OF FLOWERS. 287 



ACACIA, (rose.) Elegance of appearance and manner $. This 

 beautiful shrub has been compared to a fashionable lady in 

 her ball dress. 



ALOE. Hope in futurity. It grows in the wilderness, arid is 

 slightly attached to the earth by thread-like roots. 



AMARANTH. Immortality. The name signifies '* never fa- 

 ding," and the flower retains its form and coloring, in spite 

 of time. In several countries, it is a funereal flower. 



AMARYLLIS. Affectation, pride. It is one of the most 

 beautiful of flowering plants, but often refuses to open its 

 petals. 



AMBROSIA. Elevated sentiments. The name signifies the 

 food of the gods. 



AMANITA. Away ! I shall reveal no secrets. This is a mush- 

 room, which being eaten, produces a sort of intoxication, 

 during which the subject is said to reveal his own secrets, 

 and those of his neighbors. 



ANEMONE. / am forsaken, and in despair. The beautiful 

 Anemone, beloved by Zephyr, was abandoned to the rude 

 caresses of old Boreas, who blasted, and caused her blos- 

 soms to fade. Hence it is called wind flower to this day 



ANDROMEDA. A cruel fate has fixed me here. This genus, 

 with small, delicate, white flowers, growing in wet places, 

 was named in allusion to the fate of the maiden, Andro- 

 meda, who was condemned to spend her days in the 

 midst of a marsh, which was haunted by ferocious rep- 

 tiles. 



ANGELICA. Thou inspirest me with poetic visions. The Lap- 

 land poets are crowned with this plant, and consider them- 

 selves inspired by its fragrance. 



ASPHODEL. My thoughts will follow you beyond the grave. It 

 was planted by the ancients near the tombs of their friends, 

 because it was supposed that the shades of the dead would 

 walk in the fields of this plant. 



ARETHUSA. My regret shall become a fountain of tears. The 

 name is that of a nymph of Diana, who was transformed 

 into a fountain. 



BALM OF GILEAD. You have cured my pain. It was famous 

 in ancient times as a soothing remedy. " Is there no balm 

 in Gilead ?" 



BALSAM. Impatience. Touch me not if you please. On the 

 slightest touch the capsules fly open, and distribute their 

 seeds. 



BERBERRY, M sour temper is no slight eviL. The fruit is 



