32 
THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. 
The various elegant species which are found in conser¬ 
vatories are mostly natives of the Cape of Gfood Hope. 
Miller says, “ The heath was well chosen as the emblem 
of solitude. It recalls many a wild landscape; the 
bleak, broad mountain side, which, throughout the long 
winter and the slow-opening spring, looked black and 
barren, till towards the end of summer, when it was 
clothed everywhere with the rich carpet of crimson and 
purple heather, looking from the distance as if a sun¬ 
shine not of earth had come down and bathed the whole 
mountain steep in subdued and rosy light — it recalls 
vast plains of immeasurable extent ; spots where lovers 
might sit and sigh away their souls in each other’s arms 
without being disturbed by the foot of the solitary 
hunter.” 
POETS’ NARCISSUS {Narcissus poeticus). Egotism. 
This is the most beautiful of its family. A large 
flower, of pure white, slightly drooping, with a golden 
cup in the centre, which exhales a strong and pleasant 
odor. Every one knows the pretty story attached to it; 
so w r e confine ourselves to three extracts. Spenser, in 
describing a garden, says, — 
il And round about grew every sort of floure, 
To which sad lovers were transformed of yore; — 
Foolish Narcisse, that likes the wat’ry shore.” 
“ The pale narcissus, that with passion pure 
Still feeds upon itself; but, newly blown, 
The nymphs will pluck it from its tender stalk, 
And say, ‘ Go, fool, and to thy image talk.’ ” 
Lord Thurtow. 
