AND FLOWERS OF POETRY. 123 
IMPATIENCE. 
BALSAM. 
This plant, which is one of the most beautiful and delicate 
of popular annuals, is a native of East India, and forms a 
showy cone of carnation-like flowers, finely variegated. It pos¬ 
sesses the peculiar property of retaining, during the hottest 
months of summer, all its freshness and beauty, while many 
other plants are withered before they have flowered. It has 
been named Nolitangere and Irapatiens, from the curious fact 
that, when the seeds are ripe, they are thrown with considera¬ 
ble force out of the capsules on their being slightly touched; 
on this account it has been made the emblem of impatience. 
The Turks use it to represent ardent love. 
The maid, whose manners are retired, 
Who patient waits to be admired — 
Though overlooked, perhaps, awhile, 
Her modest worth—her modest smile — 
Oh! she will find, or soon or late, 
A noble, fond, and faithful mate. 
Paulding. 
INCONSTANCY. 
EVENING PRIMROSE. 
This beautiful flower is a general favourite with our poets, 
who give it a very different character to that we have assigned 
