THE ANEMONE. 
Anemone is derived from the Greek anemOs, wind, as 
Gerard says, after Pliny, because ‘ the flower doth never 
open itself but when the wind doth blow.’ As this is not 
quite correct, at least with the Anemone of our day, the 
appellation is supposed to have arisen from the plant 
flourishing in exposed and windy situations. 
The ancient fabulists ascribe to this flower a very high 
birth. They tell us that Venus, in her grief for the death 
of Adonis, mingled her tears with his blood, and that 
thence sprung the first Anemone. 
The Anemones are natives of the East, whence their 
roots were originally brought; but they have been so 
much improved by culture, as to take a high rank among 
the ornaments of our gardens in the spring. 
See! yon Anemones their leaves unfold, 
With rubies flaming, and with living gold. 
ANON. 
Then, thickly strewn in woodland bowers, 
Anemones their Stars unfold. 
ANON. 
( 133 ) 
