This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1823 edition. Excerpt: ...Perhaps his fragrant load may bind His limbs;--we'll set the captive free--I sought the Living Bek to find, And found the Picture of a Bee." The late Mr. Jackson of Exeter wrote to me on this subject: " This orchis is common near our sea-coasts; but instead of being exactly like a Bee, it is not like it at all ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1823 edition. Excerpt: ...Perhaps his fragrant load may bind His limbs;--we'll set the captive free--I sought the Living Bek to find, And found the Picture of a Bee." The late Mr. Jackson of Exeter wrote to me on this subject: " This orchis is common near our sea-coasts; but instead of being exactly like a Bee, it is not like it at all. It has a general resemblance to a fly, and by the help of imagination, may be supposed to be a fly pitched upon the flower. The mandrake very frequently has a forked root, which may be fancied to resemble thighs and legs. I have seen it helped out with nails on the toes." An ingenious botanist, a stranger to me, after reading this article, was so kind as to send me specimens of tbejly orchis, ophrys muscifera, aud of the bee orchis, ophrys apifera. Their resemblance to these insects when in full flower is the most perfect conceivable; they are distinct plants. The poetical eye of Langhorne was equally correct and fanciful; and that too of Jackson, who differed so positively. Many controversies have been carried on, from a want of a little more knowledge; like that of the Bee orchis and the Fly orchis; both parties prove to be right. Another curious specimen of the playful operations of nature is the mandrake; a plant indeed, when it is bare of leaves, perfectly resembling that of the human form. The ginseng tree is noticed for the same appearance. This object the same poet has noticed: " Mark how that rooted mandrake wears His human feet, his human hands; Oft, as his shapely form he rears, Aghast the frighted ploughman stands." He closes this beautiful fable with the following stanza, not unapposite to the curious subject of this article: " Helvetia's rocks, Sabrina's waves, Still many a shining pebble bear: Where nature's studious hand...
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Add this copy of Curiosities of Literature, Volume 2 to cart. $60.37, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2011 by Nabu Press.
Add this copy of Curiosities of Literature; Volume 2 to cart. $67.74, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2016 by Wentworth Press.
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