169 
THE MICHAELMAS DAISY. 
ASTER SEROTINUS. 
“ These few pale autumn flowers, 
How beautiful they are! 
Than all that went before, 
Than all the summer store, 
How lovelier far! 
“ And why ? They are the last! 
The last! the last! the last! 
Oh ! by that little word 
How many thoughts are stirred ; 
That sister of the past! 
“ Pale flowers! Pale perishing flowers! 
I woo your gentle breath, 
I leave the summer rose 
For younger, blither brows, 
Tell me of change and death.” 
By far the larger proportion of this genus are natives 
of South America, whence they have been brought here. 
The asters are a numerous tribe; and, from the variety 
and brilliancy of the colour of most of them, they make 
a pleasingly conspicuous figure amongst our autumnal 
