4 
the East, and to have been of very ancient origin. That it 
may have come originally from the East is possible, as in 
Persia, Arabia, and Egypt, it is used as a means of communi¬ 
cation at the present day—but I am certain that we are more 
indebted to the Occidentals than the Orientals for the contents 
of the present volume. 
In America the language of flowers seems to have more 
disciples and patrons than in any other part of the world, at 
least if we are to judge from the number and splendour of the 
works which have appeared on the subject during the last ten 
years in Philadelphia, Boston, and New York. Yet America 
receives no credit for its exertions; whilst the lazy Turk, who 
knows nothing about either flowers or their language, is 
erroneously supposed to be better skilled in their mysteries 
than the inhabitants of any other nation. 
In the present volume much will be found that has already 
been before the British public, but much will also be found 
that never has appeared in any publication in this country— 
and if it amuses the disciples of “ Flora’s language ” in the 
studying of it, as it has amused the compiler in gathering the 
materials together, the labour bestowed upon it will not have 
been lost; for the arrangement of its contents served to charm 
away many a lonely night when, seated in the “ Garden of 
Europe,” the howling of the dogs and jackalls too forcibly 
told him that what nature had made a garden man had turned 
into a wilderness. 
Pera of Constantinople, 
The 10/7/ day of the Month Moharem, in the 
1255m year of the Hegirci. 
