Sxarltt (Kcr.inium. 
141 
Scarlet GERA^iv^i. ...Stiqndity. 
There are many varieties of the Geranium, distin- 
guished by the shape and hue of the floAvers and leaves, 
and the difference in their fragrance. The Scarlet 
Geranium is a very beautiful flower, but its scent is 
disagreeable. The following anecdote will give the 
reason of its being chosen as the emblem of stupidity. 
Madame de Stael was always angry when any of her 
acquaintance attempted to introduce a stupid person 
into her company. One day, one of her friends ven- 
tured to bring to her a young Swiss officer of most pre- 
possessing exterior. The lady, pleased with his appear- 
ance, was very lively, and said a thousand flattering 
things to the new-comer, who seemed at first to be 
struck mute by surprise and admiration. When, how- 
ever, he had listened to her for above an hour without 
opening his lips, she began to suspect the cause of his 
silence, and put to him such direct questions that he 
could not help answering. His answers were extremely 
silly ! Madame de Stael, vexed at having thrown away 
her time and her wit, turned to her friend and said : 
"Indeed, sir, you are like my gardener, who thought 
to do me a pleasure by bringing me this morning a 
pot of Geranium : but I can tell you that I made him 
take back the flower, desiring him not to let me see it 
any more." " And why so ?" asked the young man in 
astonishment. "It was, since you wish to know, be- 
cause the Geranium is a beautiful scarlet flower; while 
