38 FLOWERS AND FRUITS. 



axillary clusters numbering from two to six, standing on very short 

 footstalks. The flower-cup is double, the blossom of a unique 

 salver form, larger than, and protruding from the cup ; partaking 

 internally of the universal hairy character of the plant, as do the 

 filaments which are inserted at its base, and the egg shaped germ ; 

 the anthers are long ; the style straight, terminating with a fine 

 pointed stigma. It gives off a peculiar and extremely fragrant 

 odor, which once perceived is never forgotten. This plant em- 

 blemizes Perseverance, though to how many others the same signi- 

 fication has been given it is difficult to discover, as the rules for 

 this branch of the science have never been laid down with sufficient 

 strictness, and many a one, we are sorry, to say, takes the liberty 

 of altering them to suit a passing whim. The most permanent, 

 are those derived from the east, which forming a part of, and 

 thoroughly incorporated with the oriental tongue, it would be im- 

 possible to change. 



A writer has remarked that the hieroglyphics of the ancient 

 Egyptians abound in floral symbols, and from hence we may surmise 

 that the Greeks became accustomed to this figurated language. 

 Their poetical fables are full of the metamorphoses of their deities 

 into plants ; indeed, there was no flower to which their imagina- 

 tions had not affixed some meaning.; even to this day a young 

 Arcadian is seldom seen without his turban full of flowers, present- 

 ed to him by the beauty he admires, by the silent encouragement 

 of which, his hopes are kept alive ; and it forms one of the chief 

 amusements of the Greek girls to drop these symbols of their es- 

 teem or scorn upon the various passengers who pass their latticed 

 windows. 



This is an American wild flower ; one too, dear to the heart of 

 every Nova Scotian, as it is the first that greets him to tell of 

 Winter's defeat ; often before the battle is won by Spring, it opens, 

 and ere the frost is out of the ground, peeps up from amidst the 

 snow. 



