94 LANGUAGE OF ILOVEUS. 
LINDEN TREE. 
CONJUGAL LOVE. 
The beautiful fable of Philemon and Baucis 
caused this tree to be adopted as the emblem of con- 
jugal love. This couple lived together in the hap- 
piest harmony to extreme old age ; and, content 
with their humble hut and the little which their 
labour procured them, they knew no higher wishes 
or wants. Jupiter and Mercury one day descended 
in human form from Olympus to visit the plains of 
Phrygia. Needing refreshment, they called at seve- 
ral houses, but were refused admittance ; but Phi- 
lemon aud Baucis, the poorest couple in that part 
of the country , r received them in the most hospitable 
manner in their mean habitation. Baucis imme- 
diately heated water to wash the travellers' feet ; 
