KITCHEN HERBS. 65 



from fenum, hay. It was well-known to the ancients, Pliny accord- 

 ing twenty-two remedies to it. He observes that serpents taste it 

 " when they cast their old skins, and that they sharpen their sight 

 with the juice by rubbing against the plant." 



Together with the St. John's-wort, it used to be hung over doors to 

 warn evil spirits. Like several other Umbellifers, it is carminative, as 

 is Dill, and was used in several drugs in the Middle Ages. Gerard 

 (1597) only refers to medicinal uses. Parkinson (1640) appears to 

 think that its culinary use was derived from Italy ; for he says : 

 " The leaves, seede and rootes are both for meate and medicine; the 

 Italians especially doe much delight in the use thereof, and therefore 

 transplant and whiten it, to make it more tender to please the taste, 

 which being sweete and somewhat hot helpeth to digest the crude 

 qualitie of Fish and other viscous meats. We use it to lay upon Fish 

 or to boyle it therewith and with divers other things, as also the seede 

 in bread and other things." 



HOREHOUND. 



Marrubium vulgare, L. The common or white Horehound is a 

 native, but also widely dispersed over Europe. It was formerly used 

 in various ways as a drug-plant, but is now only grown for a beverage 

 and a remedy for coughs, and as a seasoning plant. 



HYSSOP. 



The modern Hyssop is Hyssopus officinalis, L., a native of South 

 Europe. It was only used as a drug formerly, but now young shoote 

 are sometimes employed as a pot-herb. It is often mentioned in the 

 Bible, but it cannot for certain be known what Labiate it was. Pro- 

 bably more than one were used.* 



ICE-PLANT. 



Mesembryanthemum crystallinum, L., a native of the Canaries, 

 is so called from the innumerable bladdery hairs filled with water 

 which give the plant a frosty appearance. It is used for table decora- 

 tions. It was first introduced in 1775. The generic name was given 

 because it only flowers in great sunshine or the " middle of the day." 



LAVENDER. 



Lavandula vera (Spica, L.), a native of South Europe, and allied 

 species, were well known to the ancients for their perfume, the name 

 being derived from lavo, to "wash," as it was used in baths. It was 

 introduced in 1568. Its uses as a perfume are familiar to all. 



MARJORAM. 



Pot Marjoram is a shrubby species, Origanum Onites, L., of South 

 Europe, Onitis having been both the Greek and Latin name. The 

 Sweet Marjoram is 0. Majorana, L., of North Africa. Both are used 



* See Plants of the Bible (Bagster). 



F 



