674 



AN ELEGY FOR WHITHER. 



The branch of Cornus Kousa illustrated below was 

 drawn from a shrub recently exhibited by the Messrs. 

 J. Veitch & Sons, and honored with a first-class certifi- 

 cate. The picture is taken, by permission, from Cardeuiu^ 

 World. The plant was originally introduced from Japan 

 in 1847, under the name of Benthamia Japonica, and 

 although not so well-known as B. fragifera, it is prob- 

 ably the hardier of the two. The genus has long since 

 been merged in that of Cornus. The specific name 

 Kousa is doubtless of Japanese origin. In its native 

 habitats, the mountains of Kiusin and Nippon, this shrub 

 is found at elevations between 2,000 and 4,000 feet. 

 In England it flowers in June. The shoots terminate in 



a capitate inflorescence surrounded by four large large, 

 ovate, white bracts, the whole of which to the uneducated 

 eye appears like a single flower. The little roundish 

 pieces in the center are all separate flowers, which are 

 followed by fruits that grow together in a mass resem- 

 bling a strawberry, as in Be)ithamia fragifera. The 

 fruits of Cornus Kousa are yellowish red. The leaves 

 are ovate, and drawn out to a long, slender point. Their 

 arrangement is somewhat peculiar. The stem ends in a 

 single inflorescence, on each side of which is a leaf . A short 

 shoot arises from the axil of each of the latter and bears 

 a single pair of leaves, so that six of the latter are ar- 

 ranged round each inflorescence. — S. E. Kennedy, R. I. 



Cornus Kousa. 



AN ELEGY FOR WHITTIER. 



In vain for him the buds shall hurst their shield, 



oind chestnut-leaves their tiny tents unfold ; 

 ■ In vain the early violets dot the field : 

 His heart is cold. 



The rose no more shall meet his ardent ga^e, 



Like tender blushes of the maiden June, 

 Nor summer birds repeat for him their lays — 

 He hears no tune. 



Full-breasted Autumn, for the lusty throng 



The harvest-feast shall spread with liberal hand; 

 Hut he no more shall join their harvest-song, 



Nor understand. 

 IVhen the faint pulsings of the earth shall cease, 

 ^nd on her naked form the shroud be spread. 

 He, like the snow-bound world, shall rest in peace, 

 For he is dead. 



—Walter Storrs Bigelow. 



