328 CULTIVATED VEGETABLES. 



THYME.— THYMUS. 



Natural order 9 I erticillatce. A genus of the 

 Didynamia Gymnospermia class. 



This aromatic herb derives its name from 

 a Greek word, signifying courage or strength, 

 it having been supposed to revive the spirits, 

 which is noticed by Virgil, in the second 

 Eclogue of his Bucolics : 



" Thestylis et rapido fessis messoribus cestu 

 Allia, serpyllumque, herbas contundit olentes." 



And Thestylis wild thyme and garlic beats, 

 For harvest hinds, o'erspent with toil and heats. 



Dryden. 



Thyme grows in its natural state, most 

 abundantly on arid, hilly situations within 

 reach of the sea air, and on the slopes facing 

 the sun. It always denotes a pure atmo- 

 sphere wherever it grows spontaneously, and 

 it is thought to enliven the spirits, where it 

 perfumes the air. 



