106 
DICTIONARY OF THE 
Activity, Thyme. See p. 34. 
A friend in adversity, Snowdrop. See p. 86. 
Afterthought, Large-flowered Aster. 
The large-flowered aster begins to bloom when other flowers 
become scarce. It is, as it were, the afterthought of Flora, 
■who smiles while leaving us. 
Agitation, Rhododendron. 
Honey made from the flowers of the rhododendron was 
anciently supposed to cause delirium, and very probably some 
of the species possess poisonous qualities. Undoubtedly this 
is the most brilliant of all American shrubs. The less showy 
but beautiful azaleas belong to this family. 
Always cheerful, Coreopsis. 
Always remembered, Everlasting, 
Ambition, Hollyhock. 
Amiability, Jasmine. See p. 48. 
Anger, Gorse, or Furze. 
The furze blossom resembles the broom, but the plant is 
very prickly. It grows in greater profusion in England than 
in any other country. It is said that Linnaeus, when he saw 
it for the first time, near London, fell on his knees enrap¬ 
tured ; and, carrying some plants to Sweden, tried to raise 
them in a hot-house. Virgil mentions the furze. Keats 
speaks of 
“ downs, where sweet air stirs 
Blue harebells lightly, and where prickly furze 
Buds lavish gold.” 
“ Here the furze, 
Enriched among its spires with golden flowers, 
Scents the keen air.” 
Charlotte Smith. 
