CISTUS. 109 



The Spanish Gum Cistus : white flowers, with spots of 

 purple at the base ; in blossom from June to August. 

 The whole plant exudes a sweet glutinous substance in 

 warm weather, which has a strong balsamic scent, and per- 

 fumes the air to a great distance. 



The Montpelier Gum Cistus *, a native of Narbonne and 

 Valencia: white flowers, open from June to August. 

 This species exudes a gum, like the last. There is a va- 

 riety of it, with lemon-coloured flowers. 



The Hoary Rock Rose, or Rose Cistus, le ciste ordinaire 

 of the French ( ; a native of Spain and Narbonne ; purple 

 flowers. 



The Cretan Cistus : a native of the Levant ; flowers red 

 purple, blowing in June and July. This is frequently 

 called the Ladaniferous Cistus J, being that from which 

 the drug called ladanum is obtained : a kind of resin, which, 

 on account of its fragrant smell, is frequently used in fumi- 

 gations. 



The White-leaved Cistus, a native of Spain and Nar- 

 bonne : flowers purple. June and July. 



The Sea Purslane-leaved Cistus, a native of Portugal ; 

 with large bright yellow flowers, which appear in June and 

 July. 



These Cistuses are shrubs, from one foot to five or six 

 feet high. They must be housed at the approach of win- 

 ter, and gradually replaced in the open air early in the 

 spring. The earth should be kept moderately moist. 



The Dwarf Cistus, or Little Sunflower, is an indigenous 

 plant : it is called in France, lajleur du soleil [sun flower] ; 

 Thysope des Carigues; fherbe ft or [golden herb] : and in 



* Italian, Reimbrentine ; Tignamicore. 

 f Italian, Rosolajo. 

 t Italian, Ladano. 



