300 CULTIVATED VEGETABLES. 



period, has described the lavender plant un- 

 der the name of Nardus. The blossom he 

 notices as forming a spike, and says there is 

 a spurious kind of nard, which is often sold 

 for the true spikenard. In the same chapter 

 he states that the most costly and precious 

 ointment was made from the aromatic leaves 

 of the nardus, and that the spikes (blossoms) 

 sold for 100 Roman denarii, (3/. 2s. 6d.) 

 a pound. 



This exact naturalist has described the 

 varieties so minutely, that it cannot be mis- 

 taken for any other plant. " The Romans/' 

 says he, " esteem the leaves of the nardus 

 that is brought from Syria as the best; next 

 to that the Gallic lavender or nardus is in 

 estimation/' He also notices the spikenard 

 of Candia, and of India ; but he does not 

 even hint that the latter plant was used as 

 a perfume. What especially confirms this 

 opinion is, that Pliny, after having described 

 the same ointment mentioned by the Evan- 

 gelists, which he directs to be kept in pots 

 or vessels of alabaster, observes that the 

 flowers or spikes of the plant being laid in 

 wardrobes give a most agreeable perfume to 

 the garments. 



Lavender, or Nardus, was likewise called 



