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LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. 
IVY. 
FRIENDSHIP. 
Friendship has sometimes chosen "for its 
device a fallen tree firmly embraced by the ver¬ 
dant arms of the Ivy, with this motto: “ No¬ 
thing can part us.” In Greece the altar of 
Hymen was encircled with Ivy, and a branch 
of it was presented to the new-married couple, 
as a symbol of the indissoluble knot. It was 
sacred to Bacchus, who is represented crowned 
with Ivy-leaves, as well as those of the vine. 
It formed the crown of the Greek and Roman 
poets; and, in modern times, woman’s love, 
constancy, and dependence, have been expressed 
by it. 
Ingratitude has been sometimes represented 
by the Ivy strangling its supporting benefactor. 
This calumny has been repelled by the author 
of the “ Studies of Nature,” who regards it as 
the model of pure friendship. “ Nothing,” 
says he, “can separate it from the tree which 
