PREFACE, 
IX 
but if you leave the thorns, and take away the 
leaves, you warn the receiver that “ there is every 
thing to fear.’’ 
For the purpose of making the Language of 
Flowers fully understood, it is necessary to lay 
down certain rules for the guidance of the learner . 
and by attention to the following instructions, it 
will soon become a delightful occupation, and a 
perfect knowledge of the art will in a short time 
be gained 
DIRECTIONS. 
1. A flower presented with leaves on its stem ex¬ 
presses affirmatively the sentiment of which it 
is the emblem stripped of its leaves it has 
a negative meaningif the plant be flower- 
less, the latter is expressed by cutting the 
tops off the leaves. 
2. When a flower is given, the pronoun J is im¬ 
plied by inclining it to the left, and the word 
thou by inclining it to the right. 
3. If an answer to a question is implied by the 
gift of a flower, presenting it to the right hand 
gives an affirmative, and to the left a negative 
reply. 
