38 LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS, 
MEZEREON. 
COQUETRY DESIRE TO PLEASE. 
The stalk of this shrub is covered with a dry bark, 
which gives to it the appearance of dead wood. Na- 
ture, to hide this deformity, has encirled each of its 
sprays with a garland of red flowers, wreathed round 
them and terminating in a small tuft of leaves, in the 
manner of the pine-apple. These flowers, which 
appear in the month of February, give out a pecu- 
liar and dangerous smell. 
This shrub, clothed in its showy garb, appears 
amidst the snow like an imprudent and coquettish 
female, who, though shivering with cold, wears her 
spring attire in the depth of winter. 
