NATURAL HISTORY MISCELLANY. 
ER a BS 
BOTANY. 
m “May FLO WA i tiful family of plants, the 
eaths, there is none ae Bal has muth strong claims upon our regard as 
the apie May Flower, and none more likely to have its claims vindi- 
ed; for, toa certain extent, - has already become historical, in con- 
quence of its association with the Pilgrims, or more properly with the 
Pilgrim ship ‘‘ May Flower.” th humble shrubb y plant grows plen- 
tifully around Plymouth, and in piney cosets n many other localities 
o uld hardl 
play of sentiment. Even in that austere age, we doubt if it were 
frowned upon, as much of a sin, if the young Puritan, on his way to 
the meeting-house, chanced to tuck a sprig or two into his doublet, 
in expectation that the eyes of some Mary or Martha, who perchance 
sat on the opposite bench, weary perhaps with watching the slow- 
moving sands ofthe hour-glass on the pulpit, —might look the more 
graciously upon him. 
In the books, this plant is known as the ‘‘Epigea repens,” but 
otherwise as the Trailing Arbutus, May Flower, and Ground Laurel. 
Under ental name, however, it is sweet and ted m has puen a a 
rich, spicy fragrance, that we wonder how the fickle suns of A 
could p ia draw ioia the cold ground aroma of such deoak cacy. 
Pretty little branches of this early gem may now be purchased along 
the thoroughfares, and at the paepe of apga Sweet har- 
binger of Spring, dining souvenir of the season, go on your mission 
gladness, as young men and maidens, aa men and children wel- 
gard, laden with whisperings of joy to the young, hope to the afflict- 
ed, rest and peace to the weary and aged; to homes where every 
one, as in the words of a certain poet of New Bedford, may be 
strengthened and confirmed in every good impulse of patriotism and 
! 
Ther te my heart, thy rock-ribbed hills, 
bitte ee 
"And tem] ots, ere winter y s her sway, 
i Be 7 : 
; tes ens GRP. 
DES, 
ICI bert Spencer, in 
“The Princes of te” an ta the Weeping Willow m 
