THE WILD PLUM.— Independence. 



The Wild Plum Tree is said to be the least tractable of 

 our indigenous trees. It will not bear the knife, nor allow 

 itself to be transplanted. 



WILD RUE.— Manners or Morals. 



Shakspeare and other old authors call this, " Herb of 

 grace." We are told that Mercury gave to Ulysses an 

 infusion of the root of Wild Rue to carry off the effects of 

 the draught given to him by Circe. 



HELENIUM {H. autumnale). — Tears. 



The flowers of this North American plant bear some 

 resemblance to little bright yellow suns. They flourish in 

 the Autumn with the Asters. They are fancifully said to 

 have sprung from the tears of Helen. Other writers assert 

 that Helenium was the name given to a plant which that 

 frail beauty used in preparing her cosmetics. 



WITHY, OR OSIER {Salix z'm2«a/w).— Frankness. 



There is a proverb referring to a sincere man, which says. 

 He is frank as an Osier. It is in this sense that a French 

 poet has used the emblem, 



" Le fier et brave Montansier, 

 Dont le cosur est brave comma Osier." 



