CHINA ASTER. 187 
CHINA ASTER. 
The numerous family of radiated flowers were 
named Aster from the Greek word signifying Star. 
Our European gardens are indebted for the China 
Aster to Father d'Incarville, a Jesuit missionary, 
who, about the year 1730, sent seeds of it to the 
royal garden at Paris. At first the plants produced 
only single flowers of one uniform colour ; but, 
through cultivation and change of soil, double varie- 
ties were obtained, and so diversified in colour that 
they form one of the principal ornaments of our 
parterres from July to November ; and the China 
Aster is thence made the emblem of variety. In 
like manner, study is capable of multiplying without 
limit the graces and refinements of the uncultivated 
mind. Brilliant and majestic, the Aster does not 
pretend to rival the rose, but it succeeds her, and 
consoles us in autumn for her absence. 
