FLORAL EMBLEMS. 249 



bles have been as general as that of cabbage. 

 Shakspeare says, 



*' To wail friends lost. 

 Is not by much so wholesome, profitable. 

 As to rejoice at friends but newly found." 



PROLIFIC. 



Fig Tree; or, a Branch with Leaves and Figs. 



This proHfic tree, so celebrated in eastern 

 nations, as being distinguished from all others 

 by its bearing two successive and distinct 

 crops of fruit in one year, and each crop 

 being produced on a distinct set of shoots, 

 has caused the origin of this emblematical 

 representation : we have therefore on this 

 account selected the fig-tree to bear the 

 shield of our title-page, with a hope that the 

 floral emblems may be found prolific of ge- 

 neral amusement, and thus become produc- 

 tive of public favour. 



