FLORAL EMBLEMS. 81 



BOASTER. 



Hydrangea. — Hydrangea Hortensis, 



*' No more delays, vain boaster ! but begin ; 

 I prophesy beforehand I shall win : 

 ril teach you how to brag another time." 



T)ryden, 



This Chinese Guelder rose is presented as 

 the emblem of a boaster, because its magni- 

 ficent flowers are never succeeded by fiTiit, 

 thus resembling- the vaunting words of a brag- 

 gadocio, which are not followed by suitable 

 results. 



" Who knows himself a braggart. 

 Let him fear this ; for it will come to pass. 

 That every braggart shall be found an ass." 



Sliaks'peare, 



