The Botanic Garden. Part II. - Containing the Loves of the Plants. a Poem. - With Philosophical Notes. by Erasmus Darwin
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page 15 of 216 (06%)
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Knit the dark brow, and roll the unsteady eye.
55 With sweet concern the pitying beauty mourns, And sooths with smiles the jealous pair by turns. Sweet blooms GENISTA in the myrtle shade, And _ten_ fond brothers woo the haughty maid. _Two_ knights before thy fragrant altar bend, 60 Adored MELISSA! and _two_ squires attend. MEADIA'S soft chains _five_ suppliant beaux confess, And hand in hand the laughing belle address; Alike to all, she bows with wanton air, Rolls her dark eye, and waves her golden hair. [_Melissa_. l. 60. Balm. In each flower there are four males and one female; two of the males stand higher than the other two; whence the name of the class "two powers." I have observed in the Ballota, and others of this class, that the two lower stamens, or males become mature before the two higher. After they have shed their dust, they turn themselves away outwards; and the pistil, or female, continuing to grow a little taller, is applied to the upper stamens. See Gloriosa, and Genista. All the plants of this class, which have naked seeds, are aromatic. The Marum, and Nepeta are particularly delightful to cats; no other brute animals seem pleased with any odours but those of their food or prey.] [_Meadia_. l. 61. Dodecatheon, American Cowslip. Five males and one female. The males, or anthers, touch each other. The uncommon beauty of this flower occasioned Linneus to give it a name signifying the twelve heathen gods; and Dr. Mead to affix his own name to it. The pistil is |
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