70 FLOWERS AND FRUITS. 



gust. The seed does not fully ripen until late in the autumn. 

 They are all annuals. A great many of them are mere weeds ; 

 but a few species are cultivated for their richly colored enduring 

 flowers, among which, with the exception perhaps of the tri-color, 

 this is by far the most remarkable. 



From its continuance after death for such a long period in form 

 and color, it has ever been considered the emblem of immortality ; 

 and poets from the earliest times have delighted to sing its praises. 

 Milton tells us that the crowns of the angels are of gold enwoven 

 with this flower ; and that though once growing by the side of 

 the tree of Life in Paradise, it was too precious a flower to leave 

 there after man's transgression, and was accordingly transplanted 

 to Heaven to bind around the angels brows. He does not tell us 

 how it returned to earth ; it makes little difference however in 

 regard to its history ; for as far as we are concerned, it might 

 have stayed there without much loss to us. The foreheads of the 

 gods were adorned with it, as the ancients associated its name 

 with supreme honors. It has been mingled with the dark and 

 gloomy cypress wreath when it was wished to combine sorrow 

 with everlasting recollection, more especially at funerals. 



Considering its signification the most appropriate use we have 

 yet known to have been made of it was at the celebrated floral 

 games of Toulouse, where the prize for the best lyrical verses is 

 the emblem, if such can be, of two-fold Immortality, a golden 

 Amaranth. Love and friendship are adorned with it, and we might 

 go on multiplying instances without number ; for this flower has 

 had the honor of several books being written on it alone, yet as 

 we think enough has been adduced for the purpose, we shall close 

 with Christina, queen of Sweden, who, becoming immoderately 

 fond of science, wished to immortalize herself by renouncing the 

 throne to cultivate letters and philosophy. She instituted an order 

 of Knights of the Amaranth. The decoration of which was a 

 medal of gold enriched with a flower of the Amaranth in enamel, 

 with the motto " Dolce nella memoria." 



