MODIFICATIONS OF THE FLOWER LANGUAGE. 
“You may quarrel, reproach, or send letters of passion, friendship, or civility, or even of 
news, without even inking your fingers .” — Lady M. IV. Montague. 
If a flower be given reversed , its original signification is understood to 
be contradicted, and the opposite meaning to be implied. 
A rosebud divested of its thorns, but retaining its leaves, conveys the 
sentiment, I fear no longer; I hope; thorns signifying fears, and leaves hopes. 
Stripped of leaves and thorns, the bud signifies, There is nothing to hope 
or fear. 
The expression of flowers is also varied by changing their positions. 
Place a marigold on the head, and it signifies Mental anguish; on the bosom, 
Indifference. 
When a flower is given, the pronoun / is understood by bending it to the 
right hand ; thou , by inclining it to the left. 
Yes is implied by touching the flower given with the lips. 
No, by pinching off a petal, and casting it away. 
/ am is expressed by a laurel-leaf twisted round the bouquet. 
I have , by an ivy-leaf folded together. 
/ offer you, by a leaf of the Virginian Creeper. 
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