frivolous sentiment; so that a lover would think it an insult to his mistress to offer her a nosegay in which it was introduced. FRIVOLOUS AMUSEMENT, Bladder-nut. The fruit of the Bladder-nut tree, when pressed between the fingers, bursts with a report. Idle persons sometimes indulge, as well as little boys, in the frivolous amusement of producing this noise. FRUGALITY, Chicory. Horace has celebrated the frugality of his repasts, composed of Mallows and Chicory. GALLANTRY, A Nosegay. The attentions of gallantry cannot be better expressed than by a Nosegay. Such a present may be of little intrinsic value, but it is always a proof of amiable and delicate attention. GAME, PLAY, Hyacinth. This flower, so celebrated in the songs of the poets, from the time of Homer to the present day, is made hieroglyphical of play, because a youth named Hyacinthus was killed, while playing with Apollo, by a quoit, which the jealous Zephyr blew upon him. Apollo, unable to recall his favourite to life, changed him into the flower which bears his name. GENEROSITY, Orange-tree. The Orange-tree is covered at one and the same time with flowers, fruit, and foliage. It is a generous friend, which is continually lavishing kindness upon us. trees. GENIUS, Plane-tree. The Portico at Athens was surrounded by long avenues of majestic PlaneThe Greeks paid a kind of worship to those beautiful trees, and consecrated them to genius and intellectual pleasures. GIRL, Rosebud. A young girl is a rose still in bud. GOOD EDUCATION, Cherry-tree. It is generally believed that the Cherry-tree was brought from Cerasonte, a town in the kingdom of Pontus, to Rome, by Lucullus. It is not the less true, however, that our woods have always produced several species of wild cherry, which require nothing but careful cultivation to change their harsh, sour berries into that delicious fruit which is an ornament to our gardens and our desserts, and a favourite with young and old. GRACE, Hundred-leaved Rose. When the Graces accompany Venus and the Loves, they are crowned with myrtle; when they attend the Muses, they are represented as adorned with wreaths of the Hundred-leaved Rose. GRANDEUR, Ash-tree. In the Edda, the gods are said to hold their court under a miraculous Ash-tree, which covers the surface of the whole world with its branches. The top of this tree reaches the sky; its roots penetrate to hell. From the latter issue two springs; in one of which wisdom is hidden, and in the other is contained the knowledge of futurity. GRIEF, Marigold. Page 147. Aloe. Page 228. HAPPINESS, Sweet Sultan. In the harems of the East, this lusciously sweet flower is an emblem of supreme happiness. RETURN OF, Lily of the Valley. Page 77. HATE, Basil. Poverty is sometimes represented by the figure of a female covered with rags, seated by a plant of Basil. It is common to say that Hate has the eye of a basilisk, a fabulous animal, which is supposed to kill with a single glance. The name of Basil, however, is derived from a Greek word, signifying royal, a term indicating the excellence of this fragrant plant. HEART UNACQUAINTED WITH LOVE, White Rosebud. Before the breath of Love had animated the world, all roses were white and all female hearts insensible. HERMITAGE, Milkwort. This pretty plant, which grows to the height of a foot, never loses its leaves, which resemble those of box. The hermits, who formerly dwelt on elevated places, planted it around their habitations. The ancients regarded this plant as favourable to cattle, and thought that it caused them to yield a great deal of milk, as is expressed by its Greek name, Polygala. HIDDEN MERIT, Coriander. Fresh Coriander has an intolerable smell, as its Greek name, Koris, a bug, implies: yet its aromatic seeds are in request with cooks and confectioners, who often use it to flavour pastry and made dishes. HOPE, Snowdrop. Page 28. Hawthorn. Page 59. HORROR, Virginia Cactus. This plant throws out in every direction its trailing shoots, which resemble clusters of snakes. HOSPITALITY, Oak-tree. Page 216. HUMILITY, Broom. Page 101. I ATTACH MYSELF TO YOU, Ipomaæa, Indian Jasmine. The scarlet Ipomæa requires a supporter for its slender branches, and, without fatiguing that supporter, it wreathes it with foliage and flowers. I DECLARE WAR AGAINST YOU, Wild Tansey. I LOVE YOU, Peruvian Heliotrope. Page 186. |