ANETHUM. 



(Anise of Scripture. Common Dill.) 



UMBELLIFERJE. Anethum gravcolcns. 



Matt, xxiii. 23. 



must explain the use of this name before commencing 

 to speak of the plant it represents. The word in Matt, 

 xxiii. 23, translated ANISE, signifies &quot;to run up,&quot; and 

 in its spelling is anetlton rather than anise. It refers 

 to a species of herb known as the Anethum in the 

 time of our Saviour, and even before that time, as appears 

 probable from the similarity of the word to that used by Virgil, 

 who speaks of its fragrance thus : 



Et florem jungit bene olentis anethi. 

 &quot;And adds the flower of the fragrant dill.&quot; 



The plant is therefore not properly anise, which, though of the 

 same order, is a different variety. 



The usual height of the anethum is about two feet, having 

 leaves similar to the parsley, and bearing bunches of small 

 flowers, not particularly pleasing, called umbels; whence the 

 name of the order. It was probably an unimportant article, 

 and occasionally used in the Jewish method of embalming 

 among the poorer classes. Its insignificance made the remark 

 of our Saviour more forcible: &quot;Woe unto you, scribes and 



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