280 FLORA DOMESTIC A. 



after which they let the mass ferment, and keep it by them 

 for chewing, especially when they are thirsty. If it be 

 chewed immediately after the fermentation, it intoxicates. 

 The word Kon is said to signify a quid ; the colonists call 

 it Canna-root. It is found in the driest fields only, and is 

 gathered chiefly by the Hottentots. These afterwards hawk 

 it about, frequently to a great distance, and exchange it for 

 cattle and other commodities. 11 Some of them smoke it 

 also *. 



He speaks also of a fourth species, of which " the fruit 

 was sometimes brought to town as a rarity, and was called 

 Rosa de Jericho. When it is put into water, it gradually 

 opens all its seed-vessels, and exactly resembles a sun ; and 

 when it becomes dry again, it contracts itself, and closes by 

 degrees-)-. 11 



MIGNONETTE. 



RESEDA ODOR'ATA. 



KESEDACEJE. DODECANDRIA TRIGYNIA. 



THIS plant is supposed to be an Egyptian, and to have 

 been brought hither from the South of France, where it is 

 called reseda d'Egypte, and herbe d? amour [love-flower], A 

 French appellation, derived from the Spanish, minoneta, 

 prevails here over its classical one. It is a favourite plant, 

 very fragrant, and has well justified this affectionate name, 

 Mignonette, or Little-darling : its sweetness wins all hearts. 



" The luxury of the pleasure-garden, 1 ' says Mr. Curtis, 

 " is greatly heightened by the delightful odour which this 

 little plant diffuses ; and as it grows more readily in pots, 

 its fragrance may be conveyed into the house. Its per- 

 fume, though not so refreshing perhaps as that of the 



* Thunberg's Travels, Vol. II. p. 98. t Ibid. p. 128. 



