Evening star., 1941-05-17

green and ripe fruit-at the one
time.
Symbolic of fragrant beauty,
orange blossoms can also boast of
economic Importance in their own
right They are beloved of the bees,
and undoubtedly one of the finer
brands of honey is that made from
the golden-hearted white blooms.
Florida was chosen by Explorer
Ponce de Leon as the name for the
land which he discovered in 1913 be-
cause it was fair and "fiowery," and
he first saw it on Easter Sunday,
which is the day of the Pasqua Flor
ida. or Feast of Flowers.
1t Is only 10 years since IDAHO
selected State flower. The Legis-
lature in 1881 put formal seal Of
approval on Lewis mock orange,
commonly called syringa, although
it owns to an entirely different
botanical name This is Philadel-
phus Lewisi. in honor of the Ptolemy
Philadelphus, who ruled Egypt in
the Sd century, BIC.
While the term syringa is popu-
1arly applied to the mock orange, it
includes several shrubs and is ge-
nerically the name of the lilac. Phil
adelphus Lewisi, Idaho's variety, is
native to the Pacific Coast States.
ILLINOIS may be called one of
the violet States, for this cherished
wild flower Is also the emblem OF
New Jersey, Rhode Island and Wis
consin.
Interestingly enough, it is one of
the flowers chosen by schools as well
as by legislative action. The schools
of Rhode Island adopted the violet
in 1897, and the Wisconsin schools
made the same selection in 1909,
while the Illinois and New Jersey
Legislatures made their choices in
1908 and 1918, respectively.
Such qualities as modesty and in
nocence are represented by the vio-
let. Although one of the commonest
of flowers, it occupies an important
place in both legend and history.
There are number of versions OF
the violet in Greek mythology. Bear
ing the name Ion, it was said to
have grown in profusion in ancient
Ionia, and it was also the flower
symbol of Athens. The Greeks of
long ago followed the custom of
covering the dead with violets, 50
that the tomb might be hidden with
color and fragrance.
Strangely enough, Napoleon looked
upon the violet as his talisman. Low
Ing its appearance and perfume,
he was known as Corpl. Violet, and
all through his reign the flower en-
joyed great prominence. During his
Punishment to Elba his followers
wore violets for loyalty. He had
promised he would be with them
again when the violets were In
bloom, and when the news of Ma
poleon's return to Paris shocked the
world, it was March, 1915, the yio-
let season. 1t was along violet
strewn path that he made his way
10 the Tuileries. The flowers were
even showered upon his coach and
the spring air was heavy with their
fragrance.
Like It's more aristocratic COL
league, the rose, the violet at one
time held an important role in
cooking. 1t was a favorite garnish
and coloring agent, as well as q
salad Ingredient. Imagine violets,
combined with lettuce and onions!
1t was also a medicine In the long
ago. Infusions and poultices were
made from the leaves and consid-
cred very beneficial. According to
the herbalist Culpepper, who was
prominent in the time of James
1885, 1925, it was "a fine and pleas
ing plant Of Venus :. used to cool
any heat or distemperature of the
body, either inwardly or outwardly."
A "decoction" of the leaves and
flowers, made with water or wine,
was advocated for Inflammation of
the eyes and in 'imposthumes"
(abscesses) and hot swellings. The
mixture was applied poultice fash
ion to the affected parts.
This Is the third IN Q series Of