The Ivy-leaved BELL-FLOWER, represented in the Mallow group, is an indigenous plant, growing in moist, shaded situations, by no means common. It is found creeping about. stones, and among the damp moss of fountains or rocky borders of rivulets, where its delicate little bells of palest blue wave in every wind that under heaven doth blow."

Though not illustrative of the flower, the following description of a spot similar to those where we most often find it, may claim a place here; it is from the "Faithful Shepherdess" of Beaumont and Fletcher ::

For to that holy wood is consecrate

A virtuous well, about whose flowery banks
The nimble-footed Fairies dance their rounds
By the pale moonshine; dipping oftentimes
Their stolen children, for to make them free
From dying flesh and dull mortality.
By this fair fount hath many a shepherd sworn
And given away his freedom; many a troth
Been plight, which neither envy nor old time
Could ever break, with many a chaste kiss, given

In hope of coming happiness. By this

Fresh fountain many a blushing maid

Hath crowned the head of her long-loved shepherd
With gaudy flowers, whilst he happy sung

Lays of his love and dear captivity.

Herrick devotes one of his little poems to the giving of directions "where he would have his verses read:" perhaps, if every author could so command, and be so obeyed, they would gain more fame, and their readers more pleasure. Following his very good example, I would, in all deference and humility,

suggest to my kind and most gracious readers, that these simple lays and legends of Summer Flowers, however dull and profitless they may be, cannot fail of exciting interest in the realities they attempt to celebrate, if their perusal be vouchsafed in scenes such as gave them birth,—in their native haunts of the quiet shady wood, the breezy heath, or the river's rim.

U

To reape the ripen'd fruits the which the earth did yold.

SPENSER.