212 PERFECT EXCELLENCE. 
dom — concord — clemency —joy — and the 
graces have ever been crowned with olive. 
The dove sent out of the ark by Noah to 
ascertain if the waters were assuaged, re¬ 
turned hearing a branch of olive as a symbol 
of that rest which heaven was about to restore 
to the earth. 
PERFECT EXCELLENCE. 
STRAWBERRY. 
An illustrious French writer conceived the 
design of compiling a general history of na¬ 
ture, in imitation of the ancients, and of some 
moderns. A strawberry plant, which chanced 
to grow by his window, dissuaded him from 
this design. On minutely observing it, he 
discovered so much to learn and to admire, 
that he felt convinced that the study of a 
single plant, with its habits, would suffice to 
employ the life of many learned men. He 
therefore abandoned his design, and the ambi¬ 
tious title he had selected, and gave to his 
work the simple title, “ Studies from Nature.” 
In this hook, which is worthy of Pliny or of 
Plato, we find the best history of the straw¬ 
berry. This humble plant delights to grow 
in our woods, and cover their borders with de- 
