PREFACE 
This little volume is put forth, not for its origi¬ 
nality of design or arrangement, but because it 
embraces the language and poetic sentiments of 
flowers in a smaller and less expensive form than 
any similar work hitherto before the public. 
The poetic sentiments are chiefly original; 
those that have been selected are usually from 
sources not attainable to the mass of readers, and 
will, we think, be as new as they are appropriate. 
The language of the flowers is, in most cases, 
that which has been established by popular ac¬ 
ceptance. Where authorities differ, we have 
followed our own taste. 
The prose descriptions are necessarily brief 
and simple. The botanic name and classification 
are given, as a reference to more elaborate and 
scientific description in works devoted to floral 
