Virgil, in one passage in the fifth pastoral, speaks of the Narcissus as purple ; and Mr. Davidson, in a 
note on that passage, observes that Dioscorides also speaks of a species of Narcissus which is purple : 
“ Pro molli viola, pro purpureo narcisso.” 
“ In lieu of the soft violet, in lieu of the empurpled Narcissus.” — Davidson’s Translation. 
Several of them have a ring of purple : 
“ Bring rich carnations, flower de luces, lilies, 
The checqued and purple-ringed daffodillies.” — Ben Jonson. 
The narcotic odour of the Narcissus was known to the ancients, indeed its name is said to be derived 
from (vapKy,) stupor; and hence it was one of their funereal flowers. The smell of many is, however, ex- 
ceedingly grateful ; but in confined apartments their exhalations are reputed to be noxious. The bulbs of 
these plants abound more or less in farina, containing an emetic principle, which in some, as the N. poeticus, 
N. Jonquilla, &c. is predominant, that they were called bulbi vomitarii by the older herbalists. N. odorus, 
Pseudo-narcissus, and Tazetta, have similar properties, and are administered on the continent in doses of five 
or ten grains to produce nausea, and thirty grains as an emetic. 
The extract is the best form in which the active principle of the Narcissi can be exhibited medicinally. 
Two or three drachms of this preparation will destroy life in the course of a few hours. In doses of two or 
three grains it is regarded by some persons as almost a specific in hooping-cough. But Laennec says, in 
speaking of its effects in pertussis, “ I have used this extract much, and have occasionally seen it effect sur- 
prisingly rapid cures ; for instance, in five or six days ; but this result is rare, and as a general remedy I find 
it much less efficacious than Belladonna.” 
A watery extract of Narcissus [Dr. Taylor on Poisons, p. 512] administered to dogs was found by Orfila 
to cause vomiting and other symptoms of local irritation, followed by death. It acts upon the nervous 
system, as well as locally upon the mucous membrane of the stomach, which was found deeply reddened in 
some of the experiments. 
* The lover of either the garden or the country landscape, cannot have failed to remark the effect of the 
seasons upon the gradual development of its leaves and blossoms. Each month has its peculiar floral orna- 
ments ; and although the warmth or the coldness of the atmosphere has an influence in accelerating or re- 
tarding, by a short period, the unfolding of flowers, yet each month is so far constant in its processes that 
we look with confidence for the plants which generally grace it. January has its snowdrops, and June its 
roses. In the coldest weather the laurustinus and Christmas-rose are blooming in our gardens, and the 
furze gives its lustre to the lone moorland. Then that “ bonnie gem” the spring-daisy — the morning-star 
of the flowers — appears here and there, and the groundsel puts forth its yellow blossoms. The garden beds 
present the fair snowdrop, and the rich golden luxuriance of the crocus. The boughs of the mezereon are 
clothed with lilac clusters ; the hepaticas venture to unfold their small rose-coloured or blue flowers ; the 
daffodils hang down their yellow cups ; and the brilliant vases of the anemonies are open to the vernal 
showers ; and then follow the many iovely blossoms of spring and summer. 
The trees, as they resume their foliage in the early part of the year, exhibit, each month, a greater rich- 
ness and variety of colour. The young buds of the honeysuckle often unfold in January ; the gooseberry 
and lilac about February ; and the hawthorn is getting gradually covered during April, and preparing for its 
show of May flowers, while the lime is as yet scarcely producing a leaf. Then, when the lilac-tree is full, 
not only of its foliage, but covered with its flowery clusters, and the birch leaves quiver to the winds, the elm 
and ash open their young buds, and a small leaf or two appears here and there on their branches. The 
garden acacia remains many days longer before it shews one token of spring, and the summer foliage has 
lent a rich glory to wood and garden before one full green leaf decks the stately walnut tree. 
It was the opinion of Linnaeus that the agriculturist might be guided in sowing his grain by the leafing 
of trees, and several naturalists have agreed with him. The old proverb, often acted upon by farmers, is 
founded on a similar principle. 
“ When the sloe-tree is white as a sheet, 
Sow your barley whether it is dry or wet.” 
Mr. Templeton, in his Naturalist’s Report, thus remarks upon this subject: — “As plants vegetate 
according to the temperature which prevails, and flowers blow in a regular and never-varying order, 
we have certain means which can never fail, for directing us when to begin and leave off the various opera- 
tions of husbandry and gardening. Should we therefore find, after a few years’ experience, that the best 
crops were uniformly produced when we sowed or planted at the time a particular tree or plant flowered, we 
have ever a sure guide, independent of astronomical revolutions, and can direct others to pursue the same 
plan in whatever country they are placed. Thus, if we have found that on sowing peas, or other seed, when 
the gooseberry flowered, they are ready for gathering when the corn-marigold flowered, we are pretty sure 
that each succeeding year the same uniformity will prevail.” It is well known that our ancestors named some 
months according to their natural appearances : thus February was termed Sprout-kale, and March, Stormy- 
month ; and Mr. Loudon tells us that the Indians of America plant their corn when the wild-plum blooms, 
or when the leaves of the oak are about the size of the squirrel’s ears. The names of some of their months 
are also given according to their observations of vegetable changes. Thus, one is called by the poetical 
name of the budding-month, and one rather later is termed the flowering month ; while the autumn is 
mournfully characterized by a word which signifies the fall of the leaf. 
Flowers and their Association. 
