THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 35 



scniblin^ the hup which fact cxphiitis the coninioii names. A 

 smaller species, less otten seen i> known a> the '\l\vart h(>[) clo- 

 ver" or "luw ln>p clover" {T. hrocuiiihcns. ) 



The avera,s:e individual makes no distinction between the 

 true clovers and the sweet clovers, thou^di the scientist finds 

 points of difference, and the maker of vernacular names ver- 

 ities his observations. Owing to the clover-like leaves, most 

 of the common names indicate a relation or resemblance to 

 the species of Trifoliiiiii. The "white sweet clover" (Mclio- 

 fiis alba )is called "honey clover" and "tree clover" the latter 

 on account of its size. The "sweet" in tlie names of plants 

 in this genus does not refer to the nectar, though this is abun- 

 dant enough to place the plants among the best honey-pro- 

 ducers, but to the strong, vanilla-like fragrance given off by 

 the plants when drying. This fragrance is due to a substance 

 very similar to the real vanilla. "Melilot" and "w'hite mel- 

 ilot" are derived from the generic name and "honey lotus" 

 is a direct translation of it. "Cabul clover" and "Bokhara 

 clover" evidently refer to the original home of the plant. The 

 specific name of the "yellow sweet clover" (M. officinalis) 

 indicates that it was once carried in stock by the apothecary. 

 This probably explains its name of "heartw^ort," since it was 

 valued for a variety of ills. "Hart's clover" shows how eas- 

 ily a similarity of sounds may lead to the origin of a mean- 

 ingless common name. The species was originally called cor- 

 ona regia and from its regal reputation "king's clover" and 

 "king's crown" have been derived. The name of "plaster 

 clover," it is surmised, indicates a medical use. "Balsam 

 flowers" is probably from the same circumstance. 



