The 38th Symbol in the Protreptics is: “Transplant mallows in your
garden, but eat them not.” On which Iamblichus observes as follows:
“This Symbol obscurely signifies that plants of this kind turn with the
sun, and it thinks fit that this should be noticed by us. It also adds,
_transplant_, that is to say, observe its nature, its tendency towards,
and sympathy with, the sun; but rest not satisfied, nor dwelt upon this,
but transfer, and as it were transplant your conception to kindred
plants and pot-herbs, and also to animals which are not kindred, to
stones and rivers, and, in short, to natures of every kind. For you will
find them to be prolific and multiform, and admirably abundant; and this
to one who begins from the mallows, as from a root and principle, is
significant of the union and consent of the world. Not only, therefore,
do not destroy or obliterate observations of this kind; but increase and
multiply them as if they were transplanted.”
P. 80. _Thus too he ordered them to abstain from the fish
Melanurus._[98]
The 6th Symbol in the Protreptics is, “Abstain from melanurus; for it
belongs to the terrestrial Gods.” And this, according to Iamblichus,
admonishes us to embrace the celestial journey, to conjoin ourselves to
the intellectual Gods, to become separated from a material nature, and
to be led as it were in a circular profession to an immaterial and pure
life. It further exhorts us to adopt the most excellent worship of the
Gods, and especially that which pertains to the primary[99] Gods.