Apple-blossom. 
(PREFERENCE.) 
N experienced florigraphist has styled the Apple-blossom 
the emblem of preference, because, not only is it a very 
lovely flower, but, as the predecessor of fine and useful fruit, 
it may be preferred to the rose itself. The apple singly is 
deemed typical of temptation , undoubtedly from the curious 
legend which connects it with the first transgression and fall 
of man, a legend which figures alike in most of the ancient 
mythologies of which any vestiges are extant. Many believe 
the golden fruit of the Hesperides— 
“ The fruits of blooming gold, 
Beyond the sounding ocean : the fair trees 
Of golden fruitage,” 
the obtaining of which was one of the twelve labours appointed 
for Hercules—to have been nothing more than apples; but 
modern opinion inclines to the idea that oranges were the 
dragon-guarded dainties. The Thebans worshipped Hercules 
under the name of Melius, and offered apples at his altars. 
This custom was said to have originated in the following 
manner: The river Asopus having on one occasion overflowed 
its banks to such an extent as to render it impossible to bring 
across it a sheep which was to be sacrificed to Hercules, some 
youths, recollecting that an apple bore the same name as a sheep 
— melon —offered an apple, with four little sticks stuck in it to 
resemble legs, as a substitute for a sheep ; and after that period 
the pagans always considered the apple as especially devoted 
to Hercules. This tree was highly reverenced by the Druids, 
not only on account of its fruit, but, and chiefly, for the reason 
that they believed it and the oak were the only trees on which 
the mistletoe grew. In consequence of its reputed sanctity, 
therefore, the apple was largely cultivated by the earliest in- 
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