JASMINE. 91 
CHAPTER: TV: 
JASMINE, JONQUIL, AND HYACINTH. 
JASMINE. 
Axsovut 100 species of Jasmine are known, mostly natives of 
India, Arabia, and the tropieal regions of the Old World, there 
being only one or two South-American species. Linnzeus obtained 
a fancied etymology from va, “a violet,” and oom, “ smell,” but 
the odour of its flowers bears no resemblance to that of the violet ; 
it is, in fact, so peculiar as to be incomparable, and is probably 
almost the only floral perfume which cannot be imitated by art, 
i.e. by carefully blending other perfumes. The species most 
commonly known in this country is Jasminum officinale, L., the 
Common Jasmine. Its native habitat is not known, although it has 
been found wild in the South of Europe and several parts of India ; 
neither is the date of its introduction on record, but it has long 
been inured to our climate so as to thrive and flower well. To 
produce a good crop, it should be pruned in the autumn, as the 
flowers only form on the young shoots. It may easily be propagated 
by cuttings or layers. There are golden- and silver-edged leaf 
varieties, and a double-flowered variety. The flowerimg-time is 
from June to October. The perfume is far less powerful than when 
grown in a hot climate; this, and nearly all varieties of Jasmine, 
love the sun and flourish in the hottest parts of the earth. 
The Jasminum Sambac, Aiton, is a native of Arabia (where it is 
known as Ysmyn Zambak), but is found wild in many parts of 
India, birds eating the berries and dropping some of the seeds, 
which germinate. The seeds are only produced in hot countries. 
This plant is a climber, with white flowers, which, on account of 
their exquisite fragrance, are highly esteemed in the Hast. The 
perfume, although powerful, is said to refresh instead of oppress 
the head, as most strong perfumes do. 
