70 COCKLE. 



to the barley. The name &quot; cockle&quot; given in the English version 

 is therefore most appropriate, as has doubtless been evident to 

 all who have trodden upon Oriental soil during corn-harvests 

 and noticed the contrast in quantity between the agrostemma, 

 which grows in abundance, and either of the others named as 

 substitutes, which seldom appear to interfere with the growth 

 of the grain. 



The cockle is not in itself unpleasant to the eye or touch, 

 and the five petals of its corolla are prettily variegated in color. 

 Its associations, however, make it unwelcome. Where grains 

 alone are wanted, there the cockle chooses the soil for its most 

 luxuriant growth, either crowding them out entirely or dimi 

 nishing the produce. Hence the impression of disappointment 

 and loss always attends the appearance of the cockle. It 

 comes just where it is not expected and where it is most un 

 welcome. This is the sentiment expressed in Isaiah, where it 

 it said a vineyard was planted, and when the vine-dresser looked 

 for grapes it brought forth cockles, which, with their bright 

 colors, seemed to offer themselves in the place of the expected 

 grapes. So in Job xxxi. 40 the significancy is the same, 

 namely, that of disappointment as well as of loss; and the 

 moral conveyed by the use of the cockle teaches the necessity 

 of performing good acts and speaking pleasant words in proper 

 places. How often are &quot; apples of gold&quot; rendered more precious 

 by appearing in &quot;pictures of silver.&quot; 



