INFIDELITY, Yellow Rose. It is well known that yellow is the colour of false as well as of jealous people. The Yellow Rose seems also to be their flower. Injured by wet, scorched by the sun, this scentless rose, which profits neither by attention nor liberty, seems to thrive only under restraint. When you would see it in perfection, you must bend down its buds towards the ground, and keep them by force in that position. INGENUITY, Pencilled-leafed Geranium. When we compare the works of God with those of man, how trifling the latter appear! Take a piece of the finest lawn, look at it through a glass, and it appears like canvass: take, on the other hand, the meanest of the Almighty's works, and the more you examine it the greater harmony and symmetry you will find. The pencilled-leaf Geranium to the negligent and careless observer appears a simple flower; but examine it closely, mark the pink veins that meander in every direction over its leaves, sometimes so delicate as to be scarcely visible; study it well, and the more you do so the more beautiful it will appear: and learn thence BB to admire the skill and ingenuity displayed in the works of the Creator. INGRATITUDE, Buttercup. This plant is the most mischievous of any in our meadows: cultivation makes its bad qualities worse. It flowers from May to August. INJUSTICE, Hop. The Hop is made the emblem of injustice, because its climbing tendrils stifle the trees and plants which they entwine in their embrace; and the prodigious vegetation of the whole plant speedily exhausts the soil upon which it grows. INNOCENCE, Daisy. Page 43. INSPIRATION, Angelica. This beautiful plant, which grows in the northernmost countries, is employed to crown the Lapland poets, who fancy themselves inspired by its odour. INTOXICATION, Vine. Anacharsis said that the Vine produces three kinds of fruit, intoxication, debauchery, and repentance; and that he who is temperate in speech, in diet, and in amusement, must be an excellent man. IRONY, Sardonia. This plant has some resemblance to parsley. It contains a poison, which has the effect of contracting the mouth in so singular a manner as to give the appearance of laughter to a person at the point of death. Hence this horrible laugh is called the sardonic: it is often seen playing on the lips of Satire and cold Irony. JOKING, Balm Gentle. This plant gives out an agreeable lemon smell: an infusion of it composes the nerves and excites mirth. Joy, Wood Sorrel. The Wood Sorrel, vulgarly called Cuckoo's Bread, flowers about Easter. This pretty plant every evening folds up its leaves, closes its flowers, and lets them droop, as if to indulge in sleep: but at the first dawn of day, you would say that it was filled with joy, for it expands its leaves, opens its flowers, and, from this circumstance, no doubt, it is said by the country-people to give praise to God. JUSTICE SHALL BE DONE TO YOU, Sweet-scented Tussilage. Page 202. KEEP YOUR PROMISES, Plum-tree. The Plum tree is every year covered with flowers; but, if the hand of the skilful gardener does not remove a portion of this useless luxury, these trees will not have a crop oftener than once in three years. LIFE, Lucern. Page 98. LIGHTNESS, Larkspur. The flower of the Larkspur is papilionaceous, and of many different colours. It owes its name to the singular form of its seed-vessel, on which may be distinguished the joints and claws of a bird's foot. LONGEVITY, Fig. The Fig has been made the emblem of longevity, on account of its wholesomeness, when ripe, and eaten in moderation. The Andalusians eat this fruit before breakfast, and they have this saying: En eso va la vida "On this life depends." LOVE, Myrtle. Page 96. Rose. Page 106. CONJUGAL, Linden-tree. Page 86. mies, kings of Egypt, acquired celebrity for the love which he manifested for his brother. A species of the Syringa was consecrated to his memory; and his surname, Philadelphus, which signifies one who loves his brother, has been used to distinguish this genus, two species of which are cultivated. LOVE, MATERNAL, Moss. Page 235. PURE, Pink. Page 130. MAJESTY, Lily. Page 141. MEANNESS, Cuscuta, or Dodder. This plant, of which there are five species, springs up out of the earth from seed, and no sooner does its stalk meet with that of another plant than it fastens upon it; its own root dies, and it then lives entirely at the expense of others. Like a vile parasite, it absorbs all the juices of its supporter, and it is not long before it causes its destruction. MELANCHOLY, Dead Leaves. Page 226. ·MIND, Sorrowful Geranium. This charming species of Geranium, like the melancholy mind, seeks obscurity, but it delights those who cultivate it by its delicious scent. Its colour is dark and unobtrusive, and it |
