KING-CUP, OR, MEADOW CROWFOOT.

(Ranunculus acris.)

THIS is a perennial plant, and a native of meadows, and moist pastures, flowering in June and July; on being applied to the skin, it excites itching, redness, and inflammation, and even produces blisters; on being chewed it corrodes the tongue, and if taken into the stomach, brings on all the deleterious effects of an acrid poison. Mr. Curtis observes that even pulling up this plant and carrying it some little distance, excited considerable inflammation in the palm of the hand in which it was carried; but the acrimonious quality of this plant is completely dissipated by heat, and on its being thoroughly dried, becomes perfectly bland.

The flowers have, however, a pleasing appearance in our meadows, which they enamel with their bright yellow cups.

Class, POLYANDRIA.

Order, POLYGYNIA.

G

TO THE KING-CUP.

SIMPLE pledge of June's returning,
Pleasing 'tis to see thy bloom,
Winter's rudest terrors spurning,
Rising forth from nature's tomb.

Thy bright form betokens pleasure,
When no piercing winds assail;
June's creations, brightest treasure,
Soon will breathe a sweeter gale.

Yet, bright flow'r, thy fate too often
Emblem is of others' woe;

When warm airs stern winter soften,
Thy rich petals burst and blow.

But with sithe the mower hieing

To the mead with anxious breath;

Then around thee danger's flying,

Then, bright flower, you sink in death.

So it is with human sorrow,

Some dear friend smiles on our joy,

Anticipation cheers the morrow,

Bliss feels then no dread alloy.

But alas! stern sickness seizing,
Sinks the sufferer to his doom;

When the soul, with prospects pleasing,
Mounts to joys beyond the tomb.

ALTERED FROM LACY'S PRIMROSE.

L.

M

Spratt del

LAVENDER.

(Lavandula spica.)

THIS plant is perennial, and grows spontaneously in many of the southern parts of Europe, of which it is a native. It flowers from July to September, and from the fragrance of its blossom, is now so generally cultivated, that we can scarcely enter a garden where it is not to be found. To most people the perfume is agreeable, and the well-known Lavender water, so refreshing in a warm or crowded room, is made from its flowers. According to Dr. Cullen, Lavender is, when taken internally or applied externally, a powerful stimulant to the nervous system. The corollas of this plant are as it were turned topsy turvy, that which is the upperpart in most others being the lower in this, and vice versa: + calyces are supported by a bracte, and the stamens lie within the tube.

Class, DYDYNAMIA.

Order, GYMNOSPERMIA.