idea with the blue Hyacinth, making it the emblem of fidelity. Many of our readers will at once call to mind the favourite song, "The Blue Bells of Scotland," in which the maiden is keeping a faithful remembrance of her Highland laddie, who has gone to the wars, and is pining for his safe return. There is a precious stone, called Jacinth, which comes from the same word as Hyacinth.

Do we read any lesson for ourselves in learning the history of this beautiful plant, wild by nature? so indeed are we, but has not the "long patience" of the Heavenly Gardener brought us, thro' the blood of His dear Son, out of darkness into His marvellous light. Being "wild by nature" we were in our baptism "grafted into the good Olive Tree," even Christ's Holy Catholic Church, there in all fidelity to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

"The Blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all Sin.” Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be com

forted."

The Columbine.

In pink or purple hues arrayed,
Oftimes, indeed, in white,
We see within the woodland glade,
The Columbine so bright.

Some three feet high, with stem erect,
The plant unaided grows,
And at the summit now deflect,
The dome-shaped floweret blows.

From "Favourite Field Flowers."

The Columbine.

RESOLUTION.

HIS flower is an old favourite.

ΤΗ

It has

many names with various significations, but that best known, Columbine, is derived from the Latin word for dove, given to it because of a fancied resemblance to the figure of a hovering dove with expanded wings, seen in the shape of a petal and its sepals, when torn from a blossom. Probably it was this idea which led to the use of the Columbine in decorating churches at Whitsuntide; it is still considered emblematic of that season. The Irish name for it signifies White dove.

The Columbine is also interesting in affording a wonderful proof of insect instinct. The bee cannot enter the nectaries or honey receptacles on account of the shape, which is long and narrow, but his persevering industry will not allow him to be deterred; by the scent of the treasure he is in search of he discovers it, and pierces through the calyx with his sharp proboscis, and obtains the honey. This occurs

in the case of some other plants, which may be found with their blossoms thus pierced through and through by the ingenious bee and wasp.

The Columbine is supposed to possess medicinal properties, the seeds being used (so we are told by old writers) in complaints of the liver and for jaundice and to expel poison. But there is little doubt that cases have occurred where children have been poisoned by sucking the leaves; this may be the case, and yet the seeds be free from injurious juices.

The Welsh name for Columbine signifies universal benefit, which would seem to imply that it was looked upon as possessing curative properties.

There is but one British variety of Columbine ; indeed, a theory exists that even that one is not a native here, but that it is of Roman origin, as it is found wild only in spots which have been at some time or other peopled by colonists from Rome.

The Columbine, with its pretty fairy bell-like flowers, is often met with growing in open spaces and in hedges, blossoming in the months of May and June. Purple is the natural colour, but under cultivation a pink as well as a white

variety is produced.

It is a great favourite in

country gardens, and there becomes a double blossom. The very name seems to remind us of the delightful old-fashioned gardens attached to country houses, the high walls covered with spreading fruit-trees, the beds of vegetables and gooseberry and currant bushes, the broad gravel walks; and bordering these and surrounding the vegetable beds are massed together Mother Flora's children, too numerous to mention-Columbine, Monkshood, Sweet William, Rosemary, Moss and Cabbage Roses, the Pheasant's Eye, with its deep red calyx and its delicate shining green leaves, Lavender for the housekeeper to dry in the summer, that it may be placed in the linen press to perfume the stores she has therein, and preserve from moths. (According to the old saying, "do it up in Lavender," often passed as a joke on any one who seems over careful of what they greatly prize). There are the delicate starry flowers of the Woodroffe, the Sweet Briar, and Southern Wood. Then comes a bank of Strawberries, further on again a mossy lawn, in the centre of which stands the ancient sun-dial, and strutting proudly in the sunshine a lordly peacock, with his fan-shaped tail fully dis