bearing a very beautiful 

 flower. These consist of a Calyx composed of one leaf, divided into five regular green segments, 

 which at first embrace the young flower, and afterwards expand; a Corolla consisting of five delicate 

 lilac segments, which, like those of the Calyx, first enclose the more essential parts, the organs for 

 reproduction, which having acquired a due perfection, then beautifully reflect themselves, in order 

 that these may have a due quantity of light and heat. The organs for reproduction are the five 

 Stamina, which issue through the mouth or tube of the Corolla; each filament being firmly pressed by as 

 many nectaria, leaving however free the barb-like Anthers, which curiously clasp each other, the 

 two opposite hollows on the sides firmly fitting together, for the protection of the fecundatingyanwa, 

 which, when these separate, is thrown forth with a spring upon the Pistillum, proceeding from the 

 centre of the flower. When these are longer than the Stamina, Nature usually adopts the device 

 of forming, as we see here, pendidous flowers. We have yet further to remark the unceasing care 

 of Providence, whilst Nature appeared to be only industrious to make the habitation of man gay 

 and delightful, she was carrying on her principal design, being intent upon the continuance, and 

 preservation, of the species. The story of the American Cowslip fully explains this. For the seeds 

 becoming impregnated, those segments, which looked the other day so charming, separate in disor- 

 der, shrink, and wither ; the Stamina seceding from each other, with their empty Anthers, perish ; 

 even the Stigma and Style become dry ; crowning the fruitful Ge?men, which increases day by day ; 

 now we may observe the reflected segments of the Calyx to assume their first form, closing round 

 each prolific Germen ; and the Peduncles, which were before bent downwards, moving with every 

 Zephyr, gradually become rigid and erect, giving to the plant in this stage as much of form and 

 stiffness, as it had before of lightness and elegance t In its perfect state it might easily raise to 

 our fancy the image of a vegetable sky-rocket in different periods of explosion, or some might conceive 

 it to resemble a number of light shuttlecocks, fluttering in the air. This plant Mr. Catesby in his 

 natural history of Carolina called Mead i a, after the famous Dr. Mead, which appellation Linnaeus 

 has rejected, styling it in his works, Dodecathon (the twelve Heathen Gods), on account of the 

 singular beauty, and number of its flowers. It comes under his Class V. Pentandria, five 

 males, Order I. Monogynia, one female, and in our reformed system, Class Five Stamina, 

 Order, One Pistillum. It is thus elegantly personified by Dr. Darwin. 



Me adit's soft chains five suppliant beaux confess, 

 And hand in hand the laughing belle address ; 

 Alike to all, she bows with wanton air, 

 Rolls her dark eye, and waves her golden hair. 



Darwin. 



* What a difference in this scape compared with that of the American Aloe ! 

 t The instinct-like actions of the Meadia have a great resemblance to those of the Superb Lily before described. 





