fields or open situations, in summer. The roots perennial; 

 plant hairy, and somewhat viscid, two or three feet high; 

 leaves ovate or lanceolate, hairy; limb of each petal cloven 

 half way down, generally with two small acute lobes; its 

 crown consisting of two obtuse central teeth, and two acute 

 lateral ones. 



BALM. 



Melissa. 



Melissa, from Melissa, the Greek name of a Bee; or, 

 rather, as that name itself, like the ancient proper names 

 Melissa and Melissus, also originated from Meli, the 

 Greek for honey, because of the abundant and excellent 

 honey of the flowers of this herb, for which bees are said 

 greatly to frequent them. Rees' Encyclopedia. 



Balm, E. French Baume, a contraction of balsam, 

 which is an aromatic substance, flowing from certain plants. 



The Melissa Qfficinalis, Common Balm, has a plea- 

 sant scent, somewhat like the lemon, and has been denomi- 

 nated " Melissa odore citri," for this reason. It was for- 

 merly esteemed of great use in all complaints proceeding 

 from a disordered state of the nervous system. As a tea, 

 it is well known to be a grateful diluent drink in fevers, 

 either by itself, or acidulated with lemon. 



Balm is too generally known to require a botanical de- 

 scription. 



BALSAM. 

 Impatiens. 



Impatiens, so called from the great elasticity of the 

 sutures of its seed vessel, which is completely impatient of 

 the touch; curling up with great velocity, and scattering 

 round the seeds. From this remarkable circumstance, it 

 has obtained the English appellation of " Touch-me-not." 



It is a native of the East Indies, China, and Japan. It 

 has the advantage of retaining all its splendour and fresh- 

 ness during the drought of the hottest months. Contrary 

 to the nature of plants, in general, it droops in the cool of 

 the night, whilst it erects itself in the heat of day, which 

 causes most other plants to fade. In watering these plants, 

 care should be taken not to sprinkle or wet the foliage ; and 

 it is recommended to save the seeds from, the principal stem 

 only, and not from the collateral branches. 



General character of Impatiens: Perianth very small, 

 of two roundish, pointed, equal leaves, coloured, deciduous. 

 Corolla five-petalled, irregular; the upper petal roundish, 

 flat, slightly trifid, making a sort of upper lip; lower pair 

 very large, obtuse; intermediate pair opposite, rising from 

 the base of the upper petal; nectary receiving, like a hood, 

 the base of the flower. 



The generic name of Impatiens, has suggested the em- 

 blem of Impatience; but the Turks represent ardent love 

 by this flower. 



SWEET BASIL. 

 Ocimum BasUicum. 



Ocimum L. the ,x.,uo of the Greeks. Etymology un- 

 certain. Some derive the word from the Gr. wxiws, quickly, 

 swiftly or from coxi/iow or wxuj, swift, quick, rapid, &.c. 



The Ocimum BasUicum, or Common Sweet Basil, is a 

 native of India and Persia; and may be placed among the 

 hardy annuals. The leaves ovate, peculiarly smooth and cool 

 to the touch, and if not too much bruised, exhale a delightful 

 fragrance. The calyx is remarkably hairy ; the flowers violet- 

 coloured, varying in colour, sometimes only spotted with pur- 

 ple. 



Basil, E. French basilic Latin basilica Greek 

 j6<riA.ixoi/, signifying kingly, royal, courtly. 



Several of the species of the Ocimum are held in super- 

 stitious veneration by the Hindoos, and are used in their reli- 

 gious ceremonies. The species most in estimation at Cal- 

 cutta, is known by the general name of Toolsey. The whole 

 genus is valued for their fragrant, aromatic, and sweet scent; 

 which, in some instances, resembles the nutmeg, clove, cit- 

 ron, and fennel. 



That which is used in French cookery, rises about ten 

 inches high, sending out opposite four cornered branches 

 from the very bottom. Leaves ovate, narrowing gradually 

 towards each end in acute points, indented on their edges. 

 The whole plant hairy, and has the odour of cloves. 



BAY TREE. 



Laurus. 



Laurus, the ancient Latin name of the Bay Tree, for 

 which it is retained by modern botanists, and along with 

 which it now comprehends a great number of species, consti- 

 tuting one of the noblest genera in the whole vegetable king- 

 dom. The origin of the word is now lost in the obscurity of 

 antiquity: and whether etymologists derive it from lavo, to 

 wash, or from laus, praise or honour, we have not the satis- 

 faction to know. 



Bay, E. In Spanish Baya, is a berry, the fruit of the 

 laurel. Greek ,3tiov, a branch of the palm tree. It was used 

 in the ancient purifications. Jlinsworth. 



What is now called Bay, was formerly called Laurel, 

 which has introduced some confusion. 



Laurus, Latin Laurel, English A*$m, Greek. 



Daphne, so famous for her modesty, was transformed 

 into the Laurel, or Bay tree, which is always flourishing and 

 pure. Apollo, her lover, crowned his head with the leaves, 

 and ordained that for ever after, the tree should be sacred to 

 him. He says of the tree, alter the metamorphosis: 



Because thou canst not be 

 My mistress, I espouse thee for my tree: 

 Be thou the prize of honour and renown; 

 The deathless poet, and the victor crown. 

 Thou shalt the Roman festivals adorn, 

 And, after poets, be by victors worn. 

 * * * 



Secure from thunder, and unharm'd by Jove, 

 Unfading as th' immortal pow'rs above : 

 And as the locks of Phoebus are unshorn, 

 So shall perpetual green thy brows adorn. 

 The grateful tree was pleas'd with what he said, 

 And shook the shady honours of her head. 



Dryden's Ovid. 



