Mezereon. 
(COQUETRY.) 
T HE genus to which this shrub belongs is named Daphne , 
from the nymph beloved of Apollo, some of the species 
greatly resembling the bay, into which tree that maid was 
transformed. The most beautiful member of this fragrant¬ 
leaved family is the Mezereon, the emblem of coquetry. The 
stalk of this bush is covered with a dry bark, which causes it 
to resemble dead wood ; but, early in the spring, before the 
leaves appear, it bedecks itself with garlands of red flowers, 
wreathing them round each of its sprays, and terminating each 
coquettish curl with a small leafy tuft. Thus it is, as Cowper 
expresses it, 
“Though leafless, well attired, and thick beset 
With blushing wreaths investing ev’ry spray. ” 
The mezereon is very sweet scented ; and, where there are 
many near each other, they perfume the air to a considerable 
distance. It is said, but on very dubious authority, that this 
fragrance is dangerous to human beings. 
In a language of flowers that appeared some years ago, this 
shrub, clothed in its showy garb, was amusingly compared to 
an imprudent and coquettish female, who, though shivering with 
cold, wears her spring attire in the depth of winter. Most of 
the European languages give the mezereon a name equivalent 
to female bay. 
A good yellow dye is extracted from its branches, and a 
useful and valuable medicine from its bark. The berries, which 
are a violent poison, are yellow on the white-flowered, and red 
on the peach-coloured varieties. 
The silvery-leaved species is very pretty. Its leaves are 
white, small, soft, and shiny as satin ; between them blossom 
thick clusters of white bell-shaped flowers, tinged inside with 
yellow. 
