KIDD'S OWN JOURNAL. 



151 



without at present entering into minutiae, I 

 will refer to the Lilac tree, where they are seen 

 in perfection, and singular exactness. 



Leaves are attached to the trunk, &c, by 

 means of a stalk, called Petiole, though some 

 are deficient of this connecting link, and are 

 then called Sessile. Sometimes they are beau- 

 tifully ciliated with hairs resembling floss silk, 

 and are likewise furnished with Stomata, or 

 breathing pores, on one or both sides. If a 

 tree in full vigor be stripped of these organs, 

 it soon perishes. Yet, in winter, such is not 

 the case. This results from the life of the 

 plant remaining dormant in that season, and 

 is a process resembling the hybernation of 

 animals. 



Of the reproductive organs, the Calyx is to 

 be first considered. This is the outside whorl 

 of leaves composing the flower ; it is formed 

 either of one or more parts called sepals. 

 Next to it, is the Corolla, likewise of one 

 piece or several ; this is the gay portion, of a 

 fine texture, and delicately formed. The third 

 whorl is the Stamens, composed of a stalk or 

 filament, and the anther containing the pollen. 

 Then comes the Pistil — usually of three 

 parts ; the ovary containing the vegetable 

 eggs. This forms the base, then comes 

 the style, and on the top of that the Stigma. 

 Sometimes, this latter rests on the ovary, 

 without the intervention of a style, as in the 

 Poppy. These several whorls alternate with 

 each other. Should either be opposite, we 

 consider that one set of organs remains 

 undeveloped. 



A single Stamen and Pistil in Botany, forms 

 a flower, even if all other parts are absent. 

 After the flower is fully blown, each part, 

 having performed its duties, gradually dies 

 away. The ovary enlarges, ripens, and 

 contains the now perfected ovules or seeds. 

 It is called the Pericarp, and is of a great 

 variety of shapes, giving the distinguishing 

 characteristic to some natural orders. The 

 seeds ripen, and contain in themselves the 

 rudiments of a progeny, and possess the 

 wonderful property of producing a plant 

 similar to the one from which it sprung. 



We have thus slightly sketched the outline 

 of Vegetable Physiology. Much still remains 

 to be considered. Since our countrywomen 

 have devoted their talents to the study, it 

 has become fashionable, and bids fair to 

 become generally appreciated. 



What dire necessities on every hand 

 Our art, our strength, our fortitude require ! 

 Of foes intestine, what a numerous band 

 Against this little throb of life conspire ! 

 Yet Science can elude their fatal ire 

 Awhile, and turn aside Death's levelled dart; 

 Soothe the sharp pang, allay the fever's fire, 

 And brace the nerves once more, and cheer the 



heart, 

 And yet a few soft nights and balmy davs impart. 



E. L. M. 



A SPINNING-WHEEL SONG. 



Air,— " The Little House under the Hill." 



I. 



Mellow the moonlight to shine is beginning ; 

 Close by the window young Eileen is spinning, 

 Bent o'er the fire her blind grandmother, sitting, 

 Is croaning, and moaning, and drowsily knitting — 

 "Eileen, achora, I hear some one tapping," — 

 " Tis the ivy, dear mother, against the glass 



flapping." 

 "Eileen, I surely hear somebody sighing." — 

 " 'Tis the sound, mother dear, of the summer 

 wind dying." 

 Merrily, cheerily, noisily whirring^ 

 Swings the wheel, spins the reel, while the foot's 



stirring ; 

 Sprightly, and lightly, and airily ringing, 

 Thrills the sweet voice of the young maiden 

 singing. 



II. 



" What's that noise which I hear at the window, 



I wonder?" — 

 " 'Tis the little birds chirping, the holly-bush 



under." — 

 " What makes you be shoving and moving your 



stool on, 

 And singing all wrong that old song of ' The 



Coolun'?"— 

 There's a form at the casement — the form of her 



true love — 

 And he whispers, with face bent, " I'm waiting 



for you, love ; 

 Get up on the stool, through the lattice step 



lightly, 

 We'll rove in the grove while the moon's shining 



brightly." 

 Merrily, cheerily, noisily whirring, 

 Swings the wheel, spins the reel, while the 



foot's stirring ; 

 Sprightly, and lightly, and airily ringing, _ 

 Thrills the sweet voice of the young maiden 



singing. 



III. 



The maid shakes her head, on her lip lays her 



fingers, 

 Steals up from the seat— longs to go, and yet 



lingers; 

 A frightened glance turns to her drowsy grand- 

 mother, 

 Puts one foot on the stool, spins the wheel with 



the other. 

 Lazily, easily, swings now the wheel round ; 

 Slowly and lowly is heard now the reel's sound ; 

 Noiseless and light to the lattice above her 

 The maid steps — then leaps to the arms of her 

 lover. 

 Slower — and slower — and slower the wheel 



swings ; 

 Lower — and lower — and lower the reel rings ; 

 Ere the reel and the wheel stopped their ringing 



and moving, 

 Through the grove the young lovers by moon- 

 light are roving ! 



Dublin University Magazine. 



