144 THE BOOK OF HERBS 



Horse Tinsel, make a glittering show and rattling Noise 

 when the J.ir moves them " ; also, " With the Leaves of 

 Laurel they made up their Despatches and Letters Laurus 

 involutoe, wrapt in Bay-leaves, which they sent the Senate 

 from the victorious General." Imagine a "victorious 

 General" now sitting down to label despatches with 

 leaves, signifying triumph ! " Ere Reuter yet had 

 found his range," how much better the art of becoming 

 ceremonial was understood. 



Finally, the Bay was regarded as a panacea for all 

 ailments, and, therefore, the statue of ^sculapius was 

 crowned with its leaves. 



I append to this book a copy of the List of Herbs that 

 Tusser gives in " March's Abstract." It will be seen 

 that he has carefully classified them according ' to their 

 suitability for stilling, strewing, bough-pots or kitchen. 



