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beauty of its variegated leaf, than its blossom. In Shakspeare’s 
" Much Ado about Nothing,” the following mention is 
made of the plant, by way of quizzery to Beatrice, on her 
suspected regard for Benedict. 
Beatrice. By my troth, I am exceedingly ill, hey ho! 
♦*#*#*# 
By my troth, I am sick. 
Margaret. Get you some of this distilled Carduus Benedictus, 
and lay it to your heart, it is the only thing for 
a qualm. 
Hero. There thou prick’st her with a Thistle. 
Beatrice. Benedictus !—Why Benedictus?—you have some 
moral in this Benedictus. 
Margaret. No, by my troth, I meant plain Holy-Thistle. 
The little creeping Cinque-foil, sketched with the Thistle, 
is common in most parts of the kmgdom, enlivening the 
grass amongst which it creeps with its gay and prettily 
formed flowers of bright yellow. 
We find the originals of our next group in the garden or 
conservatory. The Lobelia, or Cardinal-flower, as from its 
scarlet attire, it is fi’equently termed, exhibits one of the most 
brilliant and intense colours of any among Flora’s exquisite 
hues. It is positively dazzling, when intently looked upon, 
and baffles every attempt at imitation. Being naturally an 
aquatic plant, it requires a great supply of water, which 
circumstance has contributed to the morale of mv poem. 
The small blue Lobelia is delicately beautiful, and easily 
cultivated. I have often fancied these flowers admirable 
portraits of two sisters; the one, proudly beautiful, haughty. 
I I 2 
