The Amaryllis formosissima is a flower of the last mentioned kind, and affords an agreeable example of art in the vegetable economy, 1.  The pistil is of great length compared with the stamens; and this I suppose to have been the most unchangeable part of the flower, as in Meadia, which see. 2.  To counteract this circumstance, the pistil and stamens are made to decline downwards, that the prolific dust might fall from the anthers on the stigma. 3.  To produce this effect, and to secure it when produced, the corol is lacerated, contrary to what occurs in other flowers of this genus, and the lowest division with the two next lowest ones are wrapped closely over the style and filaments, binding them forceibly down lower toward the horizon than the usual inclination of the bell in this genus, and thus constitutes a most elegant flower.  There is another contrivance for this purpose in the Hemerocallis flava:  the long pistil often is bent somewhat like the capital letter N, with design to shorten it, and thus to bring the stigma amongst the anthers.]

        Seeks with unsteady step the shelter’d vale,
        And turns her blushing beauties from the gale.—­
155 Six rival youths, with soft concern impress’d,
        Calm all her fears, and charm her cares to rest.—­
        So shines at eve the sun-illumin’d fane,
        Lifts its bright cross, and waves its golden vane;
        From every breeze the polish’d axle turns,
160 And high in air the dancing meteor burns.

        Four of the giant brood with ILEX stand,
        Each grasps a thousand arrows in his hand;

[Ilex. l. 161.  Holly.  Four males, four females.  Many plants, like many animals, are furnished with arms for their protection; these are either aculei, prickles, as in rose and barberry, which are formed from the outer bark of the plant; or spinae, thorns, as in hawthorn, which are an elongation of the wood, and hence more difficult to be torn off than the former; or stimuli, stings, as in the nettles, which are armed with a venomous fluid for the annoyance of naked animals.  The shrubs and trees, which have prickles or thorns, are grateful food to many animals, as goosberry, and gorse; and would be quickly devoured, if not thus armed; the stings seem a protection against some kinds of insects, as well as the naked mouths of quadrupeds.  Many plants lose their thorns by cultivation, as wild animals lose their ferocity; and some of them their horns.  A curious circumstance attends the large hollies in Needwood-forest, they are armed with thorny leaves about eight feet high, and have smooth leaves above; as if they were conscious that horses and cattle could not reach their upper branches.  See note on Meadia, and on Mancinella.  The numerous clumps of hollies in Needwood-forest serve as landmarks to direct the travellers across it in various directions; and as a shelter to the deer