Page 145 - Chinese Porcelain Vol I, Galland

TREES, ERUITS, FLOWERS, AND PLANTS. 113

the olea of minute florets of a
fragrans (huei-hua), consisting
white or yellow colour, growing in bunchy clusters, just where
the leaves spring from the twigs. It flowers through a great
of the ; and in weather the fine odour of the
part year damp
blossom is perceived at some distance. It is remarkable that a
branch of the fragrant olive is one of the rewards of literary
merit, and an emblem of studious pursuits."
The olive is also symbolical of sweetness.
—
Jasmin. Davis, vol. ii. p. 349 : " The moo-le-hua (Jasminum
a white flower, is sometimes
grandiflorum), powerful smelling
women in their
worn in China, as well as all over the East, by
hair, and has given rise in the former country to a song, of
which the music may be found in ' Barrow's Travels.'
" "
Middle Kingdom," vol. i. p. 288 : The jasmine is a de-
served favourite with the Chinese, its clusters and
twigs being
often wound in their hair the women, and in
by planted pots
in their houses."
Myktle.— Davis, vol. ii. p. 349 : " As a wild plant, the
Myrtus tomeatosa, or downy myrtle — of which the flowers, when
—
they first expand, are of a rose colour grows in great beauty
on the hills of the Canton province ; as does also, in Keang-sy,
the Eugenia microphylla, a beautiful myrtle-looking plant that
covers the sides of every hill, and of which the thick terminal
clusters of berries are eaten as fruit."
Camellia.— Davis, vol. ii. p. 338 : " The camellia bears
the same name, among the Chinese, with the tea-shrub, and
possesses most of its botanical characters."
" "
Middle Kingdom," vol. i. p. 285 : This elegant flower is
cultivated The camellia bears the same
solely for its beauty."
name that the tea-plant does, and the term clia is likewise
employed, as tea is with ourselves, to designate any infusion.
"
Magnolia.— Middle 285 " There
Kingdom," vol. i. p. :
are of all of them
eight species magnolia, splendid flowering
The bark of the as a
plants. Magnolia yulan is employed
"
febrifuge (see Nos. 284, 290, 341).
The magnolia is the emblem of sweetness and beauty.
The name, pronounced han seaou, means which
secretly smiling,
to the Chinese mind the smile of a sweet
suggests loving
maiden. In to be
drawings of beauties this flower is generally
found (see No. 369).