OLIVE-TREE. 273 



OLIVE-TREE. 



OLEA. 



OLEINEJE. DIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 



French, 1'olivier. Italian, ulivo; olivo; when wild, olivastrello 

 salvatico. 



OLIVES are evergreen trees or shrubs, and some of the 

 species are common in drawing-rooms, balconies, &c. In 

 this country they require winter shelter, from Septem- 

 ber till May, in common seasons. The earth should not 

 be suffered to remain dry, but water should be given in 

 small quantities. The blossoms are white, and very small. 



The unripe fruit of the Olive, pickled, of the Provence 

 and Lucca kinds in particular, is to many persons ex- 

 tremely grateful, and is often eaten after dinner with 

 wine : it is supposed to promote digestion, and excite 

 appetite. The oil expressed from the fruit is one of the 

 purest of all the vegetable oils : it is the kind commonly 

 used for culinary purposes ; and with the exception of the 

 oil of almonds is the most frequently directed for me- 

 dicinal preparations. 



The Olive is common to all the quarters of the earth ; 

 it is celebrated in scriptural history, the dove, which 

 Noah sent out from the ark, returning with an Olive- 

 branch in his bill. 



According to poetical history, the Olive was presented 

 to the world by Minerva. We are told that a contest 

 arose between that goddess and Neptune for the right of 

 giving a name to the city of Athens ; and that Jupiter de- 

 creed that the right should belong to whichever of them 

 should confer the most beneficial gift upon mankind. 



" The sea-god stood, and with his trident strake 

 The cleaving rock, from whence a fountain brake ; 



T 



