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290 THE LANGUAGE 



Narcissus, and like other self-lovers, is often destined soon 

 to fade. An old poet says 



" Fair Daffodil, we weep to see 



You haste away so soon ; 

 As yet the early rising sun 



Has not attained his noon." 



ANDELION. You force yourself where you are least wanttd. 

 Its winged seeds fly through the air, and perplex the gar- 

 dener, by planting themselves in his richest soils. 



DUCK-MEAT. You are too light to sink in water. This little 

 aquatic grows on the surfaces of ponds, never touching the 

 bottom even with its roots. 



EGLANTINE. Poetic excellence. In the floral games among 

 the Greeks, this was the prize for poetic composition on 

 study and eloquence. 



FLAX. Domestic industry. It has nearly vanished from our 

 country. In ancient times, the spinning of flax was a fe- 

 male employment, so honorable, that the daughters of prin- 

 ces did not disdain it. 



FOXGLOVE. You influence the actions of my heart. When 

 the leaves of this plant are ta*ken, the pulse intermits, or 

 becomes slow, to a very extraordinary degree. 



GERANIUM. Domestic contentment. No genus of plants 

 thrive so well in the vitiated air of inhabited rooms as the 

 Geraniums. 



GERANIUM, (fish ) You are disagreeable to me. No person 

 admires the smell of fish. 



GERANIUM, (rose.) / give you the preference. There are 

 very few who do not enjoy the fragrance of the rose. 



GERANIUM, (oak-leaved.) Mere names confer no qualities. It 

 has none of the useful properties of the noble oak. 



GERANIUM, (ivy-leaved.) A bridal decoration. I hope to see 

 you wear so honorable a badge. 



HEARTS' EASE. PANSY. Think on me when Pmaway. This 

 is the common three colored violet. It has no fragrance, 

 but from its tiny size and beauty, has ever been an emblem 

 of love, and an object of poetic fiction. Of it Shakspeare 

 says 



u The juice of it, on sleeping eyelids laid, 

 Will make a man, or woman, madly doat 

 Upon the next living creature it sees." 



HEATH. Esteem does not depend on elevation This is a ge 



