284 LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. 
temperate in speech, in diet, and in amusement, 
must be an excellent man. 
Irony, Sardonia. This plant has some resemblance 
to parsley. It contains a poison, which has the 
effect of contracting the mouth in so singular a 
* manner as to give the appearance of laughter to a 
person at the point of death. Hence this horrible 
laugh is called the sardonic : it is often seen 
playing on the lips of Satire and cold Irony. 
Joking, Balm Gentle. This plant gives out an 
agreeable lemon smell; an infusion of it com¬ 
poses the nerves and excites mirth. 
Joy, Wood Sorrel. The Wood Sorrel, vulgarly 
called Cuckoo’s Bread, flowers about Easter. 
This pretty plant every evening folds up its 
leaves, closes its flowers and lets them droop, as 
if to indulge in sleep: but at the first dawn of 
day, you would say that it was filled with joy, for 
it expands its leaves, opens its flowers, and, from 
this circumstance, no doubt, it is said by the 
country-people to give praise to God. 
Justice shall be done to you, Sweet-scented Tus- 
.silage. Page 208. 
