106 
LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. 
LUCERN. 
IIFE. 
Lucern will occupy the same spot for a long 
time; but when once it leaves it, it is for ever. 
This is, 'no doubt, the reason why it has been 
adopted as the emblem of life. 
Nothing is more beautiful than a field of Lucern 
in flower, spreading itself out to the eye, like an 
immense green carpet tipped with violet. When 
cultivated, this plant yields abundant crops, without 
requiring any care. Cut it down and it springs up 
again. The cow rejoices at the sight of it; it is a 
favourite food of the sheep, the horse, and the goat, 
A native of our climate, this valuable gift comes to 
us direct from heaven. Its possession costs us no 
trouble; we enjoy it without thought, and with¬ 
out gratitude. Very often we prefer to it a flower, 
whose only merit is its transient beauty. In like 
manner we too often relinquish a certain benefit, to 
run after vain pleasures, which fly away and escape 
us. 
