DAPHNE. 151 



Mezereon is very sweet-scented; and, where there 

 are many together, they will perfume the air to a con- 

 siderable distance. The best time for transplanting this 

 shrub js the autumn ; because, as it begins to vegetate 

 early in the spring, it should not be then disturbed. It 

 thrives best in a dry soil : if it has too much wet, it be- 

 corfte$ mossy, and stinted m its growth, and produces fewer 

 ifowers. It should enjoy the morning sun, and remain 

 ajbtroad all the year. 



Of the other species of Daphne, the Silvery-leaved, a 

 native of the south of France, is one of the prettiest. 

 Thjs will not bear transplanting, and must be sheltered in 

 severe frost. Jt should be sparingly watered. The leaves 

 of this shrub are white, small, soft, and shining like satin : 

 between these leavea come out thick clusters of white 

 flowers, bell-shaped, and tinged with yellow on the inside. 



In France this plant is called Tartonraire. Tournefort, 

 in his Travels in the Levant, tells us that the ladies of Cora, 

 seeing him examine the plants by the wayside very atten- 

 tively, gave him a sprig of this, and asked him if he knew 

 the uses of it : he told them that, in France, it was used 

 medicinally ; but they pointed to their heads, and gave him 

 to understand that they used it as a'dye, to colour their veils 

 yellow ; and pointing out to him some persons who were 

 sweeping the terrace, and who showed him their brooms, in- 

 formed him that they called it " herbe aux balais? broom- 

 plant. For dyeing, they take the tops of the branches, 

 which they throw into boiling water ; and boiling them for a 

 few minutes, they then add a little powdered alum : the 

 article to be dyed is then put in, and left to soak all night : 

 and this yellow colour is as fine as any skill could make it ; 

 says Tournefort *. 



* Tpurnefprt, vol. ii. p. 134. 



