POETRY OF FLOWERS. 
189 
it will be found in this volume. Of one type of 
this odoriferous group, the Clove Pink, the va¬ 
rieties are endless ; all exhale the most exquisite 
of scents. Whilst the larger kinds are those 
known as carnations, the smaller are termed 
“gillyflowers,” which is a floral name more fre¬ 
quently sung of by our ancient poets, from dear 
old Chaucer downwards, than any other. This 
cognomen is supposed to be a corruption of 
“July flower;” but that derivation has been 
much questioned of late. 
Shakspeare, ever ready to pay a floral com¬ 
pliment, makes Perdita say, 
“The fairest flowers o’ the season 
Are our carnations and streaked gillyflowers.” 
And the readers of Spenser and Milton will find 
these flowers’ names “ as familiar in their mouths 
as household words.” Some of our old authors 
frequently style them “ sops-in-wine,” from the 
fact, it is alleged, that they were employed in 
flavoring dainty dishes, as well as wine and other 
drinks; and they who maintain this theory cite 
a rather problematical passage of Chaucer’s in 
support of it. 
“ And there the beauteous carnation stood, 
With proud, disdainful eye.” 
