20 
THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. 
come back in a month, and fixed the moment of his 
return. The tender Phyllis counted every instant of 
his absence, and when the long-desired day at last 
arrived, she ran nine times to the shore : but, having 
lost all hope, believing herself forsaken, she fell there, 
dead of grief, and was changed into an almond tree. 
Three months after, Demophoon returned : disconso¬ 
late at his loss, he offered a sacrifice on the sea-shore, 
to appease the manes of his beloved. She seemed 
sensible of his repentance and return, for the almond 
tree suddenly put forth flowers, proving by this last 
effort that death itself could not change her. 
PERIWINKLE (Vinca minor ). Sweet memories. 
The periwinkle has green, firm, glossy leaves, which, 
growing on long, trailing stems, weave a fairy net over 
the grass to imprison the pretty blue flowers which 
peep out here and there. This plant is dedicated to 
lasting happiness; its color is that preferred by friend¬ 
ship, and it was for J. J. Rousseau the emblem of the 
sweetest remembrances. 
TULIP (Tulipa gesneriana). Declaration of love. 
The tulip is a native of Asia, and some writers claim 
that its name arose from its resemblance to a turban, 
though Thomas Miller says, “Few know that there 
is a beautiful fragrant yellow tulip which grows wild 
