HERBS USED IN DECORATIONS, ETC. 121 



Bergamot (Monarda jistulosa). 



It is extraordinary how little comment has been made 

 on the handsome red flowers and fragrant leaves of Red 

 Bergamot, or Bee-Balm — a name which Robinson gives 

 it. Growing in masses, it makes a lovely bit of colour, 

 and a very sweet border. Bergamot was a favourite 

 flower in the posies that country people used to take to 

 church, as Mrs Ewing observes in her story " Daddy 

 Darwin's Dove Cot." The youthful heroine loses her 

 posy of "Old Man and Mary golds" on the way to 

 Sunday school, and is discovered looking for it by an 

 equally youthful admirer. He at once offers to get her 

 some more Old Man. " But Phosbe drew nearer. She 

 stroked down her frock, and spoke mincingly but con- 

 fidentially. ' My mother says Daddy Darwin has red 

 bergamot i' his garden. We've none i' ours. My 

 mother always says there's nothing like red bergamot to 

 take to church. She says it's a deal more refreshing 

 than Old Men, and not so common." A note gives the 

 information that the particular kind of Bergamot meant 

 here was the Twinflower Monarda Didyma. There are 

 several varieties of Monarda. 



The only superstition that I have ever heard in any 

 way connected with the plant is, that in Dorsetshire it 

 is thought unlucky, and that if it be kept in a house an 

 illness will be the consequence. 



CoSTMARY (Tanacetum Balsamita). 

 Coole violets and orpine growing still, 

 Enbathed balme and cheerfuU galingale, 

 Fresh costmarie and healthfuU camomile. 



J^uiopOtlTIQl. 



Then balm and mint help to make up 

 IVIy chaplet and for trial 

 Costmary that so likes the cup. 

 And next it penny-royal. 



