LAVENDER OF ECONOMIC PLANTS. 241 



Laurel, Madeira (Z. indica), a large timber tree with broad, 

 elliptical, smooth leaves. Its timber is mahogany-like, but 

 coarse, and is called by the natives Vinatico. L, fmtens, a 

 large tree with broad shining leaves, native of Madeiia, and is 

 also found in the Canary Islands ; it is called foetens on 

 account of the fetid odour of its wood, which it retains for many 

 years. It is also known by the name of Til 



Laurel, New Zealand (Zaureha ^ JVovce-Zelandice), one of the 

 largest of the New Zealand trees, growing to a height of 150 

 feet and 3 to 7 feet in diameter, having buttresses at the base 15 

 feet thick. The wood is soft and yellow, and is much used for 

 boat-building. The fruit is aromatic. 



Another New Zealand species is Z, Koluhohe, a fine hand- 

 some tree, with a trunk free of branches to a height of 40 

 feet, and a diameter of 3 feet; its wood is red and fine-grained, 

 and makes handsome furniture. 



Laurel, Tasmanian, a name given to AnoiJterus glandidosa, 

 a small tree of the family Escalloniacese, having opposite leaves 

 and pretty white flowers ; native of Tasmania. 



Lavender {Lavandula vera), a shrub of the Mint family 

 (Labiatse), native of the South of Europe bordering on the 

 Mediterranean. It attains a height of 2 to 3 feet, having 

 narrow leaves. It is much cultivated in some parts of this 

 country, especially at Mitcham in Surrey, for the sake of 

 its flower- spikes, which are used as a domestic perfume. 

 From these is obtained by distillation the Oil of Lavender, 

 which dissolved in spirits of wine forms Lavender Water, 

 L. Spica and X. stcechas, also natives of the South of Europe, 

 yield an oil used by artists for varnishing, etc. Eed Lavender 

 drops of the shops are made by a mixture of lavender and 

 rosemary. 



Lavender, Sea (Statice Limonium), a perennial herb of the 

 Leadwort family (Plumbaginaceae), native of the southern coasts 

 of this country. It is also called Sea Thrift; it differs from 

 the grass-leaved thrift (Armeria maritima) in its leaves being 



^ A genus of tlie family Monimiaceee. (See Sassafras.) 



