FLORAL EMBLEMS. 79 



BLACKNESS. 



EBONY. Diospyros Ebenum. 



" Oft by the winds extinct the signal lies, 

 Ere night has half rolFd round her ebon throne." 



Gay. 



" Black as ebony ! 



She abated me of half my train ; 

 Look'd black upon me." 



King Lear. 



BLUNTNESS OR ROUGHNESS OF 

 :' - , . MANNERS. ''' . . 



BORAGE. Borago. 

 " Ego borago gaudia semper ago." 



This stimulating 1 plant, has its stalks and 

 leaves covered with a rough hairy substance, 

 and is therefore chosen for this emblem. Pope 



says, 



" Tis not enough your counsel still be true : 



Blunt truths more mischief than nice falsehoods do." 



