40 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



for the heated, noisy city; could we realize, even in a small de- 

 gree, the greatness of the change? 



There is no life so happy, free and independent, as that on a 

 farm, and let us hope that agricultural pursuits may hold a prom- 

 inent and attractive place in the eyes of the youth of to-day, who 

 are choosing their life work. 



THE FLOWERS OF NATIONS. 



BY MISS MARY MORRICE, HAMILTON. 



Flowers, as symbols and emblems, have played an important 

 part in the world's history. In studying history we sel- 

 dom read of a country or nation but had its favorite flower. 

 They have for ages been used as types and emblems of affection, 

 loyalty, and the different traits of human character. Thus we 

 find nations adopting the favorite flower of their greatest mon- 

 arch, as their national flower, simply because of their love and 

 admiration for him ; or political parties adopting a flower that 

 their leader wears, as their badge. 



The lotus, a kind of water lily, was the symbolic plant of 

 Egypt. The waters of the Nile and adjacent rivulets were covered 

 with these beautiful flowers. The lotus was used by the Egyptians 

 at feast and funeral. Many of the Egyptian mummies are found 

 with those flowers in their hands and on their heads. At the 

 feasts of the aristocrats, jewels carved in imitation of the lotus 

 were presented to the guests, and at the tables of the middle and 

 lower classes wreathes of the flower were placed on the guests' 

 heads. Pillars of houses, furniture, jewels, and the prows of 

 ships were carved in imitation of "our beautiful rose," as the 

 Egyptians called it. The sweet-scented heliotrope was also a 

 favorite with the Egyptians for many centuries. 



The Romans dedicated flowers to all their gods, and it is from 

 them that many of our flowers received the meaning that is now 

 attached to them. With the Romans the lily was the emblem of 

 purity, the oak of power, the myrtle and rose of love, the olive 

 and violet of learning, and the grape leaf of festivity. Thus we 

 find Athens, the ancient seat of learning, has the violet for its 

 national emblem. 



The lily was the sacred flower of the Jews. Solomon had them 

 carved on his temple, and they are mentioned in the Bible and 

 other sacred books very often. The gorgeous sunflower was the 

 sacred flower in Peru. The Peruvians worshipped the sun, and 

 they considered the sunflower as typical of their god. At the 

 feast of the Incas the Virgins of the sun wore wreathes of the 

 flower on their heads, and golden sunflowers fastened their flow- 

 ing white robes. 



