JASMINE. 317 



The Italian yellow jasmine, J. humile, pro- 

 duces larger flowers than the common yellow 

 jasmine, and is therefore preferred in the 

 shrubbery ; where it requires a south aspect 

 and sheltered situation. It was first cultiva- 

 ted with us in 1730, but its native soil still 

 remains unknown ; it acquired its name from 

 being sent out of Italy with oranges, trees, &c. 



This kind is generally propagated by bud- 

 ding, or inarching it upon the common yellow 

 sort, as these plants are more hardy than 

 those raised by layers. 



We shall pass over the more tender spe- 

 cies of jasmines, which are the inmates of 

 the conservatory; only observing, that the 

 florist cannot bestow his labour on a more 

 delightful genus of plants. We now reckon 

 eleven distinct species of jasmines, besides 

 varieties of several of them. 



The ancients employed the berries of the 

 jasmine in their pretended divinations ; and 

 the oil obtained from the flowers was used in 

 the baths of females. 



