FLORAL EMRLEMS. 141 



FECUNDITY. 



Hollyhock. — Alcea Rosea. 



" From the nectaries of hollyhocks 

 The humble bee, e'en till he faints, will sip." 



This towering and beautiful eastern plant, 

 which is so prolific in yielding seed, is hence 

 made the emblem of fecundity. 



FELICITY. 



Sweet Sultan, or Centaury. — Centaurea tjioschata. 



" To cure the bees, dry'd roses, acorn juice 

 Athenian thyme and centaury conduce." 



Virgil. 



This honey-smelling flower, from the Per- 

 sian fields, as well as " the corn-flower blue," 

 of our own arable lands, is made the happy 

 emblem of felicity. 



" Oh ! happiness of sweet retir'd content. 

 To be at once secure and innocent." 



Denham. 



