DICTIONARY. 
285 
has the effect of contracting the mouth in so 
singular a manner as to give the appearance 
of laughter to a person at the point of death. 
Hence this horrible laugh is called the sar¬ 
donic : it is often seen playing on the lips of 
Satire and cold Irony. 
Joking, Balm Gentle. This plant gives out an 
agreeable lemon smell: an infusion of it 
composes the nerves and excites mirth. 
Joy, Wood Sorrel. The Wood Sorrel, vulgarly 
called Cuckoo’s Bread, flowers about Easter. 
This pretty plant every evening folds up its 
leaves, closes its flowers and lets them droop, 
as if to indulge in sleep: but at the first 
dawn of day, you would say that it was filled 
with joy, for it expands its leaves, opens its 
flowers, and, from this circumstance, no doubt, 
it is said by the country-people to give praise 
to God. 
Justice shall be done to you, Sweet-scented 
Tussilage. Page 208. 
Keep your promises, Plum-tree. The Plum- 
tree is every year covered with flowers; but, 
