LAVENDER. 308 



These people appear to have set great value 

 on aromatic drugs, which, on account of the 

 damp fogs arising from the Nile, they could 

 not obtain in so high a degree of perfection 

 from their native plants. The Ishmaelitish 

 merchants to whom Joseph was sold, were 

 going into Egypt with their camels laden 

 with " spices, and balm, and myrrh." * The 

 Israelites would, of course, become acquaint- 

 ed with the use of these luxuries during their 

 bondage in Egypt ; and particularly Moses, 

 from his having been bred up in Pharaohs 

 court. Among the offerings which the children 

 of Israel made for the Tabernacle, were spices 

 for anointing oil, and for sweet incense, •f In 

 the 30th chapter of Exodus, we learn that 

 Moses was commanded to make the holy 

 anointing oil, and a perfume of various aroma- 

 tic gums and vegetables, after the manner of 

 the apothecaries." 



" Why need I name the sweet balsamic oil, 



Which weeps from shrubs in Juda's fertile soil T 



Virgil. 



This precious balm, so often mentioned in 

 Scripture, was drawn from shrubs which 

 grew only in two places in Judea. These 



# Gen. c. xliii. v. 11. t Exodus, c. xxv. v. G. 



