Personality of plants

ART IN THE PLANT WORLD
and light. In general, leaves nearest the ground
are largest, thus insuring each its supply of sun-
shine.
When we study ornamental design, ancient and
modern, we see plant forms on all hands. The
Greeks and the Moors were the only nations
to be content with geometric shapes and lines
and they were only content at times. All other
peoples have given plants and flowers a large
place in their decorative conceptions. The
Egyptians and the Assyrians, who may be con-
sidered the first civilized artists, used the Palm,
Papyrus, Lotus and Lily. The Greeks and
Romans were partial to the Acanthus, Olive,
Ivy, Vine, Fir and Oak. The Gothic art of
Germany, France and Spain featured the Lily,
Rose, Pomegranate, Oak, Maple, Iris, Buttercup,
Passion Flower and Trefoil. The modern
Chinese are more conservative and seek inspi-
ration only from the Aster and the Peony.
The Japanese use the Almond, Cherry, Wistaria
and the graceful Bamboo in their art work.
These various plant forms are sometimes quite
conventionalized but are readily recognizable,
whether they occur in architecture, carvings,
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