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the wood is of a reddish colour and odoriferous; a gum, or resin, exudes from it during the heat of summer, which the Egyptians used in embalming, that is, preparing dead bodies in such a manner as to be preserved from corruption; some of the cedars of Mount Lebanon were a hundred and thirty feet high, and thick in proportion; there are very few now remaining on Mount Lebanon, but they are supposed to be some of the most ancient trees in the world. little farther on you see the holly, with bright prickly leaves, and the tall mountain ash, which bears berries that acquire a lively scarlet colour. The fir, the holly, the cedar, and some other trees, are evergreens, they do not lose their leaves in winter like other trees. That wide spreading tree is the horse or wild chesnut, its beautiful blossoms of white and pink colour hang down in long spikes, and in the time of its flowering this tree exhibits a majestic appearance. That elegantly formed shrub not far from it, is the laburnum, whose flowers of a lively yellow are suspended in tresses and garlands. Close to that is a shrub called the lilac, whose blossoms of purple either deep or faint, contrast agreeably with the yellow tints of the laburnum. You see that these trees and shrubs are intermingled in pleasing variety, which shows taste and judgment in the disposition of them!

Oh, we are now come to the flower-beds; what a beautiful mixture of glowing colours; what delicious odours come from them.

That large yellow flower with the quantity of dark brown seeds in the middle, is the heliotrope

or sunflower; it came originally from Peru, and is therefore called the Peruvian Turnsol; it turns towards the sun, and appears to follow and court his beams. The varieties of flowers are almost endless. Flowers succeeding one another form a rich and varied garland, hung by nature around the temple of the seasons; spring exhibits the pale primroses, the white and the purple violets, the pink, blue, and white hyacinths, the spotted cowslips, the striped tulips, the yellow jonquils, and the various species of the rose, the queen the garden. Summer produces the golden marygolds, the poppies, and pinks of a thousand dyes. Autumn displays the balsams with transparent green stems, and brilliantly coloured flowers, Indian pinks, and many others.

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Winter closes this magnificent exhibition, but while it makes us wish for the return of verdure and flowers, it affords a season of repose to the earth, after her numerous, beautiful, and beneficial productions.

We are now come to the green-house, in which plants of the warmest climates find a safe retreat. Let us go in and look at some of them. Here, by means of artificial heat maintained by flues, or fire-places, and hollow passages in the back wall, and by excluding the cold air, while the light is admitted through the glass roof, front, and sides, all the fairest appearances of spring, summer, and autumn, are displayed, while frost and snow rage without; here the white, and the purple grapes, are ripened early in the year; here the orange trees of Italy, Spain, and Portugal, show their

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intermingled polished leaves, white blossoms, and green and golden fruit.

Do you observe that plant with narrow leaves? Touch it gently; see, the leaves shrink away from your finger, and shrivel up on their stalks; it is on that account called the sensitive plant, and is a species of mimosa; at sun set it seems to dry up as if dead, but when the sun rises again, it recovers its vigour and freshness; even the passing by of a dark cloud over the heavens will make it fold up its leaves, and fall into a kind of sleep; it comes originally from Africa. Look at that plant close to your elbow; its leaves are apparently covered with small icicles, and from that circumstance it is called the ice-plant; those seeming icicles are only the sap of the plant, which, exuding through the stalks, coagulates or thickens by the influence of the air, and stands upon them in those little brilliant drops. There, at your right hand, is an extraordinary plant, whose fruit or seed covering resembles an egg, whence it has the name of the egg-plant. That plant next to it, whose flowers hanging downwards so gracefully, are of so pretty a shape, and of a fine purplish red colour, is called the fusia. Those two plants at your left, the one having white and the other red flowers, somewhat like our roses, are Japan roses; see how finely polished are the leaves or petals of their flowers. Those tall plants, whose flowers of various colours resemble bells in their figure, are different kinds of campanula, deriving their names from their form, campana being the Latin for a

bell. In that pot is the diońcea muscipula, or Venus's fly-trap; when a fly, or other winged insect, pitches upon one of its flowers, it immediately closes upon, and crushes the animal. The tree in the corner at which you are now looking, is the Chinese mulberry, called the paper mulberry, because the Chinese make their paper from its bark; the people of Otaheite manufacture a kind of cloth of it, which is very soft, and which they dye red. In the other corner stands a high plant, whose leaves you see are of a long oval form, very large, and ending in a strong, sharp thorn; if that thorn be pulled out from the leaf, there is attached to one end a long fibre, so that it may serve for a needle and thread. The aloe is from South America, and when growing in its native soil affords a glorious spectacle; its stem generally rises to the height of twenty feet, branching out on every side, and tapering towards its top like a pyramid; the slender shoots are adorned with greenish yellow flowers, which come out in thick clusters at every joint; the plant retains this beautiful ornament for nearly three months, the flowers opening in succession.

The leaves of the American aloe are five or six feet long, from six to nine inches broad, and three or four inches thick; they are used for cordage, and to make packing cloth; they likewise serve as slates for covering houses, and when dried are formed into dishes and plates for the table.

We must think of going home now, and, perhaps, we may soon pay another visit to the greenhouse, as you are so delighted with the sight of

those curious plants. Do you know what tall tree that is on this side of the garden gate? It has pretty leaves, and its flowers are like tulips in shape, of a straw colour and striped; it is called the tulip tree.

Remember whenever you go into or come out from a garden or court, or field, to close the door or gate after you; that is a good habit to form.

LESSON XXIII.

As the tea things are not on the table yet, you may read a few lines of poetry upon the subject of flowers, plants, and gardens.

The two following little poems were written by a lady who subscribes her name Jane; they are in a pretty and useful book, entitled "Original Poems for Infant Minds," which I will give you as an encouragement for your good behaviour. Mary, read the first, and William the second.

THE POPPY.

High on a bright and sunny bed,
A scarlet poppy grew,
And up it held its staring head
Expanded full in view.

Yet not attention did it win

By all those efforts made,
And less unwelcome had it been
In some retired shade.