rational enjoyment the human mind is capable of receiving, is that of observing the operations-the striking features-and beauties of nature, which, whenever they have been seen by men of sense and refinement, have always been admired. Can any object be more gratifying to every discerning eye, than those beauties that nature has wrought, and which forms the subject of the present sheets. It is evident the all-wise Creator designed them for the gratification and pleasure of the most noble, yet, that most ungrateful of all living creatures, man; as the "inferior animals are neither smit with their beauties, nor regaled with their odours. The horse never stands still to gaze upon their charms, nor does the ox turn aside to browze upon their sweets. Senses they have to discern these curious objects in the gross; but no taste to distinguish or relish their fine accomplishments. In pursuance to this original intention, they have always paid their court to the human race, they still seem particularly solicitous of

recommending themselves to our regard. The finest of each species crowd about our habitations, and are rarely to be seen at a distance from our abodes. They thrive under our cultivating hand and observing eye; but degenerate, and pine away, if unregarded by their lord. To win his attention, and deck his retreats, they hide their deformities under ground; and display nothing but the most graceful forms, and engaging colours to his sight. To merit a farther degree of his esteem, the generality of them dispense a delightful perfume. What is still more obliging, they reserve their richest exhalations to embalm his morning and evening walks."

"The flowers,

That open now their choicest bosom'd smells, Reserv'd from night, and kept for thee in store."

THE

SELECT FLORIST.

AMARYLLIS.

Or this genus of plants there are several species, the chief of which are very splendid in their appearance, but the one we are about to treat of is the AMARYLLIS SARNIENSIS, or GUERNSEY-LILY. This is a native of Japan, and was introduced into this country in the year 1659, and flowers in September and October.

"The harmless Shepherds tune their pipes to love, And Amaryllis sounds in ev'ry grove."

Propagation. This plant is propagated both by seed and by off-sets of the

B

flowering bulbs: by seed for procuring new sorts, and by off-sets for continuing them; but as the seed is seldom procured otherwise than from abroad, the most usual method is that from off-sets.

"The great art in cultivating these, and all other bulbs, is to procure vigorous leaves, as on these depend the quantity of nutritive matter prepared and deposited in the bulb, and consequently its ability to flower the following year."-This plant, as well as several others of this genus, flower late in autumn, and afterwards producing their leaves at a time when there is but little sun to assist nature in the completion of a very important part of her work, and which is the reason we have to send annually abroad for bulbs. Mr. Knight has made some valuable observations on this subject; he says, "Bulbous roots increase and proceed in acquiring powers to produce blossoms only during the periods in which they have leaves, and in which such leaves are exposed to light; and these leaves always operate most effi