Sivut kuvina
PDF
ePub

May until August by a mass of pink flowers, which form a charming contrast with the blue of the ocean.

TEARS, Helenium. The flowers of the Helenium resemble small suns of a beautiful yellow. They blow in autumn with the asters. They are said to have been produced by the tears of Helen.

TEMPTATION, Quince. It has been asserted that

the golden fruit in the garden of the Hesperides were Quinces, and that these tempted Hercules to attack the dragon which guarded them in confirmation of this conjecture, a statue of the demi-god, holding a Quince in his hand, as a trophy, is referred to. It is also alleged that it was by means of Quinces given to him by Venus that Hippomenes amused Atalanta during the race with her, and won it. It is further supposed that the fruit of the forbidden tree, which Eve was tempted to pluck, was the Quince and not the apple, as it is generally believed. THANKFULNESS, Agrimony. This is a pretty

campanula, whose flowers, of the most deli

cate lilac colour, hang from the stalk like bells. The French call it Religieuse des Champs, "Nun of the Fields," a name, probably given out of gratitude to this pretty, salutary, and useful campanula, in memory of some kind, tender, and compassionate

nurse.

THINK OF ME, Heart's-ease. Page 48.

TIES, Tendrils of climbing plants, which entwine and bind fast every thing they come

near.

TIME, White Poplar. The White Poplar raises its lofty head on a straight trunk, covered with silvery bark, to the height of ninety feet or more. The ancients consecrated it to Time, because the leaves of this handsome tree are in constant motion, and, being dark on one side and white on the other, they indicate the alternation of day and night. TIMIDITY, Marvel of Peru. Page 213. TRANQUILLITY, Stonecrop. The ancients regarded Stonecrop as a cure for hydrophobia; it is still sometimes restored to in that dreadful malady.

TREACHERY, Bilberry, or Whortleberry. Eno

maüs, father of the beautiful Hippodamia, chose for his attendant the young Myrtillus, son of Mercury. Proud of his skill, he insisted that all the suitors who aspired to the hand of his daughter should compete for the prize in a chariot-race with him. Pelops, who wished to obtain Hippodamia, promised Myrtillus a large reward, if he would take out the linch-pin of his master's chariot. Myrtillus was not proof against the offer: in consequence, the chariot was overturned and Enomaüs killed: but, as he expired, he implored Pelops to avenge him, which he did, by throwing the treacherous attendant into the sea. The waters having borne back his body to the shore, Mercury changed it into the shrub, called, by a corruption from his name, Whortleberry, or Bilberry. It grows on the sea-shore in cool and shady places. Its pretty bell-flowers are succeeded by berries of a dark blue, of a tart and agreeable flavour.

TRUTH, Bitter-sweet Nightshade. The ancients thought that Truth was the mother of Virtue, the daughter of Time, and queen of the world.

It is a common saying with us that Truth conceals herself in the bottom of a well, and that she always mingles some bitterness with her blessings: and we have given for her emblem a useless plant that, like her, delights in shade and is always green. The bittersweet Nightshade is, I believe, the only plant in this country that loses and re-produces its leaves twice a year.

UNION, Whole Straw. Page 177. USELESSNESS, Meadow-Sweet. This plant is considered as an emblem of uselessness, because doctors have not discovered any medicinal virtues in it, and animals refuse to eat it. UTILITY, Grass. Grasses are the most combut perhaps the most useful, family of the vegetable kingdom.

mon,

WAR, Achillea millefolia. This plant heals all wounds made with iron. It is said to have been used by the hero whose name it bears to heal the wounds of Telephus.

WARMTH OF FEELING, Peppermint. Minthes was surprised by Proserpine in the company

of her gloomy spouse. The enraged goddess changed her rival into a plant, which seems to comprehend in its double flavour the coldness of fear and the warmth of love. This plant we cultivate by the name of Peppermint, to which we are indebted for the cordial water and lozenges named after it. WEAKNESS, Musk plant. This plant has so mild and delicate a scent, that it is agreeable even to persons who have a particular dislike to musk.

WISDOM, White Mulberry-tree. The ancients

called the White Mulberry the wisest of trees, because it is very late before it unfolds its leaves, in which respect it is the reverse of the almond-tree. A spray of the almond-tree tied up with one of the mulberry intimates that wisdom ought to temper activity.

YOU ARE COLD, Hortensia. The Hortensia is a plant of recent introduction into our European gardens. Though its clusters of flowers are alternately tipped with white, red, and purple; though its general figure is showy, and it looks well in a room; still the eye soon tires

DD

« EdellinenJatka »