190 
The Language of Flowers. 
MODIFICATIONS OF THE FLOWER 
LANGUAGE. 
If a flower be given rruersed , its original signifi¬ 
cation is understood to be contradicted, and the 
opposite meaning to be implied. 
A rosebud divested of its thorns, but retaining its 
leaves, conveys the sentiment, ‘ ‘ I fear no longer ; I 
hope thorns signifying fears, and leaves hopes. 
Stripped of leaves and thorns, the bud signifies, 
“ There is nothing to hope or fear.” 
The expression of flowers is also varied by changing 
their positions. Place a marigold on the head, and 
it signifies, “Mental anguish ;” on the bosom, “ In¬ 
difference.” 
When a flower is given, the pronoun / is under¬ 
stood by bending it to the right hand ; thou, by 
inclining it to the left. 
“Yes” is implied by touching the flower given 
with the lips. 
“No,” by pinching off a petal, and casting it 
away. 
“ I am” is expressed by a laurel-leaf twisted round 
the bouquet. 
“ I have,” by an ivy-leaf folded together. 
“ I offer you,” by a leaf of the Virginian Creeper. 
