FLORAL EMBLEMS. 
249 
bles have been as general as that of cabbage. 
Shakspeare says. 
“To wail friends lost. 
Is not by much so wholesome, profitable. 
As to rejoice at friends but newly found.” 
PROLIFIC. 
Fig Tree ; or, a Branch with Leaves and Figs. 
This prolific tree, so celebrated in eastern 
nations, as being distinguished from all others 
by its bearing two successive and distinct 
crops of fruit in one year, and each crop 
being produced on a distinct set of shoots, 
has caused the origin of this emblematical 
representation: we have therefore on this 
account selected the fig-tree to bear the 
shield of our title-page, with a hope that the 
floral emblems may be found prolific of ge¬ 
neral amusement, and thus become produc¬ 
tive of public favour. 
