296 
LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. 
the emblem of reserve, because its flowers are 
late in opening and slow to fall. 
Resistance , Tremella Nostoc. This is a gela¬ 
tinous plant, which has much engaged the 
attention of men of science, but has hitherto 
escaped their researches. It was in high repute 
with the alehymists of old, who, like the vulgar 
of the present day, considered it to be the 
substance of what are termed falling stars, 
and employed it as such in their attempts to 
compose the philosopher’s stone and a uni¬ 
versal panacea. Other sages have regarded 
this gelatine as matter cast up by hawks 
after eating frogs; and others, again, have 
supposed it to be a real animal. It appears, 
however, that, as if to escape their investiga¬ 
tions, this plant and several more of the same 
nature mutually transform themselves one 
into another. It is found in the alleys of 
gardens and in meadows. After cool and 
rainy nights, it has been observed to cover 
the ground completely in certain spots ; but a 
few hours’ sunshine causes it to disappear. 
In short, nothing positive is yet known con¬ 
cerning the Tremella, which continues to be a 
secret of Nature. 
