DIANDRIA. 109 



green. The genus contains a number of species, some of 

 which are of little or no use. That which affords the pickle 

 and oil, is known by the name of the Long-leaved Olive. 

 Both the pickles and oil come chiefly from Languedoc, Leg- 

 horn and Naples. The best pickles are however said to come 

 from Genoa, and Marseilles. The longevity of the Olive is 

 so great, that some plantations in Italy are said to have ex- 

 isted ever since the time of Pliny, that is, 1800 years. Ol- 

 ive oil is prepared by crushing the fruit to a paste, then press- 

 ing it through a woollen bag, adding hot water as long as any 

 oil is produced. The oil is then skimmed off the water and 

 put up for sale. 



Pickled Olives are prepared from unripe fruit, by repeat- 

 edly steeping them in water, to which quicklime is added, by 

 which the process is shortened. Afterwards they are soaked 

 in pure water, and then put into bottles with salt and water , 

 with or without aromatics, and are then ready for sale. The 

 Olive tree is propagated by large suckers or cuttings, placed 

 in deep trenches. 



GENUS Rosmarinus. Rosemary. Rosmarinus comes from 

 two Latin words, and signifies the dew of the sea. 



The plant is a perennial, labiate shrub, with the flowers 

 growing in clusters around the stalk. The common kind 

 yields a large quantity of fragrant oil, by distillation, which 

 is well known under the name of the oil of Rosemary. In 

 the language of flowers, Rosemary signifies repentance. It 

 was, however, formerly considered as an emblem of fidelity 

 in lovers. It was also worn at weddings and funerals, and is 

 said still to be used in Wales on the latter occasions, and dis- 

 tributed among those who attend. 



GENUS Salvia. Sage. The name of the genus comes 

 from the Latin salvere, to save, on account of its supposed 

 healing qualities. Botanists enumerate about 120 species, 

 and several varieties of this genus. The plants are chiefly 

 herbs and under shrubs, some of which are perennial, others 

 biennial, and others annual. The leaves are generally ru- 

 gose, or wrinkled, the smell aromatic, and the flowers in 

 spikes. All the genus are easily cultivated, and the species 

 so much resemble each other as to form one of the most 

 natural tribes known to Botanists. The Garden Sage, (Sal- 



What is said of the longevity of the olive tree ? Whence comes the 

 name" of sage ? How many species of sage are enumerated ? 

 10 



