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MODIFICATIONS OF THE FLOWER 
LANGUAGE. 
—_~or— 
If a flower be given reversed, its original signifi- 
cation is understood to be contradicted, and the 
opposite meaning to be implied. 
A rosebud divested of its thorns, but retaining its 
leaves, conveys the sentiment, ‘‘I fear no longer ; I 
hope ;” thorns signifying fears, and leaves hopes. 
Stripped of leaves and thorns, the bud signifies, 
‘There is nothing to hope or fear.” 
The expression of flowers is also varied by changing 
their positions. Place a marigold on the head, and 
it signifies, ‘‘ Mental anguish ;”’ on the bosom, ‘‘ In- 
difference.” 
When a flower is given, the pronoun /is under- 
stood by bending it to the right hand; ¢hou, by 
inclining it to the left. 
‘‘Yes” is implied by touching the flower given 
with the lips. 
‘‘No,” by pinching off a petal, and casting it 
away. 
‘‘T am” is expressed by a laurel-leaf twisted round 
the bouquet. 
“T have,” by an ivy-leaf folded together. 
‘‘T offer you,” by a leaf of the Virginian Creeper. 



