HYSSOP 



345 



July, most commonly as an edging to beds of other plants. It 

 is advisable to renew the plantation every three or four years. 

 The leaves and the ends of the branches are used as a condiment, 

 especially in the countries of the North. 



ICE-PLANT 



Mesembryanthemum crystallinum, L. Ficoidece* 



French, Ficolde glaciale. German, Eiskraut. Flemish and Dutch^ Ijsplant. Italian, 

 Erba diacciola. Spanish, Escarchosa. 



Native of Greece or the Cape of Good Hope. Perennial, but 

 grown in gardens as an annual. A spreading, round-stemmed 

 plant. Blade of the leaf 

 widened towards the ex- 

 tremity, and contracted 

 towards the stalk; flowers 

 whitish, small, with a 

 swollen calyx, which is 

 covered, as are all the 

 green parts of the plant, 

 with small, very trans- 

 parent, membranous 

 bladders, which give the 

 plant the appearance of 

 being covered with frozen 

 dew ; seeds very small, 

 black, and shining. 

 Their germinating power 

 lasts for five years. The 

 culture is exceedingly 

 easy. The seed is sown 

 like Spinach seed, and 

 the plants bear hot and dry weather admirably. This quality and 

 the thickness and slightly acid flavour of the fleshy part of the 

 leaves have caused it to be used as a fresh table vegetable for 

 summer use in warm, dry countries. However, it is rather a plant 

 to be grown as a curiosity in the gardens of amateurs, and it is 

 also not without merit as an ornamental plant. The leaves are 

 eaten minced and boiled. 



Ice-plant ($ natural size). 



LAVENDERS 



There are two small undershrubs used for perfumery purposes, 

 and sometimes grown in our gardens, belonging to the genus 

 Lavandula. Both-=are natives of Southern Europe, and exhale a 

 delicate, penetrating fragrance. 



