SUNFLOWER....False Riches.

The Sunflower has been thus named from the resemblance which its broad golden disk and rays bear to the sun. The first Spaniards who arrived in Peru were amazed at the profuse display of gold among the people, but they were still more astonished when, in May, they beheld whole fields covered with these flowers, which they concluded, at first sight, must be of the same precious metal. From this circumstance, and the observation that gold, however abundant, cannot render a person truly rich, the Sunflower has been made the emblem of false wealth. Many of the English poets have adopted the notion that this flower ever turns its face to the sun. Thomson, Moore, Darwin, and Barton make a very fine use of the idea. But it is not a fact. Those flowers which face the east at the opening of day, never turn to the west at the close of it.

Searcher of gold, whose days and nights
All waste away in anxious care,
Estranged from all of life's delights,
Unlearned in all that is most fair—
Who sailest not with easy glide,
But delvest in the depths of tide,

And strugglest in the foam;

O come and view this land of graves,
Death's northern sea of frozen waves,

And mark thee out thy home.

J. O. Rockwell.

Think'st thou the man whose mansions hold
The worldling's pride, the miser's gold,

Obtains a richer prize

Than he who in his cot, at rest,

Finds heavenly peace a willing guest,

And bears the earnest in his breast

Of treasure in the skies?

Mrs. Sigourney.

Is all that heart requires, accomplished when
A heap of wealth is gathered at our door?
How thirsts the yearning soul for something more,
Some good that lies beyond its keenest ken!

MacKellar.

Can gold calm passion, or make reason shine?
Can we dig peace, or wisdom, from the mine?
Wisdom to gold prefer: for 'tis much less
To make our fortune, than our happiness.

Young.

It's no in titles nor in rank;

It's no in wealth like Lon'on bank,

To purchase peace and rest;

It's no in making muckle mair:
It's no in books: it's no in lear,
To make us truly blest:

If happiness hae not her seat

And centre in the breast,

We may be wise, or rich, or great,

But never can be blest.

Burns.

HELIOTROPE....Devoted Affection.

The Heliotrope is a native of Peru. It is often confounded with the Sunflower, though it is of a different genus. The blossoms of the Heliotrope form clusters of very small, delicate, fragrant flowers, generally of a faint purple colour or white, sometimes red, or bluishwhite. It is a general favourite of the fair sex, and is considered as the emblem of devoted affection, on account of its face being ever turned to the sun, which it seems to worship. The Heliotrope was introduced into Europe in 1740, by the celebrated Jussieu.

As laurel leaves, that cease not to be green,
From parching sonne, nor yet from winter's threat,—
As hardened oak, that fears no sworde so keen,—
As flint for tool, in twaine that will not fret,—
As fast as rock, or pillar surely set,—

So fast am I to you, and aye have been,
Assuredly whom I cannot forget;

For joy, for paine, for torment, nor for tene;

For loss, for gaine, for frowning, nor for threat;
For ever one, yea, both in calm and blast,

Your faithful love, and will be to the last!

Old Poet. 1555.

Yet do not think I doubt thee;
I know thy truth remains;
I would not live without thee,
For all the world contains.

Thou art the star that guides me
Along life's troubled sea;—
Whatever fate betides me,

This heart still turns to thee.

G. P. Morris.

He on his side

Leaning half-raised, with looks of cordial love
Hung over her enamoured, and beheld
Beauty, which, whether waking or asleep,
Shot forth peculiar graces.

Milton.

Like Ixion,

I look on Juno, feel my heart turn to cinders
With an invisible fire; and yet, should she
Deign to appear clothed in a various cloud,
The majesty of the substance is so sacred
I durst not clasp the shadow. I behold her
With adoration, feast my eye, while all

My other senses starve; and, oft frequenting
The place which she makes happy with her presence,
I never yet had power, with tongue or pen,

To move her to compassion, or make known
What 'tis I languish for; yet I must gaze still,
Though it increase my flame.

Massinger.

MIGNONETTE.... Your Qualities surpass your Charms.

The Mignonette was introduced into Europe from Egypt, in 1750. It flowers from the beginning of spring until the end of autumn. Linnæus, who gave it the name of Reseda odorata, compares its perfume with that of ambrosia.

No gorgeous flowers the meek Reseda grace,
Yet sip, with eager trunk, yon busy race
Her simple cup, nor heed the dazzling gem
That beams in Fritillaria's diadem.

Evans.

I see her now within my view,—
A spirit, yet a woman too!—
Her household motions light and free,
And steps of virgin liberty;

A countenance in which do meet
Sweet records, promises as sweet;
A creature not too bright or good
For human nature's daily food.

Wordsworth.

Time has small power

O'er features the mind moulds. Roses where

They once have bloomed a fragrance leave behind;

And harmony will linger on the wind;

And suns continue to light up the air,