152 SYLVA RLORIFERA. 



Spain, where this rushy shrub grows in abun- 

 dance, particularly about Carthagena, cordage 

 was formed from those twigs, and most pro- 

 bably the broom was then first called Spartium 

 by the Greeks. The origin of its Latin name 

 genista, or genesta a genuum jlexilitate, from 

 it's flexible nature; or, according to some, 

 quod facile generet, speciemque propagaret, 

 because it is easily increased, and with diffi- 

 culty destroyed in its natural situation. 



The English name of this plant, which 

 Turner spelt " browme," has no resemblance 

 to any other language except the Dutch, who 

 call it brem. 



" Even humble broom and osiers have their use, 

 And shade for sheep, and food for flocks produce; 

 Hedges for corn, and honev for the bees, 

 Besides the pleasing prospects of the trees." 



The broom being thus recommended to us 

 by the Prince of the Latin Poets, has a strong 

 claim to a situation in the shrubbery, particu- 

 larly the Spanish broom, Spartium junceum, 

 which was an inmate of our gardens prior to 

 1564, when Turner wrote his Herbal ; for he 

 says, " It came of late to us out of Spain." 

 Perhaps it was given to us by Spain, when 

 their king was a husband to a British queen ; 

 and however slight such a gift might have 



