384 FLORA DOMESTICA. 



merable, in favour of the ancient Hyacinth flower, or Mar- 

 tagon Lily. With regard to the love these flowers bear to 

 Apollo, it is certainly true that they have a more lively and 

 joyous aspect when he is present than ever they are seen to 

 exhibit in his absence ; but if every flower who takes delight 

 in his beams be supposed to have been his friend or mistress, 

 Apollo's loves must have been even more numerous than they 

 have been thought to be. Spenser at least is mistaken in 

 the name of the favourite who gave birth to the Pansy. 

 Let the reader judge and determine for himself, whether 

 the Sweet-briar was originally the fair Coronis. 



ROSEMARY. 



ROSMARINUS. 



LABIATE. DIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 



The botanical name of this plant is compounded of two Latin words, 

 signifying Sea-dew ; and indeed Rosemary thrives best by the sea. 

 French, romarin ; encensier [incense- wort] . Italian, rosmarino ; ra- 

 merino; ramarino. 



ROSEMARY is common in the South of Europe, Barbary, 

 and the Levant, and in the open ground will bear the win- 

 ter in this climate ; but, when in pots, it is necessary to 

 afford it the protection of a roof during the winter season. 



It has been held in high esteem as a "comforter of the 

 brain," and a strengthener of the memory ; and on the 

 latter account is an emblem of fidelity in lovers. Formerly 

 it was worn at weddings, and at funerals also : in some 

 parts of England, Mr. Martyn says, " that in his time it 

 was still customary to distribute it among the company at a 

 funeral, who frequently threw sprigs of it into the grave." 



Gay refers to this custom in his Shepherd's Week : 



" To show their love, the neighbours far and near 

 Followed with wistful look the damsel's bier. 



