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AlMOND-T REE. 
(IN DISCRETION.) 
T HIS fragrant forerunner of spring has been adopted by 
Western florigraphists as the emblem of indiscretion , 
on account of its flowering so early that its beautiful pink 
blossoms are frequently prevented from fructifying, because of 
the injury they sustain from the frost. With Oriental nations, 
however, the almond has a very different but quite as appro¬ 
priate signification. The Mahommedans regard its floweis as 
typical of hope , because they bloom on the bare branches. 
Moore, with his usual felicity of expression, has thus availed 
himself of this pretty allegory : 
‘ ‘ The dream of a future happier hour 
That alights on misery’s brow, 
Springs out of the silvery almond flower 
That blooms on a leafless bough.” 
Pleasant a sight to our eyes as is this tree in blossom, in 
Oriental climes it is seen in far greater perfection. It grows 
to between twenty and thirty feet high, and the blooms 
spread from one end of the young branches to the other, as 
thickly as they can grow, and before a leaf is to be seen. The 
Hebrew writers, who regarded the almond as a symbol of 
haste and vigilance, frequently refer to it. “What seest thou ? ” 
said the Lord to Jeremiah; and the prophet answered, “ I see 
a rod of an almond-tree.” Then said the Lord, “ Thou hast 
seen well; for I will hasten my word and perform it.” 
The rod of Aaron, which budded and brought forth fruit, 
was of the almond-tree : “ it budded, and brought forth buds, 
and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds.” A writer on 
Scriptural plants, remarking on an allusion made to the al¬ 
mond in the twelfth chapter of that magnificent poem, Ecclesi¬ 
astes, says, “ The almond-tree, covered with its snow-white 
blossoms, is a beautiful poetic emblem of the hoary head, and 
