POETRY OF FLOWERS. 159 
The marygold is sometimes considered the flo- 
rigraphical sign of prediction, because it is used 
by our lads and lasses, as is the daisy by those 
of France, and the aster by those of Germany, 
to determine whether they are beloved or not by 
the object of their thoughts. 
MEZEREON; DAPHNE. 
Daphne , odor a . Class 8 ; order 1. 
COQUETRY. 
The 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 trans¬ 
formed. The most beautiful member of this 
fragrant-leaved family is the Mezereon, the em¬ 
blem of coquetry. The stalk of this bush is 
covered with a dry bark, which causes it to re¬ 
semble dead wood ; but, early in the spring, be¬ 
fore the leaves appear, it bedecks itself with 
garlands of red flowers, wreathing them round 
each of its sprays, and terminating each coquet¬ 
tish 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 
