6 
I NTR ODUC TION. 
tombs of flowers, their temple as festooned into large bouquets, 
and of the surrounding air being ever heavy with the perfumes 
of champac and jessamine. 
Flowers appear always to have played a prominent part in 
the religious ceremonies of all peoples and in all ages ; but it 
would be useless to multiply examples of so well known and 
generally accepted a fact, and, indeed, to do so would be a de¬ 
parture from our present design of exhibiting a general history 
of the language only of flowers, as used at home and abroad. 
Florigraphy is a science that requires but little study. Some 
flowers, indeed, almost bear written upon their upturned faces 
the thoughts of which they are living representatives. That the 
“white investments” of the childlike Daisy should, as Shak- 
spearesays, “ figure innocence,” is self-evident; that all nations 
should select the glowing Rose as an emblem of love could not 
be wondered at; whilst the little blue petals of the Myosotis 
palustris require no augur to explain their common name of 
Forget-me-not. Or again, who can doubt that the rich perfumes 
of some plants, or the sparkling lustres of others, must be 
deemed typical of joy and gladness; or that the melancholy hue 
and sombre looks of others should cause them to be selected 
to symbolize sadness and despair? 
Simple as is the language of those bright earth stars, “the 
alphabet of the angels,” as they have been somewhat inaptly 
styled, a great deal of skill may be expended in forming them 
into sentences, and much ingenuity may be exercised in ex¬ 
plaining fully and satisfactorily the sentiments intended to be 
expressed towards the recipient of the floral message. The 
meanings of single token-flowers may soon be learned, but the 
knowledge of how to form them into a complete epistle does 
demand some little method. Many who use this fascinating 
style of correspondence frequently agree to adopt certain secret 
and original significations known only to themselves ; and, it 
a little dexterity is shown, they not only give variety to, but 
also render their charming telegraphy perfectly unintelligible 
to the uninitiated, although he may be the most skilled flori- 
graphist breathing. 
Every professor, ay, every student of this gentle art, may 
introduce new and varied combinations into its simple laws; 
but there are a few rudimentary rules that should not be ne- 
