304 LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. 
is always green. The bitter-sweet Nightshade is, 
I believe, the only plant in this country that loses 
and re-produces its leaves twice a year. 
Union, Whole Straw. Page 183. 
Uselessness, Meadow-Sweet. This plant is con- 
sidered as an emblem of uselessness, because doc- 
tors have not discovered any medicinal virtues in 
it, and animals refuse to eat it. 
Utility, Grass. Grasses are the most common, but 
perhaps the most useful family of the vegetable 
kingdom. 
War, Achillea-millefolia. This plant heals all 
wounds made with iron. It is said to have been 
used by the hero whose name it bears to heal the 
wounds of Telephus. 
Warmth of Feeling, Peppermint. Minthes was 
surprised by Proserpine in the company of her 
gloomy spouse. The enraged goddess changed 
her rival into a plant, which seems to comprehend 
in its double flavour the coldness of fear and the 
warmth of love. This plant we cultivate by the 
name of Peppermint, to which we are indebted 
for the cordial water and lozenges named after it. 
Weakness, Musk plant. This plant has so mild 
