LAVENDER. .) 1 I 



D. Rembert Dodoens, who wrote his Her- 

 bal in the time of Henry the Eighth, says, 

 "the English call it Spike, and Lavender ;" 



which is also a proof that it was then culti- 

 vated in this country. 



Gerard notices six varieties that were cul- 

 tivated in our gardens as early as the reign 

 of Elizabeth : one of these species, the cut- 

 leaved, (multifield, ) he says is called in Eng- 

 lish, Cassidonia, which seems to be derived 

 from the Casiae of Virgil. 



It does not appear that the English were 

 addicted to the use of perfumes in the time of 

 Henry the Eighth, or in the reign of Elizabeth ; 

 but both Dodoens and Gerard recommend 

 those who have the palsy or apoplexy to wash 

 themselves with lavender-water, or anoint 

 their limbs with the oil made from its flowers ; 

 though the latter author condemns the prac- 

 tice of " unskilful apothecaries and foolish 

 women," who give this and other hot com- 

 positions inwardly to all constitutions and for 

 all diseases. Conserves of lavender were 

 much used in the time of Gerard for various 

 complaints. 



It is far from our intention to condemn 

 the moderate use of perfumes, as it would 

 be extremely hard to debar those who reside 



