FABLES OF FLORA. 127 
every Mussulman to perform a pilgrimage to the 
temple of Mecca once in his lifetime. This flower 
blossoms but once, and this sometimes only after 
a period equal to the age of man. Hence the 
practice of placing a branch before the door, in 
commemoration of having performed this pilgrim¬ 
age ; and hence its emblematic signification of re¬ 
ligious superstition .’ Florist’s Manual. 
‘ In climes beneath the solar ray, 
Where beams intolerable day, 
And arid plains in silence spread, 
The pale-green Aloe lifts its head. 
The mystic branch, at Moslem’s door, 
Betokens travel long and sore, 
In Mecca’s weary pilgrimage.’ 
Flora’s Dictionary. 
The Poppy is a classic flower. At the en¬ 
trance of the palace or cave of Somnus, the deity 
who presided over sleep, ‘ grew Poppies and other 
somniferous herbs; the Dreams watched over 
his couch, attended by Morpheus, his prime min¬ 
ister, holding a vase in one hand k and grasp¬ 
ing Poppies in the other.’ — Hesiod. 
Garland of Flora. 
‘ The Egyptians represent Ceres wearing a 
garland composed of ears of corn, — a lighted 
torch in one hand, and a Poppy (which was sa¬ 
cred to her as well as to Diana) in the other.’— 
Apollodorus. Ibid. 
