BLUE, OR HAREBELL.

(Non scriptus.)

THIS beautiful little flower is a native of Persia ; but is found in most parts of Europe. Our woods in the Spring present a lively appearance, from the mixture of their azure blue bells among the pale yellow primroses, and the many different tinted heaths, so tastefully intermingled by the hand of Nature. It is called Harebell from its generally growing in those places frequented by hares: the flower varies in colour and beauty; some being completely white, and others much resembling the poorer kinds of hyacinths; but they have longer and narrower flowers, not swelling at the bottom: the bunch of flowers is likewise longer and bends downwards. The fresh roots of this plant are said to be poisonous; the juice is mucilaginous, and in the time of Queen Elizabeth was used as starch.

Class, HEXANDRIA.

Order, MONOGYNIA.

THE BLUE, OR HAREBELL.

IN Spring's green lap there blooms a flower,
Whose cup imbibes each vernal shower,
That sips fresh Nature's balmy dew,
Clad in her sweetest, purest blue;
Yet shuns the ruddy eye of morning,
The shaggy wood's brown shade adorning.
Simplest floweret! Child of May!
Though hid from the broad eye of day,
Doom'd in the shade thy sweets to shed,
Unnoticed droop thy languid head:
Still Nature's darling thou'lt remain ;
She feeds thee with her softest rain;
Fills each sweet bud with honied tears,
With genial gales thy bosom cheers.
Oh! then, unfold thy simple charms,
In yon deep thicket's sheltering arms.
Far from the fierce and sultry glare,
No heedless hand shall harm thee there;
Still, then, avoid the gaudy scene,

The flaunting sun, th' embroidered green,

And bloom and fade with chaste reserve, unseen.

CAROLINE SYMONDS.