PLANTS. 271 



the second. These valuable trees abound in the Molucca 

 Islands, but are found both in the East and West In- 

 dies, b. 



The Common Myrtle (Mjrthis communis), Tourne. 

 Leaves oblong, ovate, shining, with a marginal vein ; 

 flowers white ; the whole shrub prized for its elegance of 

 form and evergreen fragrant leaves and blossoms. It 

 was sacred to Venus, and the brows of bloodless victors 

 were adorned with myrtle-wreaths. At Athens it was 

 an emblem of civic authority. It grows as a shrub to a 

 height of six feet, seldom higher ; bears a dark blue 

 berry, resembling that of the Juniper tree. There is a 

 species in Syria, cultivated for the sake of the. fruit, 

 which, about as large as a cherry, is red or white, and of 

 a pleasant flavor. A myrtle crown is an indispensable 

 ornament of a bride in the countries where the shrub is 

 native. Found everywhere in places bordered by the 

 Mediterranean, h. 



The Pimento or Allspice (Myrthus pimenta), has 

 oblong, shining, leather-like leaves ; flowers small and 

 insignificant ; bears dark-hued berries, something larger 

 than those of the Juniper, of pungent, aromatic taste. 

 Grows in the East Indies, a large tree, thirty feet high. 

 The berries, known as allspice, are used everywhere. 

 Yield a pungent, aromatic oil, useful for many pur- 

 poses. \i- 



Carolina Allspice or Sweet-scented Shrub belongs to 

 the Melastoma or myrtle-like plants. Fruit, like a rose 

 hip, but dry when ripe, and larger, enclosing the large 

 achenia. 



The Guava (Psidium pyriferum) grows in the West 

 Indies, and cultivated in other tropical countries, is about 

 the size of a common apple tree ; bark hard and smooth ; 



