NARCISSUS

In Mythology, the beautiful son of Cephesiis and the nymph Liriope, whose history formed one of the most favourite topics with the poets of cla ical antiquity. Though beloved by all the Grecian nymphs, he treated them with contemptuous indifference; but having accidentally seen his own image reflected in a fountain, he became so enamoured of it that he languished till he died, and thus realized the prophecy of Tires i as, that he should live until he saw himself. After his death the gods, moved with compa ion for his fate, changed him into the flower which bears his name. Narci us. In Botany, a genus of Endogens belonging to the natural order of Amaryllidacece, " among which it is known by its flowers growing upon a scape, and having a cup at their mouth," the stamens opposite the sepals being longer than the others. The species are very numerous; and from their delicate shape, soft and various colour, and sweet scent, have long been favourite objects of cultivation, especially the daffodils, jonquils, and Uzzettas. Some of the more hardy species grow wild in our woods and under our hedges; but the finer sorts are natives of more southern latitudes. [s. 819]