POETRY OF FLOWERS. 21 
some columns to design for an edifice in Corinth, 
imitated the fornj of the basket for the pillars, 
and formed the capitals in the manner of the 
curved acanthus. Thus, indeed, Yitruvius re¬ 
cords the legend. 
ALMOND-TKEE—AMYGDALUS COMMUNIS. 
INDISCRETION—THOUGHTLESSNESS. 
This fragrant forerunner of spring has been 
adopted as the emblem of indiscretion , on ac¬ 
count 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 
appropriate signification. The Mahommedans 
regard its flowers 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.” 
