INTRODUCTION. 25 



The second rule is, that if a flower presented 

 upright expresses a particular sentiment, when 

 reversed it has a contrary meaning*. Thus, 

 for example, a rose bud upright with its 

 thorns and its leaves means, '' I fear, but I 

 hope ;" if the same bud is returned held down- 

 wards, it signifies, " you must neither hope 

 nor fear ;" but if the thorns be stripped off", 

 it expresses, " there is every thing to hope ;" 

 deprived of its leaves, it signifies, '' there is 

 every thing to fear." Thus the expression may 

 be varied of almost all the flowers by changing 

 their position. The flower of the marigold, 

 for example, placed on the head, signifies 

 " trouble of spirits ;" on the heart, '' trouble 

 of love f on the bosom, " weariness." 



The pansy held upright denotes " hearts' 

 ease ;" reversed it speaks the contrary; when 

 presented upright it is understood to say, 

 " think of me ;" but when offered pendant, 

 it means " forget me." And thus the ama- 

 ryllis, which is the emblem of pride, may be 

 made to express " my pride is humbled," or 



