HERBS USED IN THE PRESENT TIME 9 



ing in 1822, gives forty-four, and it is worthy of notice, 

 that within the last eighty years, ox-eye daisy, yarrow, 

 lady's-smock, primrose and plantain were counted among 

 them. 



In this chapter, the herbs mentioned are those chiefly 

 used nowadays ; in the next chapter, these that were 

 favourites au temps jadis. It is a difficult line to draw, 

 for the popularity of many of them is, like themselves, 

 evergreen, but I have tried to put in the second chapter 

 those that have passed the zenith of their fame, though 

 they may still ride high in public estimation. 



Anise {Pimpinella Anisuin). 



His chimney side 

 Could boast no gammon, salted well and dried 

 And hook'd behind him ; but sufficient store 

 Of bundled anise and a cheese it bore. 



The Salad, Trans, from "Virgil." — Cowper. 



In Virgil's time Anise evidently must have been used 

 as a spice. It is a graceful, umbelliferous plant, a native 

 of Egypt, but the seeds will ripen in August in England 

 if it is planted in a warm and favourable situation. 

 Abercrombie ^ says " its chief use is to flavour soups, but 

 Loudon 2 includes it among confectionery herbs." 



Balm {Alelissa officinalis^ 



The several chairs of order look you scour 

 With juice of Balm and every precious flower. 



JVlerry Wi-vei of Windsor , V. v. 65. 



Then Balm and Mint helps to make up 

 My chaplet. 



The Muses Elysium, — DratTON. 



My garden grew Self-heal and Balm, 

 And Speedwell that's blue for an hour, 

 Then blossoms again, O, grievous my pain, 

 I'm plundered of each flower. 



Devonshire Song. 



1 "Every Man his own Gardener." 



2 " Encyclopedia of Gardening," 1822. 



