THE DAISY. 
BELLIS PERENNIS. 
« There is a flower, a little flower, 
With silver crest and golden eye, 
That welcomes every changing hour, 
And weathers every sky. 
It smiles upon the lap of May, 
To sultry August spreads its charms, 
Lights pale October on his way, 
And twines December’s arms.” 
The simple notice of the botanist, that the daisy 
grows “in pastures and meadows every where*,” is 
alone sufficient to establish its claim on our regard. It 
is not merely a spring or summer friend, dying with its 
favourite season; it demands no peculiarities of soil or 
situation, it meets us every where , and attends us through 
the year, for it is often seen blossoming in the midst of 
winter. Thus Wordsworth addresses it — 
“ When soothed awhile by milder airs, 
Thee Winter in the garland wears 
* Sir J. E. Smith. 
