282 LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. 
differs in every respect from the scarlet Gera¬ 
nium, the emblem of stupidity. 
Message, Iris. There are more than thirty 
species of Iris, both bulbous and with other 
roots. From their brilliant and diversified 
colours, resembling those of the rainbow, 
these beautiful flowers have been named after 
the messenger of the gods. It is well known 
that the fair Iris was the hearer of good news 
only. 
Misanthropy, Fullers’ Teasel. The flowers of 
the Fullers’ Teasel are armed with long, 
sharp thorns : the whole plant has a surly 
look. It is, nevertheless, handsome and 
useful: it is used by clothiers and fullers to 
raise the nap on their cloths, and has thence 
derived its name. 
Mistrust, Lavender. It was formerly believed 
that the asp, a dangerous species of viper, 
made Lavender its habitual place of abode, 
for which reason that plant was approached 
with extreme caution. The ancients used it 
largely in their baths, whence its name, de¬ 
rived from the Latin verb, lavare, to wash. 
Modesty, Violet. Page 40. 
