294 THE LANGUAGE 



branch has been the emblem of peace ever since Noah's 

 dove carried it to the ark. 



ORCHIS. Error without intention. One species has a flower 

 so resembling the bee, as to be mistaken for that insect. 



ORANGE FLOWER. Bridal honor. It is common in some 

 countries for brides to wear these flowers as a distinctive 

 mark. 



PARSLEY. Your presence is much to my taste. From the 

 days of imperial Rome to the present, this has been used 

 as a seasoning for soups, and a garnishing for dishes at 

 banquets. 



PASSION FLOWER. Religious faith. It is supposed to repre- 

 sent the cross, the crown of thorns, the scourge, and the 

 nails used at the crucifixion. 



PEPPERMINT. Warmth of feeling. Cordials and lozenges 

 are well known warming articles. 



PINE APPLE. You are perfect. Its beautiful crown of bril- 

 liant flowers, arising from amidst its spreading green 

 leaves, together with the delicious flavor and fragrance 

 of its fruit, leave nothing to desire with respect to this 

 plant. 



PINK, white. You retain your original simplicity. This is 

 the primitive flower, from which the variegated kinds have 

 been produced by art. 



PINK, variegated. Art hhs spoiled the simplicity of your ap- 

 pearance. 



POPPY. I offer you relief from pain. It is from the green 

 capsules of this plant that opium, that universal remedy 

 for all the pains that earth is heir to, is obtained. 



QUINCE. Beware of temptation. It is believed by some of 

 the learned, that it was the quince, not the apple, by which 

 sin and all our woe, came into the world. 



ROSEMARY. Your presence revives me. Hungary water, 

 which is famous for dizziness, and faintings, is. made from 

 this plant. 



ROSE. Thou art an universal favorite. This flower, from 

 time immemorial, has been cultivated, and esteemed, in 

 every part >f the world. It grows in every climate, and 

 hence th great number of its varieties, which amount to 

 at leas' 1000. 



ROSE, f monthly.) Your charms only fade to be renewed. It 

 sends forth new blossoms 12 times in the year. 



ROSE, (white.) Art has not spoiled your beauty. The 



