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. 1880 Excerpt: ...like those of the Mezereon, to which plant it is closely related, are fragrant. It may be easily recognized by its smooth, brown stems, which are from two to four or five feet high, and bear at the summit a whorl-like arrangement of smooth, shining, evergreen leaves, with pointed apices, and somewhat wedge-shaped bases. Upon the stem there is, not unfrequently, a tinge of purple. In shape, though not in colour, the flowers of the Spurge Laurel are like those of the Mezereon. They are borne on verv short stems, about five growing together in each cluster. They are somewhat funnel-shaped, having a rather long tube enclosing eight stamens, which, like those of the Mezereon, are inserted on different parts of the perianth--four level with the mouth of the tube of the latter, and four below that point, as our figure of an open blossom will indicate. And now, ere March closes, we may chance upon one of the prettiest sights of early Spring--the coming of the Swallow (Hirundo rustica). Whilst we are watching, perhaps, the joyous motions of insects in the warm rays of some transient sunbeam, without a thought of the swift and graceful insect-hunter, this beautiful bird may suddenly--coming from what direction we know not--dart across our line of vision, reminding us that, whatever we may think concerning the advent of Spring, the Swallow at least is convinced that the vernal season has not only commenced, but is rapidly rolling on towards the later time when insect life, stimulated by the summer heats, will provide it with abundant food, and a bright sunny career, through free pure air and under a transient sky, over green tree, smiling meadow, glancing brook, and silent glassy lake. Happy bird, how delightful is your careless life 1 'As fables tell, an Indian sage, ..