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252 
FLORICULTURE OF THE TOILET. 
P 
I 
philosophers. Socrates had always his head encircled with flowers. Alcibiades changed his crown 
three times a day. At eighty years Anaereon mixed roses with his white hairs. Cassar, who was 
bald at thirty years, was indebted for a long time to the crown of flowers to conceal this defect from the 
beauties of Rome. At Athens as at Rome, no one could present himself in public without his crown. 
At the present day there is an evident inclination to return to the better customs of Greece and 
Rome, and no fashionable lady can present herself respectably at a ball or an evening party without 
having a Rose or a Camellia in her breast. Let us hope that in a short time the crown and the bouquet 
will be rigorously enforced in every reunion which has pleasure for its object. Why should not our 
ladies abandon the ungraceful cap for the elegant and odoriferous crown of flowers ? Flowers are ; 
besides, the natural emblem of luxury, riches, and abundance. By and by we feel pretty sure they 
will replace the absurd cap, however costly it may be made. 
In order to render this part of horticulture directly realizable, we shall pass on to the descriptions of 
head-dress in fashion, the first since 1847 ; the second during the present year 1851 ; and the third, 
with some exceptions, at intermittent periods. 
1. Coiffure a la Flore (Head-dress of Flowers). — This is suitable for those persons whose proportions 
and forms are of the most perfect character, and which come nearest the Grecian type. The profile 
especially must be 
one of those which 
are commonly found 
represented on an- 
cient has reliefs. 
This head-dress is 
worn with the hair 
arranged in grace- 
ful wavy locks, the 
back being tied in a 
bunch, merely with 
a narrow band, and 
the ends floating 
down. The crown 
of flowers does not 
in this case form a 
diadem, but is tied 
in a knot behind, 
and at the lowest 
part of the head, 
from which point it 
gradually enlarges 
till it reaches the 
front, or the point 
immediately above 
the brow. This form 
of crown is com- 
posed of high-co- 
loured flowers, as 
the Rose, Narcissus, 
Hyacinth, Camel- 
lia, Carnation, and 
3 ' '• "■ sometimes an Or- 
chid, and it is bordered with Ericas and distichous Cypress, terminating in leaves, with the more 
slender or fine parts of branches of flowers which take an upright, and, at the same time, a nodding 
form. The ancient ear-rings, and the string of pt*arls round the neck, harmonise admirably with 
this head-dress, which, invented more than a thousand years, is not the less handsome and in keeping 
with good taste. The figure (1) represents this form of head-dress taken from the Flore de Canova. 
2. Coiffure a la Ceres (Head-dress of Cereals). — " This kind of head-dress," says M. Laehaume, " is 
worn with either even or wavy locks. It is very graceful, but only suitable for those ladies who have 
the head well proportioned. It should always be made in the form of a diadem in front, from the top 
of the brow. It is best formed (plaited) of the small flowers of Roses, or of Camellias, mixed with 
fH^S ; 
