NARCISSUS OF ECONOMIC PLANTS. 283 



Ladanum). 2. Balsamodendron, Myrrlia, a small tree of tlie 

 family Amyridaceae, growing in rocky places, and on limestone 

 hills on tlie Somali coast of Africa. The balsam exudes naturally 

 from the stems and branches, but more abundantly from arti- 

 ficial incisions. It is a sticky white gum, which soon hardens, 

 and is then collected. It is conveyed to Bombay, from whence 

 it comes to this country. A similar product is also yielded by 

 B. Kataf and B. Ojjohalsamum. Though much has been done 

 of late years towards clearing up the identification of these 

 plants, some uncertainty still exists regarding them. The gum 

 is valued for its medicinal properties as well as for its perfume. 



Myrtle, Tasmanian. {See Beech.) 



Myrtle Tree {Myrtus communis), the typical representative 

 of the Myrtle family (Myrtace?e). It is a native of "Western 

 Asia, common in Palestine, and has been introduced and become 

 naturalised in Southern Europe. In favourable situations it 

 forms a small tree 20 or more feet in height, but is often seen as a 

 Ijushy shrub. Its wood is hard and mottled, often knotty, and 

 is much esteemed in turnery. An oil is obtained from it, which 

 is used in perfumery, as also the leaves, which constitute sachet 

 powders, pot pourris, etc. Its fruit, which is a pulpy black 

 berry, is used in some countries as an aromatic condiment. It 

 was introduced into this country about 300 years ago, and in 

 protected situations, such as on a south w^all, it is sufficiently 

 hardy to withstand the ordinary winters of the climate of Lon- 

 don. The Myrtle is mentioned in the Bible, and is used by the 

 Jews as an emblem in the Feast of the Tabernacle, but only 

 sprigs of the variety having three leaves in a whorl. 



Narcissus, the botanical as also the familiar English name 

 for a genus of bulbous plants of the Amaryllidacece, of which 

 the Daffodil (iV. pseudo-narcissus), Jonquil {N. jonquilla), the 

 Poet's Narcissus (iY.j:>oc^'iczts), Hoop-petticoat Narcissus (N. hulho- 

 codium), and numerous other species, are patronised in this 

 country for their early flowering. They are natives chiefly of 

 Southern Europe. The Polyanthus Narcissus (N. Tazetta) is a 

 native of Southern Europe and Western Asia, being abundant 



