The Work Of Nature In The Months.

forms a good black dye , for both of which purposes it has been long in use with the Scotch . Dr . Johnston thus quotes Ettmuller concerning it : "But above all which I haA * e hitherto known , the juice of the roots of the Iris , rubbed upon the tooth that is painful , or the root itself cheAved in the mouth , iu an instant , as if by a charm , draws aAvay the pain of the teeth , arising from Avhat cause soever . He that communicated it to me affirmed that he had tried it forty times , at least , Avithlike success . I myself also

have tried it ; a great many others have done the same by my persuasion , and I hardl y ever kneAV it to fail . " A cosmetic is also prepared from this p lant , Avhilst its roasted seeds are recommended as a good substitute for coffee . As to its name , Plutarch says that Iris signified " eye of heaven , "

The Purple , or Stinking Iris , is found in Avoods and hedges . Like other varieties of Iris , this plant bears the name of Fluwer de Luce , Avhich , hoAvever , should properly be applied to the Lily . As an heraldic bearing , this flower carries us back to the time of the Crusades , Avhen Louis VII . of France chose it as his emblem . On a coin , however , engraved by both Speed ancl Camden , it appears in the crown of Edward the Confessor . The Flear de Lys Avas evidently , from its name , a Lily ; and it is a Lily that is invariabl y represented in all reli gious paintings of the Virgin Mary .

Ancl noAv for the Queen of Avater-floAvers , the Water-Lily , —Avhat can exceed it , glistening in its bed of glossy leaves , in beauty . If less delicate , hardly less beautiful is the richly-coloured cup of the YOIIOAV Water Lily , Avhich is so strongly scented as to be quite overpowering in a room . Eastern nations are fond of it—the Turks making a cooling drink of its blossoms , Avhich they call " Pufer , " from its ancient name " Noitphar" ; the Arabs still call it- " Noufar " ; whilst our own scientific name for it

is of Greek origin . We must pass over noAv the myriads of smaller aquatic p lants , the FloAvers of Heaven , the Falling- Stars , the Crow-Silks , Star-Avorts , Feather-foils , and Horn-worts , and recline for aAvhile in Avell-earned rest with Thomson : —

" Beside the dewy border let me sit . All iu the freshness of the humid air ; There in that holloAved rock , grotesque and Avild , An ample chair moss-liu'd , and over head By flowering umbrage shaded ; Avhere the bee Strays diligent , and with th' extracted balm Of fragrant Avood-biue loads his little thigh . " For what

?" Thou Avert out betimes , thou busy , busy bee ? ****** Thou wert AA'orking late , thou busy , busy bee ! * ****** Thou art a miser , thou busy , busy bee ! Late and early at employ ; Still on thy golden stores intent , Thy summer in heaping aud hoarding is spent , What thy Aviuter will never enjoy ;

Wise lesson this for me , thou busy , busy bee ! Little dost thou think , thou busy , busy bee ! What is the end of thy toil . When the latest floAvers of the ivy are gone , And all thy Avork for the year is done , Thy master comes for the spoil . Woe then for thee , thou busy , busy bee !"

Does Southey speak truth ? Yes ! ancl No 1 Yes ! if Ave have simply for ourselves been storing up that of which the grave will rob" us ! No ! if Ave have been content to" Go , labour on , spend aud be spent " for others . For then , though our toil and its result will be for ever left behind in the