Nat. Ord. Rantjnculaceai. 
“ Within the wood, 
Whose young and half transparent leaves, 
Scarce cast a shade; gay circles of anemdnes, 
Danced on their stalks.” 
Bryant. 
Classical name Anemone is derived from a Greek word, 
which signifies the wind , because it was thought that the 
flower opened out its blossoms only when the wind was 
blowing. Whatever the habits of the Anemone of the 
Grecian Isles may be, assuredly in their native haunts in this country, 
the blossoms open alike in windy weather or in calm; in shade or in 
sunshine. It is more likely that the wind acting upon the downy 
seeds of some species and dispersing them abroad, has been the origin 
of the idea, and has given birth to the popular name which poets 
have made familiar to the ear with many sweet lines. Bryant, who 
is the American poet of nature, for he seems to revel in all that is 
fair among the flowers and streams and rocks and forest shades, 
has also given the name of “ wind-flower ” to the blue hepatica. 
The subject of our plate, the little white pink-edged flower 
at the left hand corner of the group, is Anemone Nemorosa, the 
smaller “Wood Anemone.” 
