38 
LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. 
MEZPREON. 
COQUETRY-DESIRE TO PLEASE. 
The stalk of this shrub is covered with a 
dry bark, which gives to it the appearance of 
dead wood. Nature, to hide this deformity, has 
encircled each of its sprays with a garland of 
red flowers, wreathed round them and termi¬ 
nating in a small tuft of leaves, in the manner 
of the pineapple. These flowers, which appear 
in the month of February, give out a peculiar 
and dangerous smell. 
This shrub, clothed in its showy garb, appears 
amidst the snow like an imprudent and coquet¬ 
tish female, who, though shivering with cold, 
wears her spring attire in the depth of winter. 
