268 
LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. 
conductors to a sharp burning liquid, enclosed in 
a bladder at the bottom of each. These hairs 
and bladders are exactly like the stings of bees. 
In the insect as in the plant, it is the sharp 
humour that causes the pain. 
Cure, Balm of Gilead. This exquisite balm, so 
justly esteemed by the ancients, seems to have 
been provided by JVature to soothe pain; thus we 
often use the word balm in a moral and figurative 
sense, to express any thing that allays and miti¬ 
gates sorrow. Beneficent virtue and affectionate 
friendship are true balms, which heal the wounds 
of the heart, a thousand times more painful than 
any physical evils. 
Curiosity, Sycamore. This tree is mentioned but 
once historically, and that is in the Bible. Zac- 
cheus the publican mingled with the crowd on 
the day of our Saviour’s triumphal entry into 
Jerusalem, and, in order to obtain a better view of 
the Messiah, he climbed up into a Sycamore-tree, 
which has thence been made the emblem of 
curiosity. 
Dangerous Pleasures, Tuberose. Page 190. 
Deceitful Charms, Thorn Apple. Page 159. 
