HERBS AND AROMATIC PLANTS. 



131 



domestic medicine by persons suffering from chronic pulmonary 

 affections. 



Parsley {Pctroselinum sativum, fig. 206) is a plant of large con- 

 sumption in a family. It was formerly used for garlands : " Apium 

 igitur inter coronarias herbas memorandum est." A bed of con- 

 siderable size is required. Probably its chief use is for garnishing, 

 and then curled leaves are most appreciated. It is also used for 

 cooking, when the single-leaved variety is preferred ; but Thompson 

 has pointed out that by using only the curled leaves all ^^danger of 

 mistaking the fool's parsley (a poisonous plant) for it may be avoided. 

 The seed is sown in the end of February, and it runs to seed the 

 following year. There are many fine varieties, but I have generally 



Fig. 206.— I'lUbluy. 



Fig. 208.— Fennel. 



Fig. 207. — Chervil. 



used Myatt's garnishing. In winter sometimes the demand is great 



and the supply very small, and therefore it is well to cover some 



plants for winter use with hand-lights. Parsley was mentioned also 



by Horace as used for garlands : — 



" Est in horto, 

 Phylli, nectendis apium coronis." — Horace, ii. 367. 



Pliny sa}'s that it is considered that parsley prevents persons from 

 becoming drunk, and that it confers a good odour upon the body : — 

 " Apium ; hoc arceri ebrietatem bonumque corpori odorem conferre 

 aiunt." (Pliny, book xix. chap. 8.) 



K 2 



