338 CULTIVATED VEGETABLES. 



We are told that the use of this plant was 

 taught to man by the harts ; for that, when 

 these animals were wounded with arrows, 

 they ate plentifully of dittany, which had 

 the effect of discharging the darts out again. 

 The ancient traditionary tale on this plant 

 shews how far the sycophants of kings would 

 formerly venture. The flatterers of Cinyras, 

 King of Cyprus, to please his humour, and 

 console him for the death of his son Amara- 

 cus, assured him that this youth, while car- 

 rying a box of fragrant ointment through the 

 fields of herbs, by accident spilt it on this 

 shrub, which from thence received its excel- 

 lent savour. The prince mourning for the 

 loss of his ointment, the Gods in conside- 

 ration of his parentage and merit, changed 

 him into that herb, which was from that time 

 called, after his name, Amaracus. 



Catullus, in the epithalamium of Julia and 

 Manlius, notices this plant : 



" Cinge tempora floribus 

 Suave olentis Amaraci." 



Bind your brows with the flowers of sweet- 

 smelling marjoram. 



Majorana, the sweet or knotted marjoram, 

 the leaves or tops of which have a pleasant 



