288 



FLORA AND SYLVA, 



Wagner's Tropteolum (T. Wagnerianum). 

 — A fibrous-rooted greenhouse perennial from 

 Columbia and Venezuela, in habit and foliage 

 more suggestive of a Convolvulus than a Tro- 

 paeolum. It is of twining habit with triangular 

 leaves of 2 to 3 inches upon short stems inserted 

 justwithin theblade. Flowers with averylong 

 crimson spur, a spreading green-lobed calyx, 

 and five equal and very narrow fringed petals 

 of violet-blue. It first bloomed many years ago 

 in Birmingham, flowering in September, and 

 after a short rest again in growth early in the 

 year. It is a curious and beautiful plant of free 

 growth, thriving in light soil and not subject 

 to damp (as are many of this group) even in 

 winter. It is very easily increased from single 

 eyes dropped upon sand under a handlight, 

 but has become rare and is perhaps not now in 

 cultivation. 



Minor Varieties. — To complete our sur- 

 vey of the group mention must be made of 

 some five or six kinds of lesser importance, but 

 none of them without interest. T. cirrhipes is 

 akin to Deckerianum, with flowers borne upon 

 very long stalks which roll themselves around 

 any object within reach, and thus maintain the 

 plant. T. marmoratum'\% remarkable for its large 

 leaves, oval, and finely veined and marbled after 

 the manner of certain Cissus. T. edule is a vi- 

 gorous hardy kind, forming large edible tubers, 

 and very like Knight's Tropasolum save in its 

 more straggling habit. T.p'mnatiun is a green- 

 house plant raised as a cross many years ago 

 and flowering from June until late in the au- 

 tumn ; its flowers are composed of yellow 

 toothed petals. T. rhomboideum is a plant inter- 

 mediate between Ts. tricolor and Irac/iyceras, 

 grown under glass and bearing in early spring 

 an abundance of tiny bell-like blossoms. 



The Scarlet Windflower in Palestine. — 

 The slopes of the valley of Ajalon are densely 

 covered with this lovely little flower, and in 

 the valleys of Hinnom and Kedron, outside the 

 walls of Jerusalem, it is difficult to avoid tread- 

 ing on it. One of the finest sights I ever beheld 

 was early one morning when journeying from 

 Bethlehem to Jerusalem. During the night 

 snow had fallen (an exceedingly rare occur- 

 rence) to the depth of some inches. The morn- 

 ing, however, was bright and clear, and the 

 sun's rays having partly melted the snow, the 

 dazzling scarlet Anemone had forced itself 



through the white sheet, standing erect with 

 its large petals flatly expanded, and no other 

 plant or flower visible. In some places they 

 lay in clusters, while the whole plain, far as the 

 eye could reach, was thickly covered with the 

 star-like gems. The scene was one not easily 

 forgotten. — W. V. 



SONGS OF THE WOODS AND 

 FLOWERS: In a Garden. 



How vainly men themselves amaze 

 To win the palm, the oak, or bays, 

 And their incessant labours see 

 Crowned from some single herb or tree 

 Whose short and narrow-verged shade 

 Does prudently their toils upbraid ; 

 While all the flowers and trees do close 

 To weave the garlands of Repose. 



Fair Quiet, have I found thee here, 

 And Innocence thy sister dear ? 

 Mistaken long, I sought you then 

 In busy companies of men : 

 Your sacred plants, if here below, 

 Only among the plants will grow : 

 Society is all but rude 

 To this delicious solitude. 



# * * # * 



When we have run our passion's heat 

 Love hither makes his best retreat 

 The gods, that mortal beauty chase, 

 Still in a tree did end their race : 

 Apollo hunted Daphne so 

 Only that she might laurel grow : 

 And Pan did after Syrinx speed 

 Not as a nymph, but for a reed. 



# 4 4> # • 



Meanwhile the mind from pleasure less 

 Withdraws into his happiness ; 

 The mind, that ocean where each kind 

 Does straight its own resemblance find. 

 Yet it creates, transcending these, 

 Far other worlds, and other seas ; 

 Annihilating all that's made 

 To a green thought in a green shade. 



Here at the fountain's sliding foot 

 Or at some fruit-tree's mossy root, 

 Casting the body's vest aside 

 My soul into the boughs does glide ; 

 There, like a bird, it sits and sings, 

 Then whets and combs its silver wings, 

 And, till prepared for longer flight, 

 Waves in its plumes the various light. 



Such was that happy Garden-state 

 While man there walked without a mate : 

 After a place so pure and sweet, 

 What other help could yet be meet ! 

 But 'twas beyond a mortal's share 

 To wander solitary there : 

 Two paradises 'twere in one, 

 To live in Paradise alone. 



How well the skilful gardener drew 

 Of flowers and herbs this dial new ! 

 Where, from above, the milder sun 

 Does through a fragrant zodiac run : 

 And, as it works, th' industrious bee 

 Computes its time as well as we. 

 How could such sweet and wholesome hours 

 Be reckoned, but with herbs and flowers ! 



— Marvell. 



