SPIKENARD OF ECOXOMIC PLANTS. 387 



Spaetlum. (aS^^^ Bitter-root.) 



Spanish Elm, a name in the West Indies for Cordia 

 Gerascantlhus, a large tree of the Sebesten family (Cordiaceiie), 

 native of the West Indies. Its wood is hard, and used for many 

 purposes. 



Spanish Juice. {Sec Liquorice.) 



Spearmint {Mentha viridis), a herb of the ]\Iint family 

 (Labiatie). It possesses aromatic properties, and is used for 

 culinary purposes, especially as a sauce, and is supposed to be 

 the Mint spoken of in the New Testament. It is a native of 

 this country. 



Spelt {Triticum Spdtct), a corn-grass, intermediate between 

 barley and wheat, but considered to be a hard-grained kind of 

 the latter. It is supposed to be the rye grown in Egypt in the 

 time of Moses. It is sparingly cultivated in France and other 

 parts of Europe at the present day. 



Spice Wood. — Laurus Benzoin, now called Benzoin odori- 

 ferum, a genus of the Laurel family (Lauracea;). B. odoriferum, 

 native of North America, is a bush 8 to 10 feet high, having 

 oblong wedge-shaped leaves and small umbels of yellow flowers, 

 appearing before the leaves. Its fruit is a berry. It is said to 

 have been used in the United States as a substitute for allspice ; 

 it yields an aromatic stimulant oil. The bark is aromatic, 

 stimulant, and tonic. 



Spiderworts, a common name for Tradescantia, a genus of 

 the family Commelynacere. T. virginica and others are showy 

 garden perennials, with white or blue flowers. The filaments of 

 the stamens are jointed, and viewed under a microscope the 

 circulation of the sap in each joint is seen. 



Spikenard, or Nard {Nardostachys Jatamansi), a perennial 

 herb of the Valerian family (Yalerianace?e), closely allied to the 

 common A^alerian ( Valeriana officinalis), but the roots have a 

 much stronger smell. It is a native of Nepal, Bhotan, and other 

 parts of the Himalayan Mountains. In India its roots are highly 

 prized as a perfume for the hair ; and there is every reason to 

 believe that the "alabaster box of ointment of Spikenard" 



