28 THE VERBENA OFFICINALIS, OR VERVAIN. 



bell-shaped, tube an inch lottg; and the five laige-Iobed limb is nearly 

 four inches across. Messrs. Lucombe, Pince, and Co., of Exeter, pos- 

 sess this charming species, which deserves a place in every stove. 



Verbena trifida. — A dwarf perennial herbaceous plant, a native 

 of the temperate parts of America. It grows a foot high ; the flowers 

 white, and diffuses a delicious fragrance. It possesses little beauty, 

 but its sweet perfume is delightful. It will enable us to obtain an 

 hybrid race with beautiful flowers possessing these fragrant qualities. 

 It is in the collection at Sion House gardens. 



THE VERBENA OFFICINALIS, OR VERVAIN. 



Every reader of this Magazine not only knows, but admires the lovely 

 Verbenas which add so much to the beauty and ornament of our flower 

 gardens of the present day. It is not, however, generally known that 

 the Verbena was held in high estimation and venerated by the ancients 

 of our own and other countries. The very name of the Vervain car- 

 ries our thoughts back to the darkest ages of superstition, and to the 

 religious customs of the ancient Heathens; and although they were in 

 almost all particulars ridiculously absurd, yet their antiquity and inti- 

 mate connexion with our own forefathers, invests it with a claim upon 

 our particular attention. Whilst it was held in reverential regard by 

 them, and we so much admire the beauties of the improved race we 

 possess, we are taught the lesson, that it becomes us to feel grateful 

 that we live in a brighter day, illumined by the mild rays of a vital 

 Christianity. 



The derivation of the. name Verbena is somewhat uncertain; it 

 originally signified any herb used to decorate altars for religious 

 purposes ; and this being so universally employed, received the appel- 

 lation of The Verbena. 



The Vervain sustained a considerable part in the impositions which 

 were practised upon the credulous in ancient" times, and hence it is so 

 frequently mentioned in profane history. The Magi (termed Wise 

 Men) of the ancient Elamites or Persians, made great use of this plant 

 in their worship or adoration of the sun, always carrying branches of 

 it in their hands when they approached the altar. The magicians also 

 employed the Vervain in their pretended divinations, and affirmed that, 

 by smearing the body over with the juice of this plant, the person 

 would obtain whatever he set his heart upon, and be enabled to recon- 

 cile the most inveterate enemies, make friends with whom he pleased, 

 gain the affections and cure the diseases of whom he listed. When 

 they cut this plant it was always done when neither the sun or moon 

 was visible, and they poured honey and honeycomb on the earth as an 

 atonement for robbing it of so precious an herb. 



The Greeks called it The Sacred Herb, Juno's tears, and Dove- 

 wort ; and it was with this plant only that they cleansed the festival 

 table of Jupiter before any great solemnity took place, and hence, ac- 

 cording to Pliny, the name of Verbena is derived. It was also one of 



