70 
THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. 
Sous le voile mysterieux 
De la craintive modestie 
Tu veux echapper a nos yeux, 
Et tu n’en es quo plus jolie; 
On cherche, on aime a decouvrir, 
Le doux plaisir que tu recfeles; t 
Ah! pour encore les embellir, 
Donne ton secret a nos belles.” 
FRAGRANT COLTSFOOT (Tiissilago fragrans). Justice 
shall be done you. 
Genius, concealed under a modest exterior, does not 
strike the vulgar. But if the eye of a discriminat¬ 
ing judge meets it, immediately it obtains the accla¬ 
mations of those whose stupid indifference could not 
comprehend it. Plants have the same, fate as men, 
and often require a patron to be appreciated. The 
fragrant coltsfoot, in spite of its sweet odor, lived a long 
time unknown at the foot of Mount Pila, where it would 
doubtless flourish ignored to this day, if a learned bot¬ 
anist, M. Villau, of Grenoble, had not appreciated its 
merits, and given it a prominent place in his works. It 
is very welcome in the drawing-room, as it comes at a 
season when other flowers are scarce. 
SCARLET GERANIUM (Pelargonium inquinans ). Silliness. 
Mme. de Stael was always angry when a man of no 
intellect was introduced into her circle. One day, how¬ 
ever, a friend risked presenting a young Swiss officer, 
of most amiable appearance. Deceived by appearances, 
the lady grew animated, and said a thousand flattering 
