To the principal design portrayed on the shield can be added such appendages as are appropriate—crest over the top and a scroll with a motto beneath the shield—but they are supplementary, and not of great importance; their colors should be those of the shield. Thus far our plans have followed the exact science of heraldry, but at this point comes a departure, for in the place of other armorial devices we shall place Dame Nature’s sweetest thoughts—flowers. If we now add to the significance of the forms and colors already given the accepted and authentic language of flowers, we shall have a possibility of combinations practically inexhaustible, and with such a dictionary of symbols to draw upon, we can successfully translate almost any terse sentiment into a unique decorative design. In order to give all the assistance in our power we have culled from the most generally accepted authorities and authentic sources a short floral vocabulary, and now that we have the material at hand let us test the system and learn =How to Make a Design in Decorative Language.= Suppose our Natural History Society desires an appropriate pin or badge. First we turn to the floral vocabulary and there find that the magnolia means love of nature. The flower has a good decorative form, its sentiment is exactly appropriate, and we unhesitatingly adopt it. [Illustration: Fig. 279. TRUE LOVE OF NATURE] After trying various forms for the shield, we select a very plain one that the effect of the decorative form of the magnolia may not be lessened by too ornate surroundings, and to show the large size of the blossom we must have it occupy the entire field without any divisions. Next, as to color; let us think. White, meaning brightness, purity, etc.? No. Yellow or gold, signifying wealth, ability, or—ah! here we have it—_knowledge?_ Yes, that will do nicely—a love of nature on a field of knowledge; that certainly is appropriate. But the top of the shield being so square and plain gives the device an unfinished appearance. Suppose we try a bar over it, and something not a flower. As we wish this design to remain simple, a leaf of some kind would be best; so we return to the floral vocabulary, and after trying many and almost taking several, finally decide that the oak leaf is just the form needed to give a finish to the top, and its meaning, strength, will be an excellent element in the society. There, our insignia is complete, good in form, attractive in color, and appropriate in its meaning; but some of us prefer having the motto written out in plain English, so we will add a decorative scroll, with the meaning of the design inscribed “True Love of Nature.” (See Fig. 279.) To familiarize ourselves with the working of the method let us try another experiment, and take the sentiment, “Wealth is the Reward of Industry,” to illustrate.