According to Flowers and Ferns of the United States the selection of the fleur-de-lis as the national emblem of France, was thus brought about: It is asserted in the old legend that it was sent to the French people from heaven by an angel, whose commission was addressed to Clovis, their first christian king. Clovis, it is related, made a vow that if he proved victorious in a pending battle with the Allemans, he would embrace Christianity; and his arms having been triumphant in this battle, which was fought near Cologne, A. D. 496, he adopted the lily, and it has been the national emblem ever since. - Exchange.