FABLES OF FLORA. 69 
THE BEE FLOWER. 
This flower is a species of the Orchis, found 
in the barren and mountainous parts of England. 
Nature has formed a bee on the breast of the 
flower, with so much exactness, that it is impos¬ 
sible, at a small distance, to distinguish the impo¬ 
sition. For this purpose she has observed an 
economy different from what is found in most 
other flowers, and has laid the petals horizontally. 
The genus of the Orchis, or Satyrion, she seems 
professedly to have made use of for her paintings, 
and on the different species has drawn the perfect 
forms of different insects, such as bees, flies, 
butterflies, &c. —• Note to the Fable. 
FABLE XX. 
The Bee Flower. 
Come, let us leave this painted plain, 
This waste of flowers that palls the eye ; 
The walks of Nature’s wilder reign 
Shall please in plainer majesty. 
Through those fair scenes, where yet she owes 
Superior charms to Brockman’s art; 
Where, crowned with elegant repose, 
He cherishes the social heart, 
