Nature and Language.1980.11 plates.XII, 232 p.8vo.Cloth.

There exists an area of overlap where language and nature meet,and thisunusual book illuminates that fascinating territory.When real-worldthings,such as plants,are used in literature or language as symbols,these special signs have a double allegiance. They function as languagebut derive their meaning from nature.The authors trace the consequencesof this,showing how it affects the character of the relevant areas oflanguage and literature.The argument is illustrated with examples ofthe symbolic use in literature of one plant family,the Cucurbitaceae,through the centuries and in various countries and continents,but withspecial reference to English,American and Graeco-Roman examples.