Page:Floras Lexicon-1840.djvu/37



NEMONE. . Class 13, Order:. was a nymph beloved by Zephyr. Flora, being jealous, banished her from her court, and changed her into a flower, which always opens at the return of spring. Zephyr had abandoned this unfortunate beauty to the rude caresses of Boreas, who, unable to gain her love, agitates her until her blossoms are half open, and then causes her immediately to fade. An anemone, with this motto, “Brevis est usus,”—*“Her reign is short,” admirably expresses the rapid decline of beauty.