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BARBERRY,. 
Tue fruit of the barberry is so very acid that 
birds will seldom eat them. The tree is armed 
with thorns, and the flowers are so irritable, 
that at the slightest touch all the stamina close 
around the pistil. Thus this tree bears all the 
characteristics of persons whose temper is sharp 
and irritable. 
soenenra 
SKILL. 
SPIDER OPHRYS. 
Accorvrne to ancient fable Arachne was very 
skilful in spinning and weaving, and dared to 
defy Minerva in the exercise of those arts. The 
offended goddess changed the imprudent Arachne 
into a spider, which, according to Guillim, is 
free of the Weavers’ Company. The spider 
ophrys closely resembles the insect which, under 
an hideous form, still retains its skill and 
address. 


