































18 THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS. 
cause it had sheltered him at his birth on 
Mount Lyczeus. 
The oracles of Dodona, in Epirus, pro- 
ceeded from the oaks; at least, so the 
priestesses, who were the “mediums” of 
the gods’ communications, asserted. There- 
fore the Dodonean Jupiter (as well as the 
Fates and Hecate) was represented crowned 
with oak leaves. The mast of the ship Argo 
was made of one of these mystic oaks of 
Dodona, and the oracles it continued to vouch- 
safe after it became a mast were supposed 
to direct the proceedings of the wanderers. 
In memory of Philemon it became the 
emblem of hospitality. To give an oak 
branch is to say, in the language of flowers, 
“You are welcome.” 
A wreath of green oak was given by the 
Romans to him who saved the life of a 
fellow-citizen in battle. It was called the 
Civic Crown. He who possessed it had the 
privilege of wearing it whenever he chose ; 
and when, thus crowned, he entered any 
assembly, every one present, not even ex- 


