The Floral Oracle. 
O F all the various symbolic uses to which flowers have 
been put, none probably have afforded more amuse¬ 
ment than The Floral Oracle. The system of divination 
practised by means of these beautiful objects undergoes various 
modifications in different countries, but the following mode 
will be found to be the simplest and most correct: Arrange a 
certain number of flowers together; let their names, and the 
significations appropriate to them, be written down, and then 
let each person select or draw one flower by lot; and the 
meaning attached to that blossom will typify the future con¬ 
sort’s characteristics. The subjoined list will fully explain this 
pretty game : 
Rose (Red) . 
. Affectionate. 
Violet (White) 
Candid. 
„ (White) 
. Modest. 
Hollyhock . 
A mbitious. 
,, (Pink) . 
. Bashful. 
A Reed. 
Musical. 
,, (Yellow) 
, Jealous. 
Oak-leaf 
Hospitable. 
Aster . 
. Fickle. 
Hyacinth 
Imaginative. 
Pink . 
. Haughty. 
Poppy . 
Lazy. 
Daisy . 
. Gentle. 
Marygold 
Wealthy. 
Tulip . 
. Passionate. 
A Fig . 
Aged. 
Cornflower . 
. Extravagant. 
Geranium (Scented) 
Melancholy. 
Stock . 
. Hasty. 
,, (Scarlet) 
Stupid. 
Jasmine 
. A miable. 
Mimosa 
Nervous. 
Heart’s-ease. 
. Thoughtful. 
Thistle . 
Surly. 
Lily 
. Graceful. 
Foxglove 
Sarcastic. 
Mezereon 
. A flirt. 
Laurel . 
Domineering. 
Mignonette . 
. Talented. 
Myrtle . 
Self-sacrificing. 
Primrose 
. Simplicity. 
Thyme. 
Jocular. 
This catalogue might be considerably enlarged, but as it is 
permissible for the manipulator to change the significations 
when requisite, the above will be quite sufficient to guide the 
judgment in adding any other flowers. 
The next portion of the game is the revelation of the in¬ 
tended’s profession or occupation, and must be practised in 
the same method as the first, thus : 
A Lily typifies A nobleman. 
A Rose „ An artist. 
A Thistle ,, A soldier. 
Afl Oak-leal m A farmer . 
A Laurel-leaf typifies A poet. 
Apple-blossom „ A lawyer. 
Cypress „ A doctor. 
Tulip „ A freeholder. 
