Part 46

JANUARY.--The Snowdrop which is the emblem of purity, hope and gentleness.

FEBRUARY.--The Violet, the emblem of modesty, kindness and faith.

MARCH.--The Daffodil, the emblem of daintiness, sincerity and graciousness.

APRIL.--The Primrose, the emblem of lovers.

MAY.--The White Lily, the emblem of purity and sweetness.

JUNE.--The Wild Rose, the emblem of love and loyalty.

JULY.--The Carnation, the emblem of kindly thoughts.

AUGUST.--The White Heather, the emblem of luck and the best of good fortune.

SEPTEMBER.--The Michaelmas Daisy, the emblem of riches and happiness.

OCTOBER.--The Rosemary, the emblem of remembrance and kind thoughts.

NOVEMBER.--The Chrysanthemum, the emblem of faith and truth.

DECEMBER.--The Ivy, the emblem of loyalty, fidelity and faithfulness.

THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS

For many generations, certain flowers have been accepted as having definite meanings. Thus, a gift of any of the examples listed below, may be taken to infer whatever description is appended.

CAMELLIA.--Beauty, loveliness. CANDYTUFT.--Indifference, lack of affection. CARNATION (Red).--Alas for my poor heart! CARNATION (White).--Disregard, disdain. CLOVER (Four-leaved).--Be mine. COLUMBINE.--Foolishness. DAISY.--Innocence, purity. DEADLY NIGHTSHADE.--Falsehood, untrue. FERN.--You fascinate me. FORGET-ME-NOT.--The same as the name. FOXGLOVE.--I bow down to you. GERANIUM.--To console you. GOLDEN ROD.--Be on your guard. HELIOTROPE.--I am devoted to you. HYACINTH (White).--Your beauty is recognized. IVY.--Faithfulness. I cling to you. LILY (White).--Sweetness. LILY (Yellow).--Gay, happy, joyful. LILY OF THE VALLEY.--Happiness will return. MIGNONETTE.--Your qualities are even greater than your charms. MYRTLE.--Love. ORANGE BLOSSOM.--Chastity. PANSY.--Thoughts. PASSION FLOWER.--Willing to suffer hardships for you. PEACH BLOSSOM.--I am captivated by you. PRIMROSE.--A token of love. ROSE.--A token of love, also. ROSE (Red).--Bashful, shy. ROSE (White).--I will be worthy of you. ROSE (Yellow).--Jealousy. ROSEBUDS.--A confession of great love. SWEET PEA.--Leave me and depart, or I leave you. VERBENA.--Pray for me.

COMBINATIONS OF FLOWERS

In order to convey definite phrases, lovers have long been used to resorting to certain combinations of flowers. A bunch made up of them has the meaning which we print below.

DAISY AND MIGNONETTE.--Your qualities surpass even your great beauty.

FERNS AND LILY OF THE VALLEY.--You are sweet and charming, and you fascinate me.

IVY LEAVES AND YELLOW ROSE.--Your jealousy has put an end to our friendship.

COLUMBINE, DAISY AND LILY.--You have played false and broken our friendship.

PINK AND LAUREL LEAVES.--Your high qualities have been noticed by me.

GOLDEN ROD, SWEET PEA AND FORGET-ME-NOT.--Danger is at hand, be careful. I go away but do not forget me.

SUPERSTITIONS REGARDING ANIMALS

SERPENTS.--These creatures have been regarded from very different angles, according to the time and the country. The story of the serpent in the Garden of Eden has caused many people to detest them: but numerous are the references in histories which go to show that serpents and snakes have been reverenced. In ancient Rome, the serpent was a household god: at other times, it was regarded as a symbol of life and vitality, and it was frequently used as a medium for healing the sick. In India, this creature is looked upon as a mascot for time and wisdom. Thus, it is worn by fanatics as a part of their headgear, and people make metal replicas and wear them as rings, bracelets, etc. Clearly, then, serpents have found more favor than disapproval, and they may be counted as mascots, standing for wisdom, long life and good health.

CATS.--Cats, the most domestic of animals, are regarded with mixed feelings. Generally speaking, they are supposed to be unlucky, though oddly enough a black cat is credited with good qualities when it takes up its abode in a house. This is due to the fact that, during the Middle Ages, black cats were supposed to be associated with witches and in league with the evil one. As a result, people treated them kindly and showered favors on them, not because they liked them, but because they thought that this treatment would avert bad luck.

The person who drowns or kills a cat may look for ill-fortune for nine years. Bad luck attends the vessel or ship on which a cat is found, but on no account may the creature be thrown overboard after the vessel has sailed. This would only make matters worse.

If a cat leaves a house, it is supposed to take the luck with it, and leave nothing but bad fortune behind. If a white cat enters a home, it announces trouble and sickness. A cat licking itself all over signifies fair weather, but if it merely washes its face, it means the approach of rain or storms.