BALM. 53 



BALM. 



MELISSA. 



LABIATE. DIDYNAMIA GYMNOSI'EIIMIA. 



From the fondness of bees for this plant, it is named melissa [a 

 bee], melissophyllum [bee-leaf], from the Greek; and apiastrum, of 

 a like signification, from the Latin. From its strong scent of lemons, 

 Gesner has called it citrago. French, le melisse des jardins [garden 

 balm] ; herbe de citron [lemon herb] ; citronade, citronelle, both from 

 the odour ; poncirade ; piment des mouches a, miel [bees' spice]. 

 Italian, melissa; cedronella; cedrancella; citraggine; melacitola. 

 In the Brescian territory, sitornela. 



IT is seldom that this darling of the bees is admitted 

 into the flower-garden, yet it is very pretty when in flower ; 

 particularly that which is called the Great-flowered Balm, 

 which has large purple flowers. Many a useless plant is 

 admitted into the flower-garden with not half the beauty 

 of this, which would deserve a place there for its scent 

 alone. It was formerly considered as an efficacious remedy 

 in hypochondria, but it is not so highly esteemed by the 

 physicians of the present day. It proves, at least, an inno- 

 cent substitute for foreign tea, which many persons find 

 injurious to them; and many think its aromatic flavour 

 very agreeable. Much of the prejudice against our native 

 tea-plants has arisen from the tea being made of the fresh 

 herbs, and by far too strong. If the Chinese tea were 

 used as lavishly, it would be still more disagreeable to the 

 taste than our native teas. 



On account of its being so great a favourite with the 

 bees, it was one of the herbs directed by the ancients to be 

 rubbed on the hive, to render it agreeable to the swarm : 



" Intorno del bel culto e chiuso campo 

 Lieta fiorisca 1'odorata persa, 

 El 1'appio verde, e 1' umile serpillo, 

 Che con mille radici attorte e crespe 



