PERSONALITY OF PLANTS 
bring her ruddy cheeks. The Romans used the 
Rose as the symbol of love for the dead. They 
placed it extensively on their tombs. 
In the past, there have arisen rumours of 
plants of wondrous properties which have been 
the mere inventions of glory-seeking travelers. 
Sir John Mandeville was a famous offender 
who even issued reports of trees which produced 
live animals in their fruits. 
The old Greeks used to decorate their tombs 
with Parsley. When a person was dangerous- 
ly ill, it was often said, “He has need now of 
nothing but Parsley.” 
The humble Bean has at times been afforded 
superstitious reverence. It is said that Pytha- 
goras forbade his disciples to eat it. 
The anxiety to secure good crops has led to 
many superstitious practices. In the pagan days 
of Germany and likewise in Rome, an image 
was carried around each field in order to insure 
its fertility. After the introduction of Chris- 
tianity, the image of a saint was substituted for 
the heathen deity, and the practice continued. 
Again and again, the Onion, whose name 
today is only mentioned with bated breath, 
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