ON WINTER RHUBARB 



they thought they saw in the blossoms an emblem 

 of the crucifixion. 



According to an early description of the blos- 

 soms, the filaments were thought to resemble a 

 blood-colored fringe suggesting the scourge; the 

 column in the center was said to represent the 

 cross; the filaments on which the pollen sacs were 

 borne, three in number, represented nails; and a 

 peculiar arrangement of floral organs encircling 

 the top of the blossom did service for the crown 

 of thorns. 



To complete the picture five spots or stains of 

 the color of blood found on the petals were said 

 to represent five wounds. 



That the symbolism might lack nothing of com- 

 pleteness, it was noted that the leaves of the plant 

 were shaped like the head of a lance or spear; and 

 that there are round spots on the leaves that might 

 be taken to represent the thirty pieces of silver, 

 the price of the betrayal. 



The merits of this symbolic characterization 

 need not concern us. But doubtless the name 

 served to draw unusual attention to the flower, 

 although the intrinsic merits of the flower itself 

 are of a high order. As a hothouse vine, it has 

 been cultivated everywhere, and is often regarded 

 as an important acquisition. Meantime it runs 

 wild as a trailing vine in regions where the win- 



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