SIGNIFICATION OR LANGUAGE OF THE FLOWERS.

No Book on Fortune-telling and Dreams would be complete without the signification of the flowers. If we dream of, or have those smiles of nature given to us, we should at once consult the language of Flora and ascertain what our dream or present signifies.

It is no new thing to attach a sentiment or meaning to each flower. In Eastern lands flowers have a language which all understand. It is that “still small voice” which is powerful on account of its silence. It is one of the chief amusements of the Greek girls to drop these symbols of their esteem or scorn upon the various passengers who pass their latticed windows, and the traveller can read upon Egyptian rocks accounts of the conquests of that ancient people recorded by foreign plants. Accompanying, we give a complete dictionary of the meaning of the flowers.

Acacia Blossom. Come to my heart!

Aconite—blue. Flatterer! are you to be trusted?

Aconite—yellow. Your caprice is unendurable.

Alpine Rose. Love must venture; timidity can never win.

Amaranth. The earthly only can become the spoil of the grave; love is immortal, and belongs to heaven.

Anemone. My thought by day, and my dream by night.

Anemone-wood. Your cruelty is destroying me.

Anise. You must mend your manners.

Apple Blossom. Who plucks the blossoms, destroys his hopes of fruit.

Apricot Blossom. Are you always so gay, so trifling?

Aster. Weep no longer—you will find him again above the stars.

Aspen-leaf. Your heart beats for every one, therefore no heart beats for you.

Auricula. Who would not love you?

Balsam. Splendor dazzles, grace alone enchains.

Balsam-rose. Let my image dwell always in your heart.

Barley. Come again to-morrow.

Bean Blossom. Forgive me, I misunderstood you.

Birch Branch. How sweetly are sorrow’s tears dried up on the bosom of a sympathizing friend.

Blackberry Branch. Contentment and love.

Blue-bottle. Be simple and humble, and life will always appear to you in heavenly colors.

Box-wood. I hope continually.

Buckwheat Blossom. Not idle show, quiet domestic virtues alone ensure lasting happiness.

Burr. Like seeks like.

Butter-cup. Your presence is consoling to me.

Cabbage-leaf. When you come again, come sober.

Camomile. Could you, then, love anybody beside yourself?

Carnation. How I burn!

Centaury. You seek money only—I will not waste my love upon you.

Cherry Blossom. When will love tinge your cheeks?

Chestnut Blossom. Always as to-day.

Clover Blossom. I will live for you.

Columbine. Your words sound well, but what says your heart?

Crown-imperial. Let me be your slave, and I am happy.

Cuckoo-flower. I like not long complainings.

Currant-twig. Whoever loves me must share my sorrow, and respect my grief.

Cypress. When my heart is broken, and I lie in the cold grave give me at least a tear.

Daffodil. Let me not pine!

Dill. Love strengthens—I will protect you.

Elder Blossom. Your fidelity is destined to a sweet reward.

Fig-leaf. I am ashamed.

Flax. Do you love me for myself?

Fox-glove. None but a fool could be as forward as you.

Gilliflower. Where you are, it is always spring.

Grape-vine. Fear not! Love conquers!

Grass. Love for love, truth for truth.

Hazel-twig. Forgive me!

Heart’s-ease. Because I feel friendship for you, you imagine that I love you—you are in error.

Heather Blossom. I ask only for your friendship.

Heliotrope. Give me proofs of your love.

Honey-suckle. Eternal fidelity! When shall we meet again?

Hyacinth-single. When I am dead, you will regret your cruelty.

Hyacinth-double. Heaven shines in your eyes; the angels listen to your words.

Hydrangea. And you could so soon forget me!

Immortelle. True love is unchangeable.

Iris. Why have you disturbed the peace of my heart?

Ivy. I am ever true.

Jasmine. Can calm, domestic happiness content you?

Lark-spur. Your love is my aim.

Laurel. You have my heart.

Lemon Blossom. Give me hope!

Lily-tiger. My heart burns.

Lily-white. Angel, let me adore you.

Linden Blossom. I am favorably inclined to you.

Maple-twig. What is more painful than to be misunderstood by one you love?

Marigold. I like you not.

Marsh-mallow. To fondle is not to love.

Mignonnette. Not beauty, but goodness of heart is my choice.

Mullen. If you love me, I envy not a king’s crown.

Mushroom. Away! go home, and cry about it!

Myrtle Blossom. Be constant; sweet is the reward of love.

Myrtle Branch. Will you be my wife (husband)?

Nettle. Beware! coquetry has its penalty.

Oak-leaf. My fidelity bids defiance to every storm.

Oats. Return.

Oleander. True until death.

Parsley. You are in love with me.

Peony. You are too vain—and of what?

Pine. In vain you strive to gain my confidence—stern fate has made me rude and silent.

Pink-carthusian. Why so reserved?

Pink-variegated. Friendship is all that I can feel for you.

Pomegranate Blossom. A kiss.

Poppy. I cannot endure you—you are too stupid.

Potato Blossom. Modest worth surpasses outward show.

Primrose. Give me your love—I will cherish it faithfully and in secret.

Ranunculus. Where you are there is my home.

Ribbon Grass. Give me a kiss.

Rocket. Sleep visits not my eyelids; I wake and long for you.

Rose—monthly. Every month you have a new love.

Rose—red. You pass like a conqueror through the world.

Rose—white. Beautiful are you in childlike innocence, more beautiful will you be when warmed by the breath of love.

Rose-bud. Your presence fills me with heavenly longing.

Rose-leaf—red. Yes!

Rose-leaf—white. No!

Rosemary. You were absent—life departed; you returned—I live again.

Snow-drop. You have kindled the first sparks of love in my bosom.

Strawberry. Not earthly rank gives happiness, but worth and amiability.

Sweet-pea. Your name is inconstancy.

Sweet-william. Light and hasty impressions are soon effaced.

Thistle. Your words offend me; you have deeply wounded me.

Thyme. I have not understood you.

Veronica. What would this world be without you?

Violet. I love you for your gentle modesty.

Wintergreen. Remain constant and true—then we will meet again.

Wood-sorrel. You brighten my existence as the stars brighten the night.