P015TRY OF FLOWERS. 
from the Greek word Aster , signifying star. It 
is said to be emblematical of after-thought, be¬ 
cause it begins to blow when other flowers are 
scarce. “ It is like an afterthought of Flora’s, 
who smiles at leaving us.” 
The different varieties of this flower are very 
numerous ; and, being very showy, of almost 
every color, and those colors remarkably vivid, 
they make a brilliant figure in our gardens in 
autumn. 
The general favorite is the China aster, which 
is larger and handsomer than any of the others. 
This flower is much admired by the Chinese, 
who make considerable use of it in the decora¬ 
tions of their gardens, arranging it so as to rival 
the richest patterns of Persian carpets, or the 
most curious figures that can be devised by the 
artist in filigree. 
The French are fond of this flower, and from 
the resemblance which its blossoms bear in 
shape, although on a much larger scale, to the 
daisy, call it La Reine Marguerite , or Queen 
daisy. 
The star-flower, as the Germans call the aster, 
is employed by that people as a village oracle, 
after the manner described under the heading 
of daisy. Gbthe, in his great tragedy of “ Faust,” 
makes a beautiful use of this superstition. It is 
in the well-known garden scene, where Faust is 
walking Avith the young and guileless Margue¬ 
rite—a scene that Retzsch has chosen for his 
