POETRY OP FLOWERS. 
183 
sidered the emblem of sincere friendship, and as 
such is much used in their language of flowers. 
The English have adopted this evergreen plant 
as the representative of tender recollections. 
In Italy the country people make garlands of 
this plant, to place upon the biers of their de¬ 
ceased children, for which reason they name it 
the “ flower of death.” But in Germany it is 
the symbol of immortality; and, because its fine 
glossy myrtle-green leaves flourish all through 
the winter, they term it ‘‘winter verdure.” 
Its bright blue blossoms and still brighter 
green leaves have not been overlooked by the 
poets; and we find Eliza Cook introducing it 
into her pathetic poem of “ The Blind Boy:” 
“We asked him why he wept, mother, 
Whene’er we found the spots 
Where periwinkle crept, mother, 
O’er wild forget-me-nots. 
‘Ah me!’ he said, while tears ran down 
As fast as summer showers; 
‘It is because I cannot see 
The sunshine and the flowers.” 
The Madagascar periwinkle is a lovely plant, 
with an upright stem three or four feet high; 
its flowers are crimson or peach-colored on the 
tipper surface, and a pale flesh-color on the 
under : it varies with a white flower, having a 
purple eye. It will seldom live out of doors in 
this climate 
