©tinUIin basilicum. Xatuhal Ordkk: Labiatcv—Mhit Family. 



1 



WEET BASIL, or Royal Ocimum, is a ver}' aromatic herb 



tioin Persia, where it is much planted in graveyards. It is also 



indigenous to the East Indies, where its seeds are considered an 



intidote to the poison of serpents. It is an annual, about a foot 



higli, with a soft, oval leaf, various in color, which possesses a 



>^ \ery agreeable fragrance. The flowers, which are nearly white, 



appeal during the summer. French cooks are very partial to this 



heib in flavoring their various dishes, and for this purpose it is 



extensively grown in the vegetable gardens of Europe, as well as in 



America. Apparently from confounding the word with basiliscus, a 



basilisk, or possibly because of its use as an antidote, whence it ma)- 



ha\e come to represent a serpent hater, it has been taken as a 



symbol for hatred, but the following is the proper language. 



ittoh Hisl^js 



QOFT be the sleep of their pleasant hours, 

 ^ And calm be the seas thev roam ! 

 May the way they travel be strewed with flowe 

 Till it bring them safelv home! — Oliver T 



TO 



ish thee fairer is no need. 

 More prudent, or more sprightl; 

 Or more ingenious, or more freed 



From temper flaws unsightly- 

 What fa\or then not yet possess'd 



Can I for thee require, 

 In wedded love already blest 

 To thv whole heart's desire? 



-Covpfr 



. G. Wliiltier, 



AND what am I to you? A steady hand 

 ^ To hold, a .steadfast heart to trust withal; 

 Merely a man that loves you, and will stand 

 Bv vou. whate'er befall. _•?,,„, 



^^^- 



