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2lnagallis CR‘t)£UStS. Natural Order: Primulacece — Primrose Family. 
NAG ALLIS is found growing in an uncultivated state in 
P many places in Europe, so plentiful as to be classed as a 
Nfv weed. The flowers of this variety, which are scarlet, with a 
purple circle at the eye, open at eight o’clock and close at 
noon, or at the approach of rain, thereby giving it the 
^^familiar cognomen of “ poor man’s weather glass.” It pos- 
acrid properties useful in* medicine — dropsy, epilepsy and mania 
the ailments for which the remedy is used. Its Latin appellative 
ived from the Greek word ancigelao, to laugh aloud. It is sup- 
to be identical with the Samolus mentioned by Pliny, who says 
ancient Druids gathered it fasting, and with the left hand, carefully 
•aining from casting their eyes upon it, and ascribing to it magical 
properties in the cure and prevention of diseases in their cattle. It is a 
pretty plant of a trailing habit, with beautiful flowers in the cultivated species, 
whose tints are blue, white, red, vermilion, and maroon. Its geographical dis¬ 
tribution extends over various portions of the world. 
•f 
T'HE broadest mirth unfeeling folly wears, 
Less pleasing far than virtue’s very tears. 
— Pope. 
TI7TIERE is the man that has not tried 
How mirth can into folly glide, 
And folly into sin ? -S/V W. Scott. 
TT7HERE is our usual manager of mirth? 
* * What revels are in-hand? Is there no play 
To ease the anguish of a torturing hour? 
— Shakespeare. 
TT7HILE her laugh, full of life, without any control 
But the sweet one of gracefulness, rung from her soul, 
And where it most sparkled, no glance could discover, 
In lip, cheek, or eyes, for she brightened all over, 
Like any fair lake that the breeze is upon, 
When it breaks into dimples, and laughs in the sun. 
— Moore. 
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