154 FLORA HISTORICA. 



MIGNONETTE. Reseda Odorata. 



Natural Order Miscellanece. Capparides and Rese- 

 dacea, Juss : a Genus of the Dodecdndria Tri- 

 gynia Class. 



the fragrant weed, 



The Frenchman's darling." 



COWPER. 



♦* Vos qualites surpassent vos charmes." 



It is not yet an age since this fragrant weed of 

 Egypt first perfumed the European gardens, yet 

 it has so far naturaUzed itself to our climate as 

 to spring from seeds of its own scattering, and 

 thus convey its delightful odour from the parterre 

 of the prince to the most humble garden of the 

 cottager. 



In less than another age we predict (without 

 the aid of Egyptian art,) that the children of 

 our peasants will gather this luxurious little plant 

 amongst the wild flowers of our hedge-rows. 



The Reseda Odorata first found its way to the 

 south of France, where it was welcomed by the 

 name of Mignonette, Little-darling, which was 



