CHAPTER XII.
PLANTS AND THEIR CEREMONIAL USE.
In the earliest period of primitive society flowers seem to have been
largely used for ceremonial purposes. Tracing their history downwards
up to the present day, we find how extensively, throughout the world,
they have entered into sacred and other rites. This is not surprising when
we remember how universal have been the love and admiration for these
choice and lovely productions of nature's handiwork. From being used
as offerings in the old heathen worship they acquired an additional
veneration, and became associated with customs which had important
significance. Hence the great quantity of flowers required, for ceremonial
purposes of various kinds, no doubt promoted and encouraged a taste
for horticulture even among uncultured tribes. Thus the Mexicans had
their famous floating gardens, and in the numerous records handed
down of social life, as it existed in different countries, there is no lack of
references to the habits and peculiarities of the vegetable world.
Again, from all parts of the world, the histories of bygone centuries
have contributed their accounts of the rich assortment of flowers in
demand for the worship of the gods, which are valuable as indicating
how elaborate and extensive was the knowledge of plants in primitive
periods, and how magnificent must have been the display of these
beautiful and brilliant offerings. Amongst some tribes, too, so sacred
were the flowers used in religious rites held, that it was forbidden so
much as to smell them, much less to handle them, except by those whose
privileged duty it was to arrange them for the altar. Coming down to the
historic days of Greece and Rome, we have abundant details of the skill
and care that were displayed in procuring for religious purposes the
finest and choicest varieties of flowers; abundant allusions to which are
found in the old classic writings.
The profuseness with which flowers were used in Rome during
triumphal processions has long ago become proverbial, in allusion to
which Macaulay says:--
"On they ride to the Forum,
While laurel boughs, and flowers,
From house-tops and from windows,
Fell on their crests in showers."
Flowers, in fact, were in demand on every conceivable occasion, a
custom which was frequently productive of costly extravagance. Then