FLORAL EMBLEMS. 167 



HEEDLESSNESS. 



ALMOND . A mygdalus . 



" Like to an almond-tree, mounted high 

 On top of green Selenis, all alone, 

 With blossoms brave bedecked daintily ; 

 Whose tender locks do tremble every one, 

 At every little breath that under heav'n is blown." 



Fairy Queen. 



The blushing petals which bedeck the leaf- 

 less branches of these trees that of old embel- 

 lished the banks of the Jordan, are made 

 emblematical of heedlessness, from their ven- 

 turing forth before nature has prepared the 

 foliage for their protection. 



" Mark well the flow'ring almonds in the wood : 

 If od'rous blossoms the bearing branches load, 

 The glebe will answer to the sylvan reign, 

 Great heats will follow, and large crops of grain." 



Dry den. 



