172 LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. 
where in its primitive state. This plant, togethei 
with the use of fire, seems to have been bestowed by 
Providence on man, in order to secure to him the 
dominion of the earth. With corn and fire, he may 
dispense with all other gifts, or rather, he may 
acquire them all. With corn alone he can feed 
all the domestic animals, which furnish him with 
subsistence or share his labours. Corn is the first 
bond of society, because its culture and preparation 
demand hard labour and mutual services. 
An Arab, having lost his way in the desert, had 
been two days without food : death by hunger 
stared him in the face. At length coming to a well 
where caravans were accustomed to halt, he per- 
ceived a small leathern bag lying on the sand. He 
picked it up. " God be praised !" said he — " 'tis a 
little flour I presume." He lost no time in untying 
it, and, at the sight of its contents, he exclaimed: 
" Unfortunate creature that I am ! it is only gold- 
dust !" 
A whole straw has been made the emblem of 
union, and a broken straw, of rupture. The custom 
of breaking a straw to express the rupture of a con- 
tract may be traced back to an early period of 
French history, and may be almost said to have had 
